These Traditional names Are Very Common In Nigeria
Nigeria is an African country with a rich cultural heritage. One of the ways in which our culture comes into play is in the names given to Nigerian kids. Nigerian children are named based on a number of factors: how they were born, their conditions at birth, and situations on ground amongst others.
Since we have 3 major ethnic groups in Nigeria, we have decided to look at the traditional names in these ethnic groups together with their English meanings. Find them below.
Yoruba Names
- Ige(Adunbi): A child that comes out with leg first during birth
- Taiye: First of a twin birth
- Kehinde; Second of a twin birth
- Aderoju: The crown has succor.
- Folashade: Honour bestows crown
- Mojisola: Wake up into fortune
- Babatunde: Father has come again; The name is usually given when a boy is born just after the lose of a Father of Grandfather
- Yetunde/Yawande: Mother has come again; The name is given to a girl given birth to after the lose of a Mother of Grandmother.
- Durojaiye: Wait and enjoy life.
- Ojuolape: Eyes of wealth is complete
- Ebudola: Insults have become wealth or honor.
- Jejelaiyegba: Life should be treaded gently.
- Magbagbeoluwa: Do not forget God.
- Abioye: We have royalty
- Feyisetan: Use this as history
Hausa Names
- Auta: Last born.
- Dana: Dark in complexion.
- Hassana: Female version of Hassan
- Jatau: Fair in complexion (you can hardly see a fair complexion Hausa man though)
- Kande: A girl born after the birth of many boys.
- Yelwa: Born at the time of abundance/ wealth.
- Ana Ruwa: Child born during rainy season.
- Tanko: A boy born after the birth of many girls.
- Rayowa: life
- Tambara: Girl at ease
- Yabani: God gave me
- Zauna: To be alive
- Gambo: Child born before twins
- Hummai: Dauthet of Friday
- Ladi: Daughter of Sunday
Igbo Names
- Chioma: Goodluck or Good God
- Nkechi: God’s own
- Chiebuka: God is great
- Chinonso: God is near
- Onyekachi: Who is greater than God?
- Ogechi: God’s time is the best
- Oyinye: Heavens gift
- Chiedera: What God has written
- Adamma: Daughter of beauty
- Adaoma: Good lady
- Chukwuma: God knows
- Adankwo: Born on the fourthday
- Adaora: Daughter of all
- Chiemaka: God has done well
- Chinyere: God is the giver
