Zambezi: Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

At a Glance: Name: Zambezi – Origin: Southern African river name, Bantu language family (exact source disputed) – Pronunciation: zam-BEE-zee


Zambezi is a Southern African river name, Bantu language family (exact source disputed) name. It appears in 2 of our baby name lists.

Meaning & Origin of Zambezi

Origin: Southern African river name, Bantu language family (exact source disputed).

A common claim: Often said to mean 'river of the Tonga people.' Actually: There's no reliable evidence that Zambezi means 'river of the Tonga people.'

How to Pronounce Zambezi

Phonetic: zam-BEE-zee   IPA: /zæmˈbiːzi/

Popularity of Zambezi

Zambezi doesn’t appear in U.S. Social Security birth records, which include every name given to at least five babies in a year — so it’s rare in the U.S.

Lists That Include Zambezi

Similar Names

Clyde · Trent · Zion · Fjord · Yukon · Congo

More Baby Name Inspiration