Names are extremely important in Igbo culture, particularly in southeastern Nigeria, where the naming of children is a significant event often marked by specific ceremonies. Igbo names, whether for baby boys, girls, or twins, serve as vessels for parents’ hopes and aspirations for their offspring. These names frequently convey a story, symbolise a prayer, or honour a family legacy.

The practice of using names to express parental aspirations is not unique to the Igbo people; names throughout Nigeria carry similar meanings, stemming from a strong belief in the power of spoken words. In Igboland, names may express gratitude and reverence to a higher power, which is why we often see Igbo names with the words Chi or Chukwu, serving as a testament to the parents’ faith. Others may be inspired by familial lineage, community identity, or the circumstances of birth.

Let’s look at some unique examples of these names, such as Otitochukwu (meaning “In God’s Praise”) to Olisabinaigwe (meaning “God in heaven”), to see what stories they tell.

No.	Name	Meaning
1.	Otitochukwu	In God’s Praise
2.	Otutuchukwu	Chant for God
3.	Ezeafakaego	A good name is better than riches
4.	Soromtochukwu	Follow me and Praise God
5.	Chikodiri	It’s left for God
6.	Chikamso	It’s God I follow
7.	Chukwu Dalu/ Chidalu	God I Thank you
8.	Afaoma	Good Heart
9.	Adaugo	First Daughter of an Eagle
10.	Chukwu Debelu	It’s God that Kept him
11.	Deberechi	Put Your Trust in God
12.	Chukwuka Dibia	God Is greater than a Native Doctor
13.	Chimamanda	My God will not fail
14.	Yadera	His word is final
15.	Nwakaego	Child is better than money or child is supreme
16.	Chinweike	God Owns power
17.	Kambili	Let me live or peace
18.	Nkemakolam	I won’t lack
19.	Chibundu	God is life
20.	Chizitere	God sent
21.	Sochikaima	It’s only God we know
22.	Adaku	One who brings a silver spoon to her home
23.	Adaolisa	God’s daughter
24.	Afamefuna	My name will not be lost
25.	Akunna	Father’s wealth
26.	Chimdindu	My God is alive
27.	Amadi	Free man
28.	Amobi	Who knows the heart of man
29.	Anwulika	My joy is great
30.	Obiora	Everyone’s heart
31.	Chetachi/Chetachukwu	One who always remembers God
32.	Amaechi	Who knows tomorrow
33.	Nkiruka	The best is still to come
34.	Jidenna	Hold on to your father
35.	Akachi	The hand of God
36.	Akuchi	God’s wealth
37.	Añuli/Anulika	Joy/Joy is greater
38.	Azubuike	The past is your strength
39.	Somnazu/Somnazu Chukwu	Walk behind me
40.	Kaitochukwu	Let’s praise God
41.	Lotachukwu	Remember God, Remember the Father
42.	Kammarachukwu	Let me know God
43.	Olisabinaigwe	God in Heaven

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Written by Grace Bisina, Edited by Chisom Akuakonam

Cover Image source: Ibo-bryllup Jeremy Weate, Lisens: CC BY NC 2.0

Image: The all-maiden Egwu Tochi cultural Igbo dance at Queens School, Enugu, Nigeria.[ukpuru.com]