Nigerian
names are used in the country of Nigeria in western Africa.
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Aare m YorubaMeans "commander" in Yoruba. Aàrẹ is a title, usually in the military of the Yoruba warriors company. The leader of the company from a clan takes the title when they join up with a coalition.
Abadibo f & m IjawMeans "a person from the sea" in Ijaw.
Abagbe f NigerianThe meaning of Abagbe is we begged to have this one to lift up
Abasiama m & f Ibibio, EfikMeans "it is God that loves" or "God's love" in Ibibio and Efik.
Abayomi m & f YorubaMeans "he came to bring me joy and happiness" or "I would have been mocked" in Yoruba. It is a name given to a child born after a number of unfortunate or near unfortunate circumstances. It is often called in full as Àbáyòmí Olúwaniòjé meaning "I would have been mocked, if not for God".
Abebi f YorubaMeans "begged to be born" in Yoruba, from
bẹ̀ "beg, pray" and
bí "to give birth, be born"... [
more]
Abegunde m & f YorubaMeans "The one who came with the masquerade" in Yoruba.
Abeke f YorubaMeans "one begged to care for" in Yoruba.
Aberuagba m & f YorubaMeans "the one who respects elders" in Yoruba, derived from
a meaning "one person",
bẹrù meaning "fear, be afraid" and
àgbà meaning "elder".
Abike f YorubaMeans "born to treasure" or "born to be pampered" in Yoruba, from
bí "to give birth, be born" and
kẹ́ "to cherish, care for".
Abiona f & m YorubaMeans "born during a journey" or "born into the arts" in Yoruba, from
bí "to give birth, be born" and
sí "to, on" combined with either
ọ̀nà "way, road, journey" or
ọ̀nà "art, artistry, craftsmanship"... [
more]
Aboderin m YorubaMeans "one who walks in the company of hunters" in Yoruba.
Achike m IgboMeans "take the things of the world easy" in Igbo.
Adakole m & f IdomaIdoma name meaning "father of the house", "head of family", or "head of the home". This name is usually given to the firstborn male or female child in Idoma households.
Adaku f IgboMeans "daughter of wealth" in Igbo.
Adaora f IgboMeans "the people's daughter" in Igbo.
Adebisi f YorubaMeans "the crown has given birth to more" in Yoruba. This is the name of the (Nigerian) mother of British musician Seal Samuel.
Adedewe f & m YorubaMeans "the crown has become small" or "one has arrived small" in Yoruba, from either
adé "crown" or
dé "to arrive, come" combined with
di "become, change into" and
ẹ̀wẹ́ "small, thin"... [
more]
Adediran m YorubaMeans "royalty becomes generational" in Yoruba, from
adé "crown" combined with
di "become, change into" and
ìran "generation, lineage".
Adedire m & f YorubaMeans "the crown has become good fortune" in Yoruba, from
adé "crown, royalty" combined with
di "become, change into" and
ire "luck, good fortune, goodness".
Adeike f & m YorubaMeans "one who has crowned your care" in Yoruba, from
adé "crown" and
ìkẹ́ "fondness, care, cherishing".
Adeiza f NigerianName of Nigerian origin, meaning "giver (father) of good things" or "giver (father) of wealth".
Adejugbe m & f YorubaMeans "royalty does not perish" in Yoruba, from
adé "crown, royalty" combined with
jù "does not, cannot be" and
gbé "carry, lift; take by force, overpower".
Adelola f YorubaThe name origin came from Nigeria with the name meaning: "The crown brings honour"
Adeoti m YorubaMeans "royalty does not fade" in Yoruba, derived from
adé meaning "crown, royalty",
(k)ò meaning "does not" and
tí meaning "fade, be blemished".
Adeoye m Western African, YorubaFrom Yoruba adé oyè, which literally means "the crown of chieftancy", and is understood to mean "the crown given to me to celebrate my acquired chieftaincy title".
Aderinsola f & m YorubaMeaning "a crown walks into wealth" or "royalty walks into wealth", from the Yoruba words
adé (crown),
rìn (to walk),
sí (into) and
ọlá (honor, wealth).
Aderonke f YorubaMeans "the crown has found something to pamper" in Yoruba, from
adé "crown, royalty",
rí "to see, find",
ohun "thing, something", and
kẹ́ "cherish, care for".
Adesina m YorubaMeans "the crown has opened the way" or "the one who arrives and opens the way" in Yoruba, usually given to the firstborn child in a family.
Adesuwa f EdoMeans "in the midst of prosperity" in Edo.
Adeyemo m & f YorubaMeans "the crown suits the child" in Yoruba, from
adé "crown, royalty" combined with
yẹ "suitable, worthy" and
ọmọ "child".
Adia f Igede, SwahiliMeans "queen" in Igede and "(valuable) gift" in Swahili, from Hausa
adia "gift".
Adigun m & f YorubaMeans "bound upright" in Yoruba, figuratively "well-planned and successful".
Adio m YorubaMeans "bundled up and stood erect" in Yoruba, referring to someone who stands strong and tall.
Ado m & f YorubaPossibly derived from Yoruba
ádò meaning "medicine gourd". This is also the name of two cities in Nigeria, both with different etymology.
