What does SZA mean and how do you pronounce the R&B singer’s stage name?

R&B singer Solána Imani Rowe, operating under the name SZA, has risen to fame in recent years for her hits like “Kill Bill” and “Good Days.” While she is only growing in popularity, many people still are unsure of what her stage name means and what it stands for.

SZA has explained that her stage name is an acronym from the Supreme Alphabet after taking inspiration from nicknames her loved ones used for her like “Sos” and “Sosa.”

She once told InStyle that she drew inspiration from Wu-Tang and RZA, who also chose their names based on the Supreme Alphabet. She said, “Each letter stands for a different ideology or theme.”

To break it down, the S stands for Sovereign, Self, or Savior. The Z stands for Zig-Zag-Zig which SZA says means “enlightenment and acknowledgment of one’s self.” Finally, the A means Allah.

As for how it’s pronounced, the most common pronunciation used by SZA herself and her fans is “sizza,” although the singer shared that she “doesn’t need” people to pronounce her name correctly.

The name certainly holds a powerful meaning and it seems as though that power has translated into her music. The 33-year-old’s most recent album SOS was named Album of the Year at the BET Awards.

Currently, SZA is on a national tour with her 2022 album. Celebrities including Lizzo, Adele, and Justin Bieber were all spotted enjoying one of her shows. To see her artist in all of her power, tickets are available for cities like Chicago, Brooklyn, and Miami via her Ticketmaster.