Urhobo Names and Their Meanings, by Aruegodore Oyiborhoro, Revised August, 2005

http://www.waado.org/UrhoboCulture/Names/UrhoboNames_Oyibo.htm

Urhobo Historical Society

Urhobo Names and Their Meanings

(Revised: August, 2005)

By Aruegodore Oyiborhoro, ED.D., F.A.A.A. Long Island, New York, USA Every Urhobo name given to a child has a meaning attached to it. The Urhobo believe that a child lives up to the likeness or meaning of the name that she or he bears. For instance, there is a general belief that if a 'thief' is the name of a child that child may grow up to be a 'rogue.' If, on the other hand, your child is given a name that suggests a 'rich person,' there is the belief that such a child invariably grows up to be a wealthy individual. Urhobo parents are therefore very careful of the names that they give to their children. For the most part, grandparents or close older relatives have the privilege of giving names to new-borns. This is usually an honor. However, unlike some of their ethnic neighbors, Urhobo people do not have any special naming ceremonies that require performing certain rites. Apart from the parents and grandparents, traditionally Urhobo rarely allowed new-borns to be touched or sometimes seen directly by others until the age of three months. Mother and child are usually strong enough to have an outing at this age. This involves visiting the in-laws and other close relatives. At this time, the child should have an established given name. A birth registry is a recent notion in Urhoboland. Traditionally, Urhobo parents do not count the number of their children. Parents are not permitted by Urhobo cultural practices to count their children. The number of fingers often represents a count of one's children.
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Urhobo Names and Their Meanings, by Aruegodore Oyiborhoro, Revised August, 2005

http://www.waado.org/UrhoboCulture/Names/UrhoboNames_Oyibo.htm

Urhobo names have deep meanings. Names are not mere labels, as they are in some other societies. Many Urhobo names invoke SPIRITUAL or religious significance. Sometimes we give names to connote a CHALLENGE to self or others. Urhobo people thrive best when challenged. We also give names as a celebration and APPRECIATION of the gift of a child itself. Several Urhobo names reflect honor and ACHIEVEMENT. Certain names are simply PHILOSOPHICAL, while others are GENDER specific. The Urhobo also give names that emphasize the importance of PEOPLE as an important RESOURCE. Sometimes names are given to denote SPECIAL DAYS, especially if the individual was born on that specific day. The Urhobo are a very republican people. They work very hard to acquire wealth and fame in an old-fashioned way. Your wealth is as good as its source. Urhobo will investigate the source of your wealth. If it is suspect, you stand to lose your respect, dignity and fame. A good number of Urhobo names have to do with WEALTH AND MONEY. Names are also given to denote COLORS, WEATHER conditions, NATURAL RESOURCES and PLACE of origin or where born. The list that follows contains a sample of some common Urhobo names. It must be pointed out that a few of the names under GENDER are not so common any more. The names are placed in categories. Each category contains the long form, short form, gender, and meaning attached to each name. Urhobo names are sometimes sentences or even phrases. The long forms may in fact be the 'short forms' of the actual long names. The short forms, therefore, are in some cases doubly short forms of the real names. However, the actual meanings of the names are never in doubt. Some of

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Urhobo Names and Their Meanings, by Aruegodore Oyiborhoro, Revised August, 2005

http://www.waado.org/UrhoboCulture/Names/UrhoboNames_Oyibo.htm

these names may belong to cross categories warranting repetition in some cases. This is deliberate. Most Urhobo names start with vowels in the initial position except where abbreviated.

