120 Traditional Urhobo Baby Names From Nigeria

From Enohor to Umuto, the ethnic Nigerian names share a spiritual poise.

Written by Ratika Pai, M.Com

Edited by Rebecca Malachi, BSc

Fact-checked by Angela Alex, MA

Last Updated on Nov 12, 2024

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Urhobo baby names hold a significant place among the ethnic group of people residing in the Delta State of southern Nigeria. Like most societies and ethnic groups, names are not just labels but invoke religious and spiritual significance. The Urhobos believe that a child’s destiny is tied strongly to their name, and they will live up to the meaning of the name they bear. For instance, if the name means ‘thief’, the parents believe that the child will grow up to be a rogue, and if the name means ‘wealthy,’ then the child will hopefully grow up to be a rich individual. Some parents even give names that connote challenge to themselves or others because they believe that Urhobo people flourish best when challenged.

Urhobo baby names hold profound cultural significance, reflecting the events of birth or the day of the week a child arrives. Rooted in tradition, these names often begin or conclude with 'Oghene,' a nod to the divine. Examples include 'Oghenekevwe,' meaning 'God gave me,' and 'Eseoghene,' signifying 'God's gift.' Beyond personal choice, naming rituals hold communal importance; on the 8th day of a child's life, parents bestow a name, opening the door for contributions from maternal and paternal lineages.

Besides, Urhobo people also pick names that denote special events or dates or emphasize a vital resource or importance to people. Usually, grandparents or older relatives select names for the newborns. Apart from parents and grandparents, the Urhobo parents do not allow anyone else to touch their baby, until three months. And unlike other ethnic groups of Africa, the Urhobos do not organize any special naming ceremony (1). So if you are looking for a beautiful Urhobo baby boy or girl name, we’re happy to help. You’ll find a treasure trove of Urhobo names in our baby names tool. Take a look!

Name	Gender	Meaning
Ovie	Boy	King
Oghenerioborue	Boy	Great novel triumph, superior of the contest
Achojah	Boy	Rise up to challenge
Agbarha	Boy	Born in Agbarha
Ahwinahwi	Boy	A really black or dark individual
Akpenvwoghene	Unisex	To praise God
Akpobome	Unisex	My own life
Akpofure	Boy	Life is now peaceful
Akporovwovwo	Unisex	Good life in later years
Anaborhi	Unisex	One who is born with good destiny

Aruegodore	Boy	We have come home
Asaroyoma	Girl	Comfort zones
Ataikiru	Boy	Talk or plan before taking action
Avwunudiogba	Unisex	Those who profess strength with mere talk
Edaferierhi	Boy	The rich have good destiny
Edafetanure	Boy	The wealthy have spoken
Edemirukaye	Boy	The day I did them a favor
Edewor	Boy	Sacred day of worship in traditional religion
Edosio	Boy	Rainy day
Efemena	Unisex	Here is my wealth

Efemuaye	Boy	Those intoxicated with riches
Efetobo	Unisex	Wealth is achieved
Efetobore	Boy	Wealth has now been achieved
Egbo	Boy	Forest
Eghwrudjakpor	Unisex	I have come to stay
Eguono	Unisex	Love
Ejaife	Boy	Let them be rich
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
Emarejedje	Unisex	The elderly also run for life
Emerho	Boy	A special type of catfish
Emetemedia	Girl	I will always remain a lady
Emeterhire	Girl	Girls have arrived
Emetitiri	Boy	Mine is famous
Emudiaga	Boy	Let's stand firmly
Emuobosa	Unisex	Your own thing is precious
Emuvoke	Unisex	Everything has time

Enajemete	Girl	These are also girls
Enakpodia	Boy	The way life should to be
Enitekiru	Boy	Think before you act
Enivwenaye	Unisex	Compare my success with those of my enemies
Enohor	Girl	Blessing
Erhiaganoma	Boy	Guardian spirit overpowers the body
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

Erhue	Boy	A special breed of cow used for traditional ceremonies
Erhuvwun	Unisex	Beauty
Erukainure	Unisex	We have helped them
Eseoghene	Unisex	God's gift
Eserovwe	Unisex	God's grace
Etaidaferua	Boy	Words of the wealthy are more acceptable
Etanomare	Boy	Freed from blame; Despair
Etaredafe	Boy	Words of the wealthy
Igberaharha	Boy	The poor takes the blame
Ighomuedafe	Boy	Money intoxicates the wealthy

Ighovavwerhe	Boy	There is joy in riches
Irikefe	Boy	First to become wealthy
Miriodere	Unisex	I now have a name
Mitaire	Unisex	I have achieved their match
Norioghene	Unisex	Look at God's judgment
Oboganriemu	Boy	Be strong to survive
Odafe	Boy	Rich individual
Odavwaro	Unisex	I am contented
Ogbamremu	Boy	The brave meets a lot of challenges
Oghenebrume	Unisex	God decided in my favor

Oghenechovwe	Unisex	God aided me
Oghenefejiro	Unisex	God is praiseworthy
Oghenegaren	Unisex	God is great
Oghenekevwe	Unisex	God gave me
Ogheneme	Unisex	My God
Oghenemine	Unisex	I look up to God
Oghenerukevwe	Unisex	God did this for me
Ogheneruno	Unisex	God has done so much
Oghenetega	Unisex	God is worthy of worship
Oghenochuko	Unisex	God provides me support

Oghomena	Unisex	Here is my respect
Oghonoro	Unisex	Respect is greater than money
Ogoro	Boy	Frog
Ohwahwa	Boy	Cold season
Ohwofasa	Boy	A person's status should be defined by his achievement
Ohwonigho	Boy	A person is greater than riches
Ojakorotu	Boy	This is a group challenge
Ojanomare	Unisex	I have met the challenge
Okagbare	Boy	I have all styles and skills
Okpara	Boy	One who is born in Okpara

