217 Nigerian Baby Girl Names With Meanings
A treasure trove of the beauty and values of the Naija people.
Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
Nigeria, a culturally rich and diverse country in West Africa, boasts an array of fascinating traditions and customs, which is reflected through the collection of these unique Nigerian girl names. These names embody centuries of history, connecting each individual to their ethnic heritage and familial roots. Nigerian girl names are more than just a combination of syllables; they reflect the true essence of the nation’s multifaceted background and deep-seated values. In the Nigerian culture, a child holds a significant position which is reflected in their names. For instance, bestowing names such as the Igbo title Chiagozie, meaning ‘God has blessed me,’ proves that in Nigerian communities, a child is considered a gift of God (1). The country has several ethnic groups, among them Igbo, Yoruba, and Hausa are the most prominent ones. Each ethnic group within Nigeria has its own unique naming traditions, resulting in a plethora of captivating options. Among the Yoruba people, the traditional naming ceremony for a newborn occurs seven days after their birth, on the eighth day. The selection process is typically done by elders, and the name often reflects the circumstances under which a child was born. They may be named after the day of the week on which they were born or the order of their birth relative to their siblings. Igbo names are often abbreviated consisting of compound words and carrying a Western nickname of Biblical origin, while Hausa names are particularly influenced by Islam and embody attributes of Allah (2). Moreover, Nigerian names reflect the country’s religious diversity, with many names being inspired by Islamic, Christian, or indigenous spiritual beliefs. So, this post unravels the enchanting world of exotic and spiritual names that encapsulate the essence of Nigeria’s culture and traditions that transcend time and generations. Go ahead and take your pick.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Abigail |  Girl | Father's joy | |
| Blessing | Girl | Consecration | |
| Esther | Girl | Star; Hidden | |
| Gabriel |  Unisex | God is my strength | |
| Joy | Girl | Happiness; Great pleasure; Delight; Rejoice; Beautiful jewel | |
| Kebe | Girl | Strong man with no fear | |
| Mary | Girl | Beloved; Exalted | |
| Redeem | Girl | A woman who has redeemed herself | |
| Rose | Girl | Rose; Flower | |
| Stephanie | Girl | Crown; Reward | |
| Abebi | Girl | We asked for a girl child | |
| 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 | |
| Adankwo | Girl | One born on the fourth day | |
| Adaobi | Girl | The first daughter in the family compound | |
| Adaolisa | Girl | God's daughter | |
| Adaoma | Girl | A good and virtuous lady | |
| Adaora | Girl | Daughter of all | |
| Adaugo | Girl | Beautiful daughter or daughter of an eagle | |
| Adaure | Girl | Daughter of Uruala, a town in Imo state | |
| Adefolake | Girl | Your wealth supports us | |
| Aderiyike | Girl | The pampered crown | |
| Ahunna | Girl | One with the body of her father | |
| Akpenvwoghene | Unisex | To praise God | |
| Akpobome | Unisex | My own life | |
| Akporovwovwo | Unisex | Good life in later years | |
| Akuada | Girl | A girl born into a wealthy family | |
| Anaborhi | Unisex | One who is born with good destiny | |
| Anwilichukwu | Girl | God's joy | |
| 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 | |
| Aretta | Girl | A charming and enchanting woman | |
| Asaroyoma | Girl | Comfort zones | |
| Avwunudiogba | Unisex | Those who profess strength with mere talk | |
| Binyelum | Girl | Stay with me | |
| Bolanile | Girl | The wealth of this house. | |
| 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 | |
| Chibundo | Girl | God is my shelter | |
| Chibuogu | Girl | God is my strength | |
| Chichima | Girl | A sweet and precious girl | |
| Chinara | Girl | Received by God | |
| Chinechezirim | Girl | God thinks good of me | |
| Chisimdi | Girl | God says I shall live | |
| Daberechi | Girl | Lean on God; One who is dependent on God. | |
| Daluchi | Girl | Thank God | |
| Daraja | Girl | One who is valuable and important to everyone | |
| Dayo | Unisex | Arrival of joy | |
| Ebunoluwa | Girl | God's gift | |
