Yoruba (Nigerian) Names With Ola Prefix Or Suffix (From a Nairaland.com Discussion Thread) 2025 Reprint

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is a complete reprint of Part II of a two part 2017 pancocojams series about the name "Ola" or the element (prefix or suffix) "ola".

This post also presents a partial* list of Yoruba names that include the element (prefix or suffix) "ola" This list is from a much longer compilation of Yoruba names that was published on a nairaland.com discussion thread.

Selected comments from that nairaland.com discussion thread are also included in this pancocojams post.

As a preface to that list, I'm quoting an excerpt about names from a book by Yoruba scholar and musicologist Fela Sowande. A longer excerpt from that book's chapter on names is also included in this post.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/10/various-origins-meanings-from-around.html for Part I of this pancocojams series.

Part I provides information and comments about various origins and meanings for the female name "Ola". This post also includes examples of female names which are formed by combining "Ola" with another name such as the American female name "Ola Mae", or with a prefix or a suffix such as the Latin (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese) female name "Fabiola", or the Yoruba name "Olatunji".

All content remains with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post

****
Update November 21, 2025: "Naira" is a colloquial, respectful contemporary referent for "Nigeria". 

This is a complete reprint of a 2017 pancocojams post that quotes a Nairaland.com discussion thread which began in 2013.That pancocojams post is still available "as is" (meaning with no updates or corrections) at  https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/10/yoruba-nigerian-names-with-ola-prefix.html

As of November 21, 2025 the Nairaland.com discussion thread on Yoruba names that is quoted in this post is 17 pages long, extending from November 2013 to September 8, 2025. (That discussion thread was 15 pages when I first published that pancocojams post and at that time extended to April 2016). I'm not a member of that discussion forum, and am taking the liberty of publishing an excerpt of that list and a few selected comments from that discussion thread on this pancocojams post for etymological and cultural purposes.

Also at the time of this 2025 publication, that 2017 pancocojams post has a total of 21,000+ views and has 15 comments in its discussion thread. These are high results for pancocojams posts on names. 

Some of the comments that I've received for that 2017 pancocojams post, add to the list of "ola" prefix or suffix Yoruba names that are given on that Nairaland discussion thread..

I really appreciate pancocojams visitors adding Yoruba names to this list. I also encourage everyone to read those comments and add more names that aren't on that list if they know of any additional ola names that haven't been mentioned. 

Thank you!

****
PREFACE
My interest in the name "Ola" was sparked by researching Puerto Rican names and reading that the United States Census documents that in 2010 the name "Fabiola" was the 18th most popular name given to baby girls in Puerto Rico.
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/territory/puertorico2010.htmlhttps://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/territory/puertorico2010.html.

The name "Fabiola" reminded me of the large number of Yoruba names that include the element "ola" (meaning "wealth" or "honor"), I was curious whether "Fabiola" was a Yoruba name. As indicated in an excerpt given in Part I of this pancocojams series, "Fabiola" is a Latin name. However, that name demonstrates how similarly spelled or pronounced names may have different origins and meanings depending on what language they are from.

****
Here's an excerpt from the "Yoruba Names And Their Meanings" chapter in Fela Sowande's 1966 book The Mind Of A Nation- The Yoruba Child (Ibadan: Ibadan University, 1966).
"Page 41
Yoruba names are therefore much more than mere identification tags, much more than mere "luggage labels"; each has a reason (a) for being just what it is; and (b) for being given to a particular individual. Yoruba names embody circumstances of birth, history, family, religion, or some other equally pertinent facts relevant to that particular individual bearing the name. Yoruba names are, in fact, in most cases contractions of whole sentences...

Normally, however, Yoruba names are contracted sentences. Abimbola is short for "A bi mi ba ola" or "I was born in the midst of honor" (or prestige, or renown). This is a very useful method for deriving the meaning of Yoruba names, and words, for most Yoruba words respond to the same treatment. This is possible, partly on account of the monosyllabic base on which Yoruba language rests. Compound words are, in the vast majority of cases, but single words joined together to make longer ones.

There is, of course, what we may call "the intermediate" type of Yoruba name, in which the name is neither a contraction of a whole phrase or sentence, like "Atolye", nor is it a whole sentinece [sic] in itself, like "Bo lu o te," but is 'in-between'-usually a complete but inconclusive phrase like "Abayomi" i. e. "My vilifiers would have rejoiced at my misfortune," or "I would have been held up for ridicule," each requiring an "if" phrase which has been left unexpressed....

Page 42
Therefore, it is proper and valid to derive the meanings of Yoruba words-certainly of Yoruba proper names-by amplifying them into their original components, thus getting at the meaning of the word, or name, by summation of the meanings of its individual components. This process we might term "derivation through amplification." It is a valid process, but within certain limits only, and with the added proviso that, in amplifying words into their original components, we do not play about with tonal inflections, without clear and justifiable reasons.

But for the moment we are primarily concerned with the distinctive character of Yoruba names. By comparison, European names like Jack, Mary, Joan, Edward, etcetera, seem tame. A boy named Edward is not thereby and therefore identified with Edward the Black Prince of history; neither does a Joan automatically consider herself in some way related to the famous Joan of Arc, or to any other historically famous Joan. In Yorubaland, on the contrary, the name itself tell us so many things about that thing or person bearing that name....

Page 43
It is therefore one of the basic characteristics of Yoruba names that they are meaningful in a precise and specific way, and that they contain, virtually, the essence of the nature or being of the thing named, be it a town, or a person, a leaf, an animal, a tree, or even man-made objects like drums, baskets, water-pots, etcetera."...
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/11/yoruba-names-and-their-meeanings-by.html for a  2014 pancocojams post entitled "Yoruba Names & Their Meanings By Fela Sowande". That pancocojams post presents the complete chapter on Yoruba names from that book by the esteemed Nigerian scholar musician Fela Sowande. That post was first published on this pancocojams blog in November 2014 and was updated on November 21, 2025.

****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTES
Yoruba names can be used as given names (first or middle name). Yoruba names can also be surnames (family names; last names), or titles.

-snip-
"Ola" is a Yoruba name element which now* appears to most often be given the meaning "wealth", but whose traditional meaning** is "honor (esteem)" or "wealth".

*based on the name meanings and comments given in the 2013-2016 nairland.com discussion thread that is excerpted in this post.

**based on the information presented in the chapter about names in Fela Sowande's book The Mind Of A Nation- The Yoruba Child

-snip-
Yoruba word elements such as "ola" can be used as either a prefix or a suffix.

-snip-
From what I've read, a number of Yoruba names are unisex, meaning they can be given to males or to females.

-snip-
Olabisi Ogunleye, a Yoruba woman who I met decades ago in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, suggested that I use the vowel sounds for Spanish for Yoruba pronunciation (for instance "a"= "ah", "e"= "a", "i"="e", "o"=oh, "u"=oo". This may not be the way that Yoruba vowels are always pronounced.

-snip-
Most of the Yoruba names that are found online are given without the accent mark or accent marks that they have in Yoruba writing. I assume that those marks determine how those names are pronounced.

I'm not sure if there is a standard rule for which syllable in Yoruba words/names is usually emphasized. Although it probably isn't correct, I've gotten into the habit of applying the same rule for pronouncing Yoruba (and other non-English languages) that Americans (people in the United States) use for most "English" words, including names: Put the emphasis on the second to the last syllable. Using that rule, the name "Olatunji" is pronounced "oh-lah-TOON-jee.", but that may not be the way that Yoruba name is supposed to be pronounced.

I'd love to know how these words are really pronounced by Yorubas.

-snip-

The 1959 vinyl record Drums Of Passion by Yoruba drummer, educator, social activist, and recording artist Babatunde* Olatunji (April 7, 1927 – April 6, 2003) introduced many Americans to Nigerian music. Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babatunde_Olatunji.for a Wikipedia page about Olatunji.

*"Babatunde" = "baba" (father) + "tunde" = "come again" or "returned"

**
"Babatunde" is a reincarnation name that I assume is usually just given to males. "Olatunji" is also a Yoruba reincarnation name.

****
PARTIAL LIST OF NAMES WITH "OLA" PREFIX OF SUFFIX
Pancocojams Editor: My notes are given in italics.

From http://www.nairaland.com/1506134/lists-yoruba-names-english-meaning

Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by Mintayo(m): 8:31pm On Nov 05, 2013

[...]

"A

Adaramola; one who complements wealth with beauty
Abiola/ Abimbola/Abisola; one born into wealth
Adebola; the crown meets with wealth
Adebukola; the crown has added to wealth
Adedamola; the crown is mixed with wealth
Adedaramola; the crown associates with (complements) wealth well
Adegbola; the crown carries wealth
Adenola; the crown owns wealth
Adeola; crown of wealth
Aderinsola; the crown walks into wealth
Adesola; the crown makes wealth
Adetola; the crown is the worth of wealth
Agboola; the stage/platform of wealth
Aibinuola; one who is not antagonistic of wealth
Akinola; valor of wealth
Aralola; family (relations) is wealth
Ayantola; drumming is the worth of wealth
Ayoola; the joy of wealth
Ayotola; joy is the worth of wealth

B
Babalola; father is wealth
Babasola; father makes wealth
Babatola; father is the worth of wealth

There are no names that begin with "c" in this list.

D
Durodola; wait for wealth

E
Ebudola; insults have become wealth/honor
Emiola; the spirit of wealth
Eniola; person of wealth
Ereola; the benefit/advantage of wealth
Eyitola; this (one) is the worth of wealth

F
Fehintiola; rest/relax on wealth

There are no names in this list that begin with “g” and have the element “ola” and there are no names in this list that begin with "h".

Update Feb 19, 2020: Hat tip to Olanrewaju S. Olayinka for sharing the name "Goriola" which means "ascend Wealth' or 'climbs up to wealth".

I
Ibilola; childbirth is wealth
Ibisola; childbirth makes wealth
Ipadeola; assembly of wealth
Iretiola; hope/anticipation of wealth
Iyiola; the prestige of wealth

J
Jejeolaoluwa; the wealth of God is gentle/restful
Jenrola; let me find wealth
Jokotola; sit with wealth

K
Kofoworola;he does not buy wealth with money
Koyinsola; put honey into wealth i.e. experience sweet wealth

M
Makanjuola; do not be in a hurry to get wealthy
Meraola; I did not buy wealth
Mofeyisola; I use this (one) as wealth
Mogbadunola; I enjoy wealth
Mojirola; I awoke to see wealth
Mojisola; I awoke to wealth
Monilola; I have a share in wealth
Mopelola; I am complete in wealth
Morohunfola; I bestow something on wealth
Morolayo; I have found wealth to rejoice over

There are no names in this list that begin with "n". However, "Niniola" is the name of a popular Nigerian singer. According to https://www.nairaland.com/1288918/traditional-yoruba-names-meanings/3, "niniola" means 'a child that brings wealth'.

