The Urhobo people, an ethnic group in Nigeria’s Delta State, have a rich cultural heritage that is evident in various aspects of their lives, including their naming traditions. Urhobo names and meanings are not just merely labels; they carry deep cultural significance and are often steeped in religion and symbolism. The naming ceremony among the Urhobo people is a cherished tradition that marks the entry of a newborn into the community and reflects the values and beliefs of the culture.
Urhobo Naming Ceremony
The Urhobo naming ceremony is a joyous occasion celebrated with communal participation. It typically takes place within a few days (usually 7 days) after the birth of the child, depending on family customs and preferences. The ceremony is attended by family members, friends, and well-wishers who gather to welcome the newborn into the community and offer blessings for their future.
During the naming ceremony, various rituals and customs are observed to signify the significance of the occasion. One such ritual involves the selection of a respected elder or family member to officiate the ceremony and bestow the child’s name. This individual often offers prayers and blessings for the child’s health, prosperity, and success in life.
The naming process itself is another story on its own, with careful consideration given to the choice of name. Names are typically chosen based on a variety of factors, including the circumstances surrounding the child’s birth, ancestral lineage, and desired attributes or qualities the parents wish to instill in their child. It is not uncommon for Urhobo names to carry meanings related to virtues such as strength, courage, wisdom, or faith.
Significance of Urhobo Baby Names
Urhobo baby names hold profound significance within the culture, serving as a reflection of the community’s values, beliefs, and identity. Urhobo names are believed to shape the child’s destiny and influence their character and personality as they grow and develop. Names are viewed as powerful entities that carry the essence of the individual and connect them to their ancestors and heritage.
Furthermore, Urhobo names are imbued with spiritual and religious significance, often invoking the blessings and protection of ancestral spirits and deities. It is believed that by bestowing a meaningful name upon a child, parents invoke divine favor and guidance for their offspring, ensuring their well-being and success in life.
Urhobo Names and meanings
Below are some popular Urhobo names and their meanings
Names | Gender | Meaning |
Akpenvwoghene | Male/Female | Praise God |
Anaborhi | Male/Female | Be born with good destiny |
Edewor | Male | Sacred day of worship in traditional religion |
Ejiroghene | Male/Female | Praise God |
Ejokparoghene | Male/Female | Let’s trust in God |
Ejomafuvwe | Male/Female | Let peace reign in my life |
Enohor/Elohor | Female | Blessing |
Erhiaganoma | Male | Guardian spirit overpowers the body |
Erhimeyoma | Male/Female | My guardian spirit (God) is good |
Erhinyoja | Male/Female | Guardian spirit (God) meets our challenges (hears our prayers) |
Erhinyuse | Male/Female | Guardian spirit (God) answers prayers |
Erhiroghene | Male/Female | The spirit of God |
Eseoghene | Male/Female | God’s gift |
Eserovwe | Male/Female | God’s grace or Free gift |
Oghenebrume | Male/Female | God decided in my favor |
Oghenechovwe | Male/Female | God aided me |
Oghenefejiro | Male/Female | God is praiseworthy |
Oghenegaren | Male/Female | God is great |
Oghenekevwe | Male/Female | God gave (provided for) me |
Oghenekohwo | Male/Female | God provides |
Ogheneme | Male/Female | My God |
Oghenemine | Male/Female | I look up to God |
Oghenenyore | Male/Female | God answers prayers |
Ogheneruemu | Male/Female | God makes things possible |
Oghenerukevwe | Male/Female | God did this for me |
Ogheneruno | Male/Female | God has so much (great) |
Oghenetega | Male/Female | God is worship-worthy |
Oghenevwede | Male/Female | God owns the day |
Oghenevwogagan | Male/Female | God provides all strength |
Oghenochuko | Male/Female | God provides my support |
Okeroghene | Male/Female | God’s own time |
Omamerhi | Male/Female | Good guardian spirit |
Onakpoma | Male/Female | Who creates life? |
Onomavwe | Male/Female | Who is my creator? |
Onomine | Male/Female | Whom do I look up to? |
Onovughakpor | Male/Female | Who can predict what life can bring? |
Oyovwikemo | Male/Female | May our children be blessed |
Oyovwikerhi | Male/Female | May my guardian spirit (God) be blessed |
Achojah | Male | Rise up to challenge |
Aruegodore | Male | We have come (established) home |
Edojah | Male | Day of challenge |
Efemini | Male | Let’s see how wealthy you can be |
Efetobo | Male/Female | Wealth is achieved |
Efetobore | Male | Wealth has now been achieved |
Etanomare | Male/Female | Freed from blame (despair) |
Ighomuedafe | Male | Money intoxicates the wealthy |
Miriodere | Male/Female | I now have a name |
Mitaire | Male/Female | I have achieved (reached) their match |
Mivwodere | Male/Female | I now have a name |
Oboganriemu | Male | Be strong to survive (eat) |
Ogbamremu | Male | The brave meets a lot of challenges |
Ojakorotu | Male | This is a group challenge |
Ojanomare | Male/Female | I have met the challenge |
Onajite | Male/Female | This is sufficient |
Onanojah | Male | This is a challenge |
Onogaganmue | Male | Who is intoxicated with power? |
Onoharhese | Male/Female | Who blames good deeds? |
Udumebraye | Male | My presence gives them heartache (challenge) |
Edafetanure | Male | The wealthy have spoken |
Efemena | Male/Female | Here is my wealth |
Efemuaye | Male | Those intoxicated with riches |
Efetobore | Male | Wealth has now been achieved |
Etanomare | Male | Freed from blame / despair |
Etaredafe | Male | Words of the wealthy |
Ighomuedafe | Male | Money intoxicates the wealthy |
Ighovavwerhe | Male | There is joy in riches |
Irikefe | Male | First to become wealthy |
Miriodere / Mivwodere | Male/Female | I now have a name |
Mitaire | Male/Female | I have reached their match |
Odafe | Male | Rich individual |
Odavwaro | Male/Female | I am contented |
Oghomena | Male/Female | Here is my respect |
Oghonoro | Male/Female | Respect is greater than gold (riches) |
Okagbare | Male | Now I have all styles / skills |
Omonigho | Male/Female | Child is greater than riches |
Omonoro | Male/Female | Child is greater than gold |
Onajite | Male/Female | This is sufficient |
Onogaganmue | Male | Who is intoxicated with prowess (power)? |
Orodena | Male | The great one |
Akpenvwoghene | Male/Female | Praise God |
Ejiroghene | Male/Female | Praise God |
Eseoghene | Male/Female | God’s gift |
Norioghene | Male/Female | Look at God’s judgment |
Oghenebrume | Male/Female | God decided in my favor |
Oghenechovwe | Male/Female | God supported me |
Oghenefejiro | Male/Female | God is praiseworthy |
Oghenekevwe | Male/Female | God gave me (this child) |
Oghenenyerhovwo | Male/Female | God answers prayers |
Oghenerhoro | Male/Female | God is great |
Ogheneruemu | Male/Female | God makes things possible |
Oghenerukevwe | Male/Female | God did this for me |
Ogheneruno | Male/Female | God has done so much (great) |
Oghenetega | Male/Female | God is worship worthy |
Oghenochuko | Male/Female | God provides my support |
Onoharhese | Male/Female | Who blames good deeds? |
Oyovwikerhi | Male/Female | May my guardian spirit (God) be blessed |
okotete | Male | Little young man |
umukoko | Female | Young woman |
Enajemete | Female | These are also girls |
Omote | Female | girl |
Iniovosa | Male/Female | siblings are unique |
Efediome | Male/Female | Let riches be mine |