Tinashe
MeaningGod is with us · Shona
Tinashe is an African gender-neutral name meaning “God is with us”, 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. It suits a boy or a girl equally well.
Did you know?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Tinashe has the name Nash hiding inside it.
- Word funTinashe doesn't repeat a single letter: 7 letters, all different.
- GenerationTinashe peaked in 2015, which makes it a Gen Alpha name. The typical Tinashe you'd meet today is about 10 years old.
- HistoryTinashe first shows up in US birth records in 2008, the first year at least 5 babies got it. That makes it a fairly new name, younger than many of today's parents.
US births per million girls, 2008–2025
US births per million boys, 2009–2025
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Tinashe
Tinashe is a gender-neutral name of African origin meaning “God is with us”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name. It works for a boy or a girl, which suits parents who'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
Origin:African names
More African names
- Girl name: Layla · night
- Unisex name: Zuri · beautiful
- Girl name: Aisha · alive
- Unisex name: Cairo · the victorious
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Zaire · river
- Girl name: Amber · amber resin
- Girl name: Zahra · radiant, bright
Questions about the name Tinashe
What does the name Tinashe mean?
Tinashe means “God is with us” and comes from Shona. Names built around “God” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other gender-neutral names with a similar meaning include Theodore (“gift of God”), Elijah (“my God is Yahweh”), Isabella (“God is my oath”) and Mateo (“gift of God”).
What is the origin of the name Tinashe?
Tinashe is African in origin, and its meaning traces back to Shona. Other African names to consider are Layla (“night”), Zuri (“beautiful”), Aisha (“alive”) and Cairo (“the victorious”).
Is Tinashe a boy or girl name?
Both. Tinashe is a true gender-neutral name used for boys and girls. That balance makes it a good pick if you'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
How popular is the name Tinashe?
Tinashe is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2017. It peaked at #11,835 in 2015, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Tinashe?
If you like Tinashe, you might also like Theodore, Elijah, Isabella and Mateo.
What should I know before naming my baby Tinashe?
Tinashe is an African gender-neutral name meaning “God is with us”, 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. It suits a boy or a girl equally well. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.