ProWriters Hub Week 2: What Is In A Name - Local Names, Popular Names and The Act Of Naming: 24/7/2022

Preamble

To everything on planet earth, a name is given..... (Luchyl 2022).

What Is In A Name?

Names are said to be arbitrary labels used to differentiate people, villages, countries, items, food, businesses etc. For the purpose of this post, I would be focusing on some local names.
In Igbo land, different tribes have some popular names for which they are known.

For example in Abiriba/ Ohafia, the male name Kalu meaning god of thunder /war is very popular

In Ngwá land, you will hear Chisom (God with me) given to both male and female. Also Okezie meaning (One who was created well) is popular for the males.

For the Anambrarians this male name Lotanna meaning (remember your father / tribe) is popular while Chimnonyelum (God is with me) is for females.

A good name has meaning and resonates with everything else around it.
When giving names, it should be one that is good, has meaning and reflects the person's being, even the Bible said it in

(Proverbs 22:1, NIV):
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

My Names

I am addressed as Ambassador Ezinwanne Felicia Okezie

The title Ambassador came from an honorary award

Ezinwanne is my first name meaning Good, Kind hearted, loving, caring Sister /Brother.

The name is actually unisex meaning it can be given to a male or female. This name is peculiar to the Anambrarians and was given to me by my father. He told me that was the name of an Anambra lady he would have gotten married to and since it didn't work out and because he liked the name, he gave it to me.

Felicia, my middle name is a Latin meaning Happy

Okezie, my surname which is my grandfather's name means One Who Is Created Well

All my names were given to me by my father.
My pet name Nne gotten from the last three letters of my first name was from my mother, and that has become a household name. Even some close friends call me that too.
I have had some people give me different names. When I was much younger, one auntie that lives in our neighborhood gave me the name Urenna, her reason being that "a nam ere ure too much" literally meaning that I do guy a lot

How Are Names Formed In My Hometown

In the olden days in Igbo land, names were given based on the market day the child was born, or gods or diety of the land or circumstances surrounding the birth of the said child. For instance, Kamalu, Nwanjoku are names of Igbo deities and some people answer it.

Market Days and names associated with them

Eke market day names

• Eke, Ekekwe, Ekenta for males
• Mgbeke for females.

Orie market day

• Okorie, Nwaokorie, for males
• Mgbeorie for females.

Afọr market day names

• Nwafor, Okafor, Okoroafọr for males.
• Mgbafor, Afoma for females

Nkwo market day names

• Nwankwo, Okonkwo, Nkwonta for malws
• Mgbonkwo for females.
  Coming to my hometown the use of market days to name a child were practiced but nowadays, it's no longer in vogue. Parents now give names to their children based on the circumstances surrounding the birth of the child, or that which they like. Some give their children the same name they answer, a relative's or a friend's name. There's no end to how parents give names to their children.
  

Popular Male Names in My Hometown & Meanings

Ukachukwu meaning God's Word/Will
Chisom meaning God is with me
Uchenna meaning God's thought
Obioma meaning kind hearted, loving, compassionate
Chijindu meaning God is the keeper of life

Popular Female Names & Meaning

Oluchi meaning God's Work
Ugochi meaning God's Eagle
Uloma meaning Good/beautiful house
Chinmeremeze meaning God Made me a king
Ezinwanyi meaning Good woman
Uloaku meaning House of wealth

Some of the Names I admire

Urichindere which means You can't escape your Destiny.
Chimamanda which means My God cannot fail
Ezinwanne which means Good sister/brother
Chimaobim which means God knows or understands my heart
Chiemerie meaning God has won - God's victory.
Nwakaego meaning A child is better or greater than money.
Ogbenyealu which means Not to be married to a poor person or family.
Ihechi meaning God's light.
Nwaamara Graced or Favoured child

Some Names I Dislike

Azuka meaning the past or history is of essence or important.
Onwuka meaning death is greater.
Adaalusi means daughter of the gods.
Mgbeke means a pretty maiden but due to the way people attribute it to mean unrefined or unexposed village girl.

Did You Give Yourself A Name?

I didn't give myself any other name because all the names given to me by my parents are unique and have beautiful meanings and I am proud of them especially my first name. 😍

How I Formed My Steemit Name

I actually have another native name, Oluchi given to me by my father too and that was the name I was called until when it was time to register me in school, my father used Ezinwanne and everyone was told to call me that but till date, some family members still call me Oluchi. So when I wanted to form my steemit name, I didn't want to use my regular name so I coined @luchyl from Oluchi 😂

End

One's name is supposed to have a "meaningful meaning". Do not just give names because you like the way it sounds when pronounced or you just heard someone answer it. Remember a person's name is his or her identity.
Happy reading.

@focusnow
@samuel20
@steemalive
@chichieze