Names are very vital and important to the lives and destinies of children born in Nigeria. Parents, therefore, give careful thought and consideration to the kind of names they give to their children at birth. More so, name picking involves several conscious, traditional, cultural, and societal efforts that many parents might not have a choice but to dance to society’s tune. All these activities make the entire naming ceremony event a fascinating one and many begin to anticipate how the day will be as soon as a child is born. In all, Nigerian names are very unique because they usually carry profound meanings and each name has its own story.
What Significance Do Nigerian Names Hold?
In a country like Nigeria with several ethnic groups and multiple languages, it might be a little difficult exploring all the diverse ethnic groups and their peculiar names. However, there are key ethnic groups one can always learn a thing or two from.
For example, in the Yoruba-speaking part of Nigeria, any child that comes after twin children are called “IDOWU and ALABA” respectively. A child born with the umbilical cord around his or her neck is called Ojo (male) or Aina (female). Several other regions in Nigeria also have this naming mechanism in place.
Sometimes, parents already have preconceived names to give to their children at birth while others actually look at the circumstances surrounding the conception and actual birth of their child before they give them names. This is why a couple who have waited for a long time to have children and have a male child in Igboland can name him “CHIEMELIE” which means GOD HAS DONE GREAT/HAS WON or “EKWUEME” which means ONE WHO SAYS AND DOES. Some parents would also consider the season, time, and even the day of birth of their children to actually give them names. On the other hand, some parents would go on to name their child or children in praise or adulation of their gods or deities.
One thing is, however, clear in all this and that is that a lot of thought goes into the naming process because optimum significance is attached to the names given to children. This is especially so in Africa where many people believe that the name of a child can determine the kind of life he or she ends up living. Such beliefs have even made many people change their birth name as adults and adopted new names which they believe will bring them good fortune.
50 Unique Nigerian Names From Different Tribes in the Country and Their Meanings
There is no doubt that every name is special and there is always a specific reason parents would choose a particular name for their children before birth, at birth, or after birth. Find below a list of 50 unique names you can come across in Nigeria:
1. Abiodun
- Best Suited For: Male and Female
- Meaning: One born at the beginning of a festival (New Year, Christian, Muslim, Traditional festivals, etc)
- Origin: South-West Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Yorubas
- Pronunciation: Ah-Bee-Or-Dune
2. Abebi
- Best Suited For: Female
- Meaning: We asked (God or the gods) for a girl child
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
- Most Popular Among: Yorubas
- Pronunciation: Ah-Ber-Bee
3. Adaku
- Best Suited For: Female
- Meaning: A daughter that brings wealth to the family or one born into a rich family
- Origin: South-Eastern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Igbos
- Pronunciation: Ah-Dar-Cou
4. Adaobi
- Best Suited For: Female
- Meaning: The first daughter in a household
- Origin: South-Eastern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Igbos
- Pronunciation: Ah-Dar-Oh-Bee
5. Adebowale
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: (Literarily) The return of the crown to a (royal) household or A child (crown of marriage) born into a household after expecting for so many years.
