203 Igbo Baby Names With Meanings

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.

Name		Gender	Meaning
Ikenna		Boy	Strength or powerful
Adanna		Girl	Eldest daughter of father
Chidera		Unisex	God is merciful
Kelechi		Boy	Glorify God
Chisom		Boy	God is with me
Osinachi		Unisex	May God be with me
Lotanna		Boy	Remember the father or the God
Adaeze		Girl	Princess; Daughter of a king
Chukwuma		Boy	God knows; God knows better than anyone
Chidiebere		Boy	God is merciful
Kalu		Boy	God of thunder
Munachimso		Boy	One who always agrees with God
Ikechukwu		Boy	The power of God
Ifeanyi		Unisex	Gift from God
Chioke		Boy	Gift of God
Kamsiyochukwu		Boy	God gave me exactly as I asked
Ohaji		Unisex	Conquering warrior
Chidinma		Girl	Grace of God
Chukwuebuka		Boy	God is great
Chibuikem		Boy	God is my power
Chimaobi		Boy	God knows the heart
Chibuike		Boy	God is strength
Chikezie		Boy	May God appease
Akachukwu		Boy	The hand of God
Uchenna		Unisex	God's will
Ugochukwu		Boy	God's eagle or God's glory
Ogechi		Girl	A fresh and successful ending of a struggle or contest
Arinzechukwu		Boy	Thanks be to God
Chidiebube		Boy	God is glorious and great
Chiemeka		Boy	God has done well
Chidozie		Boy	May God fix it and make it good for me
Chigozie		Unisex	Blessing from God
Ebubechukwu		Boy	The glory and greatness of God
Emeka		Boy	Great deeds; God has done it
Ifeanyichukwu		Boy	God is most powerful; No one is greater than god.
Kachiside		Boy	As God has written it or the will of God
Ozioma		Girl	The message, God's good news
Adaugo		Girl	Beautiful daughter or daughter of an eagle
Ezinne		Girl	The good mother
Ifeoma		Girl	Beautiful one
Ifunanya		Girl	Love
Adaobi		Girl	The first daughter in the family compound
Ndidi		Girl	One who is patient
Chisimdi		Girl	God says I shall live
Somtochukwu		Girl	Praise god with me
Isioma		Girl	One who is fortunate and blessed
Uzoamaka		Girl	A good path
Ogechukwu		Girl	The very new mode of living or a characteristic state; New earthly life
Achebe		Unisex	One who is protected by the Goddess
Addana		Girl	The younger sister of a girl
Amaka		Unisex	Queen of ravishing beauty
Ekene		Unisex	The one who receives a lot of praise
Ogechukwukama		Girl	Beginning of a new style of living; Start of a fresh human events and activities
Onochie		Boy	The one who can replace the status of father
Abaeze		Boy	Branch of the kings
Chetachukwu		Boy	One who always remembers God
Chichima		Girl	A sweet and precious girl
Chimezie		Boy	Let God do it
Chinechezirim		Girl	God thinks good of me
Debare		Boy	One born during good times
Ekemma		Girl	One who was born on Eke market day
Ezesinachi		Boy	The chief is from God
Ganiru		Boy	Good luck
Ifechi		Boy	The light of God
Ifekristi		Unisex	The light of Christ
Ilozumba		Boy	Our distant home is forgotten
Jideofor		Boy	You are justified
Kaodinakachi		Boy	Leave your destiny to God
Kristibueze		Boy	Christ is the king.
Kufreabasi		Unisex	Do not forget God, one who always remembers God.
Kwento		Unisex	One who protects the family name from destruction
Machie		Unisex	Replacement of a lost gem
Maduenu		Unisex	The impermanence of life
Nwabueze		Boy	Child is the king
Obiefune		Boy	Do not lose hope
Ogechukwukana		Unisex	The time spent worshiping God is the best
Udumelue		Girl	Crowned with honor and pride
Ugoulo		Girl	Pride of a home
Uloaku		Girl	Bank; House of wealth
Yoruba		Girl	Peace
Chukwueneka		Boy	God is kind to us
Okorie		Boy	Born on Orie
Iben		Boy	Harmony
Adaego		Girl	Daughter of wealth
Adaku		Girl	A girl born into a wealthy family or the one who brings wealth to the family
Adaolisa		Girl	God's daughter
Adaure		Girl	Daughter of Uruala, a town in Imo state
Afamefuna		Boy	My name will not be lost
Ahunna		Girl	One with the body of her father
Akuada		Girl	A girl born into a wealthy family
Akunna		Boy	Father's wealth
Amaechi		Boy	One who knows tomorrow
Amandi		Boy	One who does not trust easily
Amobi		Boy	Who knows the heart of man
Anozie		Boy	One who is settled or well-positioned
Anwuli		Girl	Joy; A joyous and happy girl
Anwulichukwu		Girl	Joy of the Lord
Anwulika		Girl	My joy is great; Joy is greater
Apunanwu		Girl	A precious and beautiful girl untainted by the sun
Azubuike		Boy	Strength gained from experiences of the past