Names with SPIRITUAL or RELIGIOUS Significance NAMES Akpenvwoghene Anaborhi Edewor Ejiroghene Ejokparoghene Ejomafuvwe Enohor/Elohor Erhiaganoma Erhimeyoma Erhinyoja Erhinyuse Erhiroghene Eseoghene Eserovwe Oghenebrume Oghenechovwe Oghenefejiro Oghenegaren Oghenekevwe Oghenekohwo
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SHORT FORMS Akpenvwe Naborhi Dewor Ejiro Jokpa or Oghene Jomafuvwe or Jomafu Nohor or Lohor Erhi or Rhiaganoma Oyoma Rhinyoja or Onyoja Use Erhi or Oghene Ese Ese or Ovwe Brume Chovwe or Oghene Ofejiro or Oghene Garen or Oghene Kevwe or Oghene Oghene or Kohwo

GENDER Unisex UNISEX Male Unisex Unisex Unuisex Female Male Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex

MEANINGS Praise God Be born with good destiny Sacred day of worship in traditional religion Praise God Let's trust in God Let peace reign in my life Blessing Guardian spirit overpowers the body My guardian spirit (God) is good Guardian spirit (God) meets our challenges (hears our prayers) Guardian spirit (God) answers prayers The spirit of God God's gift Gods grace or Free gift God decided in my favor God aided me God is praiseworthy God is great God gave (provided for) me God provides

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http://www.waado.org/UrhoboCulture/Names/UrhoboNames_Oyibo.htm

Ogheneme Oghenemine Oghenenyore Ogheneruemu Oghenerukevwe Ogheneruno Oghenetega Oghenevwede Oghenevwogagan Oghenochuko Okeroghene Omamerhi Onakpoma Onomavwe Onomine Onovughakpor Oyovwikemo Oyovwikerhi

Ome or Oghene Mine or Mimi Nyore or Oghene Oghene Rukevwe or Ruks Oruno or Runo Tega or Oghene Oghenede or Oghene Gaga or Oghene Ochuko or Oghene Okeoghene or Oghene Mamerhi or Oma Ono Ono Ono or Mimi Ono or Onovughe Kemo or Yovwike Kerhi or Yovwike

Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex

My God I look up to God God answers prayers God makes things possible God did this for me God has so much (great) God is worship-worthy God owns the day God provides all strength God provides my support Gods own time Good guardian spirit Who creates life? Who is my creator? Whom do I look up to? Who can predict what life can bring? May our children be blessed May my guardian spirit (God) be blessed

Names with CHALLENGE Connotations Achojah Aruegodore Edojah Efemini Efetobo Efetobore Achojah Egodo Dojah Efe Efe Tobore Male Male Male Male Unisex Male Rise up to challenge We have come (established) home Day of challenge Let's see how wealthy you can be Wealth is achieved Wealth has now been achieved

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http://www.waado.org/UrhoboCulture/Names/UrhoboNames_Oyibo.htm

Etanomare Ighomuedafe Miriodere Mitaire Mivwodere Oboganriemu Ogbamremu Ojakorotu Ojanomare Onajite Onanojah Onogaganmue Onoharhese Udumebraye

Tanomare or Nomare Igho or Dafe Miriode Mitai Mivwode Obogan Ogba Jakorotu or Orotu Janoma Ojite Onojah Ono or Ogagan Noharhese Udume or Dumebraye

Unisex Male Unisex Unisex Unisex Male Male Male Unisex Unisex Male Male Unisex Male

Freed from blame (despair) Money intoxicates the wealthy I now have a name I have achieved (reached) their match I now have a name Be strong to survive (eat) The brave meets a lot of challenges This is a group challenge I have met the challenge This is sufficient This is a challenge Who is intoxicated with power? Who blames good deeds? My presence gives them heartache (challenge)

Names with ACHIEVEMENT Connotations NAMES Edafetanure Efemena Efemuaye Efetobore Etanomare Etaredafe Ighomuedafe Ighovavwerhe Irikefe SHORT FORMS Tanure Efe Efe Tobore Tanomare or Tanoma Dafe Igho or Dafe Igho Kefe GENDER Male Unisex Male Male Male Male Male Male Male MEANINGS The wealthy have spoken Here is my wealth Those intoxicated with riches Wealth has now been achieved Freed from blame / despair Words of the wealthy Money intoxicates the wealthy There is joy in riches First to become wealthy

