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HelpRe: Some African names
in reply to a message by Felie
It's not in my wheelhouse, but I'm game to try. Apologies to anyone with real appreciation for African names.
Oluchi -- Sounds vaguely Japanese to my ears. Not my favorite here.
Toanga -- I like it. It reminds me of South Pacific Islands, but that's an easy connection in my mind to Africa. It sounds strong.
Agokunie -- I dislike the "koon-ee" sound, if I'm saying it correctly. It makes me think of a derogatory term for an African-American which makes me uncomfortable. (I'm in the U.S.)
Nkiru -- Neat. I like that I'm forced to use a combination of sounds that I'm not used to. It's very pretty.
Nyah -- Love Nia. I know this is a variant but it makes me want to say it as "NIE-uh" not "NEE-uh." I could like Nyah as a nn for Iphigenia (old British pronunciation). But that would defeat the purpose here.
Nwanneka -- Again, I'm in "new-consonant-combination" territory. It has a very pretty sound.
Alaba -- Reminds me of alabaster, Aladdin and Alban all at the same time. So it's difficult to sort through that and still see it as a feminine African name. I'll have to come back to it later.
Kunto -- Interesting. Male Kunta Kinte of "Roots" fame comes to mind. So I can't see this as a girl's name.
May I offer a few of my favorites:
Shandurai (f) -- ("SHAHN-dur-eye") Got it from Thandie Newton's character in "Beseiged." Hauntingly beautiful. She plays a woman from Ethiopia. I've not been able to find any information on it as to meaning and exact origin.
Johari (f) -- Met one. Couldn't forget it. So beautiful.
Olanrewaju (m0 -- My cousin's name. He's half Nigerian, half English / Irish. He goes by the nn Lanre ("LAN-ree').
:0)
Oluchi -- Sounds vaguely Japanese to my ears. Not my favorite here.
Toanga -- I like it. It reminds me of South Pacific Islands, but that's an easy connection in my mind to Africa. It sounds strong.
Agokunie -- I dislike the "koon-ee" sound, if I'm saying it correctly. It makes me think of a derogatory term for an African-American which makes me uncomfortable. (I'm in the U.S.)
Nkiru -- Neat. I like that I'm forced to use a combination of sounds that I'm not used to. It's very pretty.
Nyah -- Love Nia. I know this is a variant but it makes me want to say it as "NIE-uh" not "NEE-uh." I could like Nyah as a nn for Iphigenia (old British pronunciation). But that would defeat the purpose here.
Nwanneka -- Again, I'm in "new-consonant-combination" territory. It has a very pretty sound.
Alaba -- Reminds me of alabaster, Aladdin and Alban all at the same time. So it's difficult to sort through that and still see it as a feminine African name. I'll have to come back to it later.
Kunto -- Interesting. Male Kunta Kinte of "Roots" fame comes to mind. So I can't see this as a girl's name.
May I offer a few of my favorites:
Shandurai (f) -- ("SHAHN-dur-eye") Got it from Thandie Newton's character in "Beseiged." Hauntingly beautiful. She plays a woman from Ethiopia. I've not been able to find any information on it as to meaning and exact origin.
Johari (f) -- Met one. Couldn't forget it. So beautiful.
Olanrewaju (m0 -- My cousin's name. He's half Nigerian, half English / Irish. He goes by the nn Lanre ("LAN-ree').
:0)
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