ABISO – CHRISTENING NAME
All children need not be “born with a name” but all must be named. Names are not given at random because of their euphony or merely because a distinguished member of the family or of the community was so named, but a set of purpose from circumstance connected with the child itself, or with reference to the family fortunes at the time etc. Hence the saying –
Ile la wo kia to so mo loruko (the state of the house must first be considered before naming a child)
The names then are always significant of something either with references to the child itself or to the family. A child may have two or more christening names given it one by each parent or grandparents if living or by any elderly member of the family.
These names are mainly categorized thus:
Names having reference to the child,
Names having reference to the family,
Names compounded of Ade, Olu, etc.,
Names compounded of names of deity worshipped,
Names compounded of Akin,
Compounds of Oje,
Compounds of Ode,
Compounds of Oso/Efun
Names having reference to the child itself:
Ayodele Joy enters the house
Morenike I have someone to pet
Moseb”olatan Joy hitherto despaired of
Ibiyemi Good birth becomes/befits me
Ibiyinka Surrounded by children
Names having reference to the family:
Ogundalenu Our home has been devastated by war
Otegbeye Warfare deprived us of our honour
Kurumi Death has improvised me
Ogunmola The river Ogun took away our honour
Iyapo Many trails
Names compounded of Ade, Olu, Ola and Oye. These names originally belonged to one of high or princely birth, but are now used indiscriminately:
Adebiyi The crown has begotten this
Adegbite The crown demands a throne
Olaleye Honour comes fittingly/ honour is full of dignity
Oyeyemi Title becomes me/ title befits me
Oyewole Title enters the house i.e. where the parent has a title
Ade does not always signify a crown, it may be taken from the de to arrive, it may then mean – coming e.g.:
Adebisi or My coming cause an increase
Adewusi
Adesina My coming opens the way
Adepoju The coming has become too much
Names compounded of names of deity worshipped:
Sangobunmi Sango (the god of thunder and lightning) gave me this
Ogundipe Ogun (the god of war) consoles me with this
Omiyale The god of visits the house
Oba –bunmi The king (i.e. god of small of pox) gave me this
Fafumke Ifa gave me this to pet
Osuntoki Osun is worthy of praise or honour
Compounds of Akin:
Akin which also means strength is compounded with names mostly for males:
Akinyele A strong one befits the house
Akinwale A strong one comes home
Akinrole The strong holds the house
Compounds of Oje: These names are peculiar to the children of Elewi of Ado. Names peculiar to the royal family of Oyo.
Male: Afonja, Tela, Ajuan
Female: Ogboja, Siye, Akere
Compounds of Ode: name peculiar to children of Ogun or Erinle worshippers
Odewale Ode comes to the house i.e. visits the family
Odemuyiwa Ode has brought me this
Compounds of Oso/Efun: shows that the family is a worshipper of Orisa Oko i.e. god of the fields.
Osodipe Oso has granted me a consolation
Osodeke Oso has become a shield/shelter
Efunsetan Efun has done it (by granting the child)
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