The falls are nicknamed Mosi-oa-Tunya; which means 'The smoke that thunders', by the locals, due to the billowing clouds of mist that rise up and drench everything and everyone in its reach when the river is in flood.

The famous nickname for Victoria Falls is "Mosi-oa-Tunya," which translates to "The Smoke That Thunders" in the Lozi language. This name perfectly describes the phenomenon where the falling water creates a massive plume of mist that can be seen from miles away, accompanied by a deafening roar. The falls were "renamed" Victoria Falls by Scottish explorer David Livingstone in 1855 in honor of Queen Victoria, but the indigenous name remains the official name of the surrounding National Park in Zambia. Locals and guides frequently use both names, and the "smoke" (mist) is so prevalent that during the high-water season (February to May), visitors are often completely drenched by the spray, reinforcing the nickname's accuracy. It is widely considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a crowning jewel of African tourism.