The process of naming a child is crucial since the name serves as the foundation for the child’s identity. The Igbo people take this responsibility of naming a child very seriously as it is a belief that names order a child’s destiny or future.
The name of a girl reveals a lot about her personality, past, and future. The circumstances surrounding childbirth, the significance of the child’s birthday, and more are examples of such influences. So, if you have plans to give your girl child an Igbo name but do not have great names in mind or don’t always know what the ones you have come up with mean: this piece here may be of great help to you.
Igbo Girl’s Names Are Sometimes Praise Names
Some imaginative parents give their children praise names on a few occasions. Names like ‘Omalicha.’ Some of the most prevalent praising Igbo names for girls are ‘Ola.’ The names imply that the child is priceless and valuable. For such a child, communities are willing to go to war.
Some Igbo Names Are Instructive
In Igboland, girls are frequently given instructional Igbo names. Such names are given with the intention of guiding the youngster down the correct road in life. For example, a parent may choose the names ‘Sopuruchukwu,'(Respect God or have regards for God) or ‘Tochi’ (Serve God) for their child.
Popular Female Igbo Names
When naming a child, there are just too many aspects to consider. Most names, particularly traditional names, have a story to tell; thus, many variables impact the names you choose for your children.
1. Ekemma
- Suitable For: girls
- Pronunciation: Eke-mma
- Meaning: A beautiful creation born on Eke day/ One who was born on the Eke market day
- Short form: Eke/mma
2. Makuachukwu
- Suitable for: unisex (girls/boys)
- Pronunciation: Mak-wa-chuk-wu
- Meaning: Embrace God
- Short form: Makua
3. Binyelum
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Bin-ye-lum
- Meaning: Live with me/stay with me
- Short Form: Yelum
4. Anulika
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Anwu-li-ka
- Meaning: My joy is greater
- Short form: Anwuli
5. Oluebube
- Suitable for: Girls/boys (unisex)
- Pronunciation: Olu-ebu-be
- Meaning: the glorious works of God
- Short form: Ebube
6. Mmasichukwu
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Mma-si-chukwu
- Meaning: God’s will
- Short form: Mma/Mmasi
7. Chidalu
- Suitable for: Unisex
- Pronunciation: Chi-dalu
- Meaning: Thank you, God
- Short form: Dalu
8. Somtochukwu
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Som-to-chukwu
- Meaning: Give praises to God with me/Join me to praise God
- Short form: Som/Somto
9. Anwulichukwu
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: anwuli-chukwu
- Meaning: the Joy of the lord
- Short form: Anwuli
10. Chibuogu
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chi-bo-gu
- Meaning: God is my strength
- Short form: Ogu
11. Anwuli
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: anwuli
- Meaning: Joy
- Short form: Anwuli
12. Chibundom
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation:Chi-bu-ndo-m
- Meaning: God is my refuge
- Short form: Bundom
13. Amaka
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Amaka
- Meaning: Beautiful/Good
- Short form: Amaka
14. Chekwube
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation:Che-kwu-be
- Meaning: Trust/Hope (in God)
- Short form: Kwube
15. Isioma
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Isi-oma
- Meaning: The fortunate/Blessed one
- Short form: Oma
16. Daberechi
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation:Da-be-re-chi
- Meaning: Lean/Depend on God
- Short form: Dabere
17. Ifeyinwa
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ife-yi-nwa (E fay yin was)
- Meaning: Nothing can be compared to a child
- Short form: Ify
18. Ugoulo
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ugo-ulo
- Meaning: Pride of a household
- Short form: Ugo/Ulo
19. Apunanwu
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Apu-na-nwu
- Meaning: A beautiful girl who is pure and untainted by the sun/One who doesn’t go out in the sun
- Short form: Apunnwa
20. Ezinne
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ezi-nne
- Meaning: An amazing mother
- Short form: Nne
21. Ahunna
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ahu-nna
- Meaning: One with the body of her father/One who is so attached to her father.
