Tinashe
Primarily a girl's name of African origin with 18 recorded births. Also given to 5 boys.
Meaning & Origin
At 7 letters and two syllables, Tinashe hits the middle ground most parents look for: long enough to feel complete, short enough for everyday use. It has been used as a girl's name in the U.S. since 2008, with 18 total recorded births.
Tinashe is not in the current top 1,000, which means your child is unlikely to share the name with a classmate — a plus for parents who value distinctiveness.
Tinashe is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Tinashe is a boy's and girl's baby name of African origin, from the Shona language of Zimbabwe, meaning 'God is with us.' A name of profound spiritual comfort, borne by Zimbabwean-American singer Tinashe.
EtymologyShow more
The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Tinashe's final sounds are open, approachable — ending on a vowel softens the overall impression. In English-language naming, many feminine names end on open vowels or soft consonants, creating a melodic, approachable quality. Tinashe follows that feminine pattern.
Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Tinashe's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Tinashe has 3+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 2008.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 13 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 5 | — |
The Story of Tinashe
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2015, Tinashe is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Tinashe are most likely born between 2008 and 2017.
How rare is Tinashe?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Tinashe is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 2008, peaked in the 2010s with 13 births that decade.
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(3 years, 2008–2017)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 5 | #18222 |
| 2015 | 8 | #12915 |
| 2008 | 5 | #20238 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Tinashe as a Boy's Name
Though more common for girls, Tinashe has a notable history as a boy's name too, with 5 births since 2009.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tinashe a boy's or girl's name?
When was Tinashe most popular?
How popular is the name Tinashe?
Can Tinashe be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 2008–2017