Nigerians are amazing Africans who believe in giving children befitting names. While some other people may just consider how the name sounds, this category of people look deeply into the circumstances surrounding the birth of the child because they believe it forms a significant part of the child’s destiny. No wonder Nigerian baby names are always awesome and full of rich meanings that every parent will want to consider for their little one.
Unique Nigerian Baby Names
These are some unique Nigerian Baby names that would be perfect for your child.
- Nahantsi
This is one of the unique Nigerian baby names that originated from Hausa and means “a male child born at dawn”.
- Sarki
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Sarki is a boy’s name that is of Hausa origin which means “a child with a king name”.
- Sunkanmi
Sunkanmi can be the short form of names like Olasunkanmi and Adesunkanmi, of Yoruba origin with the meaning “draw close to me”. It is commonly given to male children.
- Toluwalase
This is a unisex name that means “authority belongs to God” from Yoruba origin. It can be written in full as “Tioluwaniase” while its short form can be addressed as “Tolu” or “lase”.
- Adawari
This is an Ijaw name that means “Grand father’s house”. It is an amazing boy’s name that you can consider for your son.
- Oladotun
This Yoruba name is a sweet boy name with the meaning “wealth has become renewed”.
- Yohance
This is a unisex name of Hausa origin that means “God’s gift”.
- Bunkechukwu
This cute boy’s name has a meaning that makes the name worth considering for your next child. It means “one who belongs to God” from Igbo origin and it will give your son the feeling that he is special knowing that he belongs to God.
- Ozichukwu
Ozichukwu is a popular girl name of Igbo origin which means “message from God”. Variations of this name are Ozinna and Ozzy.
- Somayina
This is an Igbo male name meaning” I shall not walk alone”.
- Okikiimole
People given this name can either be called “okiki” or “Imole”. The name originated from among the Yorubas and means “fame of light”. It is a common boy name that you can choose for your little one.
- Mobolaji
Mobolaji is a boy’s name that means “one who is born of wealth”. Bearers of this Yoruba name are often addressed as “Bolaji”.
- Adango
This is a common Nigerian baby name that is usually given to male children among the Ijaws and means “Father’s wealth”.
- Iyiola
This beautiful name originates from among the Yorubas and means “the prestige of wealth”. It is common among the list of names given to male children.
- Nomau
This is a Hausa name that means “a male born during the farming season”. The meaning of this name makes it clear that it is a boy’s name.
- Ejokparoghene
Ejokparoghene is a unisex name of Urhobo origin with the meaning “let us trust in God”.
- Alade
Alade is of Yoruba origin with the meaning “the crowned one”. It is usually given to male children.
- Daran
It is a popular Hausa name that is often given to boys and means “Born at night, small and great”
- Osita
This name is of Igbo origin with its meaning more like a prayer request or heart desire. It means ‘may good things stay permanent” and is commonly given to boys.
- Osinachi
Osinachi means “sent from God” of Igbo origin. It is given to both male and female kids.
- Hassan
This name is given to the first to be born between male twins. It is commonly used among Muslims and it is of Arabic origin meaning “handsome”.Others male kids who are not a twin also bear this name and it is sometimes spelled as “Hasan”.
- Akeju
Akeju is used as a surname but also serves as the first name for some male kids. It is of Yoruba origin and it means “over-pampered”.
- Ewezugachukwu
This is another exciting boy name from the Igbo region with the meaning “If not for God”. It is common among Christians to express the workings of the Almighty God.
- Datonye
This is another exciting boy name from the Ijaw that means ‘God’s plan”.
- Datubo
This Ijaw name is often given to male children and means “the father’s child”.
- Ifechukwude
This name is popular among Christians, from Igbo origin with the meaning “what God has written”. It is a unique boy’s name I suggest for your son.
- Achojah
Achojah means ‘rise to a challenge” of Urhobo origin and is usually given to male children.
- Ejiroghene
This is a common boy name in Urhobo that means “praise God”. Ejiro is a short form of this name.
