212 Charming Igbo Baby Names For You To Consider
From Achike to Ugoulo, these uplifting names embrace the spirit of Igbo culture.
Igbo baby names are versatile and have great cultural significance. Igbo is an ethnic group from Southeast Nigeria. People with Igbo roots follow distinctive naming practices that stand out because of their intrinsic richness, depth, and symbolic meanings. Most of the Igbo names are grammatically constructed and have symbolic meanings. The names reflect the circumstances under which the child was born. Some names also have strong undertones, as Igbo people believe in praising the strength and power of God while naming their children. The Igbo culture is incredibly rich with unique rituals, ceremonies, and traditions that they observe to commemorate every significant phase of their lives. Among these traditions is 'Igu nwa aha,' a child-naming ceremony (1), which is held shortly after the birth of a child. It is usually organized within two to three weeks or seven to twelve days in Igbo terms. This is because a week in Igbo culture comprises four market days: Eke, Orie, Afor, and Nkwor. This ceremony serves as a formal introduction of the child to the extended family. Typically, the ceremony starts with acknowledging the ancestors, followed by naming the child and planting a sapling symbolizing survival, flourishing, and longevity. This ceremony is followed by the traditional breaking of the kola nut, prayers for the newborn, her parents, the attendees, and finally, gratitude to the ancestors for their blessings and a plea for their protection over the child. One noteworthy aspect of naming a child in Igbo culture is considering the significance behind the name. Igbos usually name their children after carefully assessing the circumstances surrounding their birth. Naming a child could be influenced by birthmarks, resemblance to a specific individual, pledges of reincarnation from a certain person, a dream, the family's current or past situation, etc. To differentiate individuals with the same names in the same generation, the elders join the father's first name to the given title. It's also said that in the old times, Igbo women were named after market days. Surnames are equally important amongst the Igbo people. It's evidence of your root and a mark of your identity. Surnames are also used to sustain the family heritage. Below is a compilation of Igbo baby names with meanings.
In This Article
Browse Baby Names By Gender
Browse Baby Names By Alphabet
Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
|
Boy | Strength or powerful | |
|
Unisex | God is merciful | |
|
Boy | Seemed destined to die at birth; Free-born; Beloved | |
|
Boy | God is with me | |
|
Boy | Glorify God | |
|
Boy | Immortal being; Blessed with eternal life; Grace and gracious; Sky and to smile; Heaven and virtuous; Bitter | |
|
Boy | Branch; God; Spiritual being; Will | |
|
Boy | Remember the father or the God | |
|
Girl | Princess; Daughter of a king | |
|
Girl | Grace of God | |
|
Boy | God knows; God knows better than anyone | |
|
Boy | God did a greater deed; God has done so much | |
|
Boy | God is merciful | |
|
Boy | God knows; Leave; Space time | |
|
Boy | God of thunder and lightning | |
|
Boy | One who always agrees with God | |
|
Unisex | Conquering warrior | |
|
Boy | God's eagle or God's glory | |
|
Unisex | God's will | |
|
Boy | The power of God | |
|
Boy | Gift of God | |
|
Boy | God gave me exactly as I asked | |
|
Girl | One who builds; One who lives a long life; Thrive; Grace; Immortal | |
|
Unisex | May God be with me | |
|
Boy | God is great | |
|
Boy | God is my power | |
|
Boy | God knows the heart | |
|
Boy | God is strength | |
|
Boy | God exists | |
|
Boy | May God appease | |
|
Unisex | Gift from God | |
|
Boy | The hand of God | |
|
Girl | Wisdom; Beautiful; God is greater; Intellect | |
|
Girl | A fresh and successful ending of a struggle or contest | |
|
Boy | Thanks be to God | |
|
Boy | God is glorious and great | |
|
Boy | God has done well | |
|
Boy | May God fix it and make it good for me | |
|
Boy | The glory and greatness of God | |
|
Boy | God has done so much; God did a greater deed | |
|
Unisex | Blessing from God | |
|
Girl | Beautiful one | |
|
Boy | God is most powerful; No one is greater than god. | |
|
Boy | As God has written it or the will of God | |
|
Girl | The message, God's good news | |
|
Girl | Beautiful daughter or daughter of an eagle | |
|
Girl | The good mother | |
|
