204 Igbo Baby Names With Meanings
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.
Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
Abaeze | Boy | Branch of the kings | |
Achebe | Unisex | One who is protected by the Goddess | |
Achike | Boy | Give praise to God | |
Adaego | Girl | Daughter of wealth | |
Adaeze | Girl | Princess; Daughter of a king | |
Adaku | Girl | A girl born into a wealthy family or the one who brings wealth to the family | |
Adanna | Girl | Eldest daughter of father | |
Adaobi | Girl | The first daughter in the family compound | |
Adaolisa | Girl | God's daughter | |
Adaugo | Girl | Beautiful daughter or daughter of an eagle | |
Adaure | Girl | Daughter of Uruala, a town in Imo state | |
Addana | Girl | The younger sister of a girl | |
Afamefuna | Boy | My name will not be lost | |
Ahunna | Girl | One with the body of her father | |
Akachukwu | Boy | The hand of God | |
Akuada | Girl | A girl born into a wealthy family | |
Akumjeli | Girl | I will enjoy that wealth | |
Akunna | Boy | Father's wealth | |
Akwaugo | Girl | My precious daughter | |
Amaechi | Boy | One who knows tomorrow | |
Amaka | Unisex | Queen of ravishing beauty | |
Amandi | Boy | One who does not trust easily | |
Amaogechukwu | Girl | The Lord's time is the best | |
Amara | Boy | Immortal being; Blessed with eternal life; Grace and gracious | |
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 | |
Arinzechukwu | Boy | Thanks be to God | |
Azubuike | Boy | Strength gained from experiences of the past | |
Binyelum | Girl | Stay with me | |
Bunkechukwu | Boy | Belongs to God | |
Chetachi | Boy | One who always remembers God | |
Chetachukwu | Boy | One who always remembers God | |
Chiagozie | Girl | God has blessed me | |
Chiasoka | Girl | God is too sweet | |
Chiazokam | Girl | God has saved me well | |
Chibarameze | Girl | God has made me a king | |
Chibinobim | Girl | God dwells in my heart | |
Chibuike | Boy | God is strength | |
Chibuikem | Boy | God is my power | |
Chibundo | Girl | God is my shelter | |
Chibundu | Boy | God is life | |
Chibunna | Boy | God is my father | |
Chibuogu | Girl | God is my strength | |
Chibuzor | Boy | God first or God leads | |
Chichima | Girl | A sweet and precious girl | |
Chidera | Unisex | God is merciful | |
Chidiadi | Boy | There is God | |
Chidiebere | Boy | God is merciful | |
Chidiebube | Boy | God is glorious and great | |
Chidindu | Boy | Show the world that God is alive | |
Chidinma | Girl | Grace of God | |
Chidozie | Boy | May God fix it and make it good for me | |
Chiekezie | Boy | God has made it good for me | |
Chiemeka | Boy | God has done well | |
Chiemelie | Boy | God has won | |
Chiemezie | Boy | God has made it good for me | |
Chigozie | Unisex | Blessing from God | |
Chikanma | Boy | God is better than any other thing | |
Chikezie | Boy | May God appease | |
Chimamanda | Boy | My God will not fall or fail me | |
Chimankpa | Boy | God know my wants | |
Chimaobi | Boy | God knows the heart | |
Chimezie | Boy | Let God do it | |
Chinaka | Boy | God decides or God schedules | |
Chinecherem | Boy | God thinks and worries on my behalf | |
Chinechezirim | Girl | God thinks good of me | |
Chinedu | Unisex | God leads | |
Chioke | Boy | Gift of God | |
Chisimdi | Girl | God says I shall live | |
Chisom | Boy | God is with me | |
Chizutere | Boy | God's envoy | |
Chukwudaalu | Girl | thank you, Lord or thank God | |
Chukwudumaga | Boy | God leads me | |
Chukwuebuka | Boy | God is great | |
Chukwuemerie | Boy | God has won | |
Chukwueneka | Boy | God is kind to us | |
Chukwuma | Boy | God knows; God knows better than anyone | |
Chuwudubem | Boy | Lead me God | |
Daberechi | Girl | Lean on God; One who is dependent on God. | |
Daluchi | Girl | Thank God | |
Debare | Boy | One born during good times | |
Diarachukwundu | Boy | Live for God | |
Ebubechukwu | Boy | The glory and greatness of God | |
Echezonanna | Boy | Don't forget your God and your father | |
Ejikeme | Boy | It's not by power | |
Ekemma | Girl | One who was born on Eke market day | |
Ekene | Unisex | The one who receives a lot of praise | |
Ekenedilichukwu | Boy | Thanks be to God | |
Emeka | Boy | Great deeds; God has done it | |
Emenike | Boy | It's not by might or power | |
Enyinnaya | Boy | His father's friend | |
Epkereamaka | Girl | One who finds prayer is good and wonderful | |
Esomchi | Boy | Walking with the lord; One who follows God | |
Ewelike | Boy | It's not by power | |
Ezesinachi | Boy | The chief is from God | |
Ezeudo | Boy | King of peace | |
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.
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.