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
- Most Popular Among: Yorubas
- Pronunciation: Ah-Day-Bore-Wah-Lay
6. Afamefuna
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: My name will not be lost
- Origin: Eastern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Igbos
- Pronunciation: Are-Far-May-Foo-Nah
7. AkinWunmi
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: I desire to be Brave or Heroic
- Origin: South-West Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Yorubas
- Pronunciation: Ah-Kin-Wun-Me
8. Ihuoma
- Best Suited For: Female
- Meaning: The one who is favored or the favored child
- Origin: Eastern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Igbos
- Pronunciation: He-Who-Or-Ma
9. Halimah
- Best Suited For: Female
- Meaning: Gentle, Patient, Gracious, or Meek
- Origin: Northern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Hausas
- Pronunciation: Are-Lee-Ma
10. Ali
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: Noble or Excellent one
- Origin: Northern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Hausas
- Pronunciation: Are-Lee
11. Jamilah
- Best Suited For: Female
- Meaning: Graceful, Elegant, or Beautiful
- Origin: Northern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Hausas
- Pronunciation: Jah-Me-Lah
12. Aminu
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: A reliable or trustworthy person
- Origin: Northern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Hausas
- Pronunciation: Are-Me-New
13. Maimuna
- Best Suited For: Female
- Meaning: A fortunate or blessed person
- Origin: Northern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Hausas
- Pronunciation: My-Moo-Nah
14. Habib
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: Beloved
- Origin: Northern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Hausas
- Pronunciation: Are-Bib
15. Ozioma
- Best Suited For: Male and Female
- Meaning: Good News or Great News
- Origin: Southern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Delta and Igbos
- Pronunciation: Oh-Zee-Or-ma
16. Jibril
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: The Archangel
- Origin: Northern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Hausas
- Pronunciation: Gee-Brill
17. Nafisah
- Best Suited For: Female
- Meaning: Delicate, Precious, or Gem
- Origin: Northern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Hausas
- Pronunciation: Nah-Fee-Sir
18. Latifah
- Best Suited For: Female
- Meaning: Refined, Gentle, or Kind
- Origin: Northern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Hausas
- Pronunciation: Lah-Tee-Far
19. Faruq
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: A distinguisher of truth from falsehood
- Origin: Northern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Hausas
- Pronunciation: Far-Rook
20. Zakkiyah
- Best Suited For: Female
- Meaning: Pure or Chaste
- Origin: Northern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Hausas
- Pronunciation: Zack-Key-yah
21. Osinachi
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: (A child believed to have) Originated from God
- Origin: South-Eastern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Igbos
- Pronunciation: O-See-Nah-Chi
22. Ifeanacho
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: Exactly what we are searching/looking for
- Origin: South Eastern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Igbos
- Pronunciation: E-fer-A-Nah-Chore
23. Jamaal
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: Grace and Beauty
- Origin: Northern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Hausas
- Pronunciation: Jar-Mall
24. Aisha
- Best Suited For: Female
- Meaning: Prosperous, Living
- Origin: Northern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Hausas
- Pronunciation: Are-Ee-Sha
25. Onochie
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: The one who replaces
- Origin: South Eastern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Igbos
- Pronunciation: Or-Nor-Chi-Hey
26. Jamike
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: Encourage or inspire me
- Origin: South Eastern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Igbos
- Pronunciation: Jah-Mi-Ee-Kay
27. Akuabata
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: Wealth has come
- Origin: South Eastern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Igbos
- Pronunciation: Ah-Coo-Ah-Bah-Tah
28. Ositadinma
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: May it all be well (with me/us) from now on
- Origin: South Eastern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Igbos
- Pronunciation: O-See-Tar-Din-Mar
29. Isioma
- Best Suited For: Female
- Meaning: Good luck
- Origin: South Eastern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Igbos
- Pronunciation: Ee-See-Or-Ma
30. Ginikanwa
- Best Suited For: Female
- Meaning: Is there is anything greater than a child?
- Origin: South Eastern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Igbos
- Pronunciation: Gee-Knee-Ca-Wah
31. Hassan
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: First boy in a set of twins
- Origin: Northern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Hausas
- Pronunciation: Are-San
32. Anaborhi
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: A child born with a good destiny
- Origin: Southern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Urhobo
- Pronunciation: Are-Nah-Bore-He
33. Oghenebrume
