WHAT IS IN A NAME?

 

My name never appealed to me. I felt it was not fancy enough. I had friends and classmates in primary and secondary school who bore names like Linda, Sandra, Sharon, Jessica, Precious, Yvonne, Obiageli, Obianuju, Chetechi, Chidera, Odera, Nkoli, Nkem etc. I felt these names sounded more Sophisticated and Classy so I felt left out. During my confirmation, I chose the name Margaret because I liked the way it sounded but I regretted because my friends made jest of me calling me Maggi in the Nigerian way. My elder sister had an awesome English name “Ursula” but none of the remaining five children were that lucky; we all had Igbo names as our first and second names. Unfortunately, my home was not where you could bring your “foreign ideas” and share without getting a nice whip and being one really scared of pain, I decided to bury my frustration.

Circumstances changed my thinking when I had experiences that made me realize that my parents put a lot of thoughts in naming me. During my courtship, I watched this interesting movie “Out of bounds” about a Pastor who got tempted by a church member’s seductive daughter. The Pastor was RMD and the seductress was Bimbo Akintola who bore Adetutualias Tustsy honey Adigwe. I fell in love with the name Adetutu ;Tutsy for short and decided to call my first daughter Tutsy. My daughter’s pregnancy and delivery was a wonder. It was the first time I comprehended the awesomeness of God.We called her Ebubechi – Glory of God, Oluwapelumi – God with us and Miracle. Tutsy had disappeared from my subconscious. This is just a tip of the iceberg.

My second child/daughter was born after much pain and sorrow. She is a testimony. My husband called her Oreoluwa – Friend of God, I love the name because of its uniqueness. But I threw all forms of classiness and sophistication out of the door when I called her Ogechi and Blessing. Events had overridden my thinking. I could not thank God enough for her after all we had been through. It was then I realized why my parents called me Ogechikanma (Ogechi for short) – God’s time is the best. My mother weathered a similar storm like I did and concluded that He makes all things beautiful in His time. I called my daughter the name I despised without realizing that there is more to a name.

With these two experiences, I named my children according to the way and manner God brought them into my life. My third daughter is called Temiloluwa – My own is God’s own and Chizaram – God answered me (She gave us a tough time but eventually we were triumphant). The fourth, Toluwanimofe- Its God’s own I want and Onyinyechi – Gift of God (she was born a day to my birthday and is the only child with my complexion). Now my son’s conception and birth was a different ball game. When I found out I was pregnant, I was not that excited because I was scared I would have another girl and you know how our society looks upon women with so many girls and no son. But as promised by God he came forth. His father called him Oluwasore – God has done well. I on the other hand called him Chihurumnanya – God loves me and Samuel – Asked of the Lord. I know the name is a mouth full (it could not fit into his birth certificate) but had then truly God did love me. Names like Denzel, Tyrese, Bradley, Logan, Justin, Tyler, Drake, Chase etc are considered hot and sexy to have butI chose to call him after a prophet who loved God.

What is in a name? There is a great deal in a name. A name speaks volumes to your life.  I have educated my children about the circumstances of their birth and the reason they have such lovely names. They have embraced the namesand have owned them. Let’s be careful what we call our children. When I call out my daughter’s name “Temiloluwa” I am actually saying to my environment “My own is God’s own”. Let us return to the sensitivity of naming children. Find out the meanings of your names the circumstances that warranted them, and then extend it to your children. Give them our native names (the ones that exalt God), teach them the meanings and encourage them to answer them with pride and dignity. My name is OGECHI and I am proud of my name!

 

-ogechi Alabi