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http://www.waado.org/UrhoboCulture/Names/UrhoboNames_Oyibo.htm

Miriodere / Mivwodere Mitaire Odafe Odavwaro Oghomena Oghonoro Okagbare Omonigho Omonoro Onajite Onogaganmue Orodena

Miriode or Mivwode Mitaire Dafe Odaro Ogho or Omena Ogho or Onoro Kagbare Omo or Igho Omo or Onoro Ojite or Jite Ogagan or Ono Orode

Unisex Unisex Male Unisex Unisex Unisex Male Unisex Unisex Unisex Male Male

I now have a name I have reached their match Rich individual I am contented Here is my respect Respect is greater than gold (riches) Now I have all styles / skills Child is greater than riches Child is greater than gold This is sufficient Who is intoxicated with prowess (power)? The great one

Names with Connotations of APPRECIATION NAMES Akpenvwoghene Ejiroghene Eseoghene Norioghene Oghenebrume Oghenechovwe Oghenefejiro Oghenekevwe Oghenenyerhovwo Oghenerhoro Ogheneruemu SHORT FORMS Akpenvwe Ejiro or Oghene Ese or Oghene Norien Brume Chovwe or Oghene Ofejiro or Oghene Kevwe Nyerhovwo or Oghene Oghene Oghene GENDER Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex MEANINGS Praise God Praise God God's gift Look at Gods judgment God decided in my favor God supported me God is praiseworthy God gave me (this child) God answers prayers God is great God makes things possible

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http://www.waado.org/UrhoboCulture/Names/UrhoboNames_Oyibo.htm

Oghenerukevwe Ogheneruno Oghenetega Oghenochuko Onoharhese Oyovwikerhi

Rukevwe or Ruks Runo or Oruno Tega Ochuko or Oghene Noharhese Kerhi or Yovwike

Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex

God did this for me God has done so much (great) God is worship worthy God provides my support Who blames good deeds? May my guardian spirit (God) be blessed

PHILOSOPHICAL Names NAMES Akpobome Akpofure Akporovwovwo Anaborhi Asaroyoma Ataikiru Avwunudiogba Edaferierhi Edemirukaye Eghwrudjakpor Eguono Ejaita Ejoyovwi Emarejedje Emetitiri Emudiaga Emuobosa SHORT FORMS Akpobo Ofure Akpovwovwo Naborhi Sayoma Taikiru Unudiogba Edafe Ede or Demirukai Jakpor or Eghwrudje Guono Jaita Joyovwi Omare or Ejedje Metitiri Mudiaga Muobo GENDER Unisex Male Unisex Unisex Female Male Unisex Male Male Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Male Male Unisex MEANINGS My own life Life is now peaceful. Good life in later years Be born with good destiny Comfort zones(people prefer comfort zones) Talk (plan) before taking action Those who profess strength with mere talk The rich have good destiny The day I did them a favor I have come to stay / Stranded in this world Love Let them say Let it be good ( a success) The elderly also run for life Mine is famous Let's stand firmly Your own thing is precious (unique)

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http://www.waado.org/UrhoboCulture/Names/UrhoboNames_Oyibo.htm

Emuvoke Enakpodia Enita Enitekiru Enivwenaye Erhinyuse Erhuvwun Erukainure Etarakpobuno Irorokpaka Isio Miriodere Oba Obatare Oborerhinrin Odirin Ogbeta Oghomena Okiremute Okpako Omafuvwe Omenasan Onogaganmue Onoharhese Onome Onomine

Voke Nakpodia Nita Eniteh Nivwenai Use Erhus Rukainure or Eruks Etabuno or Tabuno Rokpaka Isio Miriode Oba Atare Berhirin Dirin Gbeta Omena or Ogho Okite Kpako Mafuvwe or Oma Menasan Ogagan or Ono Noharhese Onome Ono or Mimi

