Are you curious to find some common first names in Nigeria?
Then you must read this article below.
We will list a couple of popular first names that are used across the country. You might like a few of these names for your newborns.
Let’s get on with our discussion right away.
Common First Names In Nigeria
A first name is a form of identity given to an individual after delivery or baptism. However, in Nigeria, some names are referred to as common names.
A few of these common first names are in English, while the majority are in local tongues. A portion of Nigerian parents chose these natives’ popular names for their significance, while others opt for their popularity.
Now we will examine some familiar Nigerian first names according to the different ethnic groups we have across the country.
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Frequented English Names
Some of the common English names used in Nigeria include Favor, Joy, Blessing, Marvelous, Gift, Glory, Mercy, Prince, Princess, Sandra, Happiness, Jerry, Janet, Alice, Kinsley, Faith, Rosemary, Justine, Patience, Queen, Treasure, Jenny, Fortune, Victory, Victoria, Precious, Stephanie, Love, and lots more.
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Frequented Biblical Names
Most Christians in Nigeria like to name their children with biblical names, especially the children of the 20 and 21st centuries.
Some of these names comprise Matthew, Peter, Job, Samuel, Andrew, Abigail, David, Solomon, Michael, Naomi, Samson, Mark, John, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Jacob, Moses, Caleb, Hannah, Mary, Rachael, Nathaniel and many more.
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Frequented Names in Igbo
Igbo is one of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria, they also have some given names that are frequented throughout the country.
These includes Ifeoma, Chika, Chukwudi, Adamma, Adaeze, Chibuzo, Chioma, Ikechukwu, Ikenna, Obina, Ifeyinwa, Chinyere, Adaego, Eze, Nnamdi, Onyekachi, Chisom, Ebuka, Chichima, Chibuike, Chibarameze, Chikanma, Chidozie, Chibundu and so forth.
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Frequented Names in Yoruba
Yoruba is another important language in Nigeria and they also have many first names that they have frequented.
Some of these names include Yetunde, Titilayo, Olumide, Damilola, Olabisi, Abiodun, Tifeoluwa, Bimpe, Abimbola, Ekundayo, Eniola, Enitan, Bola, Folashade, Yetunde, Makinde, Adeyemi, Olamide, Kunle, Folake, Amoke, Oluwafemi, Ojo, Dayo and many more.
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Frequented Names in Hausa
Moving to northern Nigeria is the Hausa people, also among the major ethnic groups in the nation. They too are not left out as far as common first names are concerned.
Some of them include Danjuma, Sarouniya, Latifah, Aisha, Habibah, Zahrah, Fara, Faruq, Aminu, Gaddo, Danlami, Balarebe, Gambo, Aminah, Fa’idah, Uamru, Mohammed, Abubakar, Iman, Mansurah and many more.
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Frequented Names in Fulfulde
It’s a different verbalized tongue in northern Nigeria. There are also a few common names in their dialect.
They include Boubacar, Mamado Yero, Mamado, Lamine, Saikou, Ibrahima, Hassan, Alhassana, Alseny, Kasatou, Binta,Denabou, Dalanda, Hassanatou, Bello, Nyko, Jalloh, Debbo, Gorko, Ardo, Jawro, Baffa, Lamido, Goggo, Suka, Gidado, Yidi, Daneejo, Juddo, Shubaado and lots more.
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Frequented Names in Kanuri
In northeastern Nigeria, we have the Kanuri people of Borno State.
They have some significant first names that are common. These include Ngari, Kalla, Konto, Bunami, Tar, Garwa, Bunu, Madari, Sato, Maida,Balu, Ngwari, Falmata, Tukule, Mele, Modu, Aji, Amsa, Yamara, Yaalta, Mommodu, Butari, Aisa, Yaruwaiya, Shetu, Foji, Kuura, Mangu and many more.
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Frequented Names in Ijaw
Moving down south in Nigeria, you will come across the Ijaw people.
