Abagbe (F)
yoruba: we begged to have this one to lift up
Abayomi (M,F)
yoruba: pleasant meeting, born to bring me joy
Abazu (M)
Igbo: You never get rich enough [so be happy with what you have]
Abebi (F)
yoruba: we asked for her
Abegunde (M)
yoruba: born during holiday
Abeje (F)
yoruba: we asked to have this one
Abejide (M)
yoruba: born during winter
Abeke (F)
yoruba: we begged for her to pet her
Abeni (F)
yoruba: we asked for her, and she is ours
Abeo (F)
yoruba: her birth brings happiness
Abiade (M)
yoruba: born of royal parents
Abidemi (F)
yoruba, given to a child born during the father's absence
Abidugun (M)
yoruba: born before the war
Abimbola (M, F)
yoruba: born rich, born to be rich
Abiodun (M)
yoruba: born at the time of a festival
Abiola (M)
yoruba: born in honor
Abiona (M)
yoruba: born during a journey
Abioye (M)
yoruba: born during coronation
Adaeke (F)
Igbo: given to a daughter born on Eke market day
Adaeze (F)
Igbo ada=daughter: first daughter, princess
-> Adaobi (chief's daughter), Ada
Adaugo (F)
Igbo da=daughter, ugo=eagle (symbol of purity, excellence and strength): excellent or unparalleled daughter
-> Ada
Adaoha (F)
Igbo: daughter of the people
-> Adaora, Ada
Ade (M)
Yoruba: crown, royal one
Adeagbo (M)
yoruba: he brings royal honor
Adebamgbe (M)
yoruba: royalty dwells with me
Adebayo (M)
yoruba: he came in a joyful time
Adebola (F)
yoruba: she met honor
Adebomi (F)
yoruba: crown covered my nakedness
Adeboro (M)
yoruba: royalty comes into wealth
Adedagbo (a-DE-da-bo) (F)
yoruba: happiness is a crown
Adedapo (M)
yoruba: royalty brings the people together
Adedayo (Ah-day-dye-yo)
Yoruba: Crown becomes joy (reserved for Royal families)
Adedewe (F)
yoruba: the crown is shattered
Adedoja (F)
yoruba: crown becomes a thing of worth
Adegoke (M)
yoruba: the crown has been exalted
Adejola (M)
yoruba: the crown feeds on honors
Adelabu (M)
yoruba: the crown passed through deep water
Adelaja (M)
yoruba: the crown settles a quarrel
Adeleke (F)
yoruba: crown achieves happiness
Ademola (M)
yoruba: a crown is added to my wealth
Adeola (F)
yoruba: crown has honor
Aderinola (F)
yoruba: crown walked towards wealth
Aderonke (Ah-day-wrong-kay)
Yoruba: Object of Royal Adoration (reserved for Royal families)
Adesimbo (F)
yoruba: noble birth
Adesola (M)
yoruba: the crown honored us
Adetokunbo (M)
yoruba: honor came from over the seas
Adewole (M)
yoruba: royalty enters the house
Adeyemi (M)
yoruba: the crown suits me well
Adia (F)
Hausa: a gift
Adigun (M)
yoruba: righteous
Adisa (ah-dee-SAH) (M)
Yoruba: one who makes his meaning clear
Adjo (ah-dee-OH) (M)
Yoruba: be righteous
Aduke (F)
yoruba: much loved
Adunbe (adoonBEE) (M)
Yoruba: born to be pleasant
Adusa (aDOOsa) (M)
Yoruba: given to the 13th born
Afamefula (M)
Igbo: ?
Afiba (aFEEba) (M)
Yoruba: by the sea
Aina (Eye-nah) (F)
Yoruba: Female child born with umbilical cord around her neck, difficult birth
Aiyetoro (M, F)
Yoruba: peace on earth
Ajagbe (ajagBEH) (M)
Yoruba: he carries off the prize
Ajamu (ajaMOO) (M)
Yoruba; he fights for what he wants
Ajani (ajaNEE) (M)
Yoruba: he fights for possession
Ajayi (Ah-jah-yee)
Yoruba: Born face down, as if praying
Ajuluchukwu (M, F)
Igbo: ?
