These are some of the most common names in the native Shona
language of Zimbabwe,spoken by over 80% of the population. I wrote these names from
my head because I know friends and people with such names. I can speak and write
the common Karanga Shona version fairly well, although deep Shona can be a
challenge. Shona has five dialects (Karanga, Zezuru, Manyika, Ndau and Kore Kore).
>>
Scroll Down To The List of Names
Learning Shona
Shona is one of the easiest African languages to learn and
pronounce if you are a beginner. How quickly you learn a new language depends on
various factors, but the most important are the ease of pronunciation, number
of words required per description, the relationship and resemblance of the
language to languages that you can speak fluently. Of course, you also need dedication
and effective tools to help you learn faster. Another way of learning a new
language quickly is inter-cultural social interaction with people of different
languages who also share a common language like English to help with
interpretation.
Pronunciation
If you can pronounce Spanish, Japanese and Italian words,
then you will find it easy to pronounce Shona words because the languages have
similar vowel pronounciations. Spanish is one of the easiest languages to learn
in the world. So don't be surprised when you find a typical Shona man pronouncing English with a vernacular accent similar to the Japanese :) Of course, there are many Shona men and women who speak English with a polished accent, for example, the famous Robert Mugabe, former president of Zimbabwe.
Number of Words per Description
A language with multiple words per description is hard to
learn and pronounce because you have to figure out how to pronounce multiple
words in a row. Shona is a language with fewer words per description, therefore
it is much easier to learn, for example, look at the following words:
Ndichamboenda – a
single word that means “I am now going”
Ndichambodya – a single
word meaning “I am eating”
Mamukasei – a single
word that means “Good morning” You start with Ma when you are
greeting an elder, senior or older person to show respect.
Wamukasei – a
single word that means “Good morning” You
start with Wa when you are greeting a young person, friend, sibling or
someone at your level.
Masvera sei? – How was
your day? Once again
Ma is used
to show respect to an elder or senior.
Wasvera sei? - How was your day? Once again Wa is used when greeting a younger person, friend, sibling or someone at your level.
Wakanaka - a single word meaning You are beautiful
Akanaka - a single word meaning She is beautiful
Ndinofara - a single word meaning I am happy
Zvakanaka - a single word meaning It is good or It's fine
Zvinonaka - a single word meaning It's sweet
Ndinenzara - I am hungry
Interesting Sounds
Shona has some interesting sounds which might be hard to
pronounce for somebody who did not grow up in the social setting. These include whistled sounds, deep clapping sounds,click sounds and snapping sounds among others.
Whistled Sounds
The Shona language has about nine sounds that are more or less whistled for the lack of a better term.
Here are some of the words with whistled sounds:
Zvishavane – (name of a
small town in Zimbabwe) – Zvi is the
whistled sound
Zvanyanya – (it’s too
much) – Zva is the whistled sound
Nzeve – (an ear) – Nze is the whistled sound
Tsvaga mari yangu – (Find
my money) – Tsva is the whistled sound
Wadzva – (You failed,
you learnt a lesson) – Dzva is the
whistled sound
Dzidzai – (Learn, Get
educated) – Dzi is the whistled
sound
Masvingo – (name of a town
in Zimbabwe) – Svi is the whistled
sound
Deep Clickish Sounds
These are like click sounds requiring movement of tounge tip towards the roof of the mouth.These start with D followed by a vowel:
Davira – (Respond)– Da is the clickish sound
Unodada – (You are arrogant)
– Da is the clickish sound
Doro – (Beer) – Do is the clickish sound
Dambudziko – (Problem)
– Da is the clickish sound
Dovi – (peanut butter) – Do is the clickish sound
Deep Clap Sounds
The sounds are almost like the Traditional Shona deep hand clapping.These start with B followed by a vowel:
Baba – (dad, father,
family man) – Ba is the deep clap
Buda - (go out) - Bu is the clap and Da is the click
Budiriro - (name of a township in Harare) - Bu is the clap and Di is the click
Badza - (hoe) - Ba is a deep clap
Bika - (cook) - Bi is the deep clap
Lower Lip Biting Sounds
You have to grasp your lower lip when pronouncing these sounds.
