Given name
Themba
“one who is trusted”·“one who is trustworthy”
Themba is used as a given name. Interpretations include “one who is trusted” (African) and “one who is trustworthy” (African). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “one who is trusted” (African) and “one who is trustworthy” (African). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is African.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1996. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Themba through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 5
- 5 boys · 0 girls
- Most popular year
- 1996
- 5 babies
- 2025
- 0
- Outside the ranked list
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- —
- Too few births to compare
By the numbers
The most recent published U.S. birth count for boys is 5 in 1996. Later missing counts do not mean the name went unused.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Themba’s family of names
Themba has a related form in Thembah. Themba has a related form in Thembia. Themba has a related form in Thembiya.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 4
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Themba, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Tendai
“thankful to God”
>99% boys
Uzoma
“one who takes the right path” · “born during the course of a journey”
94% boys · 6% girls
Fahim
“a learned man”
>99% boys
Salaam
“resembling a peach”
>99% boys
Jawara
“one who loves peace”
98% boys · 2% girls
Tupac
“a messenger warrior”
>99% boys
Obasi
“one who honors God”
>99% boys
Chidi
“one who is cheerful” · “God exists”
>99% boys