By Dr. Chuks Osuji
The Igbo attach great significance to names hence new born babies are given significant and meaningful names. The Igbo invariably do not believe there is nothing in names. Rather, they believe and their culture supports it. A person’s name has a lot to tell about him, his background or about his parents.
The Igbo do not just give names to their babies. They reflect over the whole exercise, make some consultations and in the time past might even consult an oracle or even a diviner. Throughout their history, the Igbo have placed much of emphasis on the type of names they give to their babies.
In the contemporary world including amongst those in Diaspora, they no longer contact the oracle or things like that. They merely reflect over family history, tradition and event and give a name that might suit not only the baby but reminds them of something or give them something to ponder over.
This is why most of the Igbo names have meanings, some of them so cryptic that only the parents can give the correct meanings if they tell their story. Some Igbo names are given only to males, others are given to only females while a good number could be given to both males and females. Since most Igbo names are eventful, they are inexhaustible. That means the Igbo will continue to coin names as long as events continue to happen so long as the Igbo world lives.
For example, four of my children were given names which reminds me and my spouse of some of our (my) experiences in life. My daughter was born immediately after the civil war. And having reflected over the events, challenges and circumstances which we passed through during the civil war, we had no problem giving her the name, “Kelechi “ (be grateful to God) because immediately after the war, most of the children born then were giving names reflecting the experiences and encounter during the war.
Similarly, after passing through horrendous experiences which I encountered as an indigent student in the United States, particularly as I was diagnosed with a terminal eye disease immediately after my master’s degree, when all hope were lost, I managed to obtain a doctorate Degree to the greatest astonishment of my colleagues and contemporaries. My wife and I decided to give our female child that came immediately after my doctorate degree the name, ”Onyechere-who had thought that I would overcome this challenge.”
There is no doubt that many Igbo parents follow this line when giving names to new born babies. In one of my books, “Foundation of Igbo Tradition and Culture” a chapter on Igbo names was added where some names and their ontological meanings were added (Copies still available in our office for Igbo Scholars, students, traditional rulers, etc)
In conclusion, in modern time, many parents have jettisoned the practice of giving their new born babies English names particularly among the educated elite. They have come to realise that no English man or European gives his child an Igbo name such as Chidi, Obioma or Njideka, they seem to query the rationale of giving their newly born babies English names.
Even some have continued and some have begun to change their English names to Igbo names Unfortunately in accordance with their religious belief until today members of the Catholic Church have persisted in giving their newly born babies names reminiscent of Catholic names such as Adolphus, Calistus, Vitus, Fortunatus, etc.
Similarly, Anglican faithful have the tendency to give their new born babies biblical names such as Abraham, Peter for the males and Elizabeth, Esther for the farmlands. By and large, the era of giving our newly born babies foreign names is disappearing and will continue to do so.
Nb: this page is for the promotion of Igbo tradition and culture. Therefore, my readers are free to call me on 08033919188 or send me a WhatsApp message via the same number or email @researchcom3@gmail.com to ask questions on any aspect they want to know more about.
