In Igbo land, as in other parts of Nigeria, naming a baby is a very important event. The name-giving ceremony is a formal occasion to which family members and friends are invited. The event is celebrated by feasting and drinking. Depending on how wealthy the parents are, live bands or famous musicians may be invited to the occasion. A child may be given several names. Many (like me), end up remembering just a few. In African tradition, the names a baby receives are generally expressive of the circumstances surrounding his/her birth, appearance, character, a preference for a male child, history, a certain concern for the future of the child, or the parents' position or status.

My names can fill up a book. Here are the ones that I remember. I was born in Enugu State in Eastern Nigeria, far away from my father's hometown, Ijebu, in Western Nigeria. So, he named me "Bamidele" (Dele), a Yoruba name, which means "come home with me" (i.e. to the West). My middle name, "Chinwemma" is an Igbo name. I was named after my mother. "Chinwe" means "God owns" and "mma" means beautiful, nice, good, and so on. "Chinwemma" literally translates, "God owns everything beautiful/nice/good." This name may also be translated as "God is beautiful or good." My maternal grandmother named me "Enwelumokwu." My father is a moslem. My moslem name is "Bilikisu" (which I think means "the beloved one"). This name is believed to be the name of one of King Solomon's wives. My mother is catholic. My christian name is Dorian. I was born with the placenta, so our Hausa neighbors named me "Meliga" which means, "someone born with clothes on" or "someone born wearing clothes" (maybe that's why I love to shop a lot. I have to stay clothed!!). The list goes on ...

Below, I have compiled a few Igbo (Ibo) names and their meanings. The list is by no means comprehensive. I welcome suggestions and additions. Please see my compilation to learn more about the languages and cultures of Nigerian ethnic groups, including the Ijaws, Igbos, Hausas, and Yorubas.

Historical Background: The Igbo calendar has an eight-market-day cycle instead of the regular seven-day week. In the Igbo language, a week is known as an "izu." There are four market days in Igbo tradition, Nkwo, Eke, Orie (or Oye) and Afo. Each must pass twice to make up an izu or one week.

A child may be named to indicate the market day on which (s)he was born: Nweke (m), Okeke (m), Okereke (m) or Mgbeke (f) ; Nwafor (m), Okafor (m), or Mgbafor (f); Nwankwo (m), Okonkwo (m), Okoronkwo (m) or Mgbonkwo (f); and Nworie (m), Okorie (m), Okoghe (m) or Mgborie (f).

According to oral tradition, there were originally four days total in an "izu". The concept of an eight-day "izu" originated from a wealthy man who had eight sons. He named his sons after the four market days. When they were grown, he allocated a portion of land to each son at separate locations. Since family is very important to Africans, he made his sons promise to keep in touch with one another. The sons decided to use the market days as meeting days and to rotate it among themselves.

Realizing that there are only four market days, the father decided to provide additional market days for the next four sons. This way, everyone will get a turn. And so, the eight-day calendar was created.

The tradition of an eight-day izu has continued in Igbo villages to this day. An Igbo market is a good place for trading and socializing.

More names

Common words in Igbo (Ibo) names: Nna (God, god, father); Chi (God, god, guiding light, guardian angel or spirit-double--Igbos believe that every living being has one); Chineke, Chukwu, Olisa (God); Amaka (beautiful, good, great, wonderful); Nwa (child); Nne (mother); Nna (God, god, father); Nma/mma (beautiful, good(ness), nice(ness)).

I have compiled an alphabetical listing of Igbo names. Click in the box below for a list of names and their translations. I have included some pictures that show "life in Igboland" in the listings. If you have a picture or pictures about "life in Igboland" that you will like me to include, please let me know. I will add the picture(s) with your permission and I promise to return it/them to you.

Glossary

abrv. = abbreviated; f = female; Lit. trans. = Literal translation; m = male

Additional information:

- Igbo Language & Culture compiled by Dele Chinwe Ukwu.

- Click here for Yoruba and Hausa names.

This site is still under construction and will be updated frequently. I sincerely appreciate all the comments and contributions I have received so far.

The link on this image takes you to a description of the patterns used on this and my other pages.

©1999.

3/99; upd. 11/02

Dele Chinwe Ladejobi-Ukwu
E-Mail: dukwu@lbcc.edu

Dept. Head, LBCC Library &
Bibliographic Access Librarian
Long Beach City College
4901 East Carson Street
Long Beach, CA 90808.