Adole m IdomaMeans "father of the house" in Idoma.
Adubi f & m YorubaMeans "one we struggled to birth" in Yoruba, from
dù "to fight, struggle" and
bí "to birth, be born". Sometimes given to children named
Ige as a nickname.
Aduke f YorubaMeans "one (people) struggle(d) to care for" in Yoruba.
Adunni f YorubaMeans "sweet to have" in Yoruba, from
dùn "sweet, pleasant" and
ní "obtain, have, possess".... [
more]
Aganjusola m Yoruba Mythology, Yoruba (Rare)Means "the one with the stiff face makes honor" in Yoruba. According to Yoruba tradition, this is the name of a warrior king deified after his death, said to fight by shooting fire. He is associated with wilderness, the desert, and volcanoes... [
more]
Agbaakin m YorubaMeans "elderly warrior" or "most senior of the brave ones" in Yoruba, from
àgbà "elder, adult" and
akin "bravery, valour; a brave person, warrior".
Agbeke f YorubaMeans "carried and cared for" in Yoruba, from
gbé "to carry, hold, lift" and
kẹ́ "to care for, pamper, cherish".
Agemo m Yoruba Mythology, Yoruba (Rare)In Yoruba mythology, Agemo is a chameleon who is the messenger of the gods. He is the main deity of the Ijebu people, as he is believed to protect children and safeguard the future of Ijebu people through his blessing.
Aidevo f YorubaMeans "no one can change my destiny but God" in Yoruba.
Aina f YorubaMeans "not to be beaten" in Yoruba, from the negative prefix
àì- combined with
nà "to beat, hit, flagellate; to defeat". Given to children born with an umbilical cord around their neck; compare
Ojo.
Ainose f & m EsanMeans "no one is greater than God" in Esan.
Ajadi m YorubaMeans "ends conflict" or "end of a conflict" in Yoruba.
Ajaero m & f IgboTaken from the Igbo phrase
ana aja gi n’ihu ana ero gi n’azu, meaning "they praise you to your face and mock you behind your back".
Ajaja m & f YorubaMeans "one who fights and escapes" in Yoruba, from
jà "to fight, struggle" and
já "to snap, break off, break loose".
Ajala m & f YorubaMeans "fights and survives" in Yoruba, from
jà "to fight, struggle" and
là "to survive". Alternatively, the final element could be
lá "to lick; to become worn out".
Ajani m YorubaMeans "one (we) fought to have" in Yoruba.
Ajari f & m YorubaMeans "fought to be seen" in Yoruba, traditionally given to children born facing downwards.
Ajayi m & f YorubaMeans "fought to turn" in Yoruba, traditionally given to children born facing downwards or sideways.
Aje f & m Yoruba Mythology, YorubaMeans "wealth, money, profit" in Yoruba. This is the name of a goddess of wealth, prosperity, and business in Yoruba tradition.
Ajewole m & f YorubaMeans "the goddess
Aje has entered this house" or "wealth has come in" in Yoruba, from
ajé "wealth, prosperity" and
wọle "enter into" (itself from
wọ "to enter" and
ilé "house, home").
Ajike f YorubaMeans "wakes up to be pampered" in Yoruba, from
jí "to wake" and
kẹ́ "to care for, cherish".
Ajoke f YorubaMeans "jointly beloved" or "pampered by all" in Yoruba, from
jọ "together, jointly; to assemble, congregate" and
kẹ́ "to care for, cherish".
Akanke f YorubaMeans "especially cared for" in Yoruba, from
kàn "touch, concern" and
kẹ́ "to care for, cherish".
Akanni m YorubaMeans "special to have" or "profitable encounter" in Yoruba.
Akeredolu m & f Western African, YorubaMeans "one who becomes prominent at a young age" or "he who reduces (humbles) himself in order to become king" in Yoruba.
Akinfela m YorubaMeans "bravery expands the coast of wealth" in Yoruba.
Akinleye m YorubaMeans "bravery is honourable" or "valour has dignity" in Yoruba, from
akín "courage, valour; brave person, warrior" and either
ni "to be" or
ní "to have, possess" combined
ẹ̀yẹ "honour, respect, dignity".
Akpo m & f EdoMeans "short person" in Edo.
Akpomofa f & m IjawMeans "the world is not as you think of it" in Ijaw.
Akunna f IgboMeans "father's wealth" in Igbo, from
aku meaning "property, wealth" and
nna meaning "father".
Alabi m & f YorubaMeans "born of the white cloth, born of purity" in Yoruba, from
ala "white cloth, purity" and
bí "to give birth, be born".
Alaere f IjawMeans "queen, woman of substance" in Ijaw.
Alake f YorubaMeans "survived to be cherished" in Yoruba, from
là "to survive" and
kẹ́ "to care for, cherish".
Alara m Yoruba, HistoryPossibly from the title of the traditional monarch of either
Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín or
Ará-Èkìtì, from Yoruba
oni-, a possessive forming prefix, and either
Ìlárá "the ones who possess many relatives” or
Ará, of unknown etymology... [
more]
Alatari m & f IjawMeans "king's love" or "love of royalty" in Ijaw.