Akabueze
Igbo: ?
Akanke (F)
yoruba: to meet her is to love her
Akanni (aKANnee) (M)
Yoruba: our encounter brings possessions
Akinkuotu (Ah-keen-coo-oh-too) (M)
Yoruba: Strong man or warrior does not leave the clan (within Warrior clans)
Akobundu (M)
Igbo: common sense is essential for survival.
Akudinobi
Igbo: ?
Akuabia (F)
Igbo: wealth (money or a child) has arrived
-> Aku.
Akumjeli (F)
Igbo: this is my wealth
-> Aku
Akwaugo (F)
Igbo akwa=egg, ugo=eagle (symbol of purity, excellence and strength): precious child
Alaba (ah-lah-BAH)
Yoruba, for a child born after Idowu (born after twins)
Alake (ah-lah-KEH) (F)
Yoruba: one to be petted and made much of
Ama (ah-MAH)
Yoruba: given to a child when there were problems with delivery
Amadi (ah-MAH-dee) (F)
Ibo: general rejoicing
Amaogechukwu (F)
Igbo chukwu=God: God's time is the best
-> Amoge, Ogechukwu, Oge
Amarachukwu (F)
Igbo chukwu=God: God's blessing(s)
-> Amara.
Amaluchukwu
Igbo chukwu=God
Amauchechukwu (F)
Igbo chukwu=God
Amonke (ah-mohn-KEH) (F)
Yoruba: to know her is to pet her
Anenechukwu (M,F)
Igbo: let's believe or trust in God
-> Anny, Anene
Anichebem (M)
Igbo chebe=protect: may the land (or the god of the land) protect me
-> Achebe
Anyanwu (M,F)
Igbo: sun, center of everything
Arria (ah-REE-ah) (F)
Hausa: slender
Awogbemi (Ah-wog-bay-me)
Yoruba: being an herbal doctor helps me (shaman family)
Ayo
Yoruba:joy
Azikiwe (M)
Igbo azi=hate, iwe=anger, agitation: better to be angry than hateful
Azubuike (M)
Igbo: the past is your strength
-> Ike.
-> M, F: Azuka, Azu
Babatunde (M)
Yoruba: the father has come back (for a boy born after the death of an elderly man in the family)
Bamidele (F)
Yoruba: come home with me (when a child is born far from the hometown)
-> Dele
Beluchi
Igbo: ?
Belonwu (M)
Igbo: ?
Cheluchi (F)
Igbo: ?
Chiagoziem (M,F)
Igbo chi=God: God has blessed me
-> Chi, Chi-Chi, Gozie
Chiamaka (F)
Igbo chi=God: God is great
-> Chi, Chi-Chi, Amaka
Chibueze (M,F)
Igbo chi=God: God is king
-> Chi, Chi-Chi, Eze
Chibugo (M,F)
Igbo chi=God: God is illustrious
-> Chi, Chi-Chi, Ugo
Chibuzo (M,F)
Igbo chi=God: God is first (leader)
-> Chi, Chi-Chi, Uzo
Chichebem (M)
Igbo chi= God, chebe=protect: God protect me
Chidi (M)
Igbo chi=God, di=there is: God is
-> Chukwudi
Chidera (F)
Igbo chi=God: [Once] God has said [, it will come true], destiny
-> Chi, Chi-Chi, Dera, Odera
Chidiebere(M,F)
Igbo chi=God: God is merciful,kind
->Chidi, Ebere, Chidiebele
Chidiegwu (M,F)
Igbo chi=God: God is wonderful
-> Chidi
Chidimma (or Chidinma) (M,F)
Igbo chi=God: God is great
-> Chidi, Mma.
Chidubem (M,F)
Igbo chi=God: God guide me
-> Dube
Chidumaga (M,F)
Igbo chi=God: God guides me.
Chidozie (M)
Igbo chi=God: ?
-> Dozie, Chiedozie
Chieloka (M)
Igbo chi=God: ?
-> Chukwueloka, Eloka.
Chiemeka (M)
Igbo chi=God: God has done something wonderful, has dealt kindly with us / we thank you God
-> Emeka, Chiemela, Chukwuemeka, Nnaemeka, Olisaemeka
Chiemezie
Igbo: ?
