Writing Adolescent Fiction/Character names/Nigerian

Usage note

Nigeria has many different tribes, and they each have their own pool of given names and surnames. Yoruba have different names from Igbo, who have different names from Hausa, who have different names from Ibibio.

Yoruba given names are unisex. Many Yoruba given names are used to specify a special characteristic of the child’s birth. Names beginning with Ade- are traditionally reserved for royalty.

Many Hausa names are restricted to people born on a certain day of the week. Such names and their associated weekdays are marked in parentheses.

Igbo names with 'Chi' or 'Chukwu' typically refer, at least in part, to God.

Yoruba first names

Aanu
Abayami
Abegunde
Abejide
Abeni ("We prayed for a girl, and she arrived!")
Abi/Abidemi (born while his/her father was away)
Abimbola
Adeagbo
Adebola
Adebomi
Adedagbo
Adedayo
Adedoyin
Adegboyega
Adegoke
Adejola
Adekanye
Adelabu
Adelaja
Aderonke
Adesina (conceived after much infertility)
Adetokunbo
Adewole
Adeyemi
Afiya
Aina (girl born with umbilical cord around her neck)
Ajagbe
Ajala
Ajayi (born face down, as if praying)
Ajoke
Akanke
Akano ("conceived after one touch")
Akin (boy’s name)
Akinkuotu (used for boys born into warrior clans)
Akinyemi (boy’s name)
Alade (boy born after many girls)
Alafin
Amonke
Aole
Asinia
Atiba
Awogbemi
Ayoka
Ayoluwa
Ayoola
Baba
Babatunji
Banjoko
Bayo
Bolanile
Dada (born with plenty of hair)
Dada Ogbegun (born with twisty hair)
Dara
Daramola
Dayo
Ebun
Efahesun
Ega
Erinle Abatan (born with umbilical cord around left hand)
Erinle Ibu Igberi (born with umbilical cord around right leg)
Erinle Ibu Oso (born with umbilical cord around waist)
Erinle Ojutu (born with umbilical cord around right hand)
Erinle Ondu (born with umbilical cord around left leg)
Erinola
Ewegbemi
Eweji
Fayola
Fola
Folayan
Foluke
Gbodi (born with polydactyly)
Idowu (born after a set of twins)
Ola (born after Idowu)
Otunla (born after Ola)
Etaoku (born after Otunla)
Erioku (born after Etaoku)
Idi
Ifasen
Ifeoma
Ige (breech birth)
Ilori (born to mother who still menstruated while pregnant)
Ishola
Iyabo
Iyabode
Iyalenu
Iyara
Jibade
Jumoke
Kayin
Kayode
Kehinde (second-born of twins) [Kenny]
Kikelomo
Kokumo
Kolawole
Korin
Kosoko
Kunle
Labalaba
Lyapo
Modupe
Mongo
Monifa (girl’s name)
Nayo
Oba
Obadele
Obanjoko
Obawole
Odu (born with sexdactyly)
Ogbegun
Ogunfiditimi
Ojo (boy born with umbilical cord around his neck)
Oke (born without ruptured membranes)
Olabisi
Olabunmi
Olakuotu (used for girls born into warrior clans)
Olamina
Olaniyan
Olatunji
Olubayo
Olufemi
Olufunke
Olugbadi (born with 6 toes on each foot)
Olugbala
Oluseyi
Olushola
Olutosin
Oluwa
Oluwaseyi
Oluwatobiloba
Omolara
Onigbagbo
Opo
Opolopo
Orishabiyi
Osaze
Oyedeji (given to babies of royal lineage)
Pupo
Salako (born with head covered with caul)
Sangoyomi
Segun
Shade
Shangokoya
Shangoyomi
Sharde
Soja
Taiwo (first-born of twins)
Talabi (born with head covered with caul)
Tawn
Tawno
Temitope
Tobi
Tosin
Tunde
Yemi
Yeside
Yetade
Yetunde
Yewande