O
Obasola; the king makes wealth
Okikiola; fame of wealth
Ola; means wealth.
Olabamidele; wealth accompanies me home
Olabamiji/Olabanji; wealth wakes with me
Olabanwo; wealth looks after (this) for me
Olabimtan; wealth beget me complete
Olabisi; wealth has given birth to more
Olabode; wealth has arrived
Olabosipo; wealth returns to its position
Olabukunola; wealth adds fully to wealth
Oladahunsi; wealth responds to (me)
Oladapo; wealth associates/affiliates
Oladayo; wealth becomes joy
Oladega; wealth arrives the palace
Oladeinde/Olasehinde; wealth has returned
Oladeji/Oladimeji; wealth has becomes two/double
Oladejo; wealth becomes eight
Oladele; wealth has come home
Oladepo; wealth arrives its rightful position
Oladiji; wealth becomes a refuge
Oladipo/ Oladipupo; wealth has become plenty
Oladiran; wealth becomes a heritage
Oladitan; wealth becomes a story
Oladokun; wealth becomes (as wide as) the sea
Oladosu;wealth becomes month
Oladotun; wealth has become renewed
Oladunjoye; wealth is sweeter than titles
Oladunni; wealth is sweet to have
Oladurotoye; wealth stays with titles
Olafimihan; wealth shows me off
Olagoke; wealth ascends a hill
Olagunjoye; wealth is superior to titles
Olagunte; wealth ascends the throne
Olaide; wealth turns to come
Olaitan; wealth is inexhaustible
Olaiya; wealth of a mother
Olajide; wealth awakes to come
Olajire; wealth awakes to goodness
Olajobi/Olajumobi; wealth unites to give birth to
Olajumoke; wealth unites to pamper
Olakanmi; wealth has touched me/I am entitled to wealth
Olakitan; wealth does not finish
Olalekan; wealth has increased by one
Olalere; wealth has benefits
Olamakinde; wealth has brought the warrior
Olamide; my wealth has come
Olamiji; my wealth has awoken
Olanifesi; wealth has love for me
Olanipekun; wealth is endless
Olaniyan; wealth has its pride
Olaniyi; wealth is honorable
Olanlesi; wealth is increasing
Olanrele; wealth is going home
Olanrewaju; wealth is moving forward
Olansile; wealth opens a house
Olaoluwa; wealth of /from God
Olaosebikan; wealth does dwell exclusively in one place
Olaoti; wealth does not fade
Olaoye; wealth of the titled one
Olapademi; wealth meets with me
Olapeju; wealth is full of value
Olapitan; wealth tells a story
Olasimbo; wealth escorts me
Olasubomi; wealth has overwhelmed me.
Olasunmbo; wealth moves closer to me
Olasunkanmi; wealth moves nearer to touch me* [A commenter on page 4 of this discussion gave this corrected meaning: “wealth is closer to me”]
Olasupo; wealth clusters together
Olatelemi; wealth follows me
Olatemina; I also deserve wealth
Olateju; wealth is abundant
Olatidoye; wealth has become a title
Olatokunbo; wealth from across the sea
Olatoun; wealth is worth strife
Olatunbosun; wealth has once more shifted (forward)
Olatunji; wealth has been revived
Olawale; wealth come home
Olawuwo; wealth is heavy
Olayemi; wealth befits me
Olayikanmi; wealth turned to touch me
Olayiwola; wealth twists into wealth
Olayinka; wealth surrounds me
Olayonu; wealth has burdens
Ololade; wealthy person has arrive
Oluwabusola; God adds to wealth
Oluwadamilola ; God makes me wealthy
Oludolamu; God is the custodian of wealth
Olufolake; God takes care of this (one) with wealth
Olufolasade; God has uses wealth as a crown
Oluwafoyinsolami; God adds honey to my wealth
Olufunmilola; God gives me wealth
Olukolade; God brings wealth
Olusola; God makes wealth
Olutomilola; God is enough wealth for me
Omojola; child is greater than wealth
Omolola; children are wealth
Omopariola; children are the completion are wealth
Omosunsola; child moves nearer to wealth
Omotola/Omotolani; a child is as worthy as wealth
Omowafola; child is deatined [typo correction destined] for wealth
Òrédola; friendship becomes wealth
Oridola; head has become wealth
Oriola; head of wealth
Oyebola; title meets with wealth
Oyenola; title has wealth
Oyindamola; honey is mixed into wealth
Oyindasola; honey pours into wealth
Oyinkansola; honey drips into wealth

P
Popoola; highway of wealth

There are no names given in this list that begin with "q" or "r".

S
Sijuwola; look in the direction of wealth

T
Tewogbola; stretch out your hands to receive wealth
Titilola; endless wealth
Towobola; dip your hand into wealth

There are no names in this list that begin with "u" or v.

W
Wuraola; gold of wealth

There are no names in this list that begin with "y" and contain the element “ola”.

ps:edited,sorry if you name is not included.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/omoodua"
-snip-
I clicked that link and couldn't see any pages since I'm not on facebook.

****
nairaland.com is an online discussion thread for (mostly) people from Nigeria ("Naira" is a colloquial way of saying "Nigeria". However, the colloquial term "naija" appears to be used more often, at least online.)

Here are a few selected comments from that fifteen page discussion thread (Note that some of these comments refer to the general subject of Yoruba name meanings.) I've numbered these comments for referencing purposes only:

1.
From http://www.nairaland.com/1506134/lists-yoruba-names-english-meaning/2
"Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by isalegan2: 3:07pm On Nov 09, 2013

Passing Shot: Not attempting to discredit your effort but you've given literary meanings to many of the names. It doesn't work like that in many cases. For instance, "Yewande" cannot be literally translated to "mother looked for me". I'm sure you know it doesn't really mean that. It's actually a name given to a girl whose grand mother just passed away shortly before her birth. Yorubas use it more as a symbol and remembrance of the event rather than anything else.
Cheers.

Correct. Yewande means the same as Yetunde and Iyabo.

There are Yoruba names that have different spellings but actually mean the same thing. E.g., (Omo)Taiwo, Taiye(wo).

Nice thread."

**
2. Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by tpia5: 3:09pm On Nov 09, 2013
..."the list is not a comprehensive one, just a compilation from the op and his or her crew."
-snip-
"op" = original (first) poster (commenter)

**
3. Re: List Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by isalegan2: 3:17pm On Nov 09, 2013
..."The OP didn't indicate that he/she is responsible for compiling the list. A Facebook page is credited."

**
4.
From http://www.nairaland.com/1506134/lists-yoruba-names-english-meaning/3
Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by Mintayo(m): 3:31pm On Nov 09, 2013
"Guys pls this thread was not created to cause Tribal wars o,we are all ONE,i just want ppl to see the beauty in naming their children indigenous names instead of the usual 'English' names..."

**
5. Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by PAGAN9JA(m): 3:34pm On Nov 09, 2013
...."THE OP IS BIASED!

ANY NAMES WHICH HAVE TO DO WITH YORUBA RELIGION WAS LEFT OUT! AND THOSE NAMES ARE VERY COMMON ONES!"
-snip-
This discussion thread included heated comments such as this one about the lack of Yoruba names with a prefix or suffix of a Yoruba orisa (also given as "orishas", meaning gods/goddesses). However, note that this list does include examples of given names/surnames that include the Yoruba names for the Supreme God [Olorun; Oluwa].

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/10/a-partial-list-of-yoruba-names-that.html for a pancocojams post on examples of Yoruba given names/surnames that include the prefix "Ogun". Check "Yoruba names with orisa prefix and suffix" tag for other posts like this that I'll publish on pancocojams soon.

**
6.
From http://www.nairaland.com/1506134/lists-yoruba-names-english-meaning/3
Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by kola639: 3:32pm On Nov 09, 2013
lol my name 'KOLA' or in full 'KOLAWOLE' is not on the list.

But i dont worry cos my name is still d most popular Yoruba name. Dont argue wit me. Just go thru ur textbooks, movies, novels, story books etc. Kudos to d person who copied & pasted these names!"
-snip-
From www.onlinenigeria.com/nigeriannames/ad.asp?blurb=3370
"Kolawole translates to "Wealth has entered" in English. It is common with the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria and primarily used by Unisexs"

**
7.
From http://www.nairaland.com/1506134/lists-yoruba-names-english-meaning/7
Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by richy1473(m): 5:17pm On Nov 09, 2013
..."You better thank your STAR(or 33),my name is there....but how come the most popular name in YORUBALAND(virtually every family has someone bearing the name); KOLA is not there?"

**
8. Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by madan(f): 5:58pm On Nov 09, 2013
"You omitted my name now, haba! Well, my name is Oluwagbemisola, meaning God put me into wealth....."

**
9. Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by tinuolababy(f): 6:04pm On Nov 09, 2013
"Tinuola -within wealth"

**
10. Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by MrBravo(m): 6:10pm On Nov 09, 2013
"My surname is Oladiti.....still searching for the meaning"

**
11. Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by Afolabs101: 6:26pm On Nov 09, 2013
"Afolabi = A fi ola bi = we used wealth to born literally, however my dad says it is loosely translated to "a child with honour is born"

**
12. Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by tbag007(m): 6:39pm On Nov 09, 2013
"Hey guy, you did not include olataka, olaraka, olatikakaragbada.( These are names given to children that are born witch)".[correction of typo “rich”]

**
13.
From http://www.nairaland.com/1506134/lists-yoruba-names-english-meaning/9
Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by Nobody: 8:43pm On Nov 09, 2013
"There's no way d op can include all names especially surnames ( traditional names). He is just trying to tell us Yoruba names have sensible meanings and cultural back ground..
Thanks for mentioning my surname anyway."

**
14.
From http://www.nairaland.com/1506134/lists-yoruba-names-english-meaning/11
"Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by Bomi(m): 11:13pm On Nov 09, 2013
The compiler tried, but he should have do some research on the meaning of those Yoruba names. As some of those name does not mean the same as the literary interpretations."

**
15.
From http://www.nairaland.com/1506134/lists-yoruba-names-english-meaning/12
Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by rrhostomy(m): 5:02pm On Nov 10, 2013
"I no see my name, Olarotimi meaning Wealth stays with me. #okbye"

**
16.
From http://www.nairaland.com/1506134/lists-yoruba-names-english-meaning/13
"Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by ladionline: 11:34am On Nov 11, 2013

gracy83: Okunola------- rope of wealth

"chord [typo correction: "cord"] of wealth,
sea of wealth. possibilities."

