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ORISA
YORUBA
NAMES
, Chiet FAMA__ 1,000" (African)
Orisa/Yoraba Names1,000" Arica)
Orisa/Yorubi Names
Chief FAMA,
(FAMA Aina Adewalé-Somadhi
TyinifitAwo of
Ayétoro, Ogun State, Nigeria
yalgieAwo of
‘New Star Choir fof If), Ové, Nizeria,
éQrarmila Communications.
San Bereardino, California, US.A.
5 enigrama
Cupyrigh 1998, 2005 by Chief FAMA
(AMA AindAdewalé-Somadhi).
Allrightsreserved,
Nopattofthisbook may be reproduced or utilizedin
_any form orby any means, electronic or mechanical, eluding
photocopying and recording, or by any information storage
‘eietrievl system, without permission in writing from the au-
‘hora the publisher For information, nite:
{Ne Drnmita Communications
Fax (908) 4755850,
|Libeary of Congress Catalog Card Number: 98-91283.
‘Adévalé-Somadh, FAMA Ain
1,000" (Atican) Orisa/ Yoruba Names
First eprint, August 2005, 5.5 8.5, pp. 224
BN 0-9644247-5-4
Graphic art by Bubakéwo'Fakinié Oyesanya, a graphic
aistin Yorihaland, Nigeria, West Africa
Published in the United States of America; printedin Nigeria.Dedication
To the unseen forces responsible for my continued spiritual
strength and growth, in particular:
1. Qwonrin Sogb, my warrior guardion ard
2 Exit dara keeper of my spiritual arsenal.
My grandfather, lamana, who withthe other
ancestors, keep fighting my wars,
‘Ang tothe sweet memory ofmy mother, Osésinmgl,
Road Map
‘oelinnste confison and wat oftimeia inking apart
Terma, he index pgeaffesaroad-map tthe page for
thename being sought Names arranged in alphabetical
‘rae nln th vaiaons as wellasthe coated fons
sftbenames.
“Aik wayocheck forana, once the Osahas
teen determined, isto got the section designated fo tat
Origa. For instance, to check for [fi names one would goto
‘heseaion fr to check for Obl ames one would go
the section for Ooital/OrigaN tI shoud be noted
tht thenaesinths book ae ised by ll peing Fores-
anole, tock for an Itname suchas Féghemior Férnbt
wich re variton of gem and rnb, one would
[ok ort fil speling which bens with Ta Osis acon-
traction of Ors, therefore, when saching forOganames
asin Odsabunmi, one should look for Origabunmi. Contracted
names such as "Banké, ‘Ghémi, Oyin, "TObi...are cross-ref-
erence ormake the search ay.
cnepransyContents
Road Map
Preface
Mo Dapé (Thank You)
Naming Ceremony
Abiksi (Infant-death-syndrome)
yi names vento cider
tom to Ayan Grummer).
Beauty/Love -names given to children believed
tobe beautfullhandsome an expression
of the parents feling
Egngsin -rames given ocildren bor
to Egtingin prestspriestess
ga-names giventochildren bom to Est
ddevoees tala
Festival -rames given to children bor at
thetime ofan annual celebration
History -names tht givehistoriea information
copra
4
15
Content
Hope/Gift-names givento children who revive
hope or keep hopealive
Ifé/awoiOda -names given tochildren bomto
‘Babaldwo and If devotees.
Intea-Pamily Marriage -names givento
children born to elativesmaried to cach
other
win (Fairy)Sorcery-names given tochildren
born to fin priests/priestesses
Journey. -names given toachild born while
the father was away on a short trip.
Soy/Gratitude -names given to children born
during bappy occasions
‘Mattiple Births - twins ibe), wiplets (béta),
‘quadruplets(ibérin), quintuplets ibérin)
“Multipurpose - general names...