Igbo girls’ names

Ada
Adama
Adamma
Adanma
Adanna
Adaora
Aina
Aku
Akueke
Akueni
Amadi
Amoge
Anasi
Ani
Aniweta
Awele
Azuka
Chiamaka
Chibugo
Chibuzo
Chidera
Chidimma
Chidumaga
Chielo
Chiemela
Chika
Chikaodili
Chikwendu
Chima
Chimaobim
Chinaka
Chinara
Chinasa
Chinelo
Chinemeremma
Chinese
Chinira
Chinue
Chinwe
Chinyere
Chizuoke
Chukwuka
Ebelechukwu
Egobi
Ejimofor
Ekene
Ekwefi
Ezelagbo
Ezinma
Ginika
Gwamniru
Ifama
Ifeanyi
Ifeoma
Ifeyinwa
Ijeoma
Iniko
Iverem
Kambina
Kambiri
Madu
Mazi
Mbafor
Mbeke
Mgbafo
Mgbogo
Mgbonkwo
Ndu
Ndulu
Njide
Nkechi
Nkem
Nkemakonam
Nkemjika
Nkiru
Nkoli
Ngozi
Nneka
Nnenaya
Nonye
Nonyelum
Nwakasi
Nwakego
Nwamaka
Nwayieke
Obi
Obiageli
Obialo
Obioma
Odion
Ogechi
Ogechikamma
Ogechukwu
Ojiugo
Okechuku
Okechukwu
Okpara
Okwii
Ola
Olachi
Olanma
Olaedo
Olisa
Onaedo
Onuchukwu
Onyi
Onyinye
Onyinechukwuka
Otitodilichukwu
Ozoemena
Ubanwa
Uchefuna
Uchenna
Udenkwo
Ugochi
Ugoeze
Ulu
Ure
Urenna
Uzodimma
Zikoranachukwudimma
Zinachidi

Igbo boys’ names

Achebe
Afamefula
Agu
Ajike
Ajofia
Ajulu
Ajuluchukwu
Akukalia
Amadi
Amaefula
Amalinze
Amazu
Amikwu
Anene
Anuli
Anywanwu
Azu
Azubuike
Chiagoziem
Chibuzo
Chidi
Chidiebere
Chidimma
Chigozie
Chijioke
Chike
Chikezie
Chinedu
Chino
Chinonso
Chinou
Chinua
Chinue
Chioke
Chizoba
Chukwubuikem
Chukwudi
Chukwuemek
Chukwura
Chuma
Diji
Dozie
Ebelegbulam
Eberechukwu
Egonwanne
Elewechi
Emefo
Ezeani
Ezeudu
Gozie
Ibe
Ibekwe
Ibezimako
Idigo
Ifama
Ifeanyi
Ifeanyichukwu
Igwelo
Ikechukwu
Ilom
Iweobiegbulam
Jaja
Kamalu
Kanye
Kanyechukwuekele
Kayin
Machi
Madu
Maduka
Ndulu
Ndulue
Ngozi
Nkwocha
Nmeregini
N’namdi
N’neka
Nwakibie
Obasi
Obiako
Obioma
Obinna
Obiora
Ogbonna
Ogochukwu
Okechuku
Okechukwu
Okeke
Okorie
Okorle
Okorocha
Okoye
Okpara
Okwudilichukwu
Onwuma
Onyeka
Onyemachi
Onyeorulu
Onyinye
Onyinechukwuka
Orji
Osondu
Otito
Ozo
Rapuokwu
Sochi
Tobechukwu
Tobeolisa
Uchenna
Ugonna
Ukegbu
Ulu
Unoka
Uyanwa
Uzowulu
Zebenjo

Hausa girls’ names

Altine (M)
Amina
Aminatu
Annakiya
Arziki
Asabe
Assibi (Sa)
Asura
Audi (born after father died)
Auta
Ayesho
Balaraba (W)
Batunya
Daura
Delu (born after many sons)
Gaddo (born after a set of twins)
Gude (Sa)
Gumbo
Hanazullunni
Hasana (first of twins)
Huseina (second of twins)
Jummai (F)
Kaka
Kande (born after many sons)
Koshi
Ladi (Su)
Lami (Th)
Laminde (Th)
Lantala (Tu)
Lantana (Tu)
Lanti (Tu)
Laraba (W)
Larai (W)
Lauretu (W)
Lisha
Lubabah
Marka
Monafiki
Nagode
Rabo
Rita
Shatu
Shetu
Talatu (Tu)
Tani (M)
Tanisha
Tarana
Turunku
Yalwa
Yar Arziki
Yar Jekada
Zaila
Zamangirra

Hausa boys’ names

Abashe
Adamu
Ajuji
Aminu
Auta
Bakano
Balarabe (W)
Barmani
BiSalla
Ciwake
Danasabe (Sa)
Danjuma (F)
Dan Kano
Danladi (Su)
Danlami (Th)
Dan More
Dantala (Tu)
Daren (born during the night)
Daren Tuwo
Dikko (firstborn)
Dogo
Dogon Jokado
Duka
Fodio
Gaddo (born after a set of twins)
Galadima
Hassan (first of twins)
Husayn (second of twins)
Husseini (second of twins)
Iggi (only son)
Jakada
Jirgi
Juji
Lahidi
Laraba
Mai Zaria
Noma
Rabo
Risku
Shaba
Shekarau
Shuka
Talatu (Tu)
Tanimu (M)
Tanko (born after many daughters)
Tatau
Tatu (Tu)
Yakubu
Yalwa
Yaro
Yohance
Zaki

