409 Nigerian Baby Names With Meanings

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.