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250 Charming Igbo Baby Names For You To Consider

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.

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Name Gender Meaning
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Amarah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Grace; Immortal; Eternal; Tribe
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Amaria
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Everlasting flower; Sparkle; Paradise; Grace; Eternal; Promised by God
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Jidenna
Baby Girl Sign Girl Embrace the father
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Obi
Baby Boy Sign Boy Heart; Yahweh's servant; Worshiper of Yahweh
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Amairani
Baby Girl Sign Girl Eternal; Grace; Prosperous
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Biko
Baby Boy Sign Boy Please
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Amarra
Baby Girl Sign Girl Everlasting flower; Grace; Immortal
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Ikenna
Baby Boy Sign Boy Power of the father
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Nnamdi
Baby Boy Sign Boy My father is alive
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Chioma
Baby Boy Sign Boy Good god
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Obinna
Baby Boy Sign Boy Heart of the father; Father's throne
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Chidera
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex God is here
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Amadi
Baby Boy Sign Boy Seemed destined to die at birth; Free-born; Beloved
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Eze
Baby Boy Sign Boy King; God will strengthen
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Kanye
Baby Boy Sign Boy Next in line; Let's give; Only once; Only one
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Adaora
Baby Girl Sign Girl Daughter of all
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Chisom
Baby Boy Sign Boy God goes with me
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Kelechi
Baby Boy Sign Boy Glorify God
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Amara
Baby Boy Sign Boy Immortal being; Blessed with eternal life; Grace and gracious; Sky and to smile; Heaven and virtuous; Bitter
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Chi
Baby Boy Sign Boy Branch; God; Spiritual being; Will
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Chinedu
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex God leads
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Adaeze
Baby Girl Sign Girl Princess; Eldest daughter of a king
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Chidinma
Baby Girl Sign Girl God is good
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Chukwuma
Baby Boy Sign Boy God knows; God knows better than anyone
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Chukwuemeka
Baby Boy Sign Boy God did a greater deed; God has done so much
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Chidiebere
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is merciful
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Chima
Baby Boy Sign Boy God knows; Leave; Space time
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Kalu
Baby Boy Sign Boy God of thunder and lightning
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Munachimso
Baby Boy Sign Boy One who always agrees with God
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Ohaji
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Conquering warrior
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Ugochukwu
Baby Boy Sign Boy Eagle of God
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Uchenna
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Wisdom of the father; Sense of the father
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Olanna
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Father's jewel
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Ikechukwu
Baby Boy Sign Boy The power of God
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Chioke
Baby Boy Sign Boy Gift of God
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Kamsiyochukwu
Baby Boy Sign Boy God gave me exactly as I asked
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Ammara
Baby Girl Sign Girl One who builds; One who lives a long life; Thrive; Grace; Immortal
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Osinachi
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex It came from God
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Chukwuebuka
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is great
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Chibuikem
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is my power
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Chimaobi
Baby Boy Sign Boy God knows the heart
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Chibuike
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is strength
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Chidi
Baby Boy Sign Boy God exists
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Chikezie
Baby Boy Sign Boy May God appease
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Ifeanyi
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Nothing is impossible with God
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Adanya
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Eldest daughter of the father
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Akachukwu
Baby Boy Sign Boy The hand of God
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Chika
Baby Girl Sign Girl Wisdom; Beautiful; God is greater; Intellect
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Ogechi
Baby Girl Sign Girl A fresh and successful ending of a struggle or contest
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Oluchi
Baby Girl Sign Girl Work of God
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Arinzechukwu
Baby Boy Sign Boy Thanks be to God
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Chidiebube
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is glorious and great
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Chiemeka
Baby Boy Sign Boy God has done well
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Chidozie
Baby Boy Sign Boy May God fix mend
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Ebubechukwu
Baby Boy Sign Boy The glory and greatness of God
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Emeka
Baby Boy Sign Boy God has done so much; God did a greater deed
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Chigozie
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Blessing from God
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Ifeoma
Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful one; Good thing
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Ifeanyichukwu
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is the most powerful; We can do anything with God
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Kachiside
Baby Boy Sign Boy As God has written it or the will of God
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Iniko
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Born in a time of trouble
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Ozioma
Baby Girl Sign Girl The message, God's good news
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Adaugo
Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful daughter or daughter of an eagle
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Ezinne
Baby Girl Sign Girl The good mother
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Ifunanya
Baby Girl Sign Girl Love
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Adaobi
Baby Girl Sign Girl The first daughter in the family compound
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Nneka
Baby Girl Sign Girl Mother is greater
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Ndidi
Baby Girl Sign Girl Patience
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Ammaarah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Large group of ships sailing togethe; Tribe; Grace
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Chisimdi
Baby Girl Sign Girl God says I shall live
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Somtochukwu
Baby Girl Sign Girl Praise god with me
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Isioma
Baby Girl Sign Girl Good luck
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Marra
Baby Girl Sign Girl Grace; Undying; Immortal; Bitter
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Uzoamaka
Baby Girl Sign Girl A good path
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Ogechukwu
Baby Girl Sign Girl The very new mode of living or a characteristic state; New earthly life
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Chike
Baby Boy Sign Boy God of strength; God of power; Ground; House
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Achebe
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex One who is protected by the Goddess
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Achu
Baby Girl Sign Girl Fruit; Strength; Resilience
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Addana
Baby Girl Sign Girl The younger sister of a girl
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Afam
Baby Boy Sign Boy Let my legacy live forever; I am not lost
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Ala
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Excellence; Elevation; To be high; Earth; Land; Honor
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Amaka
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Precious; God is more beautiful; Heaven; Sky; Fragrance
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Amarachi
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex God's grace
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Azuka
Baby Girl Sign Girl The past is great; Fragrance of Japanese cherry birch
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Chiamaka
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is more beautiful
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Chibueze
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex God is the king
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Chibuzo
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex God is the way
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Ebele
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Mercy; Kindness
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Efuru
Baby Girl Sign Girl Daughter of heaven
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Ekene
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Thanks; Gratitude
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Ngozi
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Blessing
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Ogechukwukama
Baby Girl Sign Girl Beginning of a new style of living; Start of a fresh human events and activities
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Onochie
Baby Boy Sign Boy The one who can replace the status of father
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So
Baby Boy Sign Boy Follow; Accompany
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Abaeze
Baby Boy Sign Boy Branch of the kings
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Chetachukwu
Baby Boy Sign Boy One who always remembers God
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Chichima
Baby Girl Sign Girl A sweet and precious girl
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Chimezie
Baby Boy Sign Boy Let God do it
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Chinechezirim
Baby Girl Sign Girl God thinks good of me
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Debare
Baby Boy Sign Boy One born during good times
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Igbo baby names have profound meanings, often reflecting a child's birth circumstances or ancestors' beliefs. These names connect the child to Igbo history by tying together kinship, cultural, and historical threads. Igbo names, which convey ancestry, shared history, and parents' hopes for their children, are viewed as more than just labels, as they are an essential part of the Igbo cultural identity. So embrace your Igbo heritage or your love for the community by picking a name from the list above.

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 (2).

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)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Child-naming in The Igbo Culture.
    https://thecircular.org/child-naming-in-the-igbo-culture/
  2. Name and Politeness: Multiple Address Term among the Igbo
    http://www.languageinindia.com/june2019/amakanamepolitenessigbo1.pdf

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