Shona names

Shona is a language native to Zimbabwe and Mozambique, it is also spoken in the surrounding countries. Shona comprises of 5 main tribes: Zezuru, Karanga, Manyika, Ndau (Shangani), Korekore, other groups include Buja, Barwe, Hungwe, Rozvi, Nyai and Mbire. The Shona are historically related to the Kalanga and Venda people, with whom they share an abundance of historical leaders, words and grammar as well as cultural dances among other things. The Kalanga are also referred to as the Western Shona, they are the oldest of the Shona cluster and can be regarded as the "parent" of the modern day Shona from whom they broke off before becoming *Karanga* and eventually Shona.

Shona given names are predominantly if not all unisex, although there are some names more common in one sex/gender over the other.

## List of names

### A

* **Abarahama** - meaning "One who has fathered relatives"
* **Adaishe** - meaning "He/she has loved God"
* **Aenda** - meaning "He/she has gone"
* **Adaniwanashe** - meaning "He/she has been called by God"
* **Acheneswa** - meaning "One has been cleansed"
* **Achiko** - meaning "One who remains"
* **Achipo** - meaning "One who remains there"
* **Afarirei** - meaning "What has brought him/her joy?"
* **Agereko** - meaning "one who is situated there"
* **Agonanei** - meaning "What has made him/her do well?"
* **Aida** - meaning "He/she loved" or "One who loved"
* **Aita** - Meaning "He/she has done/actualised it" or "One who has done/actualised it"
* **Akanaka** - Meaning "one who is beautiful"
* **Akashinga** - Meaning "one who is resilient"
* **Akoshanei** - Meaning "what has made him/her significant"
* **Amiranashe** - Meaning "one who stands with God"
* **Amuona** - Meaning "One who has seen him" or "He has seen him/her"
* **Anaishe -** Meaning "One who is with God".
* **Anei** - Meaning "what does he/she possess?"
* **Anerudo** - Meaning "One who has love"
* **Anesu** - Meaning "He is with us" or "He/she is with us"
* **Anotida** - Meaning "One who loves us"
* **Anovimba** - Meaning "One trusts" or "He/she trusts"
* **Aona** - Meaning "He/she seen" or "One who has seen"
* **Apinima** - Meaning "one who has thought"
* **Ariko** - Meaning "One who is there"
* **Aripo** - Meaning "One who is (close) there"
* **Aruona** - Meaning "He/she has seen it"
* **Aruonarudo** - Meaning "He/she has seen love"
* **Asaranashe** - Meaning "One who has remained/stayed back with the Lord"
* **Ashinga** - Meaning "He/she has been resilient"
* **Aseka** - Meaning "he laughs"
* **Atora** - Meaning "One who has taken"
* **Atoveka** - Meaning "He/she has been soothed"
* **Ationesa** - Meaning "One who has allowed us to see"

### B

* **Bakai** - Meaning "(you all should) spark"
* **Barikira** - Meaning "fire spark"
* **Batai** - Meaning "hold"
* **Batamoyo** - Meaning "hold the heart"
* **Betserai** or **Batsirai** - Meaning "help"
* **Bhahari** - Meaning "sea"
* **Bhaharirezvido** - Meaning "sea of desires"
* **Bhuyirano** - Meaning "conversation"
* **Biria** - Meaning "gathering"
* **Bvumai** - Meaning "(you all should) agree"

### C

* **Chaona** (also **Chavona, Chawona**) - Meaning "that which has seen"
* **Chatonga** - Meaning "that which has ruled"
* **Chakudzwa** - Meaning "that which has been raised up"
* **Chakanaka** - Meaning "that which is good"
* **Chaminuka**
* **Chamuka** - Meaning "that which has risen/awoke"
* **Chamunorwa** - Meaning "that which you wrestle/battle for"
* **Chenai** - Meaning "be clean/pure"
* **Cheneswai** - Meaning "be made clean" or "be purified"
* **Chido -** Meaning "desire"
* **Chiedza - M**eaning "morning light" or simply "light"
* **Chikomborero** - Meaning "a blessing"
* **Chioniso** - Meaning "that which allows sight"
* **Chipo** - Meaning "gift"
* **Chiruva** - Meaning "that which is a flower"
* **Chiyo** - Meaning "grain"
* **Chiuru** - Meaning " a thousand"
* **Chishuvo** - Meaning "wish"
* **Chinako** - Meaning "beauty"
* **Chivuya** - Meaning "good thing; a benefit"

**Kutenda**

* Meaning to thank.

**Masimba**

* Meaning energy.

**Mudiwa**

* Meaning beloved.

**Musanete**

* Meaning does not get tired.

**Tafuma**

* Meaning we are rich.

**Takudzwa**

* Meaning we have been honoured.

**Tapiwa**

* Meaning given.

**Tinashe**

* Meaning God is with us.

**Ayanda**

* Meaning we are many.

**Chipo**

* Meaning gift.

**Kutenda**

* Meaning to thank.

**Mudiwa**

* Meaning beloved.

**Mufaro**

* Meaning happiness.

**Nyasha**

* Meaning merciful.

**Tapiwa**

* Meaning given.

**Thandiwe**

* Meaning beloved.

**Tinashe**

* Meaning God is with us.

**Vimbo**

* Meaning hope, trust.

**Zendaya**

* Meaning to give thanks.