**
17.
From http://www.nairaland.com/1506134/lists-yoruba-names-english-meaning/14
"Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by Mintayo(m): 5:11pm On Jan 03, 2015

lindapace28:
This list don't reveal the gender of names. Find here a complete list of Yoruba names with meaning and numerology- gender wise.
"http://www.babynamescube.com/yoruba-baby-names”

Some names are not limited by gender. So attaching gender is not so relevant"

**
18.
From http://www.nairaland.com/1506134/lists-yoruba-names-english-meaning/15
"Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by lindapace28: 7:00pm On Jul 31, 2015
By custom, Yoruba children are named in a ceremony that takes place 7 days after their birth. The names of the Yoruba children are traditionally found by divination performed by a group of Babalawo, traditional Ifa priests, but in recent times names can also come from those of ranking members of the family, including the father, mother, grandparents, or next of kin. Both the mother and father and other next of kin can give their own favorite names to the child. Yoruba Baby names often come from the grandparents and great grandparents of the child to be named.

http://www.babynamescube.com/yoruba-baby-names"

**
19. "Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by toychemmy(f): 10:58am On Sep 07, 2015
Oladiti is the short form of Oladitiwa....... Which is wealth has become ours."

**
20. Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by Oluwa2mininu(f): 9:49pm On Apr 28, 2016
"Oluwafisolami Meaning God has add to my wealth
Omotola/Omotolani; a child is as worthy as wealth.

A child cant be comparable with wealth, he/she is more than worthy of wealth. People will go at length and spend countless sums of money to conceive a child. That is why, the name, Akanimo (Akaninyene as well) means "Greater than wealth" It means the bearer of the name, "Akanimo" (Akaninyene inclusive) is greater than wealth. And I LIKE that."

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome. 



Visitor comments are welcome.

Chiké - Roju (Nigerian love song with An English translation and notes about some of the Igbo & Nigerian Pidgin English words/phrases)

Official Chike, June 9, 2021

On the visual for Boo of the Booless' biggest hit "Roju", Chiké celebrates enduring love and diverse cultures with a wedding extravaganza.

Directed by Pink for Pinkline Films

[...]

"Boo of the Booless" the critically acclaimed debut album by Chiké

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents information about Nigerian singer Chiké and showcases the official YouTube video for his song "Roju" which was released in his first album entitled "Boo of the Booless".

This post also includes an English translation of the Igbo and Nigerian Pidgin English lyrics to this song along with my notes about that translation.

The content of this post is presented for entertainment, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Chiké for his music and thanks to all those who are associated with this video. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT CHIKE
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chike_(singer)
"Chike-Ezekpeazu Osebuka (born January 28, 1993), popularly known by his stage name CHIKE, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and actor. He is known for participating in the Nigerian reality competition Project Fame West Africa and finishing in second place on Season 1 of The Voice Nigeria.[1] Chike made his acting debut as Mayowa Badmus on the Africa Magic Showcase telenovela Battleground.[2]"...

****
TWO COMMENTS THAT EXPLAIN THIS SONG 
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19WTWVw15n0&ab_channel=OfficialChike

1. Carine_ Joseph_, 2021
"Love the fact he incorporated the three main Nigerian cultural traditional weddings.

Igbo

Hausa &

Yoruba."

**
2. Midé, 2021
"I was smiling all through. What a wonderful representation of love/marriage across cultures in Nigeria. Thank you, Chike. You made my day."

****
PANCOCOJAMS NOTE #1
The lyrics that follow are musixmatch's English translation of Chiké's song "Roju". I'm African American and don't know Igbo or Nigerian Pidgin English. However,  based on the limited amount of reading that I've done about certain Nigerian Pidgin English words, I believe that
musixmatch's translations of some of the words/phrases (or their overall meanings) don't fit the spirit of that song as well as other English translations could have. I also think that that translation could have left in certain Igbo or Nigerian Pidgin English words (such as the female's name and the phrase "Shakara for me".

I've added an asterisk/s for some of those words/phrases and I have added online explanations or my comments in the section below these lyrics that I've labeled "Pancocojams Notes #2.

**** 
LYRICS: ROJU
(Songwriter: Chike Ezekpeazu Osebuka)

What am I looking for
Do you know that God has blessed me
He give me you
Give you me
What am I what am I looking for

I say my God has blessed me
He give you me, give you me.

Is this how sweetness taste
Is this how succulent it is
My baby you will know you will love me
Daughter of grace*
Precious egg, precious egg**
When I call you [dance shakara] for me***

Ro ro ro roma
I will be your Romeo
You will be my Juliet

Give me your heart
I won't run away
Show me your love, I won't play with you.
Carry me and go, I will follow****
Follow me go
Me and you me and you
It's me and you baby oh

Is this how sweetness tastes
Is this how succulent it is
My baby you know you will love me
Daughter of grace*
Precious egg, precious egg**
When I call your name, form for me***

Ro ro ro roma
I will be your Romeo
You will be my Juliet
Ro ro ro roma
I will be your Romeo
You will be my Juliet
Fullness, fullness, fullness *****

Ro ro ro roma
I will be your Romeo (precious egg)**
You will be my Juliet
Ro ro ro roma (daughter of grace)*
I will be your Romeo (precious egg)**
You will be my Juliet

Dance 
Leave me let me dance ******
Dance 
Leave me let me  dance
Dance 
Leave me let me dance
Dance
It's because of my baby
Dance
Calling you to form***
Dance
Calling you to form***
Dance
Do your body the way you do
Dance (My love my baby)

Daughter of grace*
Precious egg**
Daughter of grace*
Precious egg**
Daughter of grace*
Precious egg**
Daughter of grace*
Precious egg** 

Source: https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Chike-2/Roju/translation/english
This page also includes the original lyrics. A Spanish translation and a French translation are also available on a musixmatch.com page.

****
PACOCOJAMS NOTES #2
Here are my notes about musixmatch.com's English translation of certain words and phrases in Chiké's song "Roju". 

*"daughter of grace"* is musicmatch's translation of  the Igbo female name "Adaugo". 
Here's some information about that name from  https://www.allbabynames.com/m/BabyName/African/Adaugo.aspx :
"Adaugo -Meaning: Daughter of the crown, esteemed daughter (Igbo, Nigeria)."

Here's some information about that name from https://www.names.org/n/adaugo/about
"A user from Canada says the name Adaugo is of Nigerian origin and means "'First daughter of an Eagle (King)' literally, but connotes 'Daughter of the crown(princess)'".

According to a user from Nigeria, the name Adaugo is of Nigerian origin and means "princess of the crown or first daughter".

According to a user from New York, U.S., the name Adaugo is of African origin and means "Princess;First born".

2 people from the United Kingdom agree the name Adaugo is of Igbo origin and means "Princess"."
-snip-
Although the name "Adaugo" isn't known in the United States, I would have preferred that that name would have been kept in that English translation or tjat "Adaugo" would have been replaced by the name "Ada" which is familiar in the USA and in other English speaking nations in Europe and elsewhere.  

** "precious egg" musixmatch's translation of  the Igbo name "Akwaugo". 
Here's information about "Akwaugo" from http://www.babynology.com/name/akwaugo-f.html 
"Akwaugo" is made up of two words Akwa which means "egg" and ugo which means "eagle". The name means the egg of an eagle literally but figuratively it means "rare", "precious", and whatever you can connect with the fact that the eagle's egg is rarely seen by humans".

Notwithstanding this literal meaning , I think the term "precious one" would fit the spirit of the song much more than the term "precious egg".   

***
*** "form for me" and "calling you to form" 
These phrases make no sense in English. They are supposedly translations of the Nigerian Pidgin English phrase "Shakara for me". 

Here's a definition of "Shakara for me" from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?:\term=Shakara
"Shakara

To show off. Word derived from a popular Fela Kuti song titled "Shakara Olu Oje". Commonly used amongst Nigerian youth.

-sucks teeth- Ibeyemi waitin de shakara for now.
trans from pidgin English: Ibeyemi, why are you showing off?”
by Naija girl June 17, 2005
-snip-
As it is used in Chiké's song "Roju", "Shakara for me" is a positive request for his bride to show her best dance moves. My suggestion is to leave that Nigerian Pidgin English phrase in any English translation of this song.
 

****"Carry me go"
"Carry go" is a Nigerian Pidgin English phrase whose meaning/s may have changed overtime. I think that "carry me go" in this song means something like "You lead the way".

*****"fullness" is musixmatch's translation of the Igbo word "uju".  I think that the word "completely" fits the spirit of this song better than the word "fullness".

 ******Leave me let me dance is musixmatch's "translation" of the Nigerian Pidgin English phrase "Leave me make I dance".  I think the translation "Let me show you how I dance" (with the understood meaning "Permit me to show you how I dance") better fits the spirit of that song. 

Please add your suggestions, corrections, and other comments below.

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

What The Nigerian Igbo Name "Chimamanda" Means (with information about & examples of other Nigerian Igbo names that include the "chi" element)

Official Flavour, Dec 3, 2017

Flavour presents the mind blowing visuals for his smash hit “Chimamanda," that was shot and directed in Enugu, Nigeria.
-snip-
As of Feb. 16, 2021 at 7:06 AM ET this YouTube video has a total of 13,084,487 views.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/08/igbo-names-that-reference-god-nigeria.html for a closely related 2016 pancocojams post entitled "Igbo Names That Refer To God" (Nigeria, West Africa)

****
This pancocojams post showcases the official YouTube video of the 2017 Nigerian religious song "Chimamanda" by Flavour. 

This post also includes some of the discussion thread comments from that video that refer to the word and name "Chimamanda".

The content of this post is presented for cultural, religious, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Flavour for his music. Thanks to all those who are associated with this showcased video and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THAT VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcckztwxdTY&ab_channel=OfficialFlavour

These comments are given in relative chronological order, based on their publishing date with the oldest comments given first, except for replies. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.  

2018

1. Anyesi
"Nice song; can someone tell me what the word Chimamanda mean please?"

**
Reply 
2. Angelica kweku
"My God will not  fall.

Kind of  saying,  my  God is very, very  reliable!!!

That's  why people  name  their children,  Chimamamda. Just to stress  that  they  have  a  reliable  God.May be they went or were going through  challenges  before or  around the  time that  child  was born and  survived the  challenges"

**
4. JoStylin
"For the non-Igbo speakers, 'Chimamanda' is the Igbo word for 'my God will never fail'. In the ancient Igbo religion, there is what is called the 'Chi'. The word 'Chi' translates as your guardian angel or personal spirit.  For no human being walks alone on this Earth. The supreme God and creator (Chukwu) assigns one’s Chi before and at the time of birth, which remains with us for the rest of our lives on Earth. This is the reason why most Igbo names being with 'Chi' - Chimamanda, Chigozie, Chika, Chinedu etc. It is very important that whilst on this earth, you establish a deep rooted connection with your 'chi' (guardian angel), because it marks the begginning fo your spiritual journey. Your chi is the path to a more peaceful life and serves as the path to a deeper connection with Chukwu."

**
Reply
4. Kelly Mir
"JoStylin Chi and chukwu is still the same thing, it doesn't matter weather it's chi or Chukwu...don't try to make it look like it's a different word and meaning"

**
Reply
5. JoStylin
"@ Kelly Mir....That's your opinion which I respect. However, I get my knowledge from the great Igbo writer Chinua Achebe. According to him 'Chi' is a sub-deity functioning as a personal or spiritual God found within an individual or a guardian angel. Chukwu, on the other hand, is the supreme God and creator, the greatest of all the 'Chi'. The God above all other Gods and sub deities."