ames gvento children born to
Oginpriestsfpretesses
Oliwa (God)
Ori (Destiny) - names in honor of destiny
(Os¢-names given to childrenbomto
(Ose priestesses
chaps
35
3
31
39
4s
9
65
0
n1,000 (african) Orsi Names
(Award Title) names given to children bor,
at he time a parent is honored oF
isgivenachiefaincy tie 7 n
‘Obitata (Driga-NId) -names givento children
‘port to Obata (Oriss-Nla)
priestspriestesses 76
Ode (ssi) & Aghy (farmer) ~
hhantingarming namessometimes
sven ochitiren bom 0
‘Qs0si priests vicstesses. aI
(Omg -namesthat refi: ioe joy of having,
children 3
Gna (Road) -namesto honor dn (r08d) 88
Osanyinvwin “Pairy/Sorcery” Poison
-ianes given children bora to
‘Osanyin practitioners 89
‘Osun names vento children bon to
sunpristprietesses, se
Oya names given to children bornto
(Oya priestspriestesses 97
Reincarmation -names giveno children
believed wo be reincamated ancestor ..0.-98
Riches/Wealth -names given tochildren
‘bor tomiddle class parents, or
children bom ata time when the parents
Capa wit
‘came into sudden money ot wealth
Royalty - names giventochildren bor
into royal Families
names givento children bom
to Sango priestpriestsses
“Tribute to Parents -names given 10
children in onorofs parent.
Warrior -namesgiventochilden
‘bom to warrior fumilies
‘Yemgja- names givento children born to
‘Yemgja prests/priestesses
of Ibo Names -namesof Ibo
tribe of Eastern region of Nigeria,
West Africa
119
121
130Preface
{A Yortibé proverb says, “Ilé la nwo ka t6 so ome
‘Moruko” - ve look inward deciding what name to giveto a
child. Family circumstances influence what type ofname the
family will givetotheirnewbom child
‘Names, to some extent are symbolsof identity tothe
‘Yori, As symbols of identity, Yoruba names are designed
asopenings through which outsiders can get glimpse into
the bearers family background, profession tribal descent and
nationality. For exemple, Abiydmi which means, I would
havebeen ridiculed but was nt,” and Oriyoni which means
1 was saved by destiny,’ reveal that lives had either been
‘threatened, or the security of the family was once in jeopany
Iican and Oginditan Ufis hereditary, and Oxgin is he-
‘reditary) reveal that If and Ogiin ae the professions prac-
ticed by members of these families, Ayniran, drumming is
hereditary. reveals that drumming is the family’s profession,
Close examination ofa Yorubaname will reveal which sub-
group of the Yorlbs names are peculiar to certain gengraphi
cal area of Yorlbéland, Examples are Aina and Gj
given to girls and boys bor with the umbilical cord around
theirneck st bh. Aind and Oj6 are names peculiar Ow,
‘Onde and Bkit areas of Yorabéland. Oj6 is also popalar in
iebi area of Yoribéland, but not Ainé, Akin which means
(hep Faas1,000" (Afecun) Oris ork Names
“alo (sin Aine warranted) a
sri ats peel to warns Od Ona
hit geoph! aaa O80 Goer isu prtin io some
fanein {gi geopnpia aco onbans Anexanple
wrosisnklamsorouned or pots sce Os
tomOsutia win oxighons- feof ey apolar
ctestinanesetar ie esiwouper tee
te: The exumplrae bal
Yordbi names ar designed io reveal why ncetin
ame ven andere persona and historcainfoms-
Tlonahoutthe bese Take for instance, Tis i's predic-
ona we The question thn comet id ih
tothe precion”™ Teanswernrearto ena, Te,
‘Sonn fetowing vers of 04515 Gos bir Boge:
Loiteniooils
‘Theking dances majesty
Aybayadékin ai alte
‘The happy person dances happily
Inner ino
“Telargered-nt builds ails wih hritiness
LS¢'iéfinOlikin 7
Divi for Qrankiin
Teisearmo Ewilidd
Aprince in Ad6 Eki (atown in Yorubstand)
Wena ko ai’bo, ko 1 bab deni obs
Eo was prescribed forhimto solidify his chance of
ting installed as 2king
epelémirin
pigeons
Akiko adiye gyo dkan
1 rooster (cock)
cones anna
Preface
eycetD eyo dkan
T guinea hen
ewig eyo Okan
‘one she-goat
igha dké [ows]
‘Twohundreddollas
(orthe value of two hundred doarsin
Tocal money)
Olarankiin ni ebo
‘Ollrankiin made the ebo_
Lé ba di oléw6 ati olin)
Hetecame rich and prosperous
Ojeobe
He Was insalledasaking
Oninivayi lama aghe ade bor
Heid bythistime tomorow wil wear th crown
(Hew beonthe throne performing the oval
duties)
iwoyi Gila, pile wot
By thistimethe day after tomorrow visite
market with besded sat?
(Te will sarttouse his sta symbol a fice)
Bobi’ oi mézin imi bo slhiteséobe
‘Athee da am ody, wll wart king’ shoes
(Hewillb in fll command ofhis subjects)
Masimase bi obi
Iwilactlike king
Masinitilfaselonfa!
