Nigerian Names
Nigerian names are famous for their meaning. With hundreds of ethnic groups and languages, Nigeria has an enormous naming tradition, but a few patterns stand out: Yoruba and Igbo names are often full sentences of thanks or hope, Hausa names blend Arabic heritage with local day names, and almost every name tells a story about the family.
This hub introduces the main traditions with 70+ examples. For full lists, go to Nigerian boy names, Nigerian girl names or Nigerian last names. You can also explore African names from across the continent.
Nigerian Names: browse all lists
Nigerian names at a glance: our favorites
A quick tour of well-loved names from the three largest groups. Each links to a deeper list: see Nigerian boy names and Nigerian girl names for 100+ of each.
| Name | Meaning | Language / gender |
|---|---|---|
| Ayodele | Joy has come home | Yoruba, boy |
| Titilayo | Eternal joy | Yoruba, girl |
| Chukwuemeka | God has done great things | Igbo, boy |
| Chiamaka | God is beautiful | Igbo, girl |
| Nnamdi | My father is alive | Igbo, boy |
| Adaeze | Princess, first daughter of the king | Igbo, girl |
| Babatunde | Father has returned | Yoruba, boy |
| Folasade | Honor confers a crown | Yoruba, girl |
| Danjuma | Born on a Friday | Hausa, boy |
| Hauwa | Eve, “life” | Hausa, girl |
| Obinna | Father’s heart | Igbo, boy |
| Funmilayo | Give me joy | Yoruba, girl |
| Olumide | My lord has come | Yoruba, boy |
| Ngozi | Blessing | Igbo, girl |
| Chidi | God exists | Igbo, boy |
| Amina | Trustworthy, faithful | Hausa (from Arabic), girl |
| Kayode | He brought joy | Yoruba, boy |
| Chimamanda | My God will not fail | Igbo, girl |
Unisex Nigerian names
Because many Nigerian names are statements about God, family or joy rather than descriptions of a person, lots of them work for any child.
| Name | Meaning | Language |
|---|---|---|
| Temitope | Mine is worthy of thanks | Yoruba |
| Oluwaseun | We thank God | Yoruba |
| Damilola | Make me wealthy | Yoruba |
| Ifeoluwa | The love of God | Yoruba |
| Ayomide | My joy has come | Yoruba |
| Oluwatobi | God is great | Yoruba |
| Opeyemi | Thanks befit me | Yoruba |
| Kelechi | Thank God | Igbo |
| Chisom | God is with me | Igbo |
| Somtochukwu | Join me in praising God | Igbo |
| Kosisochukwu | As it pleases God | Igbo |
| Chinaza | God answers | Igbo |
| Ebubechukwu | The glory of God | Igbo |
| Efe | Wealth | Urhobo |
Twin and birth names
Yoruba tradition has names a baby “brings from heaven” based on how they were born. They’re used across Nigeria and the diaspora.
| Name | Given to | Language |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwo | The first-born twin | Yoruba |
| Kehinde | The second-born twin, considered the elder | Yoruba |
| Idowu | The child born after twins | Yoruba |
| Alaba | The second child after twins | Yoruba |
| Ige | A baby born feet first | Yoruba |
| Dada | A child born with curly or locked hair | Yoruba |
| Aina | A girl born with the cord around her neck | Yoruba |
| Ojo | A boy born with the cord around his neck | Yoruba |
Names that record the day of birth
Hausa families may name a child for the weekday of birth, while Igbo names often reference the four-day market week (Eke, Orie, Afọ, Nkwọ).
| Name | Meaning | Language |
|---|---|---|
| Danladi | Boy born on a Sunday | Hausa |
| Ladi | Girl born on a Sunday | Hausa |
| Altine | Girl born on a Monday | Hausa |
| Talatu | Girl born on a Tuesday | Hausa |
| Larai | Girl born on a Wednesday | Hausa |
| Jummai | Girl born on a Friday | Hausa |
| Asabe | Girl born on a Saturday | Hausa |
| Okonkwo | Male born on Nkwọ market day | Igbo |
| Okeke | Male born on Eke market day | Igbo |
| Okafor | Male born on Afọ market day | Igbo |
| Nwankwo | Child born on Nkwọ market day | Igbo |
Names from Nigeria’s other peoples
Beyond the big three, Nigeria has more than 250 ethnic groups. A few favorites from the south and middle belt:
| Name | Meaning | Language |
|---|---|---|
| Osaretin | God has mercy | Edo |
| Eseosa | Gift of God | Edo |
| Ivie | Precious (coral beads) | Edo |
| Ovie | King | Urhobo |
| Ejiro | Praise | Urhobo |
| Oghenekaro | God is watching | Urhobo |
| Idara | Joy | Efik-Ibibio |
| Enobong | Gift of the Lord | Efik-Ibibio |
| Akpan | First son | Ibibio |
| Preye | Gift | Ijaw |
| Msughter | Thank God | Tiv |
| Terver | God exists | Tiv |
Common Nigerian last names
Many Nigerian surnames began as a grandfather’s given name. Our full list of Nigerian last names explains 100+ of them.
| Surname | Meaning | Group |
|---|---|---|
| Adeyemi | The crown suits me | Yoruba |
| Adebayo | The crown meets joy | Yoruba |
| Balogun | War general (a title) | Yoruba |
| Ogunleye | Ogun has honor | Yoruba |
| Eze | King | Igbo |
| Nwachukwu | Child of God | Igbo |
| Anyanwu | The sun | Igbo |
| Bello | Helper; a noted Sokoto family name | Hausa / Fulani |
| Abubakar | Name of the first caliph | Hausa / Fulani |
| Bassey | From Abasi, “God” | Efik |
Understanding Nigerian names
- Look for the building blocks. In Yoruba, Olu/Oluwa = God, Ade = crown, Ayo = joy, Ola = wealth. In Igbo, Chi/Chukwu = God, Nna = father, Ada = first daughter.
- Expect several names. A child often receives many names at a naming ceremony about a week after birth, from parents, grandparents and other relatives.
- Short forms are normal. Oluwaseun becomes Seun, Chukwuemeka becomes Emeka. The short form is often what friends use every day.
- Faith shapes names. Christian families favor names praising God; Muslim families, especially in the north, often use Hausa forms of Arabic names. See Muslim names.
- Tone matters. Yoruba and Igbo are tonal languages, so check pronunciation with a native speaker before settling on a name.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most popular Nigerian names?
Common names include Oluwaseun, Chukwuemeka, Temitope, Chiamaka and Ngozi in the south, and Ibrahim, Musa, Aisha and Fatima in the north. English and biblical names such as Emmanuel and Blessing are also widespread.
Why are Nigerian names so long?
Many Yoruba and Igbo names are complete sentences, such as Oluwadamilare (“God has justified me”). They are usually shortened in daily use.
What language are most Nigerian names from?
The three largest groups are the Hausa-Fulani in the north, the Yoruba in the southwest and the Igbo in the southeast, so most familiar Nigerian names come from those languages.
What Nigerian name means joy?
Ayodele (“joy has come home”), Ayomide (“my joy has come”), Titilayo (“eternal joy”) and Idara (Efik, “joy”). See our names that mean joy for more.