**
Reply
6. JoStylin
"@iamempressfiresign... From my understanding, Throughout the song he names quite a few different people and anoints them saying 'god will never fail you'. TB Joshua was one of those he named. My Igbo is not 100% up to scratch so maybe someone else will correct me."

**
Reply
7. Martez Uwa
"Your write up are good ,, but we all know that chi is God and that’s exactly what flavour meant , my name as well is Chinedu"

**
Reply 
8. Edmond Ikeh
"JoStylin explanation was excellent. You're also right that in common Igbo Chi is also a synonym to God. That does not take away the fact that chi is a guiding or guardian spirit and we all will agree that God is a spirit."

**
Reply 
9. Bernard Mumbi
"while i have learnt something and i like this language m Zambian but i like the lyric of igbo i want to learn from a proud nigerian like you Dear words like chinege,onyoma, ikukwa,ekukwee,dike, nyemechi,chinele,inemema,onafyoo,"

**
Reply 
10. Edmond Ikeh
"JoStylin explanation was excellent. You're also right that in common Igbo Chi is also a synonym to God. That does not take away the fact that chi is a guiding or guardian spirit and we all will agree that God is a spirit."

**
Reply 
11. Edmond Ikeh
"Bernard Mumbi if I can make proper inference, some of the Igbo words or phrases you're trying to learn could be perhaps in chinege you meant Chineke = God the Creator; onyoma you meant onyeoma = the good one; ikukwa I have no idea what you meant; ekukwee you meant Okukwe=faith; dike = great one or powerful one; nyemechi you meant onyemaechi = who knows tomorrow; chinele or chinelo =God the revealer; inemenma (I' na emenma) = you do good things; onafio' = it's buzzing or bustling (usually you hear the Igbo phrase O'gini nafio? meaning what's bustling? or what's going on?). It seems you listen to a lot of Igbo gospel songs, your word choice are commonly used in Igbo Gospel Music. I hope this helps."

**
Reply 
12. Edmond Ikeh
"That's about right. Another way to look at it is just like in English "god" refers to other deities while "God" refers to our heavenly father. chi in Igbo language and culture could refer to your personal assigned spirit at birth, other deities and could also refer to "God". However, for clear distinction we use Chineke = God the Creator. Chukwu ultimately refers to God the Creator alone and no other deity."

**
Reply 
13. JoStylin
"@Edmond ikeh..Thanks for the excellent explanation...I couldn't have explained it better. Most modern day Igbo people loosely or mistakingly use the word 'chi' to reference the supreme God. The reason for that is because they have accepted Christianity, so they have altered the ancient Igbo spirituality. However, in ancient Igbo spirituality 'Chi' was meant for the personal or spiritual God. The ancient Igbos believed that there was a 'god' or guardian angel found in every living thing, including the plants and trees. But there was only one supreme God, the creator of all living things know as 'Ch-ukwu' which translates to the 'Big-Chi'. And if we tap into our own individual 'chi' or spiritual God, we can find the path to the great God 'Chukwu' Chinua Achebe explains this very well in his book -'The Chinua Achebe Encyclopedia' "

**
Reply 
14. chuka chimah
"Excellent explanation, alot of people interchange Chi with Chukwu. But according to our culture everyone has his own Chi like you explained"

**
Reply 
15. African beauties
"dats similar to Christianity too, in Christianity its taught that every individual has a guardian Angel(chi) and their is only one God 

the Almighty (chukwu) that is very interesting."

**
Reply 
16. Mumu Momo
"JoStylin  I appreciate the time you have taken for this explanations.  The destruction of  Igbo cultural values by western colonialism can never be undone, especially with the  overflowing of commercial churches that are witch- hunting everything  traditional in Igboland."

**
Reply
17.Mouha Mehawel
"JoStylin Is it a coincidence that "chi" means vital energy in Chinese Mandarin ? What do you think ? ^ ^"

**
Reply 
18. eze-anayoayor nke izizi
"My parents [n]ame chimezie, meaning God bless me,

My sister Name Chioma meaning good God..

Next sister Ugochi meaning glory of God.

Next sister ogochukwu meaning Gods gift.

Next sister chinenyenwa God is giver of child.

Next brother Chukwuebuka God is great.

Last brother Chibueze God is king.. hardly will see Igbo names without chi or Chukwu to show you our forefathers worshipped the true God   before the coming of White's,and they worshipped the God of creation called Chukwu okike abima"

**
Reply 
19. Yvonne Adoboje, 2019
"JoStylin wow, I am from South America (French Guyana), we have the same believe. I am from the tribe of Pamaka (my ancester change the name of there tribe to Pamaka).My dear your are soooo right. Thanks for the translation👌👌"

**
Reply 
20. hannah60000, 2019
"Many names also have 'Chukwu'. Many names can also have the 'Chi' replaced by 'chukwu'.

Ogechi or Ogechukwu

Uchehukwu or Uchechukwu

and so on.

When it comes to that my dad says it depends on where you're from in Igbo land (Nigerian Igbos that is). In English those names tend to have a similar translation."

**
Reply
21. hannah60000, 2019
"+king chuks

Exactly, it almost has the same meaning in modern time usage."

**
Reply 
22. Ifeanyi Nwaneri, 2019
"You will be doing yourself a favour if you learn the differences. Chi and Chukwu are not the same thing."

**
Reply
23. flying dove, 2019
"Edu, please don't argue about  it....Chi is different from Chukwu, Is just because some of us don't know much about it..She nailed it...I respect ur opinion though"

**
Reply 
24. Lazarus Uduma, 2019
"Mr Kelly u are wrong.. they are both different. While Chukwu is the creator of universe Chi is as describe by JoStylin"

**
Reply 
25. Marie Ly, 2019
"Thanks for the translate, i thought it was for chimamanda Edochi the author Americana."

**
Reply
26. Thegamerteo05, 2019
"JoStylin i'm a Igbo Child My Igbo name is Chidubem"

**
Reply 
27. Elykia, 2019
"JoStylin I really understand you girl, I’m from Gabon but in our ancient religion too it’s the same, every human being has a guardian angel. They are all working for the Supreme God. They are a lot of small entities working to help human beings on earth and of course Christianity has erased it all. So sad"

**
Reply
28.YoureverBeloved, 2019
"JoStylin, THANKS. You're very right in your reply to Kelly Mir. Your Chi can NEVER be referred to as Chukwu. Although Chukwu CAN be referred to as Chi,  (because He's an embodiment of ALL). Your Chi,  in our culture is YOUR personal Spirit or your personal guardian angel.

Maybe he should go ask an elder in the village, they'll explain it better to him.

I believe he's coming from the angle of directly interpreting the Igbo language to English, forgetting that these things have a deeper meaning than what we gloss above."

**
Reply 
29. Willow Adol, 2019
"Yes, Chinua meaning or wishing that your chi hears and answers/fulfils your wish."

**
Reply
30. kabelo lemogang, 2019
JoStylin thank you so much.. I'm Motswana from Botswana... I love Nigeria so much... Anyway my new name is Chimamanda"

**
Reply
31. BIAFRA IS GREAT Biafran, 2019
"Edmond Ikeh+++ Good  explanation. But the ancient name for the supreme God in Igbo 'Obasi' just like Ibibios call Him 'Abasi'."

**
Reply
32. Nobukhosi Dlamini, 2019
"JoStylin thank u so mch,some of us didnt know dat.that so powerful am frm Zimbabwe bt I so mch luv Nigerians names.when I get married my babies name is gonna b Chimamanda am tellin u,God bless u"

**
Reply
33. jcmadicko, 2019
"JoStylin thank you dear for this highly detailed explanation and education . Can you add more of the names starting with chi...and tell which ones are for Male and female"

**
Reply
34. BIAFRA IS GREAT Biafran, 2019
"jcmadicko+++ Hahaha. And why do you like the names so  much? Let me try!

#Males

1.Chibundu (God is life)

2.Chidubem(God guides me)

3.Chibuzo(God is the way)

4.Chibunna(God is the father)

5.Chiemerie(Godwin)

6.Chibuikem(God is my strength)

7.Chimeremeze(God made me king); et,c.

 #Females

1. Chinyere(God has given)

2.Chinenye(God gives)

3.Chiamaka(God is good)

4.Chinaza(ekpere)(God answers(prayer))

#Unisex

1.Chimaobim(God knows my heart)

2.Chigoziem(God bless me)

3.Chinecherem(God thinks upon me)

4.Chidiebere(God is merciful)

5.Chika(God is greater than all)

Et,c."

**
Reply
35. Angelica kweku, 2019
"JoStylin  BTW,  "chi" has bearing  with Igbo traditional  religion  and  mythology, Long before  European  invasion!"

**
Reply
36. chiedozie ethelbert, 2019
"Chinua means God fights for me"

**
Reply
37. Ikechukwu Ukwuma, 2020
"@JoStylin

I like you comments. You are right Chi in Odinani can refer to personal spirit (spirit that comes with humans at birth), can refer to God or gods (referencing the pantheon of spirits or group of spirits or gods) and it can also refer to light with respect to distinction between day and night (as used in chi efola or chi abuola - daybreak or dawn and chi ejiela - nightfall or dusk). In as much as Chukwu (Chi+ukwu literally meaning God+great or greatest) refers to Supreme God (God of all other Gods in the pantheon), we can also use Chi to reference the Supreme God. it is just like saying God and Almighty God in English, they mean the same thing depending on how you use them in your sentences. However, personal spirit is different from guardian angel. The Guardian Angel in Christianity or Catholicism  refers to an angel assigned to a person to guard and guide spiritually. Personal spirit is more like our spirits or souls.

Our souls or personal spirits look like us, we can imagine them exactly like us in the spirit realm. Now that I think of it, growing up as a catholic, I never imagined my guardian angel as black, I had always imagined "he" looked like Angel Micheal or Gabriel that all look white and male in paintings. By the way, do we have female Angels? Another difference worthy of note between Chukwu and other Chi is that Chukwu doesn't have a gender in Odinani, but other gods that connect us to Chineke or Ezechitoke abiama or Chukwuokike abiama (God the creator) have gender. For instance, Amadioha (God of thunder) is male in his veneration but Ana or Ani (Goddess of earth) is female in her veneration.

The Igbo religion (Odinani) is monotheistic but an inclusive monotheism considering that there are other Gods that connect smaller beings or chi (humans, animals and plants etc) to the supreme being or force or God. In Odinani, Chukwu is not venerated because humans do not consult Chukwu directly, but they connect to Chukwu through these other Gods in the pantheon. That's why there are shrines and statues of Ana and other Gods but none for Chukwu. This is also why Odinana is defined as panentheistic because Igbos believe that Chukwu is divine and pervades and interpenetrates every parts of the universe, in other words God is everywhere and present in everything."
-snip-
I reformatted this comment to increase its readability.

