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| Image by: esanland.org |
By
Williams Patrick Praise
Esan
names are beautiful, melodic, and deeply rooted in the culture of the
Esan people of Edo State, Nigeria. They often reflect the
circumstances of a child's birth, the family's gratitude to God
(Osele or Osanobua), or hopes for the child's future.
I
have categorised these 100 names into sections to help you navigate
them more easily.
Names
Related to God (Osele/Oise)
In
Esan culture, God is the centre
of life. Many names express gratitude or recognize divine
intervention.
# |
Name |
Meaning |
1 |
Alasose |
God has done it well |
2 |
Anehita |
What God has said (destiny) |
3 |
Ebehiremen |
What God has given to me |
4 |
Efosa |
God’s wealth |
5 |
Ehis |
Short for Ehizogie; God’s gift |
6 |
Ehizogie |
God made me king (or royalty) |
7 |
Enose |
God’s will |
8 |
Eseose |
Gift of God |
9 |
Inegbenehi |
I look up to God |
10 |
Obehi |
God’s hand |
11 |
Obosose |
God’s handiwork |
12 |
Oisegbokanmwen |
God did not let me be put to shame |
13 |
Oisemon |
God’s child |
14 |
Oiseyemwen |
God is good to me |
15 |
Osariemen |
God gave it to me |
16 |
Osasere |
God is the greatest |
17 |
Osatohanmwen |
God had mercy on me |
18 |
Ose |
Beauty (often used as a suffix for God) |
19 |
Osemudiamen |
God stands for me |
20 |
Osezua |
God gives wealth |
21 |
Oshioke |
God’s time is the best |
22 |
Osoyame |
God is my own |
23 |
Osomon |
God’s child |
24 |
Onose |
It belongs to God |
25 |
Oseyeme |
God is good to me |
Names
Focused on Children & Family (Omon)
In Esan tradition, children are considered the greatest wealth a person can have.
# |
Name |
Meaning |
26 |
Abieyuwa |
Born into wealth |
27 |
Adesuwa |
In the midst of wealth |
28 |
Emon |
Child |
29 |
Enahoro |
The one we have been looking for |
30 |
Eyie |
Mother |
31 |
Omon |
Child |
32 |
Omonigho |
A child is more precious than money |
33 |
Omono |
Child |
34 |
Omoye |
A child is valuable |
35 |
Omoyemen |
My child is good for me |
36 |
Omoze |
The child I chose |
37 |
Omonye |
A child is worth everything |
38 |
Uwamaka |
Wealth/Prosperity is good |
39 |
Uwaila |
Wealth does not pass (remains in the family) |
40 |
Omonese |
A child is a gift |
41 |
Omozele |
A child is the reason (for joy) |
42 |
Omonkhuse |
A child is greater than a gift |
43 |
Ehimen |
My spirit/My child |
44 |
Esaba |
Father’s gift |
45 |
Iyen |
News (usually good news of a birth) |
46 |
Omoigberai |
A child does not let the family line end |
47 |
Omoregbe |
Child is the body |
48 |
Omofuma |
A child brings comfort |
49 |
Omonibi |
A child is black (precious/pure) |
50 |
Omonigbe |
A child is the family pillar |
Names
Reflecting Destiny, Peace & Joy
These
names often describe the internal state of the family or the
perceived destiny of the child.
# |
Name |
Meaning |
51 |
Ofure |
Peace |
52 |
Oghogho |
Joy |
53 |
Oyemen |
I am happy (or "It is good for me") |
54 |
Iziegbe |
Patience/Endurance |
55 |
Ifueko |
Calmness/Gentleness |
56 |
Izogie |
Laughter |
57 |
Ikhide |
I have waited (patience) |
58 |
Ehi |
Destiny/Guardian Spirit |
59 |
Ehimwenma |
My destiny is good |
60 |
Ehinomen |
My destiny is good for me |
61 |
Ehimare |
Destiny has shown the way |
62 |
Imade |
I did not fall |
63 |
Isimen |
It is good for me |
64 |
Isimeme |
It is good for me |
65 |
Isesele |
It has happened well |
66 |
Itohan |
Mercy/Pity |
67 |
Itua |
Blessing/Praise |
68 |
Iveren |
Wisdom/Understanding |
69 |
Odia |
She stays (often given after child loss) |
70 |
Onohi |
The leader/The head |
71 |
Ononomen |
My own is good for me |
72 |
Oziegbe |
Patience |
73 |
Uhunoma |
Good head (Good luck) |
74 |
Uzola |
Sabbath/Day of rest |
75 |
Uzoyame |
My own choice |
Names Depicting Beauty & Preciousness
# |
Name |
Meaning |
76 |
Ivie |
Precious beads/Jewels |
77 |
Ose |
Beauty |
78 |
Uki |
Moon (Signifying brightness/beauty) |
79 |
Otiti |
Fame/Glory |
80 |
Oyere |
Celebration/Fame |
81 |
Amenze |
River water (Signifying purity) |
82 |
Asonose |
The beauty of the night |
83 |
Okhue |
Parrot (Signifying a beautiful voice/messenger) |
84 |
Ede |
Dawn/Morning |
85 |
Edewede |
The day has come |
86 |
Akugbe |
Unity |
87 |
Alaba |
Wait for me |
88 |
Azeke |
Wait and see |
89 |
Ejiro |
To praise (Though shared with Urhobo, used in Esan) |
90 |
Etuoma |
Good message |
91 |
Idia |
Famous Queen Mother (Historical name) |
92 |
Idowu |
Born after twins |
93 |
Iguehi |
Under the protection of destiny |
94 |
Ijie |
Royalty |
95 |
Iyebo |
Mother is "medicine" (comfort/healing) |
96 |
Otasowie |
Evening of the morning |
97 |
Owano |
The light |
98 |
Ozavize |
I chose this |
99 |
Ukinebo |
By the side of the shrine (favoured) |
100 |
Umami |
I have come |
Important Note on Pronunciation
Esan
is a tonal language. The meaning of a name can sometimes shift
slightly based on the dialect (e.g., Ewohimi, Irrua, Ekpoma, Uromi).
If you are choosing a name for a child, it is often a good idea to
consult with an elder in the specific family branch to ensure the
tone and local nuance are exactly right.
Would you like
me to help you pick a few names based on a specific theme, such as
"Wealth" or "Miracles"?
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