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99% Invisible
99% Invisible

What’s in a Name

January 27, 2026 • 26m

Summary

⏱️ 9 min read

Overview

Producer Kim Chakanetza explores the unique naming culture of Zimbabwe, where people commonly have English names like 'Suffer,' 'Medicine,' 'Lovemore,' and 'Learnmore.' The episode traces how this distinctive practice emerged from colonial history, evolved through independence, and reflects Zimbabwean identity today. Through personal stories and expert interviews, the episode reveals how these names that puzzle outsiders are deeply meaningful expressions of hope, resilience, and cultural creativity.

Introduction: Zimbabwe's Unique Names

Producer Kim Chakanetza opens a family tree spreadsheet containing 300 names tracing her Zimbabwean family history. As she prepares to add her first child's name, she notices the mix of traditional Shona names, English names, and unusual Western word-names like Suffer, Medicine, and Beer that are common in Zimbabwe but surprising to outsiders. These names are so standard that Zimbabweans can instantly recognize each other by them, though they often draw questions and jokes from people outside the country.

  • Kim's family tree contains about 300 names tracing back to pre-colonial Zimbabwe
  • Her great-grandfather had two wives and 15 children, each having at least three kids
  • Traditional Shona names include Tapua (we're being given), Rwimbo (faith/trust), and Munyaradzi (to console)
  • Unusual English word-names like Suffer, Medicine, and Beer are fairly standard in Zimbabwe
  • Common names include Lovemore, Loveness, God Knows, Anymore, Talkmore, Passmore, Givemore, and Wakemore
" Almost everyone in Zimbabwe is a relative with such a name. Almost everyone. To the extent that when I was growing up and I was called Tanaka, I was wondering, why didn't they also give me a name like Lafmoor? Because almost everyone around me had such a name. "

Traditional Shona Naming Culture

Before colonialism, Shona names served as powerful communication tools, similar to modern WhatsApp statuses. Names carried stories of parents' hopes, dreams, worries, and even grievances with in-laws. They could celebrate achievements, express aspirations, or settle scores. The name Tichipondwa (we will be murdered) came from a dramatic family story where relatives fled a vengeful neighbor who threatened to burn their village on the night the child was born.

  • Shona names traditionally functioned like WhatsApp statuses to communicate to the community
  • Names carried stories of parents' hopes, dreams, worries, grievances, and tribulations
  • A mother troubled by in-laws might name her daughter Netsai (to bother/nag)
  • Names could be pleas to ancestral spirits or express future desires and fears
  • One uncle was named Tichipondwa (we will be murdered) after the family fled a village burning threat
" In our Shona culture, names were meant to communicate. Names were like WhatsApp statuses. "
" Those names carry the stories of parents' hopes, dreams and worries. Names were carriers of our aspirations, our achievements, our grievances, our tribulations. "

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