- Adetunji
This is a Yoruba boy’s name that means “the crown is woken again”. It is a cute name you should choose if you are expecting a baby boy. Adetunji can be addressed as ‘Tunji”.
- Ejaita
Ejaita is an Urhobo name that is given to both boys and girls with the meaning “let them say”.
- Abosimagha
Abosimagha is a sweet Ijaw name that is often given to male children with the meaning “my coming was not wrong”.
- Olawunmi
Olawunmi is a unique name from Yoruba origin that means “I desire wealth, I love wealth”. Sometimes the prefix can be changed to “Adewumi” or “Omowumi”, which mean “I desire the crown” and “I desire children” respectively.
Predestined Nigerian Baby Names
Names given to a baby usually come from parents, grandparents, and sometimes other relatives. However, sometimes the circumstances surrounding the birth of the child determines his or her name. In such cases those are referred to as “predestined names”
- Bako
Bako is a popular boy’s name in the Muslim religion that originated among the Hausas. It means “guest” and the name is given to a child that was born after visitors arrived in the household. If the child born is a female, she will be given Bakuwa
- Adaobi
This is an Igbo girl’s name and it is given to the first girl child in the family compound and it means “princess”.
- Ojo
This is a Yoruba name given to a male child born with an umbilical cord around his neck. If the child turns out to be a girl, she will be named Aina.
- Abarshi
This Hausa boy’s name is given to a child who was born after those born before who never lived. The name Abarta is given if it is a female child.
- Tunau
If a woman experiences a long period of delay after her first issue, the child born next is called “Tunau” in Hausa.
- Kasuwa
When a male child is born on a market day or at the market, that child will be referred to as “Kasuwa” in Hausa.
- Akpan
The first son of a family is given the name “Akpan” in Efik.
- Samu
A female child born after her parents had a delay in childbirth is named “Samu” in Hausa.
- Dada
Dada is of Yoruba origin and it is used to address a child born with thick, long, and curly hair. These are believed to be stubborn and very strong.
- Tanimu
A male child that was born on Monday is given this sweet Hausa name.
- Tanoma
Among the Hausas, when a girl child is born during farming, she is referred to as “Tanoma”.
- Abidemi
When a child is born in the absence of the father, the child is given “Abidemi” in Yoruba origin. The name works for both males and females.
- Shekarau
A baby boy who stayed a year in his mother’s womb is called “Shekarau” but if the child is a girl, she is named “Shekara”. Both names are beautiful and of Hausa origin.
- Abimaje
Among the Igalas, when the survival of a child is uncertain, such a child is named “Abimaje”.
- Bara
This name is given to the first male child to be born after previous births had been girls. It is a name that originated from among the Hausas.
- Taiwo
The first to be born of twin babies are given the name “Taiwo” in Yoruba origin.
- Arzika
A baby boy whose mother had severe child labor before his birth is called “Arzika”. “Arziki” is a variation of this Hausa boy name.
- Anaruwa
Anaruwa is a Hausa name that is given to a child born in the middle of the rain.
- Kehinde
In Yoruba land, the second to be born of twin children is called “Kehinde”
- Maidawa
A male child born in the season his father harvested bundles of Guinea corn in abundance is called “Maidawa” in Hausa.
- Ige
Ige is given to a child born with his legs coming out first instead of the head. It is a predestined name of Yoruba origin.
- Ango
When a male child is born while a wedding ceremony is going on, the child is called “Ango” in Hausa.
- Babarimisa
This unisex name is given to a baby whose father fled after his or her birth.
- Korau
Korau is a baby born after those awaiting his birth have all dispersed. It is a rare Hausa boy name.
- Nanoma
Nanoma is a male child that was born on the farm and it is of Hausa origin.
- Maitama
Maitama originated from the Hausa origin and it is given to a boy who was born having marks on his skin.
- Abiodun
Abiodun is a unisex name of Yoruba origin that is given to a child born during the festive season. Its name variations are “Biodun”, “Odun”, “Abbey”, and “Abey”.
- Abiona
This is the name given to the child that is born while the mother was on a journey. It is of Yoruba origin.
- Bakwai
The seventh male child to be in a family is referred to as “Bakwai” in Hausa.