Efik/Ibibio girls’ names

Affiong
Akaninyene
Akon
Aniekan
Aret
Arit
Atim
Awatt
Bassey
Batufon
Edidiongabasi
Edima
Edoamaowo
Ekanem
Ekebo
Ekei
Ekpeyoawan
Eme
Emeh
Etim
Ewon-Obong
Eyoanwan
Ikwo/Iquo/Iqwo
Imaabasi
Ini
Inibehe
Isang
Isio
Kufre-Obong
Lovelyn
Ndina
Nene
Nkoyo
Nsa
Nse
Nsemeke
Nseobong
Nsi
Nsidibe Abasi
Nsikak
Nsini-Abasi
Nya
Offiong
Otokima-Abasi
Rega
Uduakobong
Ukeme
Unyime
Unyimeabasi
Uyu
Wana

Efik/Ibibio boys’ names

Akaninyene
Andem
Andom
Aniekan
Asibong
Asuquo
Awatt
Bassey
Edet
Edidiongabasi
Edima
Ekara
Ekebo
Ekei
Ekeng
Ekpenyong
Ekwere
Etekamba
Etim
Etuk
Ewon-Obong
Eyenmma
Ima Muma
Inibehe
Iniibege
Inyang
Isio
Itam
Kufre-Obong
Ndueso
Nnimmonu
Nsa
Nseobong
Nsidibe Abasi
Nsini-Abasi
Nsisong
Nya
Nyakno
Obio-Offiong
Offiong
Okon
Okwong
Orok
Ovieh
Tekamba
Ubong
Uduakobong
Unyime
Unyimeabasi
Utin
Uwem

Yoruba surnames

Abasi
Abeni
Abimbola
Abiodun
Abiola
Adadevoh
Adamolekun
Ade
Adebayo
Adebimpe
Adebiyi
Adebowale
Adeboye
Adedeji
Adedokun
Adedoyin
Adefuye
Adegbalola
Adegbile
Adegbite
Adegoke
Adekoya
Adekunle
Adelakun
Adeleke
Ademola
Adeniji
Adeniran
Adeniyi
Adenowo
Adenuga
Adeoye
Adepoju
Aderin
Adesanya
Adesida
Adesina
Adetunji
Adewale
Adewole
Adewoye
Adewumi
Adeyanju
Adeyemi
Adeyemo
Adeyeye
Adigun
Afolabi
Afolayan
Agbo
Agboola
Aina
Aiyejina
Aiyeku
Ajakaiye
Ajala
Ajayi
Ajibade
Ajibefun
Ajibola
Ajiboye
Ajose
Ajulo
Akanbi
Akande
Akinboboye
Akinkoye
Akinnagbe
Akinola
Akinpelu
Akinradewo
Akinsanya
Akintoye
Akintunde
Akinwale
Akinwande
Akinyemi
Akinyinka
Akiode
Alabi
Alade
Aladekoba
Alake
Alakija
Alao
Alo
Aluko
Amale
Aminu
Amusa
Anibaba
Aradeon
Aragbaye
Aremu
Aromashodu
Atatalo
Awe
Awojobi
Ayanbadejo
Ayeni
Ayodele
Ayoola
Ayuba
Baba
Bababunmi
Babalola
Babatunde
Baderinwa
Baiyewu
Bakare
Balogun
Bamidele
Bamiro
Banjo
Bankole
Bashorun
Bayo
Bello
Biobaku
Borishade
Boye
Dabiri
Dagunduro
Daramola
Egunjobi
Emiola
Euba
Fabiyi
Faborede
Faduma
Fafunwa
Fagbohun
Fakeye
Falola
Faloye
Falusi
Familoni
Famuyiwa
Fatinikun
Fatiu
Fayemi
Filani
Gambari
Gbaja
Ibidapo
Ibikunle
Idowu
Ige
Ipaye
Ishola
Isola
Jegede
Jimoh
Kayode
Kehinde
Kolade
Kolawole
Kumuyi
Kuti
Ladipo
Lambo
Lawal
Mabogunje
Majekodunmo
Makinde
Manyika
Mimiko
Obafunwa
Obesere
Obey
Odeku
Odutokun
Oduwole
Oduye
Ogunbiyi
Ogunde
Ogundipe
Ogunfiditimi
Ogunkoya
Ogunlesi
Ogunleye
Ogunmola
Ogunnaike
Ogunsheye
Ojerinde
Ojike
Ojikutu
Ojo
Ojopagogo
Oke
Okediji
Okeniyi
Okikiolu
Ola
Oladapo
Oladele
Oladimeji
Oladipo
Oladipupo
Oladoye
Olaiya
Olajide
Olajuwon
Olaleye
Olaniyan
Olaniyi
Olanrewaju
Olarewaju
Olaswere
Olatunji
Olayiwola
Olopade
Oluanika
Olukotun
Olumide
Olupona
Olusola
Oluwafemi
Omole
Omolewa
Omolola
Omotola
Omotoso
Onabule
Onatolu
Onayemi
Oni
Oriola
Osagie
Osakalumi
Oshinowo
Oshoniyi
Osinbajo
Osofisan
Osundare
Osuntokun
Osupa
Owoh
Owolabi
Oyedepo
Oyediran
Oyegunle
Oyekan
Oyelana
Oyetoro
Oyewole
Oyewumi
Ozolua
Popoola
Salako
Sani
Sanni
Sanusi
Sanya
Shadare
Shekoi
Shittu
Soboyejo
Sodimu
Sofola
Sofolowe
Sosimi
Sotubo
Sowande
Soyinka
Taiwo
Temowo
Tetuila
Torimiro
Tubosun
Yekini

