What’s in a Name? The Story Behind “Atisa”

When naming a business, I knew I didn’t want to settle for something corporate or superficial. I wanted a name that would hold meaning, something that reflected the heart of what I was building, and where I was building it.

That’s how I came across the word Atisa.

Atisa is a Setswana word. It means “to multiply,” “to increase,” or “to tend to do something consistently.” It’s not about rushing forward, but about building momentum with purpose. It’s a word that speaks to growth, not just in scale, but in depth, clarity, and consistency.

When I found it, it instantly felt right. After taking time away from corporate life to pause and re-centre, I knew I wanted to create something rooted in intention. A business that could help others find alignment, structure, and vision, and support them in putting that vision into motion.

Atisa captured that energy: quiet strength, forward movement, and a sense of continuity.

Of course, I also had some very important naming criteria, like wanting exactly five letters (because it just looks right) and something easy to say, easy to remember. And clearly, I didn’t make it far into the Setswana-English dictionary before landing on the perfect fit. Sometimes you just know.

Choosing a Setswana word was also intentional. Botswana is home, and it felt important that the name reflected that grounding. Language is powerful. Using a word from here was a way to honour place, culture, and connection.

Today, Atisa Consulting is built on that very idea, that real progress happens when purpose meets momentum. When we multiply potential, in businesses, in people, and in ideas.

That’s what the name represents. That’s what we stand for.