Traditional African names often have unique stories behind them. From the day or time a baby is born to the circumstances surrounding the birth, several factors influence the names parents choose for their children.
Whichever ethnic group you look at, these local names reveal a wealth of information about the bearer.
Here are nine different ways African parents name their children:
Among several ethnic groups, picking out names can be influenced by positive or negative circumstances the family finds themselves in around the time a child is born.
Often, such names are complete sentences.
Ayodele (joy has come home) is a unisex name for a baby whose birth brought happiness to their Yoruba parents in Nigeria.
Yetunde or Yewande (mother has come back) is a Yoruba name given to a girl whose grandmother or other female relative died before she was born.
Adetokunbo (crown/wealth has come back home) is a unisex Yoruba name often given to a child born abroad.
Ajuji (born on a rubbish heap) is a Hausa name given to a baby after those born before it failed to survive. It is believed that giving the child a “terrible” name will deceive evil spirits into thinking the child is not loved and as a result, allow it to live.
Kgomotso and Pumza (comfort) are given to babies born shortly after a death or tragedy in Sesotho and Xhosa families in South Africa.
Kiptanui and Cheptanui are often given to babies whose mothers may have suffered extreme difficulties during childbirth among the Kalenjin ethnic group in Kenya.
Kimaiyo and Jemaiyo are names sometimes given to baby boys and girls whose births coincide with men drinking locally brewed beer (Maiywek) among the Kalenjins.
Misrak (east) was given to an Ethiopian baby girl whose father was in Japan at the time she was born.
Lindiwe (we have waited) is an isiZulu name often given to a baby girl after a long line of boys.
Some names, especially in Zimbabwe, reflect the mood or circumstance of the family at the time of birth. Some of them serve as warnings or rebukes.
Nhamo means misfortune
Maidei asks the question “What did you want?”
Manyara tells someone “You have been humbled”
Yananiso means bringing the family together
Sometimes these names are translated into English, where they can sound quite surprising, for example: Airforce; Kissmore; Brilliant; Psychology; Hatred;
Nomatter; Jealous; Furious or Hardlife.
But this is not unique to Zimbabwe.
Gospel Mavutula from neighbouring Malawi was originally named Misery but decided it was too negative and changed it.
“I was born at a period when my parents were miserable,” he told the BBC.
He said his parents, both teachers, had been experiencing pressure at work and problems with their neighbours and this influenced his birth name.
“I have avoided that scenario by giving nice names to my children,” he added.
And across the continent in Ghana’s Volta region, a couple belonging to the Ewe ethnic group had decided to stop having children but their last daughter unexpectedly came along.
To show that the child was somehow a mistake, they decided to name her Melevevio, which translates as “not necessary”.
Across the continent, several local names have religious links. Among the Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups in Nigeria, a name that starts or ends with Chi, Chukwu or
Oluwa has some kind of reference to God.
Olusegun means God conquers (Yoruba, Nigeria)
Hailemariam means the power of Mary (Ethiopia)
Mawufemor means God’s way (Ewe ethnic group in Togo, Ghana, Benin)
Makafui means I will praise God (Ewe ethnic group in Togo, Ghana, Beni
Among some eastern and southern Africa ethnic groups, certain names are selected depending on the time of the day or season a child is born.
Kibet means day and Kiplagat means night (Kalenjin in Kenya)
Mumbua and Wambua means rainy season for boys and girls (Kamba in Kenya)
Olweny means time of war (Luo)
Yunwa means hunger or time of famine (Hausa)
Respected elders of the family may be dead but they continue to live on through their grandchildren.
Parents often name babies after senior members of the clan whether dead or alive.
But it is considered disrespectful to casually shout or call out the name of a senior family member that has been given to a child, so instead it is common to hear a child affectionately called Ouma (grandma) or Oupa (grandpa) in southern Africa.
Most people have three names – the ones they were given, as well as that of their father and grandfather. But many also have nicknames, which are so common that they can find their way onto official ID cards.
These nicknames often pick on the negative physical traits of the bearer, if he is male. Some common nicknames for men include Langare (limpy), Coryaan (handicapped), Lugay (one leg) or Genay (missing tooth).
Women, however, mostly get flattering nicknames like Lul (diamond), Macanay (sweet),
Cod Weyne (rich voiced), Dahable (golden) and Indho Daraleey (gazelle eyes).
While names often have symbolic importance across the continent, in the Yoruba tradition, many different relatives want to leave their mark.
It is not uncommon for each parent and grandparent to contribute at least one name. The child eventually ends up with several names – each telling its own special story.
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