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: God has decided in my favor or God favored me
- Origin: Southern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Urhobos
- Pronunciation: Or-Ger-Ne-Brew-Me
34. Onajite
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: This child or gift is sufficient for me
- Origin: Southern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Urhobos
- Pronunciation: Or-Nah-Gee-Tai (more like tail, without pronouncing the L)
35. Efemena
- Best Suited For: Male or Female
- Meaning: Here is my wealth or this child is my wealth
- Origin: Southern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Urhobos
- Pronunciation: Hey-Fey-Me-Nah
36. Chimamanda
- Best Suited For: Female
- Meaning: My God will not fail
- Origin: South-Eastern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Igbo
- Pronunciation: Chi-Ma-Man-Dah
37. Temidayo
- Best Suited For: Male or Female
- Meaning: My situations, sorrows, or trials have turned to joy
- Origin: South-West Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Yorubas
- Pronunciation: Tay-Me-Dah-Your
38. Echioma
- Best Suited For: Female
- Meaning: A brighter tomorrow
- Origin: South-Eastern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Igbos
- Pronunciation: Err-Chi-Oh-Ma
39. DigiOla
- Best Suited For: Male or Female
- Meaning: The Mirror/Reflection of my wealth
- Origin: South-West Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Yorubas
- Pronunciation: Dee-Gee-Or-Lah
40. Erinma
- Best Suited For: Female
- Meaning: A child of great prospects and beauty
- Origin: South-Eastern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Igbos
- Pronunciation: Err-In-Ma
41. Ayomide
- Best Suited For: Male and Female
- Meaning: My joy/laughter has come
- Origin: South-West Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Yorubas
- Pronunciation: Are-Your-Me-Day
42. Chiamaka
- Best Suited For: Male and Female
- Meaning: God is beautiful
- Origin: South-Eastern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Igbos
- Pronunciation: Chi-Are-Ma-Ca
43. Ayomikun
- Best Suited For: Male or Female
- Meaning: My joy is full (due to the birth of this child)
- Origin: South-West Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Yorubas
- Pronunciation: Are-Your-Me-Kun
44. Chimeremeze
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: My God made me a king
- Origin: South-Eastern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Igbo
- Pronunciation: Chi-May-Rem-Eeh-Zeeh
45. MofifOluwa
- Best Suited For: Male or Female
- Meaning: I dedicate this child to God
- Origin: South-West Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Yorubas
- Pronunciation: Mow-Fee-Foal-Loo-Wah
46. Chisomaga (aka Chisom)
- Best Suited For: Female
- Meaning: God walks with me
- Origin: South-Eastern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Igbos
- Pronunciation: Chi-So-Ma-Gar
47. Ubong
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: My Glory
- Origin: Southern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Efik, Cross Riverians
- Pronunciation: Who-Bong
48. UdemeObong
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: My share from God
- Origin: Southern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Efik, Cross Riverians
- Pronunciation: You-Day-May-Or-Bong
49. Kuma
- Best Suited For: Female
- Meaning: I am still in love with you.
- Origin: Southern Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Efik, Cross Riverians
- Pronunciation: Coo-Mar
50. Enenche
- Best Suited For: Male
- Meaning: New Blessings, New Day, or New Dawn
- Origin: Middle-Belt Nigeria
- Most Popular Among: Idoma, Benue
- Pronunciation: Err-Nen-Cher
5 Common Names For The Igbos In Nigeria
- Chidinma – This is a popular Nigerian name given to female children from the Igbo tribe. It means God is good.
- Chiamaka – This name means God is beautiful and it is common among female children.
- Chukwuemeka – A popular male child name that means God has done something great.
- Ifeanyi – This is a very popular Igbo name that is usually used as both a first name and a surname. It means nothing is impossible with God.
- Chijioke – Another popular male child name that means God holds all things or God is with my portion.
5 Common Hausa Names
- Aminu – A male child name that means trustworthy and reliable.
2. Danjuma – A name that is usually given to children born on a Friday.
3. Fara – This popular Hausa name means fair in complexion.
4. Gimbiya – This name means princess.
5. Halima – This is a popular name given to a female which can mean generous, gentle, and well-mannered.
5 Common Names Found Among People From the Ibibio Tribe
1. Obongoawan – This name is usually given to a female leader. It means Queen.
2. Affiong – Means Moon and is usually given to a child born during a Full Moon.
3. Eno-obong – This is a popular Ibibio name that means God’s gift.
4. Imaobong – This Ibibio name means God’s love.
5. Abasifreke – This name means God will never forget me.
5 Common Names Found in Yoruba Land
- Babatunde – This Yoruba name is used to refer to a male ancestor who is believed to have reincarnated. It means a father has returned or simply, father returns.
- Eniola – This name means a person of wealth and it is most suitable for females
- Modupe – This popular Yoruba name means I give thanks.
- Adeola – This Yoruba name can be used as both a first name and surname. It means a crown of wealth.
- Bimpe – A Yoruba name for female children which means elegant and beautiful.
