What's in a Name - 99% Invisible

"In any classroom in Zimbabwe, you are likely to find children with a mix of names-indigenous names in Shona, Ndebele, Tsonga, Venda or any one of the numerous other ethnic groups. You will most certainly come across European names, such as Primrose, possibly one or two Janets, a Ruth, a number of Peters, Gilberts, and Johns. But there is a third category of names that English speakers outside of Zimbabwe might find puzzling. Names like Havealook, Psychology, Bigboy, Average, Behaviour and Godknows."

"But lately, she has been seeing more online posts about this particular strain of Zimbabwean names. Tik tok videos with titles like "Zimbabweans have the funniest names Part 1" and Facebook posts soliciting people to tell about "the craziest Zimbabwean names" they have ever come across. The comment section is always ripe with outlandish, colourful contributions. "I have friends from all over Africa who look at these names with a mix of amusement and curiosity. But also - sometimes - ridicule," Kim says. "A guy I once met from Botswana described Zimbabweans as being too 'white-washed', pointing to our names as a prime example.""

Classrooms in Zimbabwe commonly contain indigenous names from Shona, Ndebele, Tsonga, Venda and other groups alongside European names such as Primrose, Janet, Ruth, Peter, Gilbert and John. A distinct third category consists of English-word given names including Havealook, Psychology, Bigboy, Average, Behaviour and Godknows. Family and workplace examples include names like Admire, Beer, Innocent, Hardwork, Reward and Lovemore. Social media posts and videos spotlight and often mock these names, provoking amusement, curiosity and ridicule across Africa. The prevalence of such names raises questions about British colonial history and cultural naming practices in Zimbabwe.

Read at 99% Invisible