| Efemena | Unisex | Here is my wealth | |
| Efetobo | Unisex | Wealth is achieved | |
| Eghwrudjakpor | Unisex | I have come to stay | |
| Eguono | Unisex | Love | |
| Ejaita | Unisex | Let them say | |
| Ejiroghene | Unisex | Praise God | |
| Ejokparoghene | Unisex | Trust in God | |
| Ejomafuvwe | Unisex | Let peace reign in my life | |
| Ejoyovwi | Unisex | Let it be good | |
| Ekemma | Girl | One who was born on Eke market day | |
| Emarejedje | Unisex | The elderly also run for life | |
| Emetemedia | Girl | I will always remain a lady | |
| Emeterhire | Girl | Girls have arrived | |
| Emilohi | Girl | Only God is great | |
| Emuobosa | Unisex | Your own thing is precious | |
| Emuvoke | Unisex | Everything has time | |
| Enajemete | Girl | These are also girls | |
| Enivwenaye | Unisex | Compare my success with those of my enemies | |
| Enohor | Girl | Blessing | |
| Epkereamaka | Girl | One who finds prayer is good and wonderful | |
| Erhimeyoma | Unisex | My guardian spirit (God) is good | |
| Erhinyoja | Unisex | God hears our prayers | |
| Erhinyuse | Unisex | God answers our prayers | |
| Erhiroghene | Unisex | The spirit of God | |
| Erhuvwun | Unisex | Beauty | |
| Erukainure | Unisex | We have helped them | |
| Eseoghene | Unisex | God's gift | |
| Eserovwe | Unisex | God's grace | |
| Eziamaka | Girl | One who believes that good things are obtained by going out | |
| Ezichi | Girl | Good God! | |
| Ezinne | Girl | The good mother | |
| Folade | Girl | Honor arrives | |
| Folashade | Girl | Honor bestows a crown. | |
| Ginika | Girl | What can be greater than God | |
| Ginikanwa | Girl | What is greater than a child | |
| Hassana | Girl | Twin girl | |
| Ibironke | Girl | The family will love this child | |
| Idaramfon | Girl | Happiness is free | |
| Ifechiluru | Girl | What God has done | |
| Ifechukwu | Girl | The light of God | |
| Ifedimma | Girl | Something good | |
| Ifekristi | Unisex | The light of Christ | |
| Ifeoluwapo | Girl | God's love is plenty | |
| Ifeyinwa | Girl | Nothing can be compared to a child | |
| Ifunanya | Girl | Love | |
Nigerian girl names reflect a perfect blend of the country’s cultural history and traditions. These names carry divine meanings, often symbolizing blessings, virtues, and aspirations for a prosperous future. Each name represents a story of its own and serves as a testament to the beauty of this vibrant nation. The melodic Nigerian girl identities celebrate life on the one hand and showcase deep philosophical significance on the other, which may bring a sense of pride and unity to the bearer.
Infographic: Authentic Nigerian Baby Girl Names With Powerful Meanings
Nigerian girl names bear rich significance, reflecting the country's diverse ethnic groups and traditions. These names often carry deep meanings, symbolizing attributes like beauty, strength, or prosperity, which make them popular worldwide. Go through this infographic to explore some Nigerian names with their meanings.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do Nigerians have many names?
The presence of multiple names among Nigerians may result from diverse cultural and religious influences. These encompass names originating from their ethnic background, Christian or Muslim names, and those associated with the specific day or time relative to the baby’s birth. In the Yoruba tradition, it is believed to be customary for both parents and grandparents to contribute at least one name, leading to a wide variety of names within the Nigerian naming tradition.
2. What is the importance of a naming ceremony in Nigeria?
The naming ceremony is vital in Nigerian culture as it is a significant event to formally introduce and name a newborn child. Since in most Nigerian cultures, the names of individuals are believed to shape their identity and life, a great deal of research, family traditions and beliefs, and history is considered in the ceremony with the help of the family members and the community.
References:
- R. C. Chhangani and Maxwell Gidado; (2002); The Child’s Right To Name and Nationality under Nigerian Law.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/43951739 - A Guide to Names and Naming Practices.
https://www.fbiic.gov/public/2008/nov/Naming_practice_guide_UK_2006.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.