**
Reply 
38. Diri Alig, 2020
"@Kelly Mir before christianity it was a different meaning, different word. Chukwu and chi are two different beings and class of beings Chukwu was the supreme creator (there was only one of him) chi were more like guardian angels there were as meaning of them as there were people."

**
Reply 
39. Mbé Coulibaly, 2020
"Thanks a lot for these explanations. i don't understand the language but i really love Igbo songs. I have always felt deep inside me that there is a strong message behind this song. I am so happy and grateful to know now."

**
Reply
40. Chi Orazu, 2020
"i dont know what u are saying ...the Chi in my name is not a guardian angel or personal spirit...when my parent called me that name, they were thinking of Jehovah, the one seated in heaven....so, this comment is wrong, speak for urself "

**
Reply 
41. Nneka Magdaline, 2020
"@Kelly Mir  If she's wrong, why do we answer 'Chiawųotu' in Igbo land? Have you heard this name before?"

**
Reply
42. Nneka Magdaline, 2020
"@Kelly Mir Have you asked yourself why Chiukwu. Those guardian angels are called chi that's why Igbo people answer  Chiawųotu. Chi could mean Destiny"

**
Reply
43. allison eriwa, 2020
"@iamempressfiresign he said their God will never fail(chiunuamanda) chimamanda( my God will never fail)

Chi gi Amanda (your God will not fail)"

**
Reply 
44. allison eriwa, 2020
"@Eva Gatwiri it's  Adichie which means reconciliation. Chimamanda Ngozi (blessing) Adichie"

**
Reply
45. allison eriwa, 2020
"@Neville Dwayne   the full meaning is Chinuanumogu (God fight for me or God fight my battle for me. But if you cut it to 'Chinua' which means God fight)  Achebe. Ogu means fight"

**
Reply 
46. Patricia Lykes, 2020
"Thanks very much for the translation I was liking it very much when I didn't know what it meant now that I do I really love it and appreciate it I got a hint by really following the video so again thank you"

**
Reply 
47. chi chi a, 2021
"I really wish in Igbo land we can teach and preserve our language and history, it's so interesting. The difference between Chi and Chukwu is so sweet, if understood properly xx."

**
Reply 
48. Reyex7, 2021
"@Bernard Mumbi you got a list 😂

Chineke - The Creator

Ebubedike - One of Valor/Glory

Onyeoma - Good person

Onyemaechi - one who knows tomorrow"

**
49. Sal Vahli, 2021
"I am Chinedu  and I lives in the states. I didn’t know the meaning of my name until I listen to this song and had to google to know the meaning of my name.  Aesthetic song! Proud Igbo!"

**
50. Faith T Chivandire, 2021
"Amen chimamanda 🙏❤"

*️***
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Nigerian Igbos' Comments About Names Beginning With "Chi" & Comments About The Frequent Use Of Chi In Igbo Names

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Revision- Feb. 26, 2022

This pancocojams posts provides a compilation of comments about Igbo names from people writing on nairaland.com [Nigerian] online discussion threads* about Igbo names.

*http://www.nairaland.com/1902797/common-beautiful-names-igbo-tribe

The first section of this post quotes comments about the frequent use of the name element "chi" in Igbo names.

The second section of this post quotes selected comments from those same discussion threads about the frequent use* of sixteen Igbo personal names.

The "frequently given" names [as indicated in these comments] are as follows:

(given in alphabetical order, and not in any ranking order)
Arinze
Chiamaka
Chinedu
Chioma
Chizutere (including versions such as Zicora and Ziteora)
Emeka
Nneka
Nkechi
Ngozi
Ijeoma
Mmesomma (Mmesomachukwu)
Obonna
Uche
Uchenna
Ugonna
Uzor
-snip-
A few additional Igbo names are mentioned in some of the comments in that dicussion thread.

Information about the meanings of these names are given in the Addendum to this post, even if those meanings are included in the comments themselves.

*Note that I've used the term "frequent use" rather than "most popular". It seems to me that "popular" has a positive connotation, but some of the commenters citing the names that are cited in these comments aren't happy about how often those names are given to Igbo children.

The content of this post is presented for etymological, historical, and cultural purposes.

This post is part of an ongoing pancocojams series on African names and naming traditions.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

****
DISCLAIMER:
The comments quoted in this post are the opinions of the commenters on those featured discussion threads.

It appears that most of the people commenting on those discussion threads were Igbos living in Nigeria. At one commenter on one of these discussion threads identified herself as an English woman who is married to a Igbo man.

As an African American who may not be of any Igbo ancestry, who has never been to Nigeria, who has never knowingly been in direct or indirect contact with any Igbos, and who doesn't speak Igbo, I take no position about the general opinions about Igbo naming customs that are given in this post.

The specific names that these commenters cited may not actually have been frequently used the names for all Igbos in Nigeria. Furthermore, if these cited names were (or are still) frequently used by Igbos in Nigeria, they may have been (or may still be) most frequently used by certain age groups, and certain populations of Igbos.

****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
These excerpts are divided into two sections: "General comments about "chi prefix names" and "Specific "frequently given" names".

The excerpts in each section are given in chronological order based on the publishing date of the first comment that is quoted from that particular source. These excerpts are numbered for referencing purposes only as are multiple comments from the same excerpt.

I believe that these discussions are still open for comments. As such, after this pancocojams post is published there may be additional comments on those discussion threads that mention the popularity of specific Igbo names.

****
GENERAL COMMENTS ABOUT 'CHI" NAMES
EXCERPT #1
From http://www.nairaland.com/11383/igbo-names-meanings/10
Re: Igbo Names & Their Meanings by rubi(f): 3:32pm On Jul 15, 2008
"I love igbo names so much but I don't know why they always begin with chi
is it that we love God too much or what."

****
EXCERPT #2
From http://www.nairaland.com/1536317/some-funky-igbo-names-meaning
Re: Some Funky Igbo Names And Their Meaning by odumchi: 5:50am On Nov 30, 2013
..."To be honest, I'm tired of the "Chi craze". We need more diversity".

****
EXCERPT #3
1. From http://www.nairaland.com/1902797/common-beautiful-names-igbo-tribe
Re: Common Beautiful Names From The Igbo Tribe by Afrocatalyst: 6:10am On Sep 16, 2014
"Do we have to put Chi in all the names. I need core igbo names pls for my unborn daughter."

**
2. Re: Common Beautiful Names From The Igbo Tribe by thunder74(m): 6:15am On Sep 16, 2014
Most of the names has "Chukwu" or Chi" before or after.

**
3. Re: Common Beautiful Names From The Igbo Tribe by basille(m): 8:08am On Sep 16, 2014
"All core and authentic igbo names has diminished over times and the little ones remaining is either been contaminated with the word"chukwu/chi" by over religious freaks or englishdized by jobless youth with no comprehension and appreciation of their culture.

**
4. From http://www.nairaland.com/1902797/common-beautiful-names-igbo-tribe/2
Re: Common Beautiful Names From The Igbo Tribe by jcmaiah(m): 6:51am On Sep 16, 2014
"My Igbo name remains the sweetest Igbo name of all time... Chihurumnanya, but since I am male I changed it to Chukwuhurumnanya. In ancient Igbos a mans name don't start with Chi, rather Chukwu. A womans name can end with both chukwu or chi but cant start with it.
Example... Chima=female, chukwuma=male.
again some names that are 99% used by female has male users too.
Example... Chioma=female, Chukwuoma=male.
Chiamaka=female, Chukwuamaka=male.
Igbo name abuses are common in abia state and part of ebonyi. In abia u see a man bearing Chinyere or Chioma."

**
5. From http://www.nairaland.com/1902797/common-beautiful-names-igbo-tribe/10
Re: Common Beautiful Names From The Igbo Tribe by Nobody: 6:31pm On Sep 16, 2014
..."The 'Chi' prefix in igbo names is as old as the igbo race,just that it is rampantly used in contemporary times."

**
6. From http://www.nairaland.com/1902797/common-beautiful-names-igbo-tribe/11
Re: Common Beautiful Names From The Igbo Tribe by bigfrancis21(m): 1:10am On Sep 17, 2014
[begin quote] "thunder74: Most of the names has "Chukwu" or Chi" before or after." [end quote]

"It goes to explain to you the importance and significance of 'chi' in Igbo mythology. Before the introduction of christianity, Igbo people believed every person had a guardian spirit or chi that followed every individual around and helping that individual on his spiritual journey on earth. The concept of chi was so important that it reflected greatly in the names of Igbo people. After the introduction of christianity, the concept of 'chi' was modified to refer to God almighty(chi ukwu = Chukwu)."

**
7. From http://www.nairaland.com/1902797/common-beautiful-names-igbo-tribe/12
Re: Common Beautiful Names From The Igbo Tribe by Nobody: 4:35pm On Sep 23, 2014
"Everything chukwu chukwu"

**
8. Re: Common Beautiful Names From The Igbo Tribe by Vessi: 10:56am On Sep 24, 2014
"we love and respect God. Any problem you have with our culture?"

**
9. Re: Common Beautiful Names From The Igbo Tribe by nnenneigbo(f): 9:59am On Aug 08, 2016
[begin quote] TheArchangel:
"These are the new generation Igbo names with Christian undertones/ beliefs. A whole lot of the names has God as either the suffix or prefix." [end quote]

"I won't name my kids anything with chi, it's too common. I'll go with authentic names like adaobi, ike, adaora etc lol."
-snip-
Pancocojams Editor's note: I believe that "chi" is pronounced the same as the English word "she".

"Chukwa" [chi + ukwa] is another element that is found in many Igbo names. "Chukwa" means "mighty God" and is the Igbo referent (and "Olisa") for the Supreme Deity.

Additional information about "chi" is given below, particularly in the quotes about the meaning of the name "Chioma".
-snip-
ADDED January 23, 2018
EXCERPT #4
From http://www.nairaland.com/674756/list-non-chi-igbo-names
1. "List Of Non-'chi' Igbo Names by ezeagu(m): 5:54pm On May 24, 2011
Some people may be interested in non Chi, Chineke, or Chukwu related Igbo names. Most Igbo names that are listed have 'chi' in them. List names that are rare and old in particular, but have a meaning for them as well please.

Ikenna
Nneka

Achebe - Alachebem = 'Goddess Ala protect me'
Ezeagu (real person's name) = 'King of the leopards'
Iheonukara = 'word of mouth'"

**
2. Re: List Of Non-'chi' Igbo Names by ChinenyeN(m): 6:32pm On May 24, 2011
"This ought to be interesting. Let's see if people are even still capable of coming up with extensive lists of ancient/rare/old/peculiar non-'chi' names. . ."