Igbo surnames

Abani
Achebe
Acholonu
Adichie
Adigwe
Aduba
Afigbo
Agu
Agunwa
Aniakor
Anyanwu
Asomugha
Azikiwe
Azuonye
Bardi
Chijindu
Chikezie
Chimezie
Chukwu
Chukwuka
Dike
Dingba
Diogu
Duru
Echeruo
Echinkunwoke
Edochie
Edozie
Ejiofor
Ejiro
Eke
Ekeh
Ekwensi
Ekwueme
Emecheta
Emenanjo
Enemkpali
Enwezor
Enwonwu
Esogbue
Eze
Ezeh
Ezekwesili
Ezeogu
Ezeugo
Ezuruonye
Gwam
Ibe
Ibekwe
Ifeadi
Ifeajuna
Igwe
Iheme
Ijeh
Ike
Ikedieze
Ikeji
Ikpeazu
Ikpi
Isozoh
Iweala
Iwundu
Kalu
Kaly
Kanayo
Kechere
Kiaga
Madu
Madubuike
Mba
Mezu
Mmeka
Moemeka
Mordi
Moweta
Mozie
Muoneke
Ndibe
Nduka
Ndukwe
Njoku
Njokuani
Nnaji
Nnamani
Nsa
Nsofor
Nwabudike
Nwachukwu
Nwaise
Nwankwo
Nwapa
Nwelue
Nwoffiah
Nwoko
Nwosu
Nzekwu
Obadike
Obi
Obialo
Obielum
Obinna
Obiora
Obodoechina
Ochuba
Odogwu
Odosiobodo
Odumegwu
Ofili
Ogbonna
Ogbu
Ogochukwu
Ogoro
Oguine
Ogwu
Ogwumike
Ojiudu
Ojuederie
Ojukwu
Okafor
Okaome
Oke
Okafor
Okeke
Okereke
Okigbo
Okocha
Okoh
Okoli
Okonjo
Okonkwo
Okonma
Okorafor
Okore
Okorie
Okoro
Okoye
Okpara
Okpuzu
Okwara
Okwei
Okwelume
Omalu
Omengboji
Omenka
Omenuko
Onuoha
Onweagba
Onwenu
Onyefulu
Onyekwelu
Onyekwene
Onyewu
Opara
Opia
Orji
Oruche
Osemele
Ovia
Owoh
Ubogagu
Uche
Uchendu
Udechukwu
Udeg
Udo
Ugochukwu
Ugonna
Ugwu
Umeadi
Umeh
Umenyiora
Umunna
Unigwe
Utomi
Uzoigwe
Uzoma

Hausa surnames

Abdullahi
Abu
Adamu
Aliyu
Alkali
Amadi
Audu
Bature
Burja
Dauda
Garba
Habe
Isah
Junaidu
Madaki
Muhktar
Mustapha
Raji
Rumfa
Shagari
Shehu
Sule
Tijani
Yahaya
Yakubu

Efik/Ibibio surnames

Akinwale
Akpan
Bassey
Edet
Effiong
Ekpo
Essien
Esua
Esuene
Etefia
Etim
Igbokwe
Imeh
Inyang
Obong
Okon
Udo
Udoh
Umoh