Nigerian baby names
Updated: April 9th, 2024
Nigeria is region of unique culture and tradition that can be seen in their names also.
Nigerian parents want to be expressive when it comes to naming their child, but the customs vary by ethnic group. Some Nigerian tribes or families consider anglicized names while others do not. There is one thing common in among all Nigerian parents in naming their child is that they select the names that express their expectations from the child or the circumstances surrounding the birth of the baby. Nigerian parents believe that the name of their child has a very determining effect on his/her life. Some Nigerian babies also have four to five names but only one or two are used. While naming their child, Nigerian parents also consider his/her position in the family. In any Nigerian family if twins are born, then the child who comes first is named as Taiwo, meaning ‘pre-tasted the world’ and the baby who arrived later on is named as Kehinde, meaning ‘the one who lagged behind”. There is also a popular tradition to name a child after the day on which he/she was born.
Below you'll find an extensive collection of 1000 plus Nigerian baby names.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZAlice
From the German Adalhaidis, meaning "noble," this literary classic gained modern charm thanks to Alice in Wonderland and widespread use across Europe.
Isaac
A Hebrew name meaning “laughter,” rooted in the story of a long-awaited son born to Abraham and Sarah.
Ada
From the German root adal meaning "noble," Ada also has Turkish origins where it means "island" and has regained popularity as a vintage, vowel-starting name.
Rufus
Ruddy Red-Haired, King, The Redheaded, A Roman Cognomen
Abel
Vanishing, Fragility, Vapour, Healthy
Etta
Pearl, Fight, Little One, Diminutive of Henrietta
Ann
Favour, Graceful, Form of Anna, He (God) Was Gracious
Ambrose
Undying, The Element Ambrosios Which Means Immortal Divine, Ever-living
Aisha
Happiness, Living, Wife of Prophet Muhammad, She is Life
James
A Cheerful Boy, Holds the Heel, One Who Supplants, Supplanter
Ike
God Smiles, Laughter, Laughing One, He will Laugh
Hosea
Salvation, God has Helped / Freed, Hoshea, Yasha
Sade
A Finnish and Yoruba name, this short form of Folashade means “rain” or “honor bestows a crown.”
Tamar
From Tamar, Palm Tree, Wide River
Amina
Trusted, The Truthful, Who is Confident and Enjoys the Divine Safeguard, Honest
Hassan
Laughter, Good, Beautiful, Lord Chandra
Kareem
An Arabic name meaning “noble” and “generous.”
Ima
Charity
Mohammed
Form of Muhammad Praised One, Filled with Praise, The Praiseworthy
Isiah
Yahweh is Salvation
Queen
A Female Monarch, Beautiful Girl, Queen, Royal
Micah
Who is Like Yahweh?
Mose
Son, Saved from the Waters
Keturah
Incense
Muhammad
The Praiseworthy, Greatly Praised, Name of the Last Prophet
Basil
Royal Kingly, King Like, Basil the Herb, The Great
Bebe
Bringer of Joy, Lady
Sheba
Queen of Sheba, Promise, Morning
Aja
Not Born, Unborn, High Priestess of Mecca, Fire
Kester
From the Camp of the Roman Army, Follower of Christ
Amos
Born of God, Herd, Carried, Or Carrying, And Porters
Rashida
Righteous, Intelligent, One who Guides to the Right Path, Sober
Terese
Harvester, End of Thera Tribe, Reaper, The Hunteress
Luba
is Loved, One who Loves
Ibrahim
My Father is Exalted, Earth a Prophets Name, Abraham
Temple
Sacred Place, From the Temple Settlement, Medieval Priories and Settlements, Shrine
Do
Aid
Mele
One who is Happy
Noma
Fate, Farming, Example
Jame
Beauty
Ivie
A Climbing Evergreen Ornamental Plant, Valuable Coral Beads, Ivy Tree, Climber
Shade
Shade, Good
Sera
Burning One, Palace Or Earth, Serpent, Princess
Tobi
Yahweh is Good
Tari
Hill, Fresh, Ripe
Innocent
Innocent, Harmless, Guiltless
Nicodemus
Victory, Victorious Person
Adamo
Molded from Earthman, Man, Humanity
Bara
Free
Amen
Great, Faithful Worker, Obscure, Sure
Abbas
Severe, Lion, Looking Austere, Stern
Mani
Father of Ketil, Lord Shiva, A Jewel, One who Prevents
Malachi
Messenger, My Angel
Mansur
Law, Manifesto, Aided by God, Prism
Vero
True, Real
Alli
Defender of Mankind, Diamond, Noble, Nobility
Miko
Blessed Child, Beautiful
Yusuf
God Would Multiply, A Prophet's Name, He Shall Add to his Power, The Lord Increases