**
3. http://www.nairaland.com/674756/list-non-chi-igbo-names/2
Re: List Of Non-'chi' Igbo Names by RedCapChief(m): 11:37pm On Nov 21, 2016
Bawss1:
Nice thread

I am in favor of giving the Chi and Chukwu names a rest. I think this should be encouraged so that sense of awe and deep respect which should be linked to anything that remotely has to do with our Creator is restored. Sometimes one shudders when one hears an angry parent calling their misbehaving child to order. Chibuzor, will you stop that nonsense! Nwachukwu shut up there! Although these types of names were given so as to honor or thank the Creator for the child, sometimes in everyday usage we etch away that sense that the names represent."...
-snip-
This comment is written as it was found on that page.

****
COMMENTS ABOUT SPECIFIC FREQUENTLY GIVEN IGBO NAMES
EXCERPT #1
1. From http://www.nairaland.com/11383/igbo-names-meanings/8
Re: Igbo Names & Their Meanings by SoWhat1: 11:26pm On Mar 15, 2008
"Over-used Igbo female names:
Nneka
Nkechi
Ngozi
Ijeoma
Chioma
Uche

Over-use Igbo male names:

Emeka
Obinna
Uzor

No Igbo family is complete without one Nkechi, one Nneka, an at least one Emeka. I went to a house warming an there were 12 females their named Nneka and 8 Nkechis, and it was not a large party. I am not saying these are not nice names with deep meanings, but I would like to see some variety and creativity. Just a thought."

**
2. From http://www.nairaland.com/11383/igbo-names-meanings/14
Re: Igbo Names & Their Meanings by asha80(m): 7:20am On Nov 09, 2011
[beginning quote] "Ileke-IdI:

Arinze is a Yoruba name, dear. Segun Arinze. Or is he mixed? [quote ended]

ignorance.

arinze is a popular igbo name and segun arinze is mixed.

Re: Igbo Names & Their Meanings by Crayola1: 7:21am On Nov 09, 2011
^^
Thank you.

He chose that name because it was suggested by someone that having two ethnic names would make him more "mysterious" to viewers in films

I'm not even Nigerian and I knew this dear, please school up failing has never been cute [kiss emoji]

http://www.modernghana.com/movie/8124/3/many-people-have-bad-impression-about-mesegun-arin.html

And yes he's has an Igbo mother and Yoruba father.

With the full name of Arinze being Arinzechukwu.

Class dismissed. Hit the books"

****
EXCERPT #2:
From http://www.nairaland.com/208039/igbo-baby-names
1. Re: Igbo Baby Names by LoveAlways(f): 3:49am On Dec 16, 2008
"Hey All

What is a nice Igbo baby name for a girl beginning with the letter "C"?

Thanks"

**
2. Re: Igbo Baby Names by Nobody: 2:30am On Dec 17, 2008
"I love th ename Chioma and Emeka.

I'll pro'lly name my angel Chioma. Lovely name"

**
3. Re: Igbo Baby Names by Nobody: 2:45am On Dec 17, 2008
Chioma is way too common. Chinasa is just fine.

Chika, chiamaka, chukwuka . . . beautiful names you can also consider"

**
4. Re: Igbo Baby Names by Nobody: 2:50am On Dec 17, 2008
It's common in naija not here
And why does it matter if it's common? It's the beauty of the name that counts"

****
EXCERPT #3:
http://www.nairaland.com/598034/igbo-names

Igbo Names by jovi: 9:37am On Feb 03, 2011
Pls examples of some uncommon igbo names?.(i.e no Emeka's, ngozi, e.t.c)

Thanks!
-snip-
This comment implies that Emeka and Ngozi are common (i.e. frequently used) Igbo names.

****
EXCERPT #4
From http://www.nairaland.com/1145142/modern-igbo-baby-names
"Modern Igbo Baby Names by Nnenwoke: 12:49am On Dec 29, 2012
So I've been at a loss for Igbo names that speak to me. Don't get me wrong, I love the meaning of our names but I want more than the typical Ugonna, Emeka etc. for our little guy. I've noticed a wave of funky baby girl names and I am hoping to compile a list of fun names for boys. If you know any, please, please share! Thanks everyone."

****
EXCERPT #5
From http://www.nairaland.com/1145142/modern-igbo-baby-names
Re: Modern Igbo Baby Names by Nnenwoke: 6:54pm On Jan 02, 2013
"Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I actually do like Chimezie but again, know quite a few and dearfriend, you have some interesting recommendations. Will see if I can get my husband to buy into any of them. Other suggestions are still welcomed! Thanks again"

****
EXCERPT #6
From http://www.nairaland.com/1536317/some-funky-igbo-names-meaning
Re: Some Funky Igbo Names And Their Meaning by Nobody: 2:01pm On Dec 03, 2013
"Op, u compiled that thing without Mmesomma?!
most of the children born these days have the name."
-snip-
Op= Original poster = the person who started the discussion

“u compiled that thing” = compiled lists of Igbo given names that don't include the element "chi"

****
EXCERPT #7
From http://www.nairaland.com/1902797/common-beautiful-names-igbo-tribeM
1. Re: Common Beautiful Names From The Igbo Tribe by freshness2020: 6:07am On Sep 16, 2014
"Chinedu-God guides!(most popular male igbo names)

[...]

ChiAmaka..God is so beautiful. (one of most populous female igbo names)"
-snip-
This spelling may be a typo. This name is given as "Chiamakaka" without the capital "A" on other online lists and pages that I've found.

**
2. Common Beautiful Names From The Igbo Tribe by officialcharlz(m): 6:51pm On Sep 14, 2014
"Chizutere- God sent.
a favorite among the igbo community, other versions include zicora, ziteora. it is also unisex."

**
3. Re: Common Beautiful Names From The Igbo Tribe by kackar22: 7:20am On Sep 16, 2014
"Why is everybody catefully avoiding Emeka which remains the most widely answered name for the great igbos till today"

**
4. From http://www.nairaland.com/1902797/common-beautiful-names-igbo-tribe/5
Re: Common Beautiful Names From The Igbo Tribe by Vikthor(m): 8:56am On Sep 16, 2014
"Y'all keep forgetting the most popular one...."Uchenna"..

****
ADDENDUM- MEANINGS OF SPECIFIC NAMES MENTIONED IN THIS POST
[These names are given in alphabetical order]

ARINZE (ARINZECHUKWA)
From http://www.nairaland.com/11383/igbo-names-meanings/23 Re: Igbo Names & Their Meanings by bigfrancis21(m): 2:43am On Nov 10, 2013
"Arinze Chukwu means Thank God. This is how it is used in statements in Anambra Igbo - Arinze Chukwu na Emeka a furo m n'olu taata. Thank God Emeka did not see me at work today."

****
CHIAMAKA
From https://www.behindthename.com/name/chiamaka
"Given Name CHIAMAKA
GENDER: Feminine
USAGE: Western African, Igbo
Meaning & History
Means "God is beautiful" in Igbo.
See All Relations · Show Family Tree
Related Names
DIMINUTIVES: Amaka, Chi, Chichi (Igbo)"

****
[Added June 10, 2018]
CHIMAMANDA
In this video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrAAEMFAG9E&t=141s>/a> entitled "Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie addresses Harvard's Class of 2018", Chimananda said that her first name means "My personal spirit will never be broken”. [Read the entry for "Chioma" below for information about the meaning of the Igbo term "chi".

https://nameberry.com/babyname/Chimamanda gives this meaning for that name: The name Chimamanda is a girl's name of Nigerian [Igbo] origin meaning "my God will never fail"

****
CHINEDU
From https://www.behindthename.com/name/chinedu
"GENDER: Masculine & Feminine
USAGE: Western African, Igbo
Meaning & History
Means "God leads" in Igbo."

****
CHIOMA
Here are some comments about the name "Chiona" from https://www.behindthename.com/name/chioma/comments
1. "'CHIOMA' literally means good God. But refering to the ancient meaning of 'Chi' as 'luck', 'destiny' or 'personal god' and 'oma' meaning 'good', 'Chioma' could also mean 'good luck', 'good destiny' or 'good personal god'."
― chomie3 8/9/2005

**
2. "Chioma can also be used for men, I know, I am one, and my name is Chioma."
― Chioma 10/29/2006

**
3. "The name 'Chioma' actually originated from the pre-colonial/Christian Igbo (Eastern Nigeria) society where it was believed that each individual has a personal 'god' that guides him or her. It was believed that some people have bad 'chis' (gods) for example people who die young or people who meet with some form of tragedy in their lifetime. Others were believed to have good 'chis' like those who seem to glide through life without misfortunes. The name 'Chioma' was given as a way of praying for 'good luck' so to say for the new born baby."
― chyike 12/6/2006

**
4. "I feel CHIOMA can still stand for Favor or Goodluck since it is an Igbo name and "Chi" can still stand for luck and "Oma" good which means a luck for good, in the other way "Good luck" and good luck also means favor."
― Anonymous User 2/22/2007

**
5. "The name Chioma means more than just "good God", which is the literal translation. Literarily, it means someone that is "lucky" or "favoured". It originates from an Igbo expression, which translates to "you have good God". When you bear "Chioma" as a name, it means you are "a carrier of a good God", implying that things go well with you wherever you go."
― ChyObasi 4/26/2011

****
CHIZUTERE
(including versions of this name such as "Zicora" and "Ziteora")
From https://ask.naija.ng/culture/what-are-popular-igbo-names-and-their-meaning-i29048.html
"Chizutere – ‘god's envoy’. It is one of the most favorite names among Igbo. There are also such versions as Zicora and Ziteora. This name will be suitable both for boys and for girls."

****
EMEKA
From https://www.behindthename.com/name/emeka
"Given Name EMEKA
GENDER: Masculine
USAGE: Western African, Igbo
Expand Name Links
Meaning & History
Means "great deeds" in Igbo. It also functions as a short form of CHUKWUEMEKA.
See All Relations · Show Family Tree
Related Names
VARIANT: Chuks (Igbo)"

**
From https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Emeka
"Emeka
An igbo (a nigerian language) name meaning "has done well". Usually begins with a prefix (Chi or Chukwu) like Chukwuemeka, Olisaemeka or Nnaemeka all meaning "God has done well".

He was named Emeka as an appriciation to God.*

#amaka#ebuka#chidluka#chiemela#chidinma"

by Anderson Mba July 11, 2006
-snip-
*The commenter gave this sentence as an example of how this word is used. Notice the hashtags that the commenter gave of other [frequently used] Igbo names.

**
From http://www.nairaland.com/11383/igbo-names-meanings/2
1. Re: Igbo Names & Their Meanings by Mzi(m): 6:45pm On Nov 02, 2006
"Hi All,

I am a South African and cannot speak Igbo. What does the name Emeka actually mean? I am a great follower of His Excellency Chief EMEKA ANYAOKU. I have always thought that I would name my son after him. But I need to know the meaning of the name first. Regards, Mzi"

**
2. Re: Igbo Names & Their Meanings by kamsi(f): 12:00am On Nov 04, 2006
"Mzi, Emeka is a shortened word. The full name is chukwuemeka which basically means God's grace or more literally that God has done a wonderfull or marvelous work or deed."

