Anyhow. I called my papa, he tell me say in Umuahia nobody carries this name. He seems to think only Calabar people ansa Arianna, Aria and so on.

The man is not omniscient, nor is he an authority on naming trends in all of Umuahia or Abia state for that matter.

Of course it is an Igbo name jor, but its semming rarity and the apparent discussion it brings up begs the question which part of Igbo land this name is prominent/normal.

Never knew we had such rare names most folks don't recognize them as Igbo even!

Chinachriss:
Hahaha, OP don't fidget. Arianna is a cool name. It means Father's possession or Father's belongings. Aria here means a collection of things. My mother would always go to the market to kwaa aria ofe( soup) maobu situu(stew).


Hope you grab?

I do I do, just looking for extra assurance to alleviate insecurity. Ah, mek I no vex. Thanks again, I will carry on knowing the name doesn't mean sick papa

Perhaps someone with the knowledge could explain the etymology, I have a feeling a few people will deny that this name is Igbo. Is the above explanation regarding 'Aya m' the correct explanation? Thanks to all contributors.

ChinenyeN:
This is how it is nowadays when the Igbo population barely knows anything about itself. Anyway, OP, there is nothing wrong with that name. It is one name among a similar category of names. It should also come as no surprise to you that the name is hard to find.

In the era where you will find Igbo people naming their children every form of Chi-till-I-die, you should expect every other names to border on non-conventional to unknown. So notin spoil. Carry go.

Daalu! I was thinking exactly that it was uncommon, which might be why I did not hear of it. This was also why I liked the name. I also wanted to call her Ojiugo after my great-grandmother, but the wife no dey gree. I was avoiding chi, because names with Chi na too much these days. Even my own name contains Chi. I will keep the name, and not worry too much. Again, thank you very much.

Ah...I should learn Igbo to avoid confusion

Igbo kwenu.

As a non-native Igbo I have tentatively named my child Arianna. Somebody then said that aria means sick, at least in Abia. I shouted upon hearing this! Distin na confusin, because I picked the name from a list of names found on the net (who knew the net could be wrong ). I have googled this and see no signs of this name being anything but an error. I have seen maybe two igbo women with this name online, but possibly this is the western version abi. Here on Nairaland a few have discussed it, please enlighten me so I can stop this before it goes too far.

I found the name on kwenu.com;

ARIANNA: [Aria nna = Father's possession]

DWV: "Aria" is a general term used for mostly handy personal possessions, not lands and houses. It is a loving gesture for a father to consider her daughter a priced possession, and it should not be seen from the economic sense because "aria" has mostly sentimental values; folks won't part with their "aria" no matter the amount you offer.

Gender: Strictly female

The most logical explanation I have seen thus far is here on nl from here: https://www.nairaland.com/11383/igbo-names-meanings/11

vickanny: 8:22pm On Sep 04, 2008

@ndubu,
They are right! I mean the ones that said that ARIA means possession. Aria, OR Aya according to my late grandmother means personal possession. During the little time she stayed with us I constantly heard her use AYA M ie my belongings in stories she told us/me. Eg Eburu m ngwo aya m wee jee ahia. According to central Igbo it would be ARIA pronounced phonetically as - saw-saw- A-RIA. So by the aforegoing they are right though I've never seen anyone bearing that name. But you know names were invented by people, so why can't we invent more?

If they are common or not I cannot say, but names I did not see here (most from Kwenu Web site):

CHIKELU [Chi kelu.... = God created...]
DWV: CHIKE, CHUKWUKELU
Gender: Male

UBANAESE [Uba na-ese (okwu) = Wealth causes (problems)]
Intepretation: This name exemplifies the continued erosion of meanings in Igbo. Written as "Ubanese," it could easily be mistaken for an Italian name and the meaning lost with time. This name warns of the trappings of mindless materialism. Those who aspire to get rich by any means necessary usually end up in a lot of problems.
DWV: UBANAESEOKWU, UBANESE
Gender: Male

JIBUUGWU[Ji bu ugwu = Yam is respect]
Interpretation: The prestige that comes with the possession of yams brings a lot of respect to the skills of the owner. Yes, the possesssion of yams is a source of respect. [See also Dibuugwu, Nwabuugwu]
DWV: JIBUGWU
Gender: Male

URENNA [Ure nna (ya) = The charm/pride of (her) father]
DWV: URE, URENNAYA
Gender: Female.

