NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Tinashe

A feminine name of Shona origin meaning "we have been reborn".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 86 girls.

Tinashe is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Tinashe popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2813, with 7 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2005, with 17 births.

This profile covers 228 England and Wales registrations across 25 recorded years from 1996 to 2023. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 41% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 226 living people in the UK are called Tinashe. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2024 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Tinashe ranked #2813 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 7 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2005, when 17 boys were registered as Tinashe.
  • Tinashe is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 226 living people in the UK are estimated to have Tinashe as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 72.6% of Tinashe registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#2813

2023

Births in 2023

7

Latest year

Peak year

2005

17 births

Estimated living

226

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Tinashe

In England and Wales birth records, Tinashe has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 72.6% of registrations are for boys and 27.4% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

73% boys
27% girls
Boys228 (72.6%)Girls86 (27.4%)

Tinashe registered for boys

  • Ranked #2,813 in 2023
  • 7 boys registered in 2023
  • Peak: 2005 (17 births)

Tinashe registered for girls

  • Ranked #4,843 in 2024
  • 4 girls registered in 2024
  • Peak: 2004 (9 births)

Meaning

What does Tinashe mean?

The name Tinashe originates from the Shona language spoken predominantly in Zimbabwe. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period in the region now known as Zimbabwe, around the 13th to 15th centuries. The name is derived from the Shona words "tina" meaning "we" and "ashe" meaning "to remain" or "to stay," forming the phrase "we remain" or "we stay."

This name is closely linked to the history and culture of the Shona people, an ethnic group known for their rich oral traditions, intricate stone sculptures, and their Kingdom of Zimbabwe, which flourished between the 11th and 15th centuries. The name Tinashe carries a symbolic meaning of resilience, unity, and perseverance, reflecting the Shona people's strong sense of community and their ability to endure challenges.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tinashe can be found in the oral histories and folklore of the Shona people, passed down through generations. These stories often featured characters with this name, highlighting the cultural significance and popularity of the name within the Shona community.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Tinashe. One such figure was Tinashe Nyamunda, a renowned Shona sculptor who lived in the late 20th century and was renowned for his intricate stone carvings depicting various aspects of Shona culture and traditions.

Another prominent figure was Tinashe Mushakavanhu, a Zimbabwean politician and freedom fighter who played a crucial role in the country's struggle for independence from colonial rule in the 1960s and 1970s.

In the realm of music, Tinashe Kachingwe, an American singer and songwriter of Zimbabwean descent, has gained international acclaim for her unique blend of R&B, pop, and electronic music. Born in 1993, she has released several successful albums and singles, showcasing her dynamic vocal abilities.

Tinashe Zvakavapano, a renowned Zimbabwean author and academic, made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Shona literature and culture through his writings and teachings in the late 20th century.

Additionally, Tinashe Nyamudoka, a Zimbabwean cricketer who represented his country in international competitions during the early 2000s, was known for his exceptional batting skills and his contribution to the sport in Zimbabwe.

While these are just a few examples, the name Tinashe has been carried by many individuals throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich cultural tapestry of Zimbabwe and beyond.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Tinashe over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Tinashe in England and Wales, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Tinashe, the clearest high point is 2005. The latest England and Wales figure is 7 births in 2023, compared with 17 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
06111722199620102024

Decades

Tinashe by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Tinashe was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #3400 21 4
2010s #2641 89 10
2000s #1645 114 10
1990s #2357 4 1

Related

Names similar to Tinashe

FAQ

Tinashe: questions and answers

How popular is the name Tinashe in the UK right now?

In 2023, Tinashe was ranked #2813 for boys in England and Wales, with 7 births registered.

When was Tinashe most popular?

The peak year on record was 2005, with 17 babies registered as Tinashe in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Tinashe?

A feminine name of Shona origin meaning "we have been reborn".

How many people are called Tinashe in the UK?

A total of 228 babies have been registered as Tinashe across the 25 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.