****
IJEOMA
From https://www.onlinenigeria.com/nigeriannames/ad.asp?blurb=3025
"IJEOMA translates to "A SUCCESS WISH. WISHING THE PERSON A HAPPY/GOOD JOURNEY ON EARTH." n English. It is common with the Igbo tribe in Nigeria and primarily used by Unisexs"

****
MMESOMMACHUCKA (MMESOMMA)
From http://www.wivestownhallconnection.com/2013/05/nigerian-igbo-name-for-my-baby.html
"Mmesomachukwu- Mmeso, Oma, Mimi (God's goodness)"

**
From http://www.nairaland.com/598034/igbo-names
1. Re: Igbo Names by Nobody: 3:50pm On Feb 09, 2011
"Mmesomachukwu (Meso for short)"

**
2. Re: Igbo Names by amumex: 4:55pm On Feb 09, 2011
"that is a good name. (Meso)"

**
3. Re: Igbo Names by Nobody: 5:09pm On Feb 09, 2011
"^^ Yep! My neice's name . . . my first daughter's getting it too!"

**
4. Re: Igbo Names by mafolayomi(f): 4:58pm On Feb 10, 2011
"Ujujoan:
sound nice, whats d meaning? unisex?"

**
5. Re: Igbo Names by jovi: 5:06pm On Feb 10, 2011
"Means God's goodness or God shares his love/graces, sho get?"
-snip-
This exchange shows how the name Mmesomachukwu changed from an uncommon name in 2011 (according to this commenter) to a frequently given name according to the commenter quoted in this pancocojams post's Frequently Given Names section, Excerpt #6 (date written Dec 03, 2013)

****
NNEKA
From https://www.behindthename.com/name/nneka
"Given Name NNEKA
GENDER: Feminine
USAGE: Western African, Igbo
Meaning & History
Means "my mother is supreme" in Igbo."
-snip-
I've also found this name's meaning as "my mother is the greatest"

**
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nneka
"Nneka is an Igbo given name, and can also be a short form of the Igbo name Nnemkadi.
-snip-
This page also lists some notable people with the name "Nneka".

****
NKECHI
"Nkechi" is an Igbo name meaning "God's own". This name is primarily given to females
Here are some comments about this name from https://www.behindthename.com/name/nkechi/comments
1. "My daughter's name is Nkechinyere which means "What God has given". Nkechi is actually the short form of Nkechinyere so you know I love this name. The meaning of this name is not right on this website. It means "God's own". The meaning of Nkechi is different from the meaning of Nkechinyere. [noted -ed]"
― Adaobi 12/7/2004

**
"Nke - means 'belongs to'
Chi - God
Nkechi - God's property"
― chigba 1/3/2005

**
3. "The meaning given to the name Nkechi on your website is wrong. Please refer to the comment of Adaobi. She got it right. "Nkechi" on its own means "God's own". Nkechi can also be the shortened form of "Nkechinyere" meaning "What God has given, God's gift, Gift from God". Would you mind making the necessary updating? [noted-ed]"
― chika 3/29/2007

**
4. "Mostly such igbo names are given due to what the parent pass through before having a child, Nkechinyere or Nkechi in short are given when a parent conceive when they less expected, it is said to be God who gave or gift from God."
― Chinweikpe 10/26/2016

****
NGOZI
From https://www.onlinenigeria.com/nigeriannames/ad.asp?blurb=644
"Ngozi
Meaning: Blessed
Ngozi translates to "Blessed" in English. It is common with the igbo tribe in Nigeria and primarily used by Females"
-snip-
Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngozi for other meanings of the word "ngozi" in other African languages

****
OBINNA
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obinna
"Obinna is an Igbo name, or sometimes surname. The name's origin is from the Igbo, located in south eastern Nigeria, and is usually male. Though people from other cultures may bear the name. The direct English translation is, "father's heart".[1]"...
-snip-
"obi"=heart + "nna"=father [in the Igbo language]

****
UCHE
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uche
"Uche is a Nigerian name originating among the Igbo people, which can mean "intention", "will", "mind", or "sense". Variants can include Uchechukwu (which means "God's will" or "God's intention"), Ucheoma (which means "beautiful mind"), and Uchendu (which means "thinking/thought of life")."

****
UCHENNA*
From https://www.onlinenigeria.com/nigeriannames/ad.asp?blurb=1580
"Meaning: The father's will
Uchenna translates to "The father's will" in English. It is common with the Igbo tribe in Nigeria and primarily used by Unisexs"
-snip-
*"Uche" appears to be a short form of the name "Uchenna" and some other names.

I've listed "Uchenna" separately because it was specifically mentioned in the comment given above.

Also, from what I've read, if I'm not mistaken, Uchenna and Uche are most often given to females.

****
UGONNA
From http://www.nairaland.com/11383/igbo-names-meanings/1
Re: Igbo Names & Their Meanings by chinani(f): 8:28pm On Jun 23, 2006
"Ugonna translates "Father's eagle".

Or if God is meant by "Father" than "God's eagle". (But then Ugochi translates to "God's eagle" spot on.)

I've also heard that the meaning of Ugochi is "Divine prestige". The divinity would be God's annointment persay & the prestige would be the eagle so you are the "feather in the cap".

So Ugonna could be "Divine prestige" or "Father's prestige".

Someone, anyone, correct me if I'm wrong. . ."

****
UZOR
[Pancocojams Editor's Note:] ADDED with corrections on January 24, 2018
The commenter who listed "Uzor" as an over-used Igbo male name (in the "Frequently Used Names" section above, Excerpt #1, #1) , didn't give a long form of this name. I found this comment about the name "Chibuzor" after searching for the name that that commenter may have meant:

From http://www.nairaland.com/674756/list-non-chi-igbo-names
[This first comment was written in response to a commenter listing the name "Uzor" as a non-chi name.]

1. Re: List Of Non-'chi' Igbo Names by abagoro(m): 1:43am On May 25, 2011
ezeagu:
"quote Uzor is a 'chi' name. end of quote

Uzor means road and has nothing to do with Chi.Chibuzor or Uzorchi is different."

**
2. List Of Non-'chi' Igbo Names by abagoro(m): 11:14pm On May 25, 2011
quote ifyalways:

Abagworo methinks it shld be "Uzoroma",never seen anyone bearing just "uzor". end of quote
"So Orji Uzor Kalu is actually Uzoroma or Uzoma.Lol@ dat"
-snip-
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orji_Uzor_Kalu
"Orji Uzor Kalu (born April 21, 1960) is the chairman of SLOK Holding and the Daily Sun and New Telegraph newspapers in Nigeria, who served as the governor of Abia State, Nigeria from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2007."...

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

A Partial List Of Yoruba Names With The Prefix "Ifa" Or The Prefix "Fa"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents a small list of Yoruba names with the prefix "Ifa" or the prefix "Fa", a shortened form of "Ifa".

This is the second post in an ongoing series on Yoruba (Nigeria) given names/surnames that include an orisa prefix or suffix and given names/surnames that otherwise refer to traditional Yoruba religion. Click the tag "traditional Yoruba religious given names/surnames" for other pancocojams posts in this series.

I began this series on prefixes and suffixes in Yoruba names with examples of names with the prefix "Ogun" or the prefix "Ifa" because of a comment that was written in 2013 in a nairaland.com discussion on Yoruba names that names that begin with "Ogun" or names that begin with "Ifa" are among the most popular names among Yorubas. (That comment is given below in the section entitled "Comments About Yoruba Religious Names".)

The content of this post is presented for etymological and cultural purposes.

All content remains with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT YORUBA NAMES
Here's an excerpt from the "Yoruba Names And Their Meanings" chapter in Fela Sowande's 1966 book The Mind Of A Nation- The Yoruba Child (Ibadan: Ibadan University, 1966). In addition to the information described in the chapter's title, this excerpt provides specific information about the meaning of "Ifa" and identifies three elements in Yoruba names that refer to "Ifa".

"Page 41
Yoruba names are therefore much more than mere identification tags, much more than mere "luggage labels"; each has a reason (a) for being just what it is; and (b) for being given to a particular individual. Yoruba names embody circumstances of birth, history, family, religion, or some other equally pertinent facts relevant to that particular individual bearing the name. Yoruba names are, in fact, in most cases contractions of whole sentences

[...]

Page 42
Therefore, it is proper and valid to derive the meanings of Yoruba words-certainly of Yoruba proper names-by amplifying them into their original components, thus getting at the meaning of the word, or name, by summation of the meanings of its individual components. This process we might term "derivation through amplification." It is a valid process, but within certain limits only, and with the added proviso that, in amplifying words into their original components, we do not play about with tonal inflections, without clear and justifiable reasons.

But for the moment we are primarily concerned with the distinctive character of Yoruba names. … In Yorubaland, on the contrary, the name itself tell us so many things about that thing or person bearing that name....

Page 43
It is therefore one of the basic characteristics of Yoruba names that they are meaningful in a precise and specific way, and that they contain, virtually, the essence of the nature or being of the thing named, be it a town, or a person, a leaf, an animal, a tree, or even man-made objects like drums, baskets, water-pots, etcetera.

[...]

Note on Numbers 41 to 50 above

"Ifa" has no one definition that is generally acceptable; it is ofen referred to as an oraculrar deity, or as a god of divination, or as something else….
Yoruba traditionalists aver, simply, that "Ifa" is "Oro" "The Word," which was in the beginning, and was with God, and was God, without which was nothing made that was made. As such, Ifa, is a symbolic name for an intangible Spiritual Something, which cannot be confined in language, however subtle, or in speech, however poetic….
In the region of Yoruba proper names, the presence of IFA is made evident by the prefixes: "Odu," "Awo," and "Fa," which is a shortened form of Ifa. Both Odu and Awo symbolise "that which is holy, a sacred Mystery," or

Page 51
imply "the adept" as in the Yoruba term Babalawo" which may perhaps be amplified into "Baba ti o no awo," i. e. "A Father who is in possession of the knowledge of the Mysteries," where "father " is used in the same sense as in "a Catholic Father." "Babalawo" is, however, more properly "Baba ninu awo," or "One who is in the position of Father among those who have knowledge of the mysteries," rather than like someone who has obtained his Master's Degree in our academic world."...
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/11/yoruba-names-and-their-meeanings-by.html for a 2014 pancocojams post which presents the complete chapter on Yoruba names from that book by Fela Sowande.

****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
Yoruba names can be used as given names (first or middle name). Yoruba names can also be surnames (family names; last names), or titles.

**
From what I've read, a number of Yoruba names are unisex, meaning they can be given to males or to females.

**
A Yoruba woman who I met decades ago in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania suggested that I use the vowel sounds for Spanish for Yoruba pronunciation (for instance "a"= "ah", "e"= "a", "i"="e", "o"=oh, "u"=oo". This is probably not the way that Yoruba vowels are always pronounced.