Zvinovava – (bitter
tasting) – Va is the lip sound
Vaviri – (two of them
- referring to people) – Va and Vi are lip sounds
Vana - (children) - Va is the lip sound
Vauya - (He or She has come) - Va is the lip sound. You start with Va when you are referring to an elder, senior, older person or honourable person e.g. a Chief or someone occupying a high position in society.If you are referring to an ordinary person, friend, younger person or sibling, you simply say Auya.
Ndinoziva - (I know) - Va is the lip sound
Snap/Breaking Sounds
The sound is almost similar to the snap of a twig, tree branch or dry wood.They start with Ty followed by a vowel:
Unotyei - (what are you afraid of?) - Tye is the snap sound
Kutyoka - (break like a twig or plank) - Tyo is the snap sound
Unoda Kutyiwa - (you want to be feared) - Tyi is the snap sound
Combinations
Dovi – (peanut butter)
– Do and Vi are deep sounds
Notes***English
translation in brackets.
Shona names for baby twins (girls and boys) are
listed here >> [click]
Anesu (He is with us - referring to
God) male name
Anashe (With God /She is with God / God is with her) female name
Nyasha (Grace) male
Tawanda (We are many) male
Tawona/Taona (We have seen) male+female
Tariro (Hope / looking forward to
the future) male
Tamuka (We are awake/We have risen)
male
Tonderai (Remember / Recollect) male
Taurai (Talk) male
Tanaka (we are good,nice,pleasant)
male+female
Tashinga (we are brave) male
Tongai (Rule) male
Tatonga (We rule) male
Takunda (we conquered) male
Tauya ( we have come) male
Farai (Be happy) male
Tofara (we are happy) male
Kudakwashe (will of God) male
Kudzai (respect) female
Kudzanai (respect each other) female
Rukudzo (respect) female
Tinotenda ( We are thankful) male
Tendai (Thank you) male
Chipo (Gift) female name
Gamuchirai (To accept a gift with
your hands ) female
Yeukai ( We Remember) female name
Vimbai (Abide with) female name
Vimbainashe (Abide with God) female
name
Fungai (think) female name
Fungisai (think well) female
Garai (Stay) Male name
Garikai (have a good life) male
Mufaro (happiness) male
Farisai (be very happy) female
Tsvakai (Look for) female name
Tsitsi (Mercy) female name
Rudo (Love) female
Takura (We are grown up) male
Wonai (See) female+male
Zivanai (Get to know each other)
male name
Zivai (Know) male
Shamiso (A great wonder / wonderful)
female name
Zvikomborero (blessings) female
Shingirai (be brave) male
Shingai (be brave) male
Simbarashe (God’s power) male
Simba (power) male
Rindai (keep watch,take care of)
female
Rufaro (joy) male+female
...............................................................
Anokosha (she is precious) female
Aneni (she is with me) female
Anodiwa (beloved) female
Anotida (she loves us) female
Anoona (she sees) female
Batsirai (help) female
Revesai (we mean it) female
Chenai (be pure/clean/smart) female
Chenesai (make pure/clean) female
Chengetai ( keep) female
Chiedza (light/dawn) female
Chido (loved one) female
Chiratidzo (vision) female
Chishamiso (miracle/wonder) female
Chipiwo (gift) female
Chiwoniso (vision) female
Dadisai (be proud) female
Dadirai (show off) female
Danai (call) female
Edzai (try) female+male
Fadzai (make happy) female
Farirai (To like,be interested in)
female
Fudzayi (lead) female
Haruperi (it doesn’t end) female
Hazvinei (it doesn’t matter) female
Itai (do) male + female
Idai (like/want) female
Ipaishe (give to God) female
Kunashe (God is there) female
Kundai (overcome) female
Kundiso (victory) female
Maidei (what you want) female
Maitaishe (thank you God) female
Makanaka (good) female
Mandida (you love me) female
Manyika () male+female
Matida (you have loved us) female
Matipa (you have given us) female
Mawanda (you are many) female
Mazvita (thank you) male
Muchafara (you shall be happy)
female+male
Muchaneta (you shall be tired)
female+male
Mudiwa (loved one) female
Mukai (arise) female
Mukudzei (praise God) female
Munashe (God with us) female+male
Mutsa (mercy) female
Mutsawashe (God’s mercy) female
Nakai (be good/nice) female
Netsai (troublesome) female
Natsai (make holy/good) female
Nhamo (problems,trials) male +
female
Ndafadzwa (I am happy) female
Ndanatsei (am I good?/ what good did
I do?) female
Ngonidzashe (God’s mercy)
male+female
Nyengeterai (persuade) female
......................................................