Okpogoro	Boy	A big toad
Ometeko	Girl	Girl born in Lagos
Omonigho	Unisex	A child is greater than money
Omonoro	Unisex	A child is greater than gold
Omotejohwo	Girl	A girl
Omotekoro	Girl	A girl is like gold
Omotore	Girl	Girl's birth brings festivity
Omotughele	Girl	Girl from Ughelli
Omotukane	Girl	Girl born in diaspora
Onajite	Unisex	Sufficient

Urhobo baby names encapsulate rich cultural beliefs, shaping destinies with profound meanings. These names honor tradition and divine connection. Naming is a communal ritual, harmonizing maternal and paternal influences. Beyond individual choices, names mirror special occasions, emphasize resources, or highlight significance. Guided by tradition, names are carefully chosen by grandparents and elders. The above-given list displays a diverse range of Urhobo names to help parents choose the best.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Urhobo name for king?

In the Urhobo language, the word 'Ovie' signifies 'king.' This name symbolizes royalty and evokes a sense of regality.

2. What does Ejiro mean in Urhobo?

Ejiro means 'praise God' in Urhobo. It is a short form of Ejiroghene and other names that contain the element 'ejiro,' which signifies 'praise.' It is used as both a masculine and feminine name in the Urhobo culture.

3. What are some of the names used in the Urhobo language to describe God?

In the Urhobo language, various names signify God. Thy include Oghenebrume (God's favor), Oghenechovwe (God's aid), Oghenefejiro (God's praise), Oghenegaren (God's greatness), Oghenekevwe (God's provision), Oghenekohwo (God's supply), Oghenenyore (God's prayer answers), Ogheneruemu (God's possibilities), Oghenerukevwe (God's intervention), Ogheneruno (God's abundance), Oghenetega (God's worship), Oghenevwede (God's ownership), Oghenevwogagan (God's strength), and Oghenochuko (God's support).

4. What is the significance of naming in Urhobo culture?

Naming holds great significance in Urhobo culture. Names are given to children based on events during their birth or the day of the week they were born. Every Urhobo child must have a native name, often starting or ending with 'Oghene,' which means 'God.' On the eighth day, parents give a name to the child, and additional names may be given by the maternal and paternal families. Naming is followed by a celebration where traditional food is served and gifts are given to celebrate the arrival of a new child.

5. What are some traditional Urhobo names for boys and girls?

Traditional Urhobo names carry profound meaning and reflect a strong belief in God and divine blessings. Some traditional Urhobo names for boys include Oghenekevwe, meaning 'God's gift,' Oghenebrume, implying 'God favored me,' Ogheneruno, signifying 'God has done abundantly,' and Oghenefejiro, meaning 'God is praiseworthy.' For girls, common names like Oghenebrume, Oghenechovwe meaning 'God aided me,' Oghenefejiro, and Oghenegaren meaning 'God is great' honor their relationship with God and acknowledge His abundant blessings.

6. What are some modern Urhobo names for boys and girls?

Some modern Urhobo names for boys include Achojah (Rise up to challenge), Anaborhi (The one who is born with good destiny), Emuvoke (Everything has time), and Umukoro (Young man). For girls, names like Akpobome (My precious life), Akporovwovwo (Abundant blessings), Eguono (Pure love), and Umukoko (Radiant maiden) are popular choices.

7. What are some Urhobo names inspired by nature?

Some Urhobo names inspired by nature include Edosio (Rainy day), Egbo (Forest), Ohwahwa (Cold season), Uloho (Iroko tree), Urhie (River), and Uvo (Dry or sunny season).

8. What are some Urhobo names inspired by religion?

Urhobo names inspired by religion include Akpenvwoghene, Ejiroghene, Ejokparoghene, Erhiroghene, Eseoghene, Eserovwe, Oghenefejiro, Oghenegaren, Oghenetega, Oghenekevwe, and Oghenochuko. These names embody meanings like exalting God, relying on God, the divine spirit, God's bestowal, God's grace, God's majesty, God's worshipfulness, and God's sustenance.

9. What are some Urhobo names inspired by events or experiences?

Some Urhobo names inspired by events or experiences are Agbarha (Born in Agbarha), Edewor (Sacred day of worship in traditional religion), Edosio (Rainy day), Ohwahwa (cold season), Uvo (Dry or sunny season), Ometeko (Girl born in Lagos), Omotore (Girl's birth brings festivity), and Omotughele (Girl from Ughelli).

Infographic: Splendid Urhobo Baby Names For Boys And Girls

Urhobo baby names hold profound cultural importance, reflecting the traditions and beliefs of the Urhobo people, who are the primary speakers of the eponymous language. These names are perfect for parents considering a unique name for their baby. Our infographic presents some notable Urhobo names with their meanings. So, go ahead and pick your favorite name for your little one.

unique urhobo baby names for your newborn updated (infographic)

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

Urhobo Names and Their Meanings, by Aruegodore Oyiborhoro.
http://www.waado.org/UrhoboCulture/Names/UrhoboNames_Oyibo.htm

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Author Editor Fact Checker

Ratika PaiM.Com

Ratika holds a master's degree in commerce and a post-graduate diploma in communication and journalism from Mumbai University. She has 6 years of experience writing in various fields, such as finance, education, and lifestyle.

Read full bio of Ratika Pai

Rebecca MalachiBSc

Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

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Angela AlexMA

Angela is an honors student with a master's degree in Linguistics from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. Her combined interest in history and the science of language has taught her the skills to understand how language and its use have changed over time.

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