Alazidei m IjawMeaning "I have given birth to royalty" in Ijaw.
Alera f & m OgoniMeans "enough" or "it is enough" in Khana.
Altine f HausaFrom the Hausa word
Lī̀tìnîn "Monday". This name is traditionally given to girls born on Monday.
Amari m African, Yoruba, Western AfricanA noted bearer was a Damel of Cayor, Amari Ngoné Ndella, who ruled from 1790 AD to 1809 AD. The Kingdom of Cayor was one of the largest of most powerful kingdoms in what is now Senegal, existing from 1549 AD to 1879 AD.
Amenaghawon f & m Western African, EdoLiterally translated to "the water you shall drink" in Edo, from the proverb
Amen na gha won ighi le se omwan rhae, meaning "the water you shall drink will surely come to be", implying that what is destined to be, will be.
Amobi m IgboMeans “who knows what the people want, one who understands the minds of the people” in Igbo.
Amoke f & m YorubaMeans "known and cherished" in Yoruba, from
mọ̀ "to know" and
kẹ́ "to care for, cherish".
Amusan m YorubaMeans "one who holds the whip" in Yoruba, from
mú "to hold, grasp" and
ìṣán, a kind of whip or cane used in Egúngún (or Masquerade) festivals. Usually given to children born holding the umbilical cord, with a membrane "mask" covering their head, or the third-born of triplets.
Anekwe m IgboMeans "let the gods not agree to bad things" in Igbo.
Anietie m EfikMeans "who could you compare to God?" in Efik.
Anike f YorubaMeans "had to cherish" in Yoruba, from
ní "to have, possess" and
kẹ́ "to care for, cherish".
Anyim m NigerianA notable bearer is Anyim Pius Anyim, a Nigerian politician.
Apeke f YorubaMeans "called to be pampered" in Yoruba, from
pè "to call, summon, invoke" and
kẹ́ "to care for, cherish".
Arachie m & f IgboPossibly means "to have chosen a portion ahead of another; to supplant" in Igbo.
Aret f EfikMeans "born on a market day" in Efik.
Arinola f & m YorubaMeans "one amongst honour" or "in the midst of wealth" in Yoruba, from
àárín "centre, middle" combined with either
ọlá "honour, respect" or
ọlà "wealth"... [
more]
Ariyo m YorubaMeans "one who is seen and rejoiced" in Yoruba, from
rí "to see" and
yọ̀ "to rejoice".
Arukubu f & m IjawMeans "a child born in a canoe" in Ijaw.
Arziki f HausaMeans "wealth, riches; prosperity" in Hausa.
Asabi f YorubaMeans "one selected for birth" in Yoruba.
Asari f EfikThe name Asari, which is originally an Efik name, means "choosy","selective".
Ashe f YorubaFrom Yoruba
àṣẹ meaning "power, authority, command". In Yoruba religion, àṣẹ is the natural power that makes things happen and produces change.
Asipa m YorubaMeans "pathfinder, one who leads the way" in Yoruba, from
ṣí "to open up" and
ipa "path".
Asisat f NigerianThe name of the professional woman football player Asisat Oshoala, playing for FC Barcelona.
Atanda m YorubaMeans "created to shine" in Yoruba, from
tàn "to shine, brighten" and
dá "to create".
Atsen m AfizereAtsen which means"Visitor" is a male given name among the Afizere people of Nigeria. who are predominantly in Jos Plateau and Bauchi State Nigeria.
Auwal m Western African, HausaDerived from Arabic أول
('awwal) meaning "first". This name is commonly given to the first of multiple children with the same name.
Awaran m & f IjawMeans "a child born during the august break in the rainy season" in Ijaw.
Awolaye m & f YorubaMeans "the oracle cannot explain this" or "the oracle cannot lie" in Yoruba, from
ao "oracle, occult, Ifa", the negation prefix
ò, and
ní "to have" combined with either
àyè "explanation, understanding" or
ayè "lie, falsehood"
Ayakpo f & m IjawMeaning "new world or life" in Ijaw.
Ayanti m & f EfikMeans "will you remember me?" in Efik.
Ayebatonye m & f IjawMeans "what God has destined" or "destiny" in Ijaw.
Ayinde m & f YorubaMeans "we gave praises and he came" in Yoruba.
Ayoka f YorubaMeans "one we rejoice to pluck" in Yoruba.
Azibo m NigerianAzibo means “youth” in Nigerian. It also means “Earth” in Egyptian.
Azuka m IgboMeans "the past is greater" or "my back is greater" in Igbo.
Azumi f HausaMeans "month of fasting" in Hausa, traditionally given to girls born during Ramadan.
Bada m YorubaPossibly from Yoruba
bá meaning "togerher with" and
dà meaning "mix". It is likely a short form of another name.
Bade m NigerianThe use of the name in Nigeria is likely due to the Bade Emirate, a traditional state in Yobe State, Nigeria, the home of the Bade people.
Bamikole m YorubaBUILD ME A HOUSE, MEANING: CREATING A STRONG AND CONSTRUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP AMONG PEOPLE AS A FAMILY