IKEJIANI [Ike ji Ani = The power that holds the Earth Deity.]
Interpretation: “Ikejiani,” as a word qualifies for the English equivalent of “Gravity.” However, it is not known how it came to become a name nor what the name-giver had in mind. It is most likely that this stuck as a family name from a “society” name, a praise name more than a name given at childhood. It means the person must have been so powerful they nicknamed him the ultimate power known to man, even if it bothers on blasphemy.

ONWANEETILIORA [Onwa na-etili ora = The moon the shines for all]
Interpretation:
DWV: ONWANETIRIOHA
Gender: Male

Nwannam, maybe you can assist me. How is it that Ojiugo is both white Kola and beautiful, when Oji means Kola or black abi? And Ugo is eagle. Am I missing the various phonetic symbols perhaps?

Simple Igbo phrase I don't sabi, e be

'Odi kwa mma'.

It sounds like a question some times, but sometimes it sounds like a response. Any enlightenment is appreciated.

Daalu from a non-Igbo speaker.

This thread should not die abeg.

A list or archive of precolonial, or uncorrupted/unanglicized names will aid our diaspora, and our children's children.

The inceptor of this thread is very great.


- from a diasporan Igbo

Igbo kwenu!

I salut una.

I remember my father telling me of my nnanna's name, Nwazue. As I recall, he said it means everybody should have children. Can anybody confirm? No amount of googling has yielded results.

Praps Nwazue seems to short for that, so I'm guessing it is an abbreviation of sorts.

Dalu.

Salut.

Would someone be willing and graceful to assist me to put the following into Igbo - as a gift for my father?

Father you have fought well!
As a child I looked up to you,
But I am now a man, so I walk my own path and make my own decisions.

Because of you, I honor our ancestors and love my people.
I will follow your example, and serve Ndi-Igbo.

Just saw this while googling, and it surprised me to the point of having to share it here.

This bros is on the right track, but I just see a lot of foolishness when men like this start jabbering about Israel and the Bible.

http://nationaldailyngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1012:book-excerpts-the-african-tiger-singaporetaiwan-as-models-of-development&catid=45:shop&Itemid=404

And who knew there was a Igbo Council in Europe? Kai! That is great.

Udo.

Na wow.

That is an evil genius,

I'm a bit glad he wasn't caught.

Udo.

Ndewo lactemps.

Thank you o for the suggestion, I have noted them down And you guessed my name correctly.

Indeed, we must live and let live but pan-africanism seems like a silly concept to some of our brother and sisters.

Anyway enyhi, I have to run out but to ansa yo quesshon: baby will be born in july (this july). We are from Umekwule, but my grandparents have both passed I will have to call some of our real elders to ask them if there is time - if not the Ancestors will guide.


Who has names that are not tainted by white religion or that are related to ancestors or the IGbo pantheon?



Chi bless,

- Chimaobi

Greetings my (Igbo) people.

This is a question from a father to be, hear my story.

My woman is from East Afrika, we've been together for some years (boyfriend/girlfriend things) but it was not going well, then a few days after we break up she is pregnant. Now we are expecting a child in a short time.

I have told her that in our tradition (my side is specifically Umuahia) we try to name our children after circumstance, not -only- what we like. This has vexed her, but nonetheless I persist that my childs frist name will 1) be an Igbo name and 2) will not be decided until after the child is born.

She is struggling with this concept (she wants to give my child Onyeocha names) and giving me a headache, but alas, that is what you get for trying to be serious with a foreign woman.

I have come to my people here (because here we are many on this boeard, and my local Igbo Forum is on vacation) to ask them to aid a Brother in his quest for the right name.

Will you aid me? I'll supply some facts so that maybe you can think of a name that would suit the occasion. Hopefully some of the ones I've chosen will match yours.

I am young, under 25, my name means God knows my/the heart and still studying law. I have rejected white religion because I see it as poison in my community. I was raised by my father (Umuahia man) since my mother was absent (western sickness).

My woman is older than me, closer to 30. From East Afrika, close to Tanzania.

The relationship has been rocky, we've argued much about lifestyle, religion, spirituality and family matters but have done our best to remain as one entity (FAMILY) the whole time. We were not sure the child would make it (risk pregnancy due) and we were in and out of hospital every week. In the end, we heard the child would make it and all doubts were removed - this child would be accepted joyously even if my father and my community should reject it. I have been sad because I know my Igbo people are now further removed from my new family, but I know the ancestors will guide me back shortly.

As it is now I'm browsing trough the Igbo names thread but I'd like some personal suggestions. The sex of my seed is still unkown, we have waited.

I beg, help me  List suggestions, meaning and sex.

If more information is required, please ask.

Udo.

p.s.: Chimaaba is not my name, just the nickname (note: Chima1obi is my name)