They have some interesting and meaningful first names. Among them include Abbey, Abadi-ingobo, Abalagha, Aberebiegha, Adagogo, Adango, Afini, Biedimanye, Bietonye, Binatu, Bitegeragha, Basoene, Dabara, Daminabo, Datubo, Ebide, Ebiarede, Ebi, Ebiaga, Ebinie, Ebiotu, Ebiowou, Ezoukumor, Ibiama, Ibiere, Ibifagha and many more.
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Frequented Names in Edo
If you stay in Edo state, you will probably come across one of these popular first names.
Enosa, Esohe, Esomo, Efosa, Efe, Edosa, Ehimwerenma, Ekinadoese, Ehzogie, Idehen, Idemudia, Isoken, Itohan, Ivie, Isiuwa, Imaduyunuaghbon, Ifueko, Igayezomo, Erharuyi, Ekiuwa, Ehigiator, Abieyuwa, Akugbe, Amenze, Amenaghawon, Adesuwa and many more.
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Frequented Names in Ibibio
This is another tongue in the southern region of the country.
Some of their common first names consist of the following Itoro, Aniekan, Eno-Obong, Affiong, Ediye, Uyai, Ime, Dara, IfioK, Abasifreke, Inemesit, adding, Mbom, Uyime, Iniobong, Mfon, Idara, Ekomobong, Edikan, Sifon, Ekaete, Obongoawan, Edidem, Edimek, Ekong and so forth.
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Frequented Names in Tiv
In the middle belt, you will come across the Tiv ethnic group. They also have some terrific first names that are common in places like Taraba, Benue, and part of Nassarawa.
Some of these common names are Limaba, Shiminge, Mhonum, Morihinze, Hembadoon, Yahimba, Iverem, Wandoo, Teremun, Bem, Tor, Boseda, Tyehimba, Dooshima, Aondowse, Aondohimba, and lots more.
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Frequented Names in Idoma
Still in the middle, you can find the natives of Idoma in Benue state. They also have first names they frequented.
Among them are Adah, , Aboh, Adama, Aguw, Ajeh, Akochie, Alechemu, Apochi, Emochi, Elgahi, Ewache, Enokela, Ek’owoicho, Ekondu, Ekoja, Ihotu, Ikwulonu, Obiabo, Obe, Obotu, Obogwu, Obute, Ngbede, Inedu, Inalegwu, Ocheme, Ochepo, Ocholohi, Ocholjila, Ogebe, Ogejuma and many more.
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Frequented Names in Igala
The Igala people are very popular in Nigeria. They have a couple of first names they frequent.
Some of them include Agude, Akowe, Ajogwu, Ameh, Anoko, Alewo, Alifeli, Enojo, Ufado, Ichala, Ibe, Iganya, Atah, Okolo, Umola, Ojimaojo, Ojima, Ojonugwa, Ojonede, Enyoone, Ojochogwu, Ojotule, Ojochenemi, Ikoojo, Ajifa, Agooyibo, Onu, Enemona, Ododo and may more.
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Frequented Names in Itsekiri
The Itsekiri people in the southern region of Nigeria are not left behind as well when it comes to common first names.
Among them are Dolor, Alero, Ebeji, Urowoli, Toritesfe, Besida, Orighomisan, Agbeyegbe, Agboghoroma, Edemadiden, Edematie, Edema, Atsegbaghan, Jirinrgho, Edonmi, Mene, Omatseye, Towuaghantse, Ukuedojor, Ukuemene, Ofortokun and many more.
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Frequented Names in Urhobo
Last on our list is the Urhobo people of southern Nigeria. They have some interesting first names, and some of them include the following:
Edewor, Ejiroghene, Ejokparoghene, Erhiagonoma, Erhinyoja, Erhinyuse, Oghenebrume, Ogheneme, Oghenruemu, Onomine, Onomavwe, Onakpoma, Omarmerhi, achojah, Efetobo, Etannomare, Mitaaire, Ojakorotu and so forth.
There are so many first names among different ethnic groups in the country. These are just a few out of thousands.
Some of these native names are derived from the events and circumstances that the parents find themselves in. Some are good events and some are painful.
However, we have provided a few names above, you can choose the one you want, that’s if you find your ethnic group is among the aforementioned.
If your ethnicity isn’t among the ones we mention, there are English names, you can make do with.