Igbo names and their meanings have always been a question for the non-Igbos. Most Yoruba names are easily translated because of its structure. They are usually combinations of the most commonly spoken Yoruba words, most times prayers. Igbo names know no boundaries as there are Igbo names and meanings for baby boys, Igbo names for girls, Igbo names for twins, and funky Igbo names. Twins in Igbo culture are called ejima. Just as other cultures have numerous names for God, there are also many Igbo names for God.
The Igbo tribe hails from the southeastern part of the beautiful nation, Nigeria. An ethnic group is known for being its brother’s keeper, the Igbos are known for their marketing skills, trade, business, and construction. The Igbo man and woman can make a business out of anything. Their ethnic name defines their culture and the personal name describes each individual’s unique being. A name is a means of identification. Names tell who you are, where you’re from, the family or clan and sometimes your purpose. Most Nigerian names are prayers.
The average Nigerian believes in speaking things into existence, hence the prayers being names. Just like other cultures, most Igbos believe what you call a child can determine their future. The Igbo man loves to appraise God in the naming of a child. These names have undertones with strong meanings. A name also tells your position in your family, the circumstances under which a child was born and even the type of birth, multiple maybe.
- Achebe: This name is famous but uncommon thanks to the Nigerian novelist, poet, professor and critic, Chinua Achebe. Achebe means one who is protected by the goddess.
- Adaego: Adaego means daughter of wealth. To every beautiful girl bearing the name, you are a daughter of wealth.
- Adaeze: Adaeze is a name given to a princess. This name means the daughter of a king.
- Adaugo: Adaugos are very beautiful as the name implies. The name means beautiful daughter or daughter of an eagle
- Adanna: Adanna is another beautiful Igbo name which means father’s daughter, given to the eldest daughter.
- Adaobi: Adaobi is a name given to the first daughter in the family.
- Adaku: Adaku is a name given to the girl born with a silver spoon or one who brings a silver spoon to her home.
- Adaolisa: Adaolisa is a name given to a girl meaning God’s daughter.
- Afamefuna : Afamefuna is a name for a male child. This name means ‘my name will not be lost’.
- Akunna: Akunna means father’s wealth and is a name given to females.
- Chukwudi: Chukwudi is a variant of the name Chidi, meaning god exists.
- Nnamdi: Nnamdi is a powerful name given to boys in Igbo It means “my father is alive”
- Chimdindu: My God is alive.
- Okonkwo: Okonkwo is someone born on Nkwo day being one of the days in the Igbo
- Chimdi: Chimdi means God lives. This name is unisex.
- Chidera: Chidera is a unisex name which means God has written.
- Kelechi: Kelechi is a unisex name which means thank God.
- Chinenye: Chinenye translates to God gives heart.
- Kenechukwu: Kenechukwu, just like Kelechi means thank God.
- Chukwuemeka: This name is given to boys, and it means God has done something great.
- Amadi: Amadi is a name for boys. Amadi means free man.
- Oluchi : God’s work
- Amobi: Who knows the heart of man? Amobi is a name for a male child which poses a serious question.
- Chinonso: Chinonso is a unisex name mostly given to boys which means God is nearby.
- Chiamaka: Chiamaka is a female name which means God is beautiful.
- Amaka: Amaka means a queen of ravishing beauty who is spontaneous and versatile by nature
- Anwulika: Anwulika means my joy is great or joy is greater. It is mostly given to girls.
- Arinze: Arinze is a male name. it means “if not for God” or “thanks be to God”.
- Chibuike: Chibuike means God is strength and is a male name.
- Obiora: Obiora is a male name. it means “everyone’s heart”.
- Chigozie: Chigozie is a name given mostly to boys. It means God has blessed me.
- Chetachi/Chetachukwu: This name is unisex and it means one who always remembers God.
- Nnenna: Father’s mother
- Chibuzor: Chibuzor is given mainly to boys but it is unisex. It means God first or God leads.
- Ebuka: Ebuka is a male name which means God is great.
- Chinedu: Chinedu is a name given to male children. It means God leads.
- Chinyere : God This name is given to female children.
- Okeke: Someone born on Eke day, being one of the days in the Igbo
- Uchenna: Often shortened to Uche, Uchenna is unisex and it means God’s idea.
- Okafor: One born on Afor day, being one of the days of the Igbo week
- Amaechi: Amaechi is given to male children and it means ‘who knows tomorrow’.
- Amarachi: Amarachi means God’s grace and is given to female children.
- Chidiebere: God is merciful.
- Chidinma: God is good.
- Chika: God is the greatest
- Chioma: Good God. This name is a female name.
- Chike: God’s power. This name is given to males.
- Chima: Chima is a unisex name. It means God knows.
- Chinwe: Chinwe is a unisex name given mainly to females. It means God owns
- Chinwendu: God owns life
- Ebele: Ebele is a unisex name which means mercy and kindness.
- Ekene: Ekene means praise.
- Chidozie: Chidozie is a prayer, the name means may God fix it and make it good for me. It is a male name.
- Onyinye: Onyinye is a name given to beautiful girls, it means gift.
- Chisom: Chisom means God follows me.
- Ikenna: Ikenna means father’s power.
- Ifunanya: Ifunanya means love and it is a female name.
- Chizoba: This name is unisex and it means God protect us
- Ngozi: Ngozi is one of the most common Igbo names, given to beautiful girls. Ngozi means blessing.
- Nkiruka: Nkiruka is a beautiful name for females. Nkiruka means the best is still to come.
