204 Igbo Baby Names With Meanings

Igbo baby names are versatile and have great cultural significance. Igbo is an ethnic group from Southeast Nigeria. People with Igbo roots follow distinctive naming practices that stand out because of their intrinsic richness, depth, and symbolic meanings. 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 praising the strength and power of God while naming their children. The Igbo culture is incredibly rich with unique rituals, ceremonies, and traditions that they observe to commemorate every significant phase of their lives. Among these traditions is 'Igu nwa aha,' a child-naming ceremony (1), which is held shortly after the birth of a child. It is usually organized within two to three weeks or seven to twelve days in Igbo terms. This is because a week in Igbo culture comprises four market days: Eke, Orie, Afor, and Nkwor. This ceremony serves as a formal introduction of the child to the extended family. Typically, the ceremony starts with acknowledging the ancestors, followed by naming the child and planting a sapling symbolizing survival, flourishing, and longevity. This ceremony is followed by the traditional breaking of the kola nut, prayers for the newborn, her parents, the attendees, and finally, gratitude to the ancestors for their blessings and a plea for their protection over the child. One noteworthy aspect of naming a child in Igbo culture is considering the significance behind the name. Igbos usually name their children after carefully assessing the circumstances surrounding their birth. Naming a child could be influenced by birthmarks, resemblance to a specific individual, pledges of reincarnation from a certain person, a dream, the family's current or past situation, etc. To differentiate individuals with the same names in the same generation, the elders join the father's first name to the given title. 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 evidence of your root and a mark of your identity. Surnames are also used to sustain the family heritage. Below is a compilation of Igbo baby names with meanings.

Name		Gender	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 a wealthy family or the one who brings wealth to the family
Adanna		Girl	Eldest daughter of father
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	One who knows tomorrow
Amaka		Unisex	Queen of ravishing beauty
Amandi		Boy	One who does not trust easily
Amaogechukwu		Girl	The Lord's time is the best
Amara		Boy	Immortal being; Blessed with eternal life; Grace and gracious
Amobi		Boy	Who knows the heart of man
Anozie		Boy	One who is settled or well-positioned
Anwuli		Girl	Joy; A joyous and happy girl
Anwulichukwu		Girl	Joy of the Lord
Anwulika		Girl	My joy is great; Joy is greater
Apunanwu		Girl	A precious and beautiful girl untainted by the sun
Arinzechukwu		Boy	Thanks be to God
Azubuike		Boy	Strength gained from experiences of the past
Binyelum		Girl	Stay with me
Bunkechukwu		Boy	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
Chidera		Unisex	God is merciful
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
Chidinma		Girl	Grace of God
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
Chigozie		Unisex	Blessing from God
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
Chinedu		Unisex	God leads
Chioke		Boy	Gift of God
Chisimdi		Girl	God says I shall live
Chisom		Boy	God is with me
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 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 receives a lot of praise
Ekenedilichukwu		Boy	Thanks be to God
Emeka		Boy	Great deeds; God has done it
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; One who follows God
Ewelike		Boy	It's not by power
Ezesinachi		Boy	The chief is from God
Ezeudo		Boy	King of peace

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.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team