Girl | Love | |
|
Girl | The first daughter in the family compound | |
|
Girl | Patience | |
|
Girl | Large group of ships sailing togethe; Tribe; Grace | |
|
Girl | God says I shall live | |
|
Girl | Praise god with me | |
|
Girl | One who is fortunate and blessed | |
|
Girl | A good path | |
|
Girl | The very new mode of living or a characteristic state; New earthly life | |
|
Unisex | One who is protected by the Goddess | |
|
Girl | The younger sister of a girl | |
|
Unisex | Queen of ravishing beauty | |
|
Unisex | The one who receives a lot of praise | |
|
Girl | Beginning of a new style of living; Start of a fresh human events and activities | |
|
Boy | The one who can replace the status of father | |
|
Boy | Branch of the kings | |
|
Boy | One who always remembers God | |
|
Girl | A sweet and precious girl | |
|
Boy | Let God do it | |
|
Girl | God thinks good of me | |
|
Boy | One born during good times | |
|
Girl | One who was born on Eke market day | |
|
Boy | The chief is from God | |
|
Boy | Good luck | |
|
Boy | The light of God | |
|
Unisex | The light of Christ | |
|
Boy | Our distant home is forgotten | |
|
Boy | You are justified | |
|
Boy | Leave your destiny to God | |
|
Boy | Christ is the king. | |
|
Unisex | Do not forget God, one who always remembers God. | |
|
Unisex | One who protects the family name from destruction | |
|
Unisex | Replacement of a lost gem | |
|
Unisex | The impermanence of life | |
|
Boy | Child is the king | |
|
Boy | Do not lose hope | |
|
Unisex | The time spent worshiping God is the best | |
|
Girl | Crowned with honor and pride | |
|
Girl | Pride of a home | |
|
Girl | Bank; House of wealth | |
|
Girl | Peace | |
|
Boy | God is kind to us | |
|
Boy | Born on Orie | |
|
Boy | Harmony | |
|
Girl | Daughter of wealth | |
|
Girl | A girl born into a wealthy family or the one who brings wealth to the family | |
|
Girl | God's daughter | |
|
Girl | Daughter of Uruala, a town in Imo state | |
|
Boy | My name will not be lost | |
|
Girl | One with the body of her father | |
|
Girl | A girl born into a wealthy family | |
|
Boy | Father's wealth | |
|
Boy | One who knows tomorrow | |
Igbo baby names have profound meanings, often reflecting a child's birth circumstances or ancestors' beliefs. These names connect the child to Igbo history by tying together kinship, cultural, and historical threads. Igbo names, which convey ancestry, shared history, and parents' hopes for their children, are viewed as more than just labels, as they are an essential part of the Igbo cultural identity. So embrace your Igbo heritage or your love for the community by picking a name from the list above.
Infographic: Fascinating Igbo Baby Names
The Igbo people are famous for their enterprising and adventurous spirit. They are also well-known for their exotic food, dance, music, and festivals. Igbos are profoundly religious, and so most names connote god. You will also find many traditional, easy-to-pronounce, and trendy Igbo names. Read this infographic for some great options.
Some thing wrong with infographic shortcode. please verify shortcode syntax
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Igbo naming culture?
It is interesting to watch in Igbo cultures that all their names contain distinct meanings. Interestingly, names are given to babies to express the parent's appreciation for the almighty or to declare the child's greatness. Furthermore, it could also mean conveying optimism for the future, asserting the family's greatness, or lamenting the preceding misfortune in childbirth.
2. What is the symbolism behind some of the most popular Igbo baby names?
Some popular names in Igbo culture include Emeka meaning ‘God did a greater deed,’ Obinna, meaning ‘heart of the father,’ and Chidimma meaning ‘God is good.’
3. What is the significance of adding titles or honorifics to an Igbo baby's name?
With the inclusion of honorifics, it is intended to display the degree of respect on different occasions of interaction between two people. Furthermore, it could remind others of the relationship between the two and attract others’ attention (2).
References
- Child-naming in The Igbo Culture.
https://thecircular.org/child-naming-in-the-igbo-culture/ - Name and Politeness: Multiple Address Term among the Igbo
http://www.languageinindia.com/june2019/amakanamepolitenessigbo1.pdf
Look Up For Many More Names
Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.
Read full bio of Akshay Nair
Read full bio of N Pravenchandra Singh