195 Igbo Baby Names With Meanings

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

A name is not just the declaration of one’s identity, but also an expression of what and who constitutes the unique self. So you should look for a name that reflects culture and heritage, especially if you happen to be from southern Nigeria. Igbo is an ethnic group from Southeast Nigeria. Most of the Igbo names are grammatically constructed and have symbolic meanings. The names reflect the circumstances under which the child was born. Some names also have strong undertones as Igbo people believe in appraising the strength and power of God while naming their children. Deceased ancestor and place of birth are other considerations. To differentiate individuals with the same names in the same generation, the elders join the father’s first name to the given name. It’s also said that in the old times, Igbo women were named after market days. Surnames are equally important amongst the Igbo people. It’s an evidence of your root and a mark of the identity. Surnames are also used for sustaining the family heritage. Unlike western custom, women do not change their last names after marriage. Even if it was necessary, she could change it to her husband’s first name. Below is MomJunction's compilation of Igbo baby names with meanings. We’ve included popular, traditional, latest, everything for you below.

Name	性别	Meaning
Abaeze	Boy	Branch of the kings
Achebe	Unisex	One who is protected by the Goddess
Achike	Boy	Give praise to God
Adaego	Girl	Daughter of wealth
Adaeze	Girl	Princess; Daughter of a king
Adaku	Girl	A girl born into wealthy family or the one who brings wealth to the family.
Adanna	Girl	Father's daughter, given to the elder sister of a girl
Adaobi	Girl	The first daughter in the family compound.
Adaolisa	Girl	God’s daughter.
Adaugo	Girl	Beautiful daughter or daughter of an eagle.

Adaure	Girl	Daughter of Uruala, a town in Imo State.
Addana	Girl	The younger sister of a girl
Afamefuna	Boy	My name will not be lost.
Ahunna	Girl	One with the body of her father.
Akachukwu	Boy	The hand of God.
Akuada	Girl	A girl born into a wealthy family.
Akumjeli	Girl	I will enjoy that wealth
Akunna	Boy	Father’s wealth.
Akwaugo	Girl	My precious daughter
Amaechi	Boy	Who knows tomorrow?

Amaka	Unisex	Queen of ravishing beauty who is spontaneous and versatile by nature
Amandi	Boy	Trust no one, one who doesn’t trust anyone easily.
Amaogechukwu	Girl	Lord’s time is the best
Amobi	Boy	Who knows the heart of man?
Anozie	Boy	We are now settled or well positioned.
Anwuli	Girl	Joy, a joyous and happy girl.
Anwulichukwu	Girl	Joy of the lord.
Anwulika	Girl	My joy is great or joy is greater.
Apunanwu	Girl	没有被太阳珍贵和美丽的女孩.
Arinzechukwu	Boy	Thanks be to God.

Azubuike	Boy	Strength gained from experiences of the past.
Binyelum	Girl	Stay with me.
Bunkechukwu	Boy	The one who belongs to God.
Chetachi	Boy	One who always remembers God.
Chetachukwu	Boy	One who always remembers God.
Chiagozie	Girl	God has blessed me.
Chiasoka	Girl	God is too sweet.
Chiazokam	Girl	God has saved me well.
Chibarameze	Girl	God has made me a king.
Chibinobim	Girl	God dwells in my heart.

Chibuike	Boy	God is strength.
Chibuikem	Boy	God is my power
Chibundo	Girl	God is my shelter
Chibundu	Boy	God is life
Chibunna	Boy	God is my father
Chibuogu	Girl	God is my strength.
Chibuzor	Boy	God first or God leads
Chichima	Girl	A sweet and precious girl.
Chidiadi	Boy	There is God
Chidiebere	Boy	God is merciful

Chidiebube	Boy	God is glorious and great.
Chidindu	Boy	Show the world that God is alive
Chidozie	Boy	May God fix it and make it good for me.
Chiekezie	Boy	God has made it good for me.
Chiemeka	Boy	God has done well.
Chiemelie	Boy	God has won.
Chiemezie	Boy	God has made it good for me.
Chikanma	Boy	God is better than any other thing.
Chikezie	Boy	May God appease.
Chimamanda	Boy	My God Will Not Fall or Fail Me

Chimankpa	Boy	God know my wants.
Chimaobi	Boy	God knows the heart.
Chimezie	Boy	Let God do it.
Chinaka	Boy	God decides or God schedules.
Chinecherem	Boy	God thinks and worries on my behalf.
Chinechezirim	Girl	God thinks good of me.
Chioke	Boy	Gift of God
Chisimdi	Girl	God says I shall live.
Chizutere	Boy	God's envoy
Chukwudaalu	Girl	thank you, Lord or thank God

Chukwudumaga	Boy	God leads me.
Chukwuebuka	Boy	God is great
Chukwuemerie	Boy	God has won.
Chukwueneka	Boy	God is kind to us.
Chukwuma	Boy	God knows, God knows better than anyone.
Chuwudubem	Boy	Lead me, oh God.
Daberechi	Girl	Lean on God, one who is dependent on God.
Daluchi	Girl	Thank God.
Debare	Boy	One born during good times.
Diarachukwundu	Boy	Live for God

Ebubechukwu	Boy	The glory and greatness of God.
Echezonanna	Boy	Don’t forget your God and your father.
Ejikeme	Boy	It’s not by power.
Ekemma	Girl	One who was born on Eke market day.
Ekene	Unisex	The one who recieves a lot of praise
Ekenedilichukwu	Boy	Thanks be to God
Emeka	Boy	in Igbo this name means great deeds or god has done a lot.
Emenike	Boy	It’s not by might or power.
Enyinnaya	Boy	His father’s friend.
Epkereamaka	Girl	One who finds prayer is good and wonderful.

Esomchi	Boy	Walking with the lord or one who follows God
Ewelike	Boy	It’s not by power
Ezesinachi	Boy	The chief is from God.
Ezeudo	Boy	King of peace.
Eziamaka	Girl	One who believes that good things are obtained by going out.
Ezichi	Girl	Good God!
Ezinne	Girl	The good mother.
Fumnanya	Girl	Love me
Ganiru	Boy	Good luck
Ginika	Girl	What can be greater than God?

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Infographic: Fascinating Igbo Baby Names

The Igbo people are famous for their enterprising and adventurous spirit. They are also well-known for their exotic food, dance, music, and festivals. Igbos are profoundly religious, and so most names connote god. You will also find many traditional, easy-to-pronounce, and trendy Igbo names. Read this infographic for some great options.

the most special igbo baby names (infographic)

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Download Infographic

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Igbo naming culture?

It is interesting to watch in Igbo cultures that all their names contain distinct meanings. Interestingly, names are given to babies to express the parent's appreciation for the almighty or to declare the child's greatness. Furthermore, it could also mean conveying optimism for the future, asserting the family's greatness, or lamenting the preceding misfortune in childbirth.

2. What is the symbolism behind some of the most popular Igbo baby names?

Some popular names in Igbo culture include Emeka meaning ‘God did a greater deed,’ Obinna, meaning ‘heart of the father,’ and Chidimma meaning ‘God is good.’

3. What is the significance of adding titles or honorifics to an Igbo baby's name?

With the inclusion of honorifics, it is intended to display the degree of respect on different occasions of interaction between two people. Furthermore, it could remind others of the relationship between the two and attract others’ attention (1).