Ilse prdicon manifest
Tile
1tsprediction did manifest,
Obici Bogbs, Tlie
(hepa1.000 (African) Oria/Yorabt Names
Obata bogbs, i's prediction manifest
TIFASE
Tire ni gt
AybayOdekun italy
Ingkimo gins on
Lot if in Olirantin
‘Ti searéme Ewido
3ri'bo, koe bad dani oka
eye etd okan
cewirg
igha oké [ows]
Olirankin righ
TS bai oloweati ol6xd
Cha Faser
Preface
Oe ota
nina a mis ghé a hos
sot ina. ma aR WO
Bob oj merin on mas posal
Mada seb obatiise
Manitila elena!
“ile
irk Roghs fs
ob
Yorllbiinames ae also designed to revel sacred and
personal information about the bearer. For example, Okimng
isanamegiven toachild who wasconceived of Odi from,
Oghe Ose:
Agintan Opps
“The sheep onthe broad street
Bobaji
When wakes up
A pbé ondé ha nu
Iwhaugsaleathered cham ints moat
Ad fin aba Ojiwalene
Divined forking of Ojwalekt
Gasunkinpééundbi'mo
When be wasebilless
Wenni ki fiokin amilani'bo
He waste to make ebo with di tyeads
(Clack, ed, and white dreads)
Oba Aasrb.
AdG kingmade the gto
Ighi yo
‘When he wasto havea baby
Obiokinein
The baby cameas amale
Awon Babalawor tor wipé w6n tf okt ama
cep rama1000" african) Orisa Vora Names
ibe
The Babaléwos desided that because okin msl was
animportantingredient in the gbo
Ki won so om ni nf Okino
The child would be named Okinols
(astring of wealth)
Bidémi horn while wasaway. is another example
‘ofan that reveals personal information. Biden say that
she was born while her fahor was awayon.a short rip,
Since the wold itsel7heeps evolving, Yor has had
itsown share of cultural evolution It has suffered ftom the
incursion of tome contagious foreignreligions. Teincursion,
ofthese forcign religions has affected some Yorba names
For examples, O10 was oncea prefix to names bom by devo-
tees of Babalinvayé, This has changed, to some extent, since
‘he incursion of Christianity, Ol, nowadays, s sometimes
prefix for Ova (our preeminence), «Christian Yorba ref
‘erence for GOD. Names ike Olbanumi, Olddare, etc inthis
book are in recognition ofthis fact.
Ones ranen ah
Mo Dupé (Thank You)
Writing abook, particulalya compilation that must
be factual, is tedious, nerve wrecking project that requires
‘Bo0dresourees, Since the beginning of my writing career
people have been my greatest resource. Inthe process of
\weting this book, 1,000+ (African) Orisi/Yoritba
Names, !called ontnany of my Yoribibroshers and sisters
‘op choose a definition that bes deserites. in English, the
srue meaning ofa particular name. also called onthem wien
‘needed other opinions on some ofthehard-o-define names
because Yorba istconglomeration af diferent sub-tibes
with unique dialects tha give rise to unigue names oo, For
instance, my dalet, Qehd (pronounced avin Yorba tan
age) diferent rom Dkr (AKSK), Oni an
lexis, much asitis different rom Ibid fe, Osogho, Oy’,
Bab, Ebi (AbGoktia), dd and rin dialect, justto men-
tion few ofthe dialects. These brothers and sisters were
vey helpful, and my sincere chats toall of then,
Since my knowledge of the ‘diaspora version of
‘Yoribs religion smite, two resources for the names given
‘o godshildren in the diaspora were Babalawo Carlos C.
Collazo and Babaliwo Alifid Renavd Simmons), both el-
«ers fliving in New York andin Ohio, U S.A. Theyhelped
‘withthe diasporal Yemoja and Osun names,
Chef ranccett1.00 (Arian) OrighYordb Nemes
My husband, Chief Ifabpwalé S. Somadhi. was.an-
other gor resource. Eventhough havea good commande
the English language, nd Lam 2 few semesters say fom
geiting a degree in English. there were numerous occasions
‘when had t explain to im what! had just defined, and ake
thio giveme te exact English expression, Thisrealy helped
me because translating fkom Yoruba, a language with ts
‘unique, interested and sometime dtficultexpressionsandidi-
‘oms, 192 99.9% accuracy (if not 100%) in English is very
challenging Asamatter of fact, tis book took four(4) years
of consistent work, editing and rediting
"Fanumdde, Willa MeCluin, is one ofa few fiends,
‘with English as native language who wasalso aresource. It
particular shehelped with eiting the English portion.