Nyaradzai (console) female
Nyarai (respect) female
Nyararai (be quiet) female
Nyaradzai (console) female
Nyaradzo (consolation) female
Nyika (nation/country) male
Nyemwererai (smile) female
Onai (see) male + female
Paidamoyo (what the heart wants/where
the heart is) female
Pamhidzai (repeat) female
Panashe (where there is God) female
Pepukai (wake up) female
Pikirayi (swear/promise) male
Ratidzai (show someone) female
Ratidzo (instruction/demonstration)
female
Ropafadzo (blessed) female
Rudairo (a call) female
Rudaviro (a call,calling) female
Rudorwashe (God’s love) female
Rujeko (brilliance/light) female
Rukudzo (respect,honor) female
Rumbidzai (worship) female
Rungano (story,fable,fairytale,legend)
female + male
Runyararo (peace) female
Ruponeso (salvation) female
Ruramisai (make holy/right) female
Rutendo (thanksgiving) female
Ruvarashe (God’s flower) female
Ruvimbo (faith) female
Ruwadzano (togetherness) female
Sarudzai (choose) female
Sekai (laugh) female
Shorai (blame) female
Simukai (stand up) female
Tadisa (we have loved) female
Tadiwa (we are loved) female
Tadiwanashe (God loves us)
female+male
Tafadzwa (we are happy) female
Takaedza (we tried) male+female
Tambudzai (give trouble) female
Tamirira (we are waiting for) female
Tamupiwa (she was given to us)
female
Tanatsa (do good) female
Tanatswa (we are purified) female
Tanyaradzwa (we have been consoled)
female
Tapedza (we have finished)
Tarusikirwa (what we were created for)
male
Tapiwa (given) female+male
Tapiwanashe (given by God) female
Tapuwa (given) female
Tarirai (look at) female+male
Tawana (we have found) female+male
Tichaona (we will see) female+male
Tinatsei (make us pure) female
Tinavo (we are with them) female+male
Tinaye (we are with God) female+male
Tinevimbo (we have faith) female
Tatenda (thank you) female
Ropafadzo (blessing) female
Taropafadzwa (we are blessed)
female+male
Timukudzei (praise Him – God) female
Tinotenda (thank you) female+male
Tinozivaishe (we know God)
female+male
Todii (what shall we do?) male
Toitasei (what shall we do?) male
Tumai (send) male
Tinoda (we want) male
Tsungirirai (perseverance)
male+female
Upenyu (life) male
Varaidzo
(care/leisure/relaxation/hobby) female
Chivaraidzo (something that gives
you relaxation) female
Vhenekerayi (shine,illuminate)
female
Vimbiso (promise) female
Vongai (cherish) female
Wadzanai (be united,live together in
harmony) female
Watinoda (the one we love) female
Yananiso (togetherness) female
Yemurai (emulate/admire) female
Zvanyadza (this is shameful,this is
a disgrace) female
Zviedzo (trials,temptations) female
Zvikomborero (blessings) female
Zvinodaishe (what God wants)
female+male
......................................................
Mutsawashe (Kindness of God or The Lord is Kind) Female
Chido (Something You Love) Female
Tsitsi (Mercy, Feel Pity For) Female
Mufaro (Joy) Female
Fadzai (Make Happy) Female
Rujeko (Light) Female
Isheanopa (God Gives) Female
Netsayi ( Give Trouble) Female
Ruvimbo (Depend on) Female
Rufaro (Happiness) Female
Tafara (We Are Happy) Female+Male
Ratidzai (Show) Female
Rungano (A Folktale or Short Story)
Female
Mutsa (Kindness) Female
Ropafadzo (Blessed) Female
Chenai (Be Clean/Smart) Female
Dadirai (Be Arrogant) Female
Vongai () Female
Paida (Need, What Was Needed or
Wanted) Female
Wadzanai () Female
Dzidzai (Learn, Get Educated) Male
.......................................................