- Short form: Ahu
22. Ginikachukwu
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Gini-ka-chukwu
- Meaning: What could be greater than God?/What is greater than God?
- Short form: Ginika
23. Adaobi
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ada-obi
- Meaning: The first daughter in the family
- Short form: Ada
24. Ijemma
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ije-mma
- Meaning: A beautiful journey
- Short Form: Ije/Mma
25. Uloaku
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ulo-aku
- Meaning: A house of wealth. It also translates as a bank
- Short form: Ulo/aku
26. Chidera
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chi-de-ra
- Meaning: What God has written (Cannot be changed)
- Short form: Dera/Odera
27. Lebechi
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Le-be-chi
- Meaning: Look unto God
- Short form: Lebe
28. Iruaku
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Iru-aku
- Meaning: The face of wealth
- Short form: Iru/Aku
29. Chinelo
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chi-nelo
- Meaning: God is always thinking of me
- Short form: Nelo
30. Chibinobim
- Suitable for: Unisex
- Pronunciation: Chi-bin-obi-m
- Meaning: God’s abodes/lives in my heart
- Short Form: Obim
31. Ihuoma
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ihu-oma
- Meaning: the one who is favoured/Highly favoured One
- Short form: Omah
32. Chidiebere
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chi-di-ebere
- Meaning: God is merciful
- Short form: Chidi/Ebere
33. Ifeoma
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Mma-si-chu-kwu
- Meaning: A good thing/something good
- Short form: Ify
34. Adanna
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Mma-si-chu-kwu
- Meaning: Father’s daughter (usually given to first daughters)
- Short form: Ada
35. Chinasa
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chi-na-sa
- Meaning: God answers prayers
- Short form: Chy, Chi-chi or Nasa
36. Ijeawele
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ije-awe-le
- Meaning: A smooth journey
- Short Form: Ije, Awele
37. Adaolisa
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ada-oli-sa
- Meaning: The daughter of God
- Short form: Ada
38. Chinwendu
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chin-wen-du
- Meaning: Life belongs to God
- Short form: Wendy
39. Ifunanya
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ifu-nan-ya
- Meaning: Love
- Short form: Funa/Funanya
40. Chimuanya
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chim-u-anya
- Meaning: My God is awake (He is not asleep)
- Short Form: Muanya
41. Adaora
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ada-ora
- Meaning: The people’s daughter
- Short form: Ada
42. Adaku
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Adaku
- Meaning: daughter of wealthy
- Short form: Ada
43. Ezichi
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ezi-chi
- Meaning: Good God
- Short Form: Chy, Ezy
44. Ifechukwu
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ife-chukwu
- Meaning: God’s light
- Short form: Ife
45. Adaego
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ada-ego
- Meaning: Daughter of riches/wealth
- Short form: Ada, Ego
46. Chikaodinaka
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chi-ka-odi-naka
- Meaning: Everything is in the hands of my God
- Short form: Odinaka
47. Ekpereamaka
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Kpere-ama-ka
- Meaning: Prayer is a good thing/Prayer is good
- Short form: Ekpere, Amaka
48. Ogechukwu
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Oge-chukwu
- Meaning: God’s time
- Short form: Oge
49. Obiageliaku
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Obia-geli-aku
- Meaning: the girl who is born into a wealthy living/born into wealth
- Short form: Oby
50. Ndidiamaka
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ndi-di-amaka
- Meaning: Patience is a virtue
- Short form: Ndidi. Amaka
51. Ebube
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: ebu-be
- Meaning: Glory
- Short form: Ebube
52. Kosarachukwu
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ko-sara-chukwu
- Meaning: Tell it to God
- Short form: Kosara
53. Nkechinyere
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Nke-chin-yere
- Meaning: The Gift God gave
- Short form: NK or Nkechi
54. Adaugo
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ada-ugo