Chigozie (M,F)
Igbo: God blesses
-> Chi, Chi-Chi, Gozie
Chijindum (M,F)
Igbo chi=God: God has/owns my life
-> Chiji, Ndu
Chijioke (F)
Igbo: ?
Chikadibia (F)
Igbo chi=God: God is greater than all gods and shamans
-> Chika, Chi-chi, Chukwukadibia, Chuka
Chike (M)
Igbo chi=God: Power of God
Chikezie (M,F)
Igbo chi=God: May God create well
-> Kezie, Chike
Chikwendu (M,F)
Igbo chi=God: God allow us to live / God is the lifegiver
-> Chi, Chi-Chi
Chimaijem (M,F)
Igbo chi=God: God knows my way or my whereabouts
-> Chima
Chimaobim (M,F)
Igbo chi=God: God knows my mind
-> Chima
Chimezie (M,F)
Igbo chi=God: God please repair or fix
Chinagorom(M,F)
Igbo chi=God: God accounts/intervenes/testifies for me
Chinasaekpere (F)
Igbo chi=God: God answers prayers
-> Chinasaekpele, Chinasa
Chinecherem (F)
Igbo chi=God: God thinks of me / God watches over me
-> Echerem
Chinedum (M,F)
Igbo chi=God: God guides me
-> Chinedu, Nedu
Chinelo (F)
Igbo chi=God: thought/wish of God
Chinemeremma (F)
Igbo chi=God: God does wonderful things for me
-> Chineme,
Chi-Chi, Chi
Chinenye (F)
Igbo chi=God: God gives
Chineze (M,F)
Igbo: ?
Chinonyelum (M,F)
Igbo chi=God: God is on my side
-> Nonye
Chinuaekpere (F)
Igbo chi=God: God answers my prayers
-> Chinua
Chinwe(mma/nma)(ike)(ndu)(uba) (M,F)
Igbo chi=God: God owns
-> Chinwemma, Chinwenma (God owns beauty, goodness), Chinweike (God owns power, strength), Chinwendu (God owns life), Chinweuba (God owns wealth)
Chinyere/Chinyelu (F)
Igbo chi=God: God gave
Chioma (F)
Igbo chi=God: great God, God is great / good luck
Chizoba (M,F)
Igbo chi=God: God save, God be with us
Chizuoke (M,F)
Igbo chi=God: God is perfect
Chukwuebuka (M,F)
Igbo chukwu=God: God is great or omnipotent
-> Ebuka
Chukwubuikem (M, F)
Igbo chukwu=God: God is my strenght
-> Ikem
Chukwujamuike
Igbo chukwu=God: God please give me the strength
-> Jamuike
Chukwuma (F)
Igbo chukwu=God: God knows best
-> Chuma, Chu
Chukwunonso (M)
Igbo chukwu=God: God is near
-> Chinonso, Nonso
Chukwurah (M,F)
Igbo chukwu=God: God is for all
-> Chukwura
Dada (Dah-dah)
Yoruba: Born with plenty of hair
Dike (M)
Igbo: ?
Dilibe (M)
Igbo: ?
Dumetolisa (M)
Igbo olisa=God: Join me in praising the Lord
-> Dumeto, Dumetochukwu
Eberechukwu (M,F)
Igbo chukwu=God: God is/has been kind/merciful to me
-> Ebelechukwu, Ebere, Ebele, Eby
Eberegbulam (M,F)
Igbo: May my kindness never harm me
-> Ebelegbulam, Ebere, Ebele, Eby
Echezonachukwu (M,F)
Igbo chukwu=God: Never forget God
->Echezona
Edenausegboye (e-de-na-oo-se-BOH-ye) (F)
benin: good deeds are remembered
Efasehun (Ee-fah-say-hoon)
Yoruba: Ifa fulfills promise
Ejikemeifeuwa (M)
Igbo: Take things easy
-> Ejike
Ejimofor (M,F)
Igbo: I have a clear conscience
-> Ejii, Jideofor
Ekaghogho (e-ka-HO-ho) (F)
benin: born on an important day
Ekechukwu (M)
Igbo: ?
