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
We should be v careful names we call our children. Call them good names dat will speak life into their destiny,imagine u give ur child a name like Omokri (he goat) how do u expect dat child to behave? Don't get me wrong pple answer dat name. Names r v powerful so we should be wise nd guided.. lol...
ReplyDeleteHmmmmmm.........Well said,A Name speaks Volumes truly...........NICE!!!
ReplyDeleteIts a command in Islam to give your children beautiful names, i named my children with meaning favour of Allah because its indeed his favor dt made me have them, nice write up
ReplyDeleteNo be lie o. I remember back then in secondary school being scorned I had no english name so I took upon the name Edward but my parents kicked against it. I was maDee to understand that it is better for thw white man to learn how to pronounce your name.
ReplyDeleteIbgotbto understand the reasons and story behind my native names.
Truth is, names are powerful. Choose wisely thw names you give to your children.
Nice one Bola.