- Meaning: The Eagle’s daughter, Daughter of an Eagle
- Short form: Ada or Ugo
55. Chimdiuto
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chi-di-uto
- Meaning: My God is too sweet
- Short form: Chidi
56. Chinemerem
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chi-ne-mere-m
- Meaning: God does great things for me
- Short form: Nemerem or Emerem
57. Ngozi
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ngo-zi
- Meaning: Blessing
- Short form: NG or Ngo
58. Chisom
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chi-som
- Meaning: God is with me
- Short form: Som
59. Chikumnaka
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chi-kum-naka
- Meaning: God is bearing me in his hands
- Short form: Chikum
60. Chiagozigom
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chi-ago-zigo-m
- Meaning: God has Lavishly blessed me
- Short form: Agozie
61. Azuka
- Suitable for: Unisex
- Pronunciation: Azu-ka
- Meaning: Support is paramount
- Short form: Azu or Azuka
62. Okwuchi
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Okwu-chi
- Meaning: God’s word/the word of God
- Short form: Okwy
63. Chibuzor
- Suitable for: Unisex
- Pronunciation: Chi-bu-zor
- Meaning: God is the way. God is the first
- Short form: Chibby
64. Chinenyenwa
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chi-nenye-nwa
- Meaning: God is the one that gives children/God is the giver of children
- Short form: Nenye, Nenyenwa
65. Obianuju
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Obia-nu-ju
- Meaning: one who came in the midst of plenty
- Short form: Oby, Uju or Ujunwa
66. Akachukwu
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Mma-si-chu-kwu
- Meaning: God’s hand, the hand of God
- Short form: Akachi
67. Ogonna
- Suitable for: Unisex
- Pronunciation: Ogo-nna
- Meaning: God’s friend
- Short form: Ogo
68. Njideka
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Nji-de-ka
- Meaning: What l have at hand is better/What I have is greater/better
- Short form: Njide
69. Chinonyelum
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chi-nonye-lum
- Meaning: God dwells/be with me
- Short form: Nonye, Nonyelum
70. Nkolika
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Nko-li-ka
- Meaning: Dialogue is better than battle
- Short form: Nkoli
71. Obioma
- Suitable for: Unisex
- Pronunciation: Obi-oma
- Meaning: one with a good heart
- Short form: Omah
72. Chetachi
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Che-ta-chi
- Meaning: Remember God or Remember your God
- Short form: Cheta
73. Nneka
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Nne-ka
- Meaning: Mother is great
- Short form: Nne
74. Chikasirimobi
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chi-ka-siri-m-obi
- Meaning: God consoled me deeply
- Short form: Chika, Kasirim
75. Nnenna
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Mma-si-chu-kwu
- Meaning: Father’s mother
- Short form: Nne
76. Somadina
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Som-adi-na
- Meaning: I will do exist alone/I won’t be alone
- Short form: Som or Adina
77. Ifedimma
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ife-di-mma
- Meaning: Something good
- Short form: Ife, Mma
78. Kamfeechukwu
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Kam-fee-chu-kwu
- Meaning: Let me worship/serve God
- Short form: Feechukwu
79. Chibuogu
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chi-bu-ogu
- Meaning: God is my fighter
- Short form: Ogu
80. Chisimdi
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chi-sim-di
- Meaning: My God says I should live and not di
- Short form: Chisim
81. Ifechiluru
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Mma-si-chu-kwu
- Meaning: The work God has done
- Short form: Ifechi
82. Kaisoluchukwu
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Kai-solu-chu-kwu
- Meaning: Let’s go with God.
- Short form: Kaiso
83. Mkpulunma
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Mkpu-lun-ma
- Meaning: A seed of beauty
- Short form: Mma
84. Chimsirimchia
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chim-siri-m-chia
- Meaning: My God says l should laugh
- Short form: Chisirim
85. Chikanele
- Suitable for: Unisex
- Pronunciation: Mma-si-chu-kwu
- Meaning: It’s God we are looking up to
- Short form: Anele
86. Chinyeaka
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Mma-si-chu-kwu
- Meaning: God helps me.
