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Zimbabwe Baby Names

Zimbabwe, located in southern Africa is landlocked between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. Zimbabwe has 16 official languages but the most common languages are English, Shona and Ndebele. English is the main language used in the education and judiciary systems. The Bantu languages Shona and Sindebele are the principal indigenous languages of Zimbabwe. Shona is spoken by 70% of the population, Sindebele by 20%. Other minority Bantu languages include Venda, Tsonga, Shangaan, Kalanga, Sotho, Ndau and Nambya

There are two theories on the origin of the word "Zimbabwe". (a) Word is derived from dzimba-dza-mabwe, translated from the Karanga dialect of Shona as "large houses of stone" and (b) Zimbabwe is a contracted form of dzimba-hwe which means "venerated houses" in the Zezuru dialect of Shona, and is usually applied to chiefs' houses or graves.

Zimbabwe has many different cultures which may include beliefs and ceremonies but Shona is the the Zimbabwe's largest ethnic group. Approx 80% of the country's citizens identify themselves as Christians. 63% of the population are Protestant and Evangelical Christians. Roman Catholics are around 17% of the population. Other monority population are Muslims, Malawi, Hindu and Baha\'is.

Names are typically given by the parents of the child when it is born. However names may also be given by grandparents and other relatives with the parents' consent. Traditionally names were also given that express a parent or family circumstances or feelings regarding the neighbourhood and the community they live in.

Zimbabwean names consist of a first or given name followed by a family name or surname. The given names are influenced by the culture of the people, religious and Church involvement, and personal tastes. The first names may be in any of the vernacular languages of that country, English names or derived from English words. Although it is a common custom among the Shona and Ndebele people to give baby names based on the circumstances of the family or baby at the time of birth.

                            

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