**
Most of the Yoruba names that are found online are given without the accent mark or accent marks that they have in Yoruba writing. I assume that those marks determine how those names are pronounced.

I'm not sure if there is a standard rule for which syllable in Yoruba words/names is usually emphasized. Although it probably isn't correct, I've gotten into the habit of applying the same rule for pronouncing Yoruba (and other non-English languages) that Americans (people in the United States) use for most "English" words, including names: Put the emphasis on the second to the last syllable. Using that rule, the name "Olatunji" is pronounced "oh-lah-TOON-jee.", but that may not be the way that Yoruba name is supposed to be pronounced.

I'd love to know how these words are really pronounced by Yorubas.

****
COMMENTS ABOUT YORUBA RELIGIOUS NAMES
Pancocojams Editor's Note:
Here are two comments from a fifteen page nairaland.com discussion on Yoruba names that began in November 2013.

The original poster [OP] provided a long list of Yoruba given names/surnames, but was criticized by some commenters because that list didn't include any names that began with the names of orisas (orishas), such as names beginning with the prefix "Ogun". However, that list did include names that began with the names or clips of names for the Supreme God in the Yoruba religion ("Oluwa"; Olorun"). Those names are used by Yoruba Christians to refer to God.

1.
From
http://www.nairaland.com/1506134/lists-yoruba-names-english-meaning/3
Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by PAGAN9JA(m): 3:34pm On Nov 09, 2013
..."THE OP IS BIASED!

ANY NAMES WHICH HAVE TO DO WITH YORUBA RELIGION WAS LEFT OUT! AND THOSE NAMES ARE VERY COMMON ONES!"...

**
2.
From http://www.nairaland.com/1506134/lists-yoruba-names-english-meaning/5
Re: Lists Of Yoruba Names And Their English Meaning. by tayooluwole: 4:06pm On Nov 09, 2013
...

what abt the 'Ifa',mayb you can help us with that...

OGUN: GOD of iron...
IFA: oracle beleived in yorubaland(typical yoruba society) to be a messanger and intermediary btw humanbeing and GOD...
OYA: wife of GOD of IRON...
Names having OGUN nd IFA as prefix are undisputeably d most popular nd acient surnames in Yorubaland... I am proud to be OGUNYEMI...dis does nt mean i they worship God of iron oooooo"

****
PARTIAL LIST OF NAMES WITH "IFA" PREFIX
In his chapter on Yoruba names Fela Sowande wrote that "In the region of Yoruba proper names, the presence of IFA is made evident by the prefixes: "Odu," "Awo," and "Fa," which is a shortened form of Ifa."

However, this post only includes ten examples of Yoruba names that begin with "Ifa" and ten examples of Yoruba names that begin with "Fa".

This list was gleaned from http://yorubaname.com/ Yoruba Name.com pages and this post contains all the information that was given for each of these selected names.

There are many more names with these prefixes on those yorubanames.com pages. These examples were randomly selected by me. Unlike most online pages of Yoruba names, examples of names given on yorubanames.com includes (accent?) marks. That said, I'm still not certain how each of those names are pronounced.

I've divided these names into two Parts and assigned numbers to these names for referencing purposes only.

PART #1: PARTIAL LIST OF YORUBA NAMES WITH THE PREFIX "IFA"

1.
http://yorubaname.com/entries/if%C3%A1d%E1%BB%8D%CC%81w%E1%BB%8D%CC%81l%C3%A9
"ifádọ́wọ́lé

Meaning of ifádọ́wọ́lé
Ifá laid hands on this (child for protection).

Morphology
ifá-dá-ọwọ́-lé

Gloss
Ifá - Ifá divination/corpus/priesthood
dá...lé - put on top of
ọwọ́ - hands

Geolocation
Common in:
GENERAL"

****
2.
http://yorubaname.com/entries/If%C3%A1l%C3%A9r%C3%A8
"Ifálérè

Meaning of Ifálérè
Ifá (worship) has gains.

Morphology
ifá-ní-èrè

Gloss
Ifá - Ifá divination/corpus/priesthood
ní - have
èrè - gain, benefit

Geolocation
Common in:
GENERAL"

****
3.
http://yorubaname.com/entries/Ifa%CD%81l%E1%BB%8Dla%CD%81
"Ifálọlá

Meaning of Ifálọlá
Ifa is wealth."


****
4.
http://yorubaname.com/entries/Ifa%CC%81fu%CC%81nk%E1%BA%B9%CC%81
"Ifáfúnkẹ́

Meaning of Ifáfúnkẹ́
Ifá gave me to cherish.

Morphology
ifá-fún-mi-kẹ́

Gloss
ifá - Ifá divination
fún - give
mi - me
kẹ́ - cherish, nurture

Geolocation
Common in:
GENERAL"

****
5
http://yorubaname.com/entries/If%C3%A1l%C3%B2kun
"Ifálòkun

Meaning of Ifálòkun
Ifá is the ocean (is as wide, as deep, as bountiful as the ocean).

Morphology
ifá-ni-òkun

Gloss

ifá - Ifá divination/corpus/priesthood
ni - is
òkun – ocean

****
6.
http://yorubaname.com/entries/Ifa%CD%81l%E1%BB%8Ddu%CD%81n
Ifálọdún

Meaning of Ifálọdún
Ifa is festivity.

****
7.
http://yorubaname.com/entries/Ifa%CD%81lade%CD%81
Ifáladé

Meaning of Ifáladé
Ifa is the crown."


****
8.
http://yorubaname.com/entries/Ifa%CC%81da%CC%81i%CC%80ro%CC%81
"Ifádáìró

Meaning of Ifádáìró
Ifá kept this from going away.

Extended Meaning
A name for a perceived àbíkú child, held back by the powers of Ifá from returning to the land of the dead.

Morphology

ifá-dá-èyí-ró

Gloss

ifa - Ifá (oracle)
dá...ró - stop, hold back
èyí - this (one)"

****
9.
http://yorubaname.com/entries/Ifa%CC%81day%E1%BB%8D%CC%80mi
Ifádayọ̀mi

Meaning of Ifádayọ̀mi
Ifá becomes my joy.

Morphology
ifá-di-ayọ̀-mi

Gloss
ifá - Ifá divination
di - become
ayọ̀ - joy, happiness
mi - me

Geolocation
Common in:
GENERAL

****
10.
http://yorubaname.com/entries/Ifa%CC%81y%E1%BA%B9mi%CC%81
Ifáyẹmí

Meaning of Ifáyẹmí
Ifá suits me

Morphology
ifá-yẹ-mí

Gloss
ifá - Ifá divination
yẹ - befit, fits, suits, is worthy of
mí – me

****
PART #1: PARTIAL LIST OF YORUBA NAMES WITH THE PREFIX "FA"
1.
http://yorubaname.com/entries/Fa%CC%81f%E1%BB%8Dre
"Fáfọre

Meaning of Fáfọre
Ifá speaks positively.

Morphology
ifá-fọ-ire

Gloss
Ifá - Ifá divination/corpus/priesthood
fọ̀ - speak
ire – goodness"

****
2.
http://yorubaname.com/entries/Fa%CC%81%E1%B9%A3%E1%BB%8Dr%E1%BB%8D%CC%80
"Fáṣọrọ̀

Meaning of Fáṣọrọ̀
Ifá makes wealth.

Morphology
ifá-ṣe-ọrọ̀

Gloss
ifá - Ifá (oracle)
se - do
ọrọ̀ - wealth


Geolocation
Common in:
EKITI
GENERAL

Variants
Fásọrọ̀, Fáshọrọ̀"

****
3.
http://yorubaname.com/entries/F%C3%A1k%C3%A1y%C3%A9j%E1%BB%8D
"Fákáyéjọ

Meaning of Fákáyéjọ
Ifá brings the universe together.

Morphology
(i)fá-kó-ayé-jọ

Gloss
ifá - Ifá divination
kó...jọ - gather
ayé - earth, world, people

Geolocation
Common in:
GENERAL"

****
4.
http://yorubaname.com/entries/If%C3%A1ka%CC%81r%C3%A0d%C3%A9
"Ifákáràdé

Meaning of Ifákáràdé
Ifá came with wonders.

Morphology
ifá-kó-àrà-dé

Gloss
ifá - Ifá divination/corpus/priesthood
kó...dé - bring in big batches
àrà - wonders

Geolocation

Common in:
GENERAL

Variants
Káràdé"

5.
http://yorubaname.com/entries/F%C3%A1f%E1%BA%B9%CC%81mi
"Fáfẹ́mi

Meaning of Fáfẹ́mi
Ifá loves me.

Morphology
(i)fá-fẹ́-mi

Gloss
ifá - Ifá divination
fẹ́ - love, want, desire
mi - me

Geolocation
Common in:
GENERAL"

****
6.
http://yorubaname.com/entries/Fa%CC%81di%CC%80yi%CC%81mu%CC%81
"Fádìyímú

Meaning of Fádìyímú
Ifá upheld this one.

Morphology
ifá-di-èyí-mú

Gloss
Ifá - Ifá divination/corpus/priesthood
dì...mú - hold onto
èyí - this (one/child)

Geolocation
Common in:
GENERAL"

****
7.
http://yorubaname.com/entries/Fa%CC%81tu%CC%81nmbi%CC%81
"Fátúnmbí

Meaning of Fátúnmbí
Ifá has given me a second birth.

Morphology
ifá-tún-mi-bí

Gloss
ifá - ọ̀rúnmìlà, Yorùbá god of knowledge, intellect, wisdom
tún - re, again, redo
mi - me
bí - to birth

Geolocation
Common in:
OTHERS"
-snip-
"Others" = various locations in Yorubaland [?]

****
8.
http://yorubaname.com/entries/F%C3%A1b%C3%B3y%C3%A8
"Fábóyè

Meaning of Fábóyè
Ifá meets chiefdom.

Morphology
(i)fá-bá-oyè

Gloss
ifá - Ifá divination/priesthood/corpus
bá - meet
oyè - honour, chieftaincy title

Geolocation
Common in:
GENERAL

Variants

Bóyè, Ifábóyè"

****
9.
http://yorubaname.com/entries/Fa%CC%81s%E1%BA%B9wa%CC%80
"Fásẹwà

Meaning of Fásẹwà
Ifá makes beauty.

Morphology
ifá-se-ẹwà

Gloss
ifá - Ifá (oracle)
se - do, make
ẹwà - beauty, adornment

Geolocation

Common in:
ONDO"

****
10.
http://yorubaname.com/entries/Fa%CC%81sh%E1%BA%B9%CC%80yi%CC%80n
"Fáshẹ̀yìn

Meaning of Fáshẹ̀yìn
Ifá watches (my) back.

Morphology
(i)fá-ṣe-ẹ̀yìn

Gloss
ifá - Ifá divination
ṣe - make, do
ẹ̀yìn - back (when someone isn't around)

Geolocation

Common in:
AKURE"

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.