Tawedzerwa (Increased) Male
Tawedzegwa (Increased) Male
Tungamirai (Lead) Male
Haruperirufu (Death doesn’t end) Female
(short name is simply Haruperi or Haru)
Hupenyu (Life) Male
Tinotenda (We are thankful) Male
Munashe (You have God) Male
Takomborerwa (We are blessed)
Male
Paidashe (What the Lord Wanted)
Female
Tafadzwa (Pleased) Unisex
Rukomborero () Female
Ruwarashe (Flower of God) Female (short
name is simply Ruwa)
Ruvarashe (Flower of God) Female (short
name is simply Ruva)
Ruwananidzo () Female
Taropafadzwa (We are sanctified) Male
Ropafadzo (Sanctification) Female
Tsungayi () Female
Tsungirirayi () Male
Tsungano () Male
Zvikomborero (Blessings) Female
Munyaradzi (The one who consoles) Male
Chamunorwa (What you are fighting
for) Male
Tambudzai (Give trouble) Female
Takudzwa (We are honoured) Female
Saruzdai (Choose) Female
Tanyaradzwa (We are consoled)
Female
Tanatsiwa (Made Righteous) Female
Tanatswa (Made Righteous) Female
Zvipozvashe (Gifts of the Lord) Female
Tinomudaishe (We love the Lord) Unisex
(short name is simply Tinomuda or Tino)
Ruwadzano () Female
Zorodzai (Give rest) Unisex
Chenjerai (Take care, be clever)
Male
Ngonidzashe (Mercy of the Lord) Male
(short name is simply Ngoni)
Masimba (Power) Male
Dambudzo (Trouble) Unisex
Ruramayi (Good, Righteous) Female
Timukudze (Praise Him – referring to
God) - Unisex
Makomborero (Blessings) Unisex
Rangarirai (Recall) Female
Chipiwo (Gift) Female
Nyarai (Respect) Female
Rukudzo (Respect, Honour) Female
Mutsawashe (Mercy of the Lord) Unisex
(short name is simply Mutsa)
Njodzi (Tragedy) Male
.............................................................
Tarusikirwa (Created for) Male (short
name is Taru)
Taruwona (We saw it) Male
Harutizvirufu – (You cannot run away
from death) Unisex (short name is Harutizvi or Haru)
Nyamunda () Male
Tawona (We have seen) Unisex
Tashaya (We haven't found, we didn’t
receive) Unisex
Nyika (The Nation, Country) Male
Tichaona (We will see) Male
Tongoona (We will see) Male
Shumirai () Unisex
Shuvai () Female
Hamandishe (The Lord is our
Relative) Male
Chemedzai (Make them cry) Female
Chichemedzo () Female
Dzikamai (Behave) Male
Nyangirai (Corner – verb) Unisex
Tinaye (We have Him – referring
to God) Male
................................................................
Ruveneko (Light, Light up the
darkness) Female
Venekerai (Give Light) Female
……………………………………........
Ndinashe
(God is with me ) female
Tawonei
(What did we see) female
Tavaka
(We built) male
Haruna
(Without) female
Tichada
(We want to) unisex
Tamira
(We stood up) female
Mirirai
(Wait for) female
Togara
(We live/ Get settled) male
Tasiya
(We left) female
Tasara
(Left behind) male+female
Gwisai
(Fight/Cause a fight) male
Chenjerai
(Be careful/Be alert) male
Ndapiwa
(Given) male+female
Mutsai
(Awaken/Awake) female
Tsano
(Friend/Big brother) male
Ticharwa
(We will fight) male
Tinazvo
(We have it) male
Tinei
(What do we have) male
Ruwa
(Flower) female
Kumbirai
(Ask for) male
Taneta
(Tired) male+female
.............................................................
Tarisai
(See) male+female
Rutendo
(thankfulness) female
Shupikayi
(suffer) female
Namatayi
(pray) female
Rangano
() male+female
Are
you looking for Shona twin baby names? Visit this page >> [click]
Learn
some basic Shona phrases used in everyday life.Visit this page >> [click]