Baba
Babies on Thursday, Sweet Baby
Udo
Home, Wealth, Peace
Nasir
Announcer, Granting Victory, Protector, Assister
Abu
Father, Lord, Master
Suleiman
The Peaceful, Peaceful
Pere
Strong, Stone, Rock, River
Ayo
Happiness, Wonderful
Ade
Dark One, English, Woman from Hadria, Molded From
Musa
Moses in English, Son, A Prophets Name
Tola
A Balance, Prospering
Muhammed
Praised and Commendable, The Name of the Prophet, Praiseworthy, Glorified
Ede
Battle, Prosperity, Royal, Happy
Simi
Limit
Hamza
Lion, Sour Leaves, Brave, Steadfast
Obi
Heart
Taiwo
Have the first taste of the world
Femi
Who wants to be loved
Hakeem
Judicious, Ruler, Intelligent, Brother
Zaki
Righteous, Virtuous, Bright and Pure, Chaste
Raheem
Merciful, Kind, God is Compassionate
Zara
Radiance, Flower, Blossom, Womenn of Jannah (Heaven)
Jemima
Dove Bright As Day, Turtledove
Uma
Mother, Shortest Name for Goddess Parvathy, Reputation, Flax
Bode
Rule, Master, Messenger
Zira
Arena Or Messenger
Ebenezer
Ezer, Eben
Manu
Born Second, Desirable, The Hindu Noah, God with Us
Fara
Beautiful, Lovely, Level Measure, Sunset
Ikenna
Power of the father
Assumpta
Assumption
Ajani
Of noble birth, He fights for what is his
Obadiah
Servant of God
Ovie
Holy Massege of Marathi Saint, Holy Message of Marathi Saint
Ino
Innocent
Farida
Precious, Unique, Turquoise, Matchless
Nnamdi
My father is still alive
Oluwadamilola
The Lord has made me wealthy
Aisa
Alive
Alani
Orange
Bashir
Vision, Well-educated, Auspicious, One who Gives Good News
Humaira
Little Red One, From the Arabic Name Meaning Reddish
Sha
Natural, Form of Shakshi, Good, Luck
Mairi
Bitterness
Farouk
Distinguisher (Between Right And Wrong), Discerning Truth from Falsehood
Amma
Mother, God-like
Iliya
Sweet, My God is Yahweh, Smart, Loving
Nike
Victory, Victorious
Ngozi
Blessing
Safiya
Untroubled, Pure, Best Friend, Safiya
Abeni
Girl prayed for
Zali
Steward, Public Official, From the Hay Clearing, Courtyard Within Castle Walls
Khadija
Wife of the Prophet Mohammed, Born Prematurely, Premature Child
Meshach
Who is What Aku Is?
Keke
Strength, Force, From the Protected Farm, Diminutive of Gertrude
Rahab
A Trustworthy, Extended, Large, Helpful Woman
Iro
Goddess Saraswati, Muse, The Peaceful, Wind
Ugo
Intelligent, Spirit, Mind
Chidi
God exists
Ife
One who is widely loved
Hali
Condition, The Sea, Hay Meadow, Sweet
Lolo
Wealth
Aino
The Only One, Ruler, House
Ifeoma
A beautiful woman
Yunus
The Dove, A Prophet's Name
Ejiro
Praise God
Dodo
Well Loved, A Diminutive of Dorothy
Mala
Garland, Row, Line, Rubbish
Dayo
Joy comes, Our joy has arrived
Jiya
Luck, Sweet Heart, Life
Oluchi
Work of God
Habiba
Beloved
Sasa
Assistant, Alexandra, Princess
Sadia
Blessed, Lucky, Doomed to Happiness
Zanna
Flow of Water, Yahweh is Gracious
Anas
Friendliness, Happiness, Friendliness, Affection, Indestructible
Oto
Wealthy, Sister, Germane, Brotherly
Sanni
Lily
Unice
Good Victory, Victorious
Adia
Gift
Sini
Blue, Blue Colour
Rabi
Breeze, Rabi, Spring, Fourth
Zakari
Variant of Zachariah and Zachary, Memory of the Lord
Agu
Sword Tip, Leopard
Faruk
Bless Full, Distinguisher (Between Right And Wrong), Can Distinguish Truth from Falsehood, Power of Discrimination
Eno
Gift
Taru
Small Plant, Legend, Tree, Myth
Kasim
Distributing, Lovely, Just, Divided
Saki
Blossom, One who is Cloaked, Bloom
Odo
Prosperous, Wealth, Name of a Bishop, Possession
Ene
Doe, Irena, A Black Antelope, Only Fighting
Umi
Servant
Hafsa
Sound Judgement, Good Judgment, Cub, Gathering
Imo
Large
Lekan
My wealth has increased
Abednego
Servant of Nebo
Adaora
Beautiful, Fire, Beauty, Virgin
Idi
Born during the end of Ramadan
Nazir
Supervisor, Blooming, Warner, Dedicated to God
Efemena
Here is my wealth
Emeka
God has done great deed
Kehinde
The person who falls behind
Umar
Flowering, Longevity, Who has Long Live, Variant of Omar
Nadiya
Hope, First, Black, The Beginning
Edo
Possession, Wealth and Keep
Chika
Near, Nahe
Bobo
Born on Tuesday, Babies on Thursday
Ori
Charitable King, My Light
Uzochi
God's way
Jamima
Dove, Turtledove
Abba
Born on Thursday, Father
Rafia
Delicate, Distinguished, Lofty, Sublime
Zarah
Form of Sarah, Blossoming Flower, Shining, Princess
Baraka
White, A Blessing
Adama
Man, Majestic