Ekenedilichukwu (M,F)
Igbo: praise be to God
-> Ekene, Ekenedilinna
Ekwueme (M)
Igbo: Do what you say
Ekwutosi (F)
Igbo: Don't misspeak about others
-> Okwy
Elewechi (M,F)
Igbo: It's up to God
-> Elechi
Eluemuno (M,F)
Igbo: I am home
Emenike (M)
Igbo: Take things easy
Enomwoyi (e-nom-WOH-yee) (F)
benin: who has grace, charm
Enwelumokwu (F)
Igbo: ?
Enyinnaya (M)
Igbo: His father's friend
-> Enyi
Erioku (Air-ee-oh-coo)
Yoruba: Born after Etaoku
Esomchi (M)
Igbo: Do you believe in God? / I will follow God (depending on pronunciation)
-> Esom
Etaoku (Eh-ta-oh-coo)
Yoruba: Born after Otunla
Ewegbemi (Ey-wayg-bay-me)
Yoruba: Herbs help me (shaman family)
Eweji (Ey-way-gee)
Yoruba: herbs work (shaman family)
Gambo
Hausa, for a child born after twins
Ginikanwa (M,F)
Igbo: What is greater than a child?
-> Ginika
Gwamniru (F)
Igbo: Say it to my face
Idowu (Ee-dough-woo)
Yoruba, for a child born after twins
Ifasen (Ee-fa-sen)
Yoruba: Ifa performs miracle
Ige (Ee-gay)
Yoruba: Born feet-first (breech-birthed)
Ilori (Ee-lore-ee)
Yoruba: Born of mother who sees her period throughout the pregnancy
Ire
Yoruba: favor, blessing
Kaka (F)
Hausa: grandmother
Kambinachi (M,F)
Igbo: Living in God
-> Kambina
Kamdibe (M,F)
Igbo: ?
Kehinde (Kay-hin-day)
Yoruba: the one who lagged behind (for the second-born of twins)
Kelechi (M)
Igbo: Thank/praise God
-> Kenechi, Kenenna, Kenechukwu, Ken, Kene
Kodilinye (M)
Igbo: ?
Kwemto (M)
Igbo: ?
Lotachukwu (F)
Igbo: never forget God
-> Lotanna
Mbadiwe (M)
Igbo: ?
Mbanefo (M)
Igbo: ?
Meliga (M, F)
Hausa: born wearing clothes (for a child born with the placenta)
Mgbafor (F)
Igbo: Born on Afor market day
Mgbeke (F)
Igbo: Born on Eke market day
Mgbonkwo (F)
Igbo: Born on Nkwo market day
Mgborie (F)
Igbo: Born on Orie market day
Mukoso (F)
Igbo: ?
Ndidiamaka (F)
Igbo: Patience is the key
-> Ndidi, Ndy
Ndubueze (M)
Igbo: Life is sacred
-> Ndu
Ndubuisi (M)
Igbo: Life is paramount
-> Ndu
Ndukaku (M)
Igbo: Life is better than wealth
-> Ndu, Nduka (life first)
Nebechi (M)
Igbo: ?
Nebeuwa (M)
Igbo: ?
Ngozichukwuka (M,F)
Igbo ngozi=blessing, chukwu=god, ka=first, best: God's blessing is the best/greatest
-> Ngozi, Ngo
Nkechiyerem (F)
Igbo: [I will accept] what God has given me
-> Nky, Niki
Nkemakolam (M,F)
?
-> Nkemakonam, Nkem
Nkemdilim or Nkemdirim (M,F)
Igbo: ?
-> Nkemdirim, Nkem
Nkemjika (F)
Igbo: ?
-> Nkem
Nkemka (F)
Igbo:
-> Nkem
Nkiliejiafo (F)
Igbo: A thing of beauty is a joy forever
-> Nkili
Nkolika (F)
Igbo: ?
