Nyasha
Meaninggrace, mercy · Shona
Nyasha is an African girl name meaning “grace, mercy”, with Shona roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Nyasha would score 12 points, thanks largely to the Y (worth 4).
- GenerationNyasha peaked in 1992, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Nyasha you'd meet today is about 33 years old.
- HistoryNyasha first shows up in US birth records in 1971, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 54 years since.
US births per million girls, 1971–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Nyasha
Nyasha is a girl name of African origin meaning “grace, mercy”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It hit its peak in the 1990s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:African names
Other spellings of Nyasha
More African girl names
- Girl name: Layla · night
- Unisex name: Zuri · beautiful
- Girl name: Aisha · alive
- Girl name: Amber · amber resin
- Girl name: Zahra · radiant, bright
- Girl name: Imani · faith
- Unisex name: Amani · peace
- Girl name: Luisa · famous warrior
Questions about the name Nyasha
What does the name Nyasha mean?
Nyasha means “grace, mercy” and comes from Shona. Names built around “grace” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Grace (“grace”), Hannah (“grace, favor”), Amara (“grace”) and Anna (“grace”).
What is the origin of the name Nyasha?
Nyasha is African in origin, and its meaning traces back to Shona. Other African names to consider are Layla (“night”), Zuri (“beautiful”), Aisha (“alive”) and Amber (“amber resin”).
Is Nyasha a boy or girl name?
Nyasha is a girl name.
How popular is the name Nyasha?
Nyasha is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2021. It peaked at #3,419 in 1992, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Nyasha?
If you like Nyasha, you might also like Niasha, Grace, Hannah, Amara and Anna. Niasha is another spelling of the same name.
What should I know before naming my baby Nyasha?
Nyasha is an African girl name meaning “grace, mercy”, with Shona roots. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.