A name signifies a person, place, or thing. It may reflect why a person bears it. For instance, one can say Akpan, meaning the firstborn, or Judy, the mechanic. So a name can also serve as a trait, feature, or attribute.

In African culture, people name their children after experiences, events, or situations they have encountered. In Igbo culture, for example, a tribe known for loving and worshipping Chukwu, Chi, or Chineke (God), places great value on names associated with God. Most Igbo names are linked to God. If you’re familiar with the works of Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Adichie, you’ll notice a rich display of cultural names in African literature. Names like Okechukwu, Uchechukwu, Chima, Chioma, Ekechukwu, Ikechukwu, Ogochukwu, Chidinma, Chukwuebuka, Chukwuemeka, and others bear the names of God and references to what He did or His characteristics. My name, Okechukwu, means ‘My share from God.” It’s a typical Igbo name, suggesting that I am the share of God’s goodness in my family. Isn’t that beautiful?

Let’s look at the name Uchechukwu. ‘Uche’ means thoughts, wisdom, or understanding, depending on usage. ‘Chukwu,’ ‘Chi,’ and ‘Chineke’—as I mentioned before—mean God. So, the name can be formed as Uchechi, Uchechineke, and so on. But the most common form is Uchechukwu, which can be shortened to Uche or Uc, meaning “The Thought(s) of God.” It can also be interpreted as ‘the will of God.’ Variants include Uchennam, meaning ‘my Father’s will,’ with ‘Nna’ in Igbo meaning ‘Father.’ Consider another name, Obinna, Obinnaya, or even Obichukwu (meaning ‘the Father’s/God’s heart/mind’). This name is common in eastern Nigeria. Just as the biblical David was called a ‘man after God’s heart,’ the names Obinna, Obichukwu, or Obieze (meaning ‘King’s Heart’) reflect a similar reverence. ‘Amaka’ means ‘beautiful,’ and ‘Ebube’ means ‘glory.’ Look at the name Chukwuemeka: ‘Chukwu’ means ‘God,’ and ‘Emeka’ means ‘has done it,’ so together they mean ‘God has done it.’ Let’s talk about Chika or Chukwuka—names translated as ‘God is the Greatest!’ Also, consider Chukwubuikem, a beautiful name meaning ‘God is my strength.’ The name Chukwuebuka means ‘God is the biggest’ or ‘strongest.’

Learn the Igbo language and culture here.

You may want to adopt a Nigerian name. Stay safe, everyone.