-> Nkoli
Nnachebem (M)
Igbo chebe=protect: God protect me
-> Achebe
Nnamdi (M)
Igbo: my father is alive (given to a boy who is believed to be the reincarnation of his father's father)
Nnamutaezinwa (M,F)
Igbo: when a father has a good child
Nnenna (F)
Igbo: her father's mother (given to a girl who is believed to be the reincarnation of her father's mother)
Nnenne (F)
Igbo: her mother's mother (given to a girl who is believed to be the reincarnation of her mother's mother)
Nneze (F)
Igbo: a king's mother (given to a girl who is believed to be the reincarnation of her father's mother)
Nonyelum (M,F)
Igbo: Stay with me (when several children died young already)
-> Nonye
Nwabugwu (M,F)
Igbo: A child is one's pride
Nwachukwu (M)
Igbo: child of God
Nwadimkpa (F)
Igbo: A child is important or vital
-> Nwadi
Nwafor (M)
Igbo: born on Afor market day
Nwakasi (F)
Igbo: A child is priceless
-> Nwaka (a child is first)
Nwakego (F)
Igbo: A child is greater than money or wealth
-> Ego, Nwaka
Nwamaka (F)
Igbo: a child is good, no gift is greater than a child
-> Amaka
Nwando (F)
Igbo: Child of peace, peace
Nwankwo (M)
Igbo: Born on Nkwo day
Nwanyibuife (F)
Igbo: A girl worth a lot (when a father needs or would have preferred a male child)
Nweke (M)
Igbo: Born on "Eke" day
Nwokezuike (M)
Igbo: ?
Nwokike (M)
Igbo: ?
Nworie (M)
Igbo: Born on "Orie" day
Nwora (M)
Igbo: A child for all
Obiageli (F)
Igbo: One who came to enjoy [not to suffer]
-> Oby
Obiajulu (M)
Igbo: My mind is at peace
-> Obi, Ajulu
Obialo (M,F)
Igbo: My mind is finally at peace, my wish finally came true
-> Obielumani, Obi
Obianuju (F)
Igbo: One who came in the midst of wealth [not to suffer]
Obijiaku (M)
Igbo: ?
Obinna (M)
Igbo: The wish of God
-> Obi
Obioma (M,F)
Igbo: Good, pure-hearted
Obiora (M)
Igbo: The good wishes of the people
Obiuto (M,F)
Igbo: Happiness
Odinakachukwu (M,F)
Igbo: Everything is up to God
-> Oddy
Ofodile (M)
Igbo: There is nothing more effective than a just cause or a clear conscience
Ogbenyeanu (F)
Igbo: May a poor man never marry me
Ogbonnaya (M)
Igbo: His father's namesake
-> Ogbonna
Ogechikamma (F)
Igbo: God's time is the best
-> Ogechukwukamma, Ogechi, Oge
Ogochukwu (M,F)
Igbo: God's gift
Oguejiofor (M)
Igbo: Fight with a clear conscience
Ogunfiditimi (Oh-goon-feed-ee-teem-ee)
Yoruba: Ogun is with me
Ojiofor (M)
Igbo: One who has a clear conscience
Ojo (Oh-joe) (M)
Yoruba: Male child born with umbilical cord around his neck
Okafor (M)
Igbo: born on Afor market day
Okeke (M)
Igbo: Born on Eke market day
-> Okereke
Okechukwu (M)
Igbo: My share from God
-> Okey
Okoghe (M)
Igbo: born on Orie market day
Okoli or Okorie (M)
Igbo: Born on Orie market day
Okonkwo (M)
Igbo: Born on Nkwo market day
-> Okoronkwo
Okorie (M)
Igbo: born on Orie market day
Okwuadigbo
Igbo: ?
Okwudilichukwu (M)
Igbo: Leave your worries to God
-> Okwudili, Odili
Okwukwe (M,F)
Igbo: Faith
-> Okwii, Okwy
Ola (Oh-la)
Yoruba: Born after Idowu
Olakuotu (Oh-la-coo-oh-too) (F)
Yoruba: Honor or leadership pride does not leave the clan (within Warrior clans)
Oluchi (M,F)
Igbo: God's handwork (miracle)
-> Oluchukwu
Omeokachie (M)
Igbo: ?
Onochie (M)
Igbo: ?
Onuchukwu (M,F)
Igbo: God's word
Onuora (M)
Igbo: ?
