CELEBRATING THE POWER OF TRADITIONAL NAMES

Celebrating the Power of Traditional Names.

While assisting a customer with a cheque, I asked for her name. She replied, “Omowunmi.” When I inquired about its meaning, she smiled and said, “A child given by God.” I was struck by the depth and spirituality embedded in such a name.  

This encounter inspired me to applaud the Yoruba people and certain communities in Northern Nigeria, among others globally, who proudly preserve their historic naming traditions. Wherever you encounter them, you’ll notice that 90% bear traditional names each a vessel of prayer, blessing, or ancestral pride. For instance, my Esan name, “Osagie,” means “God’s messenger” or “God sent,” a profound identity my parents partly overshadowed by adding “Jonah.” I never got the opportunity to ask my late father why he felt compelled to layer a foreign name over such a powerful cultural heritage.  

Recently, I attended a naming ceremony where guests celebrated the child’s “cute” foreign names. Curious, I Googled them and was disheartened. Many parents adopt trendy names without researching their origins or meanings, often selecting fragments of definitions that lack cultural or spiritual weight.  

Traditional names are coded prayers. They carry ancestral wisdom, invoke blessings, and anchor identity. Names like “Omowunmi” or “Osagie” are not just labels, they are shields of protection, aspirations for prosperity, and bridges to heritage. In contrast, foreign names, while aesthetically pleasing, often lack this intrinsic connection to legacy.  

Today, Nigerian languages and cultures resonate globally. Our music dominates international playlists, and even English dictionaries now incorporate words like “oyinbo” (Yoruba for “foreigner”) or “danfo” (a Lagos bus). Yet, some still prioritize “impressive” foreign names over meaningful indigenous ones, denying children the spiritual armor embedded in their roots.  

To parents; A name is a lifelong gift. Before choosing one, dig into its history. Does it carry prayers? Does it honor your lineage? A traditional name doesn’t “localize” or limit a child it empowers them. It sparks curiosity, educates others, and wraps the bearer in blessings known and unknown.  

Let’s stop chasing trends. Instead, let’s revive the timeless practice of gifting children names that root them in strength, culture, and purpose.

Until the moment when will shall dance in white Greater Grace.

Oyugbo Osagie Jonah