Newborn names are chosen with great care in Nigeria and many of them have to do with the circumstances surrounding the baby's birth. Sometimes families have names that run through generations maybe for first sons and daughters. Others still name their babies as answers to prayers or difficult situations God saw them through while pregnant. Whatever the circumstances, these names have rich meanings and beautiful sounds. It is also believed that names do affect a child's destiny.
Oro language is spoken predominantly in the lower Cross River basin of Nigeria. It is an encompassing word meaning both the language spoken by the people and the geographical location comprising five local government areas in the Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. The Oro people are one of the three major ethnic groups in Akwa Ibom - Ibibio, Annang and Oro. They are also referred to as Oro Ukpabang. The focal point of this post is on Oro names because little is known about them and their meaning, unlike Ibibio names which are more prevalent.
Following the Christianisation of the Oro people, many of the dominant names have been reduced in usage as first names. They now serve as surnames, clan names or family names because many of them have their root in deities and Christians prefer to give their children names that identify with God. These names most usually have 'Abasi' as a prefix or suffix. It is pronounced 'Abazi' and it means God. Comparing it with Ibibio names is to give the reader an easier understanding because Ibibio names are more prevalent.
Oro/Ibibio baby names and their meaning
Oro: Abasieme
Ibibio: Abasiama
Meaning: God loves
Oro: Abasiene
Ibibio: Abasianam
Meaning: God did it
Oro: Abasiofo
Ibibio: Abasiofon
Meaning: God is good
Oro: Abasioke
Ibibio: Abasiakan
Meaning: God has won
Oro: Abasiono
Ibibio: Abasiono
Meaning: God gave
Oro: Abasionyi
Ibibio: Abasienyene
Meaning: it belongs to God
Oro: Ekoabasi
Ibibio: Ekomobong
Meaning: praise God
Oro: Emeabasi
Ibibio: Amabasi
Meaning: lover of God
Oro: Iso
Ibibio: Iso
Meaning: front/forward
Oro: Lamabasi
Ibibio: Dayeabasi
Meaning: stand with God
Oro: Nkereuwem
Ibibio: Nkereuwem
Meaning: my name is life
Oro: Nkoabasi
Ibibio: Mekomabasi
Meaning: I thank God
Oro