- Short form: Yeaka
Modern Igbo Names for Girls
With the arrival of Christianity, child naming customs did not change significantly. Despite the fact that many Christian parents give their daughters Igbo names that include the name of God (Chukwu or Chi) recently there have been newly coined names that parents give to the girl child and they were not there before; this may be due to better understanding of the scripture as some of them are coined from the bible and from the Christian faith.
87. Kamsiyonna
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Kam-si-yo-nna
- Meaning: Jus the way I asked God the father
- Short form: Kamsi
88. Chibuifem
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chi-bu-ife-m
- Meaning: God is my light
- Short form: Ife
89. Chikasimma
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chi-ka-si-mma
- Meaning: God is the best
- Short form: Kasimma
90. Munachimso
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Muna-chim-so
- Meaning: My God and I are always together/My God is walking with me daily
- Short form: Muna
91. Kanyinulia
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Kan-yin-ulia
- Meaning: Let’s rejoice exceedingly
- Short form: Nulia
92. Munachimdinamma
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Mu-na-chim-di-na-mma
- Meaning: My God and I are on good terms
- Short form: Muna
93. Kachimra
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Ka-chim-ra
- Meaning: The weight or size of my God
- Short form: Kachi
94. Ifekristi
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Mma-si-chu-kwu
- Meaning: Christ’s light/the light of Christ
- Short form: Kristi
95. Chiazokam
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chi-azoka-m
- Meaning: God has saved me indeed
- Short form: Azokam
96. Kamharida
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Kam-ha-rida
- Meaning: that l may not fall
- Short form: Kam, Harida
97. Zikoranachimamaka
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Zikora-na-chim-amaka
- Meaning: Show the world that God is good
- Short form: Zikora
98. Kairaluchukwu
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Mma-si-chu-kwu
- Meaning: Let’s leave it to God
- Short form: Kaira
99. Kesandu
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Mma-si-chu-kwu
- Meaning: Dispense Life
- Short form: Kesa
100. Kachimsiememdimma
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Kachi-m-siemem-di-mma
- Meaning: The way God treats me is fine/good
- Short form: Kachi
101. Chikaima
- Suitable for: Girls
- Pronunciation: Chi-kai-ma
- Meaning: It’s only God we know
- Short form: Kaima
Igbo Names for Twin Girls
In contrast to the Yorubas where twins are named Taiwo and Kehinde, twins do not have unique names in Igboland. Parents exercise discretion or choose names that begin with the same letter of the alphabet. Here are some ideas:
102. Chineye & Chinaza
- Meaning: God gives/God Answers
- Short form: Nenye/Naza
103. Ekpereamaka & Nazaekpere
- Meaning: Prayer is good/He Answers prayer
- Short form: Kpere/Naza
104. Chinazaekpere & Chizaramekpere
- Meaning: God answers prayers/God answers my prayers
- Short form: Chinaza/Chizaram
105. Uzoamaka & Uzochukwu
- Meaning: the way/road is good/God’s way
- Short form: Uzo/Uzo
106. Adanna/Adanne
- Meaning: Her father’s daughter/Her mother’s daughter
- Short form: Ada/Ada
107. Adaugo/Akwaugo
- Meaning: Beautiful daughter or Daughter of an eagle/Precious daughter
- Short form: Ada/Ada
108. Amara/Amarachi
- Meaning: Mercy/Mercy of God
- Short form: Amara/Amara
109. Daberechi/Daluchi
- Meaning: Lean in God/Thank God
- Short form: Dabere/Dalu
110. Febechi/Febechukwu
- Meaning: Worship God
- Short form: Febe
111. Ginikachukwu/Ginikanwa
- Meaning: What is greater than God?/What is greater than a child?
- Short form: Ginika/Ginika
112. Kachimra/Kambili
- Meaning: The size of my God/ Let me live
- Short-form: Kachi/Kambili
113. Lebechi/Lotachukwu
- Meaning: Look unto God/ Remember your God
- Short Form: Lebe/Lota
114. Obiageli/Obianuju
- Meaning: Born to win/wealth/ Born in the midst of plenty
- Short Form: Oby/Oby