My children, Kéredé Kaye, Titlayd Témitéps,
Avis Oj6 Aimasikd and Tifa chipped in, oo. Their
Knowledge of Yoruba language andthe culture was a usefil,
‘beainstorming resource .
‘My destiny Whicl continues to guideme; Qwénrin
Sogbé, my warrior guardian, who continues to protect me
‘and the greatest of al, Olbddmare, wine oversees my entire ¢
‘existence on earth; are the greatest resources,
Mo dipé wd ori Ori mi on ireni, ise Odiimare~
(any gratitude to destiny. My destiny is a good one, ag¢f0
God).
‘Thank youall
ChietFAMA
praca wit
Naming Ceremony in
Yorlibaland, West Africa
act atte ttihfany chi
wicca geminaerncetea
Thecesithinsitatnes
family. The second stage, even | though spiritual, ines
“tates ee
= os
resonates
icra cena te
aera teers tts:
eee cannes mar
reserved for unique births: Aind, Dada, ibeji, Oj6, Oliigbédi,
Chests1,090" (Afra) OnghYordhs Names Nating ceremony
‘Wola chil spedemnined. Taaiionalh, shame wring
+itual wil be performed frags on the seventh day after
inh The daysinctod the da of tah tok her fist breath
Oke ete
‘host isthespituaeadngperfomes foracild
onthe thin dayaterkerisbith, Tethreedaysinluiethe
chy the child was bor. The cogent reason for ikosbdeyeis
the desire fr spiritual guidance onthe prof the pares
‘The parents will be advised on how to guide protest and
sierthe ld toa happy, healthy sucess an prosperous
future. To dotkosbyé must be consulted, consul
tioninrepatoikow isthe excuse right of abies.
The proces kody wile fra fuurebook Inthe
diaspora. bringing dow ft determine the O'sruinga
‘godchild’s head equates to ikostdiyé when considered from
thoview pin hatte goed snew o rsh wership hich
isanaspect ofthe Yoroelison and hess inresion into
thereligonshoald bsp vat
‘uring ress oko an Orsi namemiht
te revealed depending onthe Od If that somes forthe
child Forexarple, (FOr comes during the reading,
thechild mgt be given mame ht ndcates ratte. That
name ight be Awesore
‘Once the names forthe child are determine, prepa
ration forthe narningeeremony wil eet inmotion. Tra Bet COTTAM and be toro
Conall immetia iis of ela arin | Tosa mura
svt the great grandparents, iftheyareaive the senda
{nin teat unlecand restau and the parts ofthe child |
pw atelesand antsarentiedt ge tec names.
Euston, thee limite how many names chil shoe
ansmerto, however, he above rds sty mains
ands never abused. Because fact thatthe names gi
toachldarerefeconsevelaions abouthe family, n os
sider isallowed fo give the child name, ules the family
allowsit
The day to give achild name, depending onthe ge
i
fle. Techrically by western counting this would bethe 6th
day afterberbirth.A boy will benamed on the ih day after
his birth The counting starts from the very day he was born.
Again, by westem counting, this would be the 8th day after
‘int, For example, ifagicl were bom on Qi6 Aié (day of
success- Monday), her 7h day naming ceremony willbe per-
pane chaptasess1.000 (African) Orig Vora Names
termed onthe folowing O56 Aik (day of longevity-Sun-
dy} For aboy, the naming ceremony wil be performed ihe
following Qi Ipfgun (day of victory ~Tuesda))
‘Daring he nso rom theme de chs was born
tothe day shee receivedaname the child answers to tem-
porary names. These namesare Abiyé and kok. Theeild,
fegazless of gender, isinterchangeably called Aig8 or KS
dependingon he choice of wboeveristalkingor refering to
the child. Abjyé means "Born to lve" which can further be
interpreted asa child who has comet lve.” 16ké, on the
conherhand means Brandnew"
Ontheday ofthe taming oremons,faily memes,
invited frendsand well-wishers assembles adesignsted
piace within he aly compound wivessthe name giving
Tia Meanil, the ismolériko materials are arranged
neatly unclean dishes then placed on mat onthe oor table
canbe buted if prefered). Te materialsfor soma,
though ot limited othe following, re: eku (ried, ia
‘ard (smoked cat fish), addin (com cake), epo pupa (red palm
coil), iy (Salt), oyin tabi iréké (honey or sugarcane), ataare