Nigerian baby names are as unique as the culture of this region, which is one of the many reasons behind the popularity of these names. Nigerian parents like to be descriptive when it comes to naming tradition, but the customs vary by ethnic group. Some families and tribes prefer anglicized names, while others don’t. But one thing is common. Almost all the families and tribes pick names that express their expectations from the child or the circumstances surrounding the birth of the baby. That’s because Nigerians believe that a name has a determining effect on the child’s life. Some tribes also give as many as five names to their children, but only one or two are used.
The child’s position in the family is also considered while naming. When twins are born, the first child to arrive is named Taiwo, which means ‘pre-tasted the world’ and the second one is called Kehinde, which means ‘the one who lagged behind”. Naming the child after the day on which he was born in also popular in Nigeria. So a child born on Sunday is called Sunday. Muslim families living in Nigeria frequently pick Islamic first names such as Kareem, Abdul, Ahmad, or Ibrahim.
Below you’ll find an extensive collection of Nigerian baby boy and girl names with meanings by MomJunction.
NAMES | MEANING | GENDER | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abaeze | Branch of the kings | Boy | |||
Abayomrunkoje | God won't allow humiliation. | Boy | |||
Abebi | We asked for a girl child. | Girl | |||
Abegunde | One born during the holiday. | Boy | |||
Abeo | The bringer of happiness . | Boy | |||
Abidugun | One born before the war. | Boy | |||
Abigail | Father in rejoicing | Girl | |||
Abiodun | One born at the time of festival. | Boy | |||
Achojah | Rise up to challenge | Boy | |||
Adaego | Daughter of wealth | Girl | |||
Adaeze | Princess, daughter of the king. | Girl | |||
Adaku | A girl born into wealthy family or the one who brings wealth to the family. | Girl | |||
Adankwo | One born on fourth day. | Girl | |||
Adaobi | The first daughter in the family compound. | Girl | |||
Adaolisa | God's daughter. | Girl | |||
Adaoma | A good and virtuous lady. | Girl | |||
Adaora | Daughter of all | Girl | |||
Adaugo | Beautiful daughter or daughter of an eagle. | Girl | |||
Adaure | Daughter of Uruala, a town in Imo State. | Girl | |||
Adebamgbe | A Nigerian term meaning royalty dwells within me. | Boy | |||
Adebiyi | The royal one. | Boy | |||
Adebowale | Return of the crown; refers to a child born after many years of waiting | Boy | |||
Adedayo | The crown has turned to joy. | Boy | |||
Adefolake | Your wealth supports us. | Girl | |||
Aderiyike | The pampered crown. | Girl | |||
Afamefuna | My name will not be lost. | Boy | |||
Agbarha | Born in Agbarha | Boy | |||
Ahunna | One with the body of her father. | Girl | |||
Ahwinahwi | A really black or dark individual | Boy | |||
Akachukwu | The hand of God. | Boy | |||
Akin | Yoruban - Brave, Heroic ; Hebrew - Man | Boy | |||
Akpenvwoghene | Praise God | Unisex | |||
Akpobome | My own life | Unisex | |||
Akpofure | Life is now peaceful | Boy | |||
Akporovwovwo | Good life in later years | Unisex | |||
Akuada | A girl born into a wealthy family. | Girl | |||
Akunna | Father's wealth. | Boy | |||
Amaechi | Who knows tomorrow? | Boy | |||
Amandi | Trust no one, one who doesn't trust anyone easily. | Boy | |||
Amobi | Who knows the heart of man? | Boy | |||
Anaborhi | The one who is born with good destiny | Unisex | |||
Anozie | We are now settled or well positioned. | Boy | |||
Anwilichukwu | God' s joy. | Girl | |||
Anwuli | Joy, a joyous and happy girl. | Girl | |||
Anwulichukwu | Joy of the lord. | Girl | |||
Anwulika | My joy is great or joy is greater. | Girl | |||
Apunanwu | A precious and beautiful girl untainted by the sun. | Girl | |||
Aretta | A charming and enchanting woman. | Girl | |||
Arinzechukwu | Thanks be to God. | Boy | |||
Aruegodore | We have come home | Boy | |||
Asaroyoma | Comfort zones | Girl | |||
Ataikiru | Talk or plan before taking action | Boy | |||
Avwunudiogba | Those who profess strength with mere talk | Unisex | |||
Azi | Youth | Boy | |||
Azubuike | Strength gained from experiences of the past. | Boy | |||
Bako | A Nigerian term meaning guest. | Boy | |||
Banjoko | Don't ever leave me. | Boy | |||
Benjamin | Son Of The Right Hand | Boy | |||
Binyelum | Stay with me. | Girl | |||
Blessing | Consecration | Girl | |||
Bolanile | The wealth of this house. | Girl | |||
Bunkechukwu | The one who belongs to God. | Boy | |||
Chetachi | One who always remembers God. | Boy | |||
Chetachukwu | One who always remembers God. | Boy | |||
Chiagozie | God has blessed me. | Girl | |||
Chiasoka | God is too sweet. | Girl | |||
Chiazokam | God has saved me well. | Girl | |||
Chibarameze | God has made me a king. | Girl | |||
Chibinobim | God dwells in my heart. | Girl | |||
Chibuike | God is strength. | Boy | |||
Chibundo | God is my shelter | Girl | |||
Chibundu | God is life | Boy | |||
Chibunna | God is my father | Boy | |||
Chibuogu | God is my strength. | Girl | |||
Chibuzor | God first or God leads | Boy | |||
Chichima | A sweet and precious girl. | Girl | |||
Chidiadi | There is God | Boy | |||
Chidiebere | God is merciful | Boy | |||
Chidiebube | God is glorious and great. | Boy | |||
Chidozie | May God fix it and make it good for me. | Boy | |||
Chiekezie | God has made it good for me. | Boy | |||
Chiemeka | God has done well. | Boy | |||
Chiemelie | God has won. | Boy | |||
Chiemezie | God has made it good for me. | Boy | |||
Chikanma | God is better than any other thing. | Boy | |||
Chikezie | May God appease. | Boy | |||
Chimankpa | God know my wants. | Boy | |||
Chimaobi | God knows the heart. | Boy | |||
Chimezie | Let God do it. | Boy | |||
Chinaka | God decides or God schedules. | Boy | |||
Chinara | Received by God | Girl | |||
Chinecherem | God thinks and worries on my behalf. | Boy | |||
Chinechezirim | God thinks good of me. | Girl | |||
Chisimdi | God says I shall live. | Girl | |||
Chuk | The Supreme divine; the one beyond everything | Boy | |||
Chukwudumaga | God leads me. | Boy | |||
Chukwuemerie | God has won. | Boy | |||
Chukwuma | God knows, God knows better than anyone. | Boy | |||
Chuwudubem | Lead me, oh God. | Boy | |||
Daberechi | Lean on God, one who is dependent on God. | Girl | |||