- Abisogun
This is a Yoruba name for a child that was born during a war
- Abisuga
Abisuga is a popular Yoruba boy name that is given to a child born into the palace.
- Jo‘hojo
When a woman dies while bringing forth a child, such child whether male or female is called “Jo‘hojo” in Yoruba land.
- Babatunde
Babatunde is the Yoruba name given to a male child born shortly after the demise of his grandfather. The name means “father has come again” because it is assumed that the grandfather reincarnated.
- Yetunde
This name is similar to Babatunde in meaning because it is given to a female child born shortly after the demise of her grandmother. It is of Yoruba origin which means ‘mother has come again.
Common Nigerian Names For Babies
Sometimes parents prefer a common name because of its popularity and meaning. So if you desire any of these names for your little one, I have compiled some of them for you.
- Itoro
In Ibibio, this name means “praise, glory” and it is a nice one to give your next baby.
- Uyai
This girl’s name is of Efik origin which means “beauty” and it will fit the beautiful outlook of your damsel.
- Janet
Janet is an English baby name that means “God has been gracious”. It is the feminine version of the name.”John”.
- Ifeoma
This beautiful girl’s name originates from the Igbo clan and means “good thing”. It is also one of the popular Nigerian baby names.
- Abasifreke
This is a unisex name that means “God never forgets” in Efik.
- Favor
Think of every good in life, they all get attracted by the word “Favour”. It is an English name that works for both males and females with the meaning “blessing, grace”.
- Chibuzo
Chibuzo is an Igbo name that is usually given to baby boys. It means “God is the ultimate”.
- Adaeze
This name is often given to the first daughter of a king. It is an Igbo name that means “king’s daughter” or “princess”.
- Aminu
Aminu in Hausa refers to a trustworthy person. It means “honest” and a variation of “Amin”. This girl’s name is popular among Muslims.
- Chioma
The name Chioma is a fine girl’s name from the Igbo clan which means “good God”.
- Danjuma
Danjuma is used to address a child that was born on a Friday. It is a male name of Hausa origin with the meaning “son of Friday”.
- Marvelous
Marvelous is an English name that represents something wonderful and every parent will want to be associated with such. It is a popular Nigerian name.
- Inemesit
Inemesit is of Efik origin meaning “happiness”. It is a common girl name and it is capable of bringing happiness to your child all the days of her life.
- Ifeyinwa
Ifeyinwa is an Igbo name that means “nothing can be compared to a child.” It is an amazing girl name that reminds you of how important a child is.
- Ebunoluwa
This name is of Yoruba origin with the meaning “gift from God” or: a gift of God: It is a girl’s name whose short form can be spelled as “ Ebun”.
- Iniobong
Iniobong means God’s time. It is a cute boy name with a sweet meaning that has its origin in Ibibio.
- Divine
This name works for both males and females although it is often given to female folks. It is of Hebrew origin with the meaning “friend” or “beloved”. Divine is a spelling variant of “Divina”.
- Onyekachi
Onyekachi is a unisex name from the Igbo tribe with the meaning “no one is greater than God”.
- Eniola
You can speak wealth into little one by giving her this sweet girl name of Yoruba origin with the meaning “wealthy person”.
- Obinna
This name is an Igbo name that is sometimes used as a surname but mostly as a first name for a baby boy. It is popular and means “heart of God”.
- Idara
Idara is a popular Muslim name for baby boys. It is of Arabic origin with the meaning “Joy”.
- Aisha
Aisha is a lovely feminine name of Arabic origin that means “alive and well.” The name is connected to the third wife of the prophet Muhammad.
- Mfonobong
Mfonobong is a popular girl name that originated from Efik and means ‘grace’. It is attractive with a lovely meaning making it a good name option for your child.
- Latifah
The feminine name is associated with Queen Latifat-a rapper, singer, and actress. It is of Arabic origin with the meaning “pleasant”. Latifa and Lateefa are spelling variations of this name.
Final Thoughts
With this list of cute and attractive Nigerian baby names, I hope you find a suitable one for your little angel.
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