Unisex Male Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Male Unisex Unisex Unisex Male Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Male Unisex Unisex Unisex

Every thing has time The way life should (ought) to be Watch what you say Think before you act Compare my achievements with those of my detractors Guardian Spirit answers prayers Beauty We have aided them (met their challenge) The world has so much to say (much gossip) Our thoughts went far (deep thoughts) Stars I now have a name King Destiny Its your destiny Patience Bad talk Here is my respect There is time for every thing Senior I am at peace ( All is well with me) Mine is unique Who is intoxicated with prowess (power)? Who blames good deeds? This is mine Whom do I look up to?

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http://www.waado.org/UrhoboCulture/Names/UrhoboNames_Oyibo.htm

Onoriode Orodena Otevwobrise Ovie Oviereya Ovigueraye Ovuevuraye Oyabevwe Udumebraye Ufuoma Ughwubetine Uruemuesiri

Ono Orode Otobrise or Otobru Ovie Ovieya Ovigue Ovuevu or Vuevuraye Oyabe Udume or Dumebraye Fuoma Betine Esiri or Uruemu

Unisex Male Unisex Male Female Unisex Unisex Unisex Male Unisex Unisex Unisex

Who knows tomorrow? The great one Its sufficient to make parables King Queen Everyone with his/her own destiny Everyone has his/her own minds/thougths Tired of sojourn My presence gives them heartache (challenge) Peace of mind No more deaths (dying) Good deeds

Names Based on GENDER NAMES Emetemedia Emeterhire Enajemete Esereshareberuo Eyakodevu Inenevwerha Okoro Okotete Omote Omotejohwo Omotekoro SHORT FORMS Metemedia Emete Emete Ese or Eseberuo Okodevu Nene Okoro or Oshare Okote Omote Omotohwo Oro GENDER Female Female Female Unisex Unisex Unisex Male Male Unisex Female Female MEANINGS I will always remain a lady Girls have arrived These are also girls Men are hard to please Women can very secretive There is joy in motherhood Man Little young man Girl A girl is also a human being A girl is like gold

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http://www.waado.org/UrhoboCulture/Names/UrhoboNames_Oyibo.htm

Omotore Umukoko Umukoro (Omokoro) Umuto

Tore or Omote Okoko Mukoro or Mokoro Muto

Female Female Male Female

Girls birth brings festivity Young woman Young man Woman

Names based on People as an important RESOURCE NAMES Imonivwerha Iniovosa Odibo Ohwevwo Ohwofasa Ohwonigho Omodibo Omonigho Omonoro Omotore Onanefe SHORT FORMS Imoni Niovosa Odibo Ohwo Ofasa Igho Modibo Igho Oro or Monoro Motore or Omote Ona or Efe GENDER Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Male Male Unisex Unisex Unisex Female Unisex MEANINGS There is joy in having blood relations Siblings are unique Disciple (Follower or Servant) Good human relationship provides valuable support A persons status should be defined by his/her achievement. A person is greater than riches Young disciple (follower or servant) Child is greater than riches Child is greater than gold Girls birth brings festivity This (child) is greater than riches

Names that indicate SPECIAL DAYS NAMES Edeki Edewor Edidjana Edore SHORT FORMS Deki Dewor Didjana Dore GENDER Unisex Male Unisex Unisex MEANINGS Market day Traditional religion sacred day of worship Sunday Day of festivity (festival)

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http://www.waado.org/UrhoboCulture/Names/UrhoboNames_Oyibo.htm