-> Onuoha
Onwuamaegbu (M)
Igbo: Death has come to the wrong person
Onwuamaeze (M)
Igbo: Death does not know between the rich and the poor
Onwuatuegwu (M)
Igbo: I am not afraid to die
Onwubiko (M)
Igbo: Death, please [leave us alone]
Onwudiwe (M)
Igbo: Death hurts
Onwughara (M)
Igbo: Death leave
Onwuka (M)
Igbo: Death is inevitable
Onwuemelie (M)
Igbo: Death has won
Onwumelu (M)
Igbo: Death created this condition
Onyebuchi (F)
Igbo: Nobody is my God
-> Buchi
Onyekachi (M,F)
Igbo: Who is greater than God?
-> Onyeka
Onyekaozulu (M)
Igbo: Who has it all?
-> Ozuluonye, Onyii
Onyemaechi (M)
Igbo: Who knows tomorrow?
-> Onyii, Onyema, Amechi
Onyenachiya (M,F)
Igbo: Destiny
-> Onyii
Onyeoruru (M,F)
Igbo: ?
-> Onyeorulu
Onyinyechukwuka (M,F)
Igbo: God's gift is the greatest
-> Onyi, Onyinye
Ore
Yoruba: goodness, benevolence
Orishabiyi (Or-ee-shah-bee-yee)
Yoruba: Diety brought this one
Osinachi (M,F)
Igbo: [Gift] from God
-> Ossy
Ositadimma (M)
Igbo: May things change for the better
-> Ossy, Osita
Osonduagwuike (M)
Igbo: ?
-> Osondu
Otitodilinna (M,F)
Glory be to God
-> Otitodilichukwu, Otutodilichukwu, Otutodilinna, Otito
Otunla (Oh-tune-la)
Yoruba: Born after Ola
Ozoemena (M,F)
Igbo: May it [ie a bad thing, such as death] never happen again (for a child born after the death(s) of older sibling(s))
-> Ozo
Rapuluchukwu (M,F)
Igbo: Leave everything to God
-> Rapuokwu
Shangokoya (Shan-go-coy-ah)
Yoruba: Shango does not take insults
Sochima (M)
Igbo: Only God knows
-> Sochi, Chima
Somadina (F)
Igbo: ?
Sopuluchi (M,F)
Igbo: Respect God
-> Sopuluchukwu, Sopulu
Sunday
Yoruba, for a child born on Sunday
Taiwo (Tie-woe)
Yoruba: pre-tasted the world (for the first-born of twins)
Tochukwu (M,F)
Igbo: Praise God
-> Tô, Tobe, Tobenna, Tobeolisa, Toby
Tokunbo
Yoruba, for a child born while the parents were out of the country
Ubanwa (M,F)
Igbo: ?
Uchechukwu (M,F)
Igbo: God's will
-> Uche
Udegbulam
Udokamma (M)
Igbo: Peace is better [than war]
-> Udoka
Ugochukwu (M)
Ugoji (M)
Igbo: ?
-> Ugorji
Ugonna (M)
Igbo: ?
-> Ugochukwu
Ukaegbulam (M)
Igbo: ?
-> Ukaegbunam
Ukamaka (F)
Igbo: ?
Uloma (F)
Igbo: ?
Uru (F)
Igbo: profit
-> Urunna (benefits of a father), Urunwa (rewards a child brings)
Uwaezuoke
Igbo: No one has it all
Uwakwe (M)
Igbo: ?
Uzoamaka (F)
Igbo: ?
Uzodimma (F)
Igbo: ?
Yetunde (F)
Yoruba: the mother has come back (for a girl born after the death of an elderly woman in the family)
-> Yewande, Iyabo
Yobachi (M,F)
Igbo: Ask God
-> Yobanna, Yobachukwu
Yohance (M)
Hausa: God's gift
Zinachidi (M,F)
Igbo: Show that God is alive
-> Zinachukwudi, Zina
Zerenjo
Igbo: Avoid evil
Zereokwu
Igbo: Avoid enmity
Zikoranachidimma (M,F)
Igbo: Show the world that God is great
-> Zikoranachukwudimma, Zikora
Zikoranaudodimma (M,F)
Igbo: Show the world that peace is great
-> Zikoranachukwudimma, Zikora
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Compiled by Joumana Medlej. |