Eduvie Omotore

Duvie Tore or Motore

Unisex Female

Glory day (Day of Glory) Girls birth brings festivity

Names Related to WEALTH / MONEY NAMES Avwunufe Edafetanure Efediome Efekodo Efemena Efemini Efemuaye Efeturi Efevwerha Efurhievwe Ejaife Esisorigho Etaidaferua Etaredafe Igberaharha Ighofose Ighofovwe Ighohwo Ighovavwerhe Irikefe SHORT FORMS Efe or wunufe Tanure Diome Efe or Fekodo Efe Efe Efe Efe or Feturi Efe Efe Jaife Esiso Taidafe Dafe Gberaharha Ose or Igho Igho Igho Igho Kefe GENDER Unisex Male Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Male Unusex Unisex Unisex Male Unisex Male Male Male Unisex Unisex Unisex Male Male MEANINGS Wealthy only by talk not substance The wealthy have spoken Let riches be mine Famous with wealth Here is my wealth Lets see how wealthy you can be Those intosticated with riches There are more than 100 types of riches/wealth Wealth is joyful Destined to be wealthy Let them be rich (wealthy) Bag of money Words of the wealthy are more acceptable Words of the wealthy The poor take the blame Money can break close male/female relationships Wealth suites me Riches make you human There is joy in riches First to become wealthy

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http://www.waado.org/UrhoboCulture/Names/UrhoboNames_Oyibo.htm

Odafe Oghonoro Omoefe Omonigho Omovigho Onofeghara Onoharhigho Uduefebraye

Dafe Onoro Omo or Efe Igho Omo or Igho Efe or Nofeghara Igho or Noharhigho Efe or Uduefe

Male Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Male Male

Rich individual Respect is greater than gold (riches) Child is wealth Child is greater than riches Child brings wealth (means wealth) Who divides (shares) his/ her wealth with others? Who blames riches / wealth? Wealth gives them challenge (heartache)

Names in Appreciation of COLOURS NAMES Ahwinahwi Obiebi Ododo Ofuafo Ofuako Omoyibo Oyibo Oyibonanarhoro Oyiborhoro Oyiborode SHORT FORMS Ahwi Biebi Dodo Fuafo Fuako Moyibo Oyibo Oyiborhoro or Oyibo or Oyibode Oyibode or Oyibo Oyibode or Oyibo GENDER Male Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Unisex Male Male Male MEANINGS A really black ( dark) individual Black (dark) Red White One with white teeth Little white / fair skinned person White / fair skinned This is a big white / fair skinned person A big white / fair skinned person A big white / fair skinned person

Names in Recognition of Types of WEATHER CONDITIONS

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http://www.waado.org/UrhoboCulture/Names/UrhoboNames_Oyibo.htm

NAMES Edosio Ohwahwa Okposio Osio Uvo

SHORT FORMS Ede or Osio Hwahwa Osio Osio Uvo

GENDER Male Male Unisex Unisex Male

MEANINGS Rainy day Harmattan/cold season Heavy rain Rain Dry/Sunny season

Names in Recognition of Significance of NATURAL RESOURCES NAMES Egbo Emeni Emerho Eni Erhue Ogoro Okpogoro Uloho Urhie SHORT FORMS Egbo Meni Merho Eni Erhue Ogoro Ogoro Loho Urhie GENDER MEANINGS Male Male Male Male Male Male Male Male Male Forest Small elephant A special type of (small) catfish Elephant A special breed of cow used for traditional ceremonies Frog A big toad Iroko tree River

Names in Honour of Cities and Places of BIRTH NAMES Agbarha Emetisiorho Okpara SHORT FORMS Agbarha Isiorho Okpara GENDER Male Unisex Male MEANINGS Born in Agbarha Children born in diaspora Born in Okpara

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http://www.waado.org/UrhoboCulture/Names/UrhoboNames_Oyibo.htm

Ometeko Omorogun Omotughele Omotukane Orogun Sapele Uhwokori

Eko Omo or Morogun Motughele Motukane Orogun Sapele Kokori

Female Unisex Female Female Unisex Male Male

Girl born in Lagos/Eko Child born in Orogun Girl from Ughelli Girl born in diaspora (Ikale-Yoruba) Born in Orogun Born in Sapele Born in Uhwokori

RETURN TO CONTENTS | RETURN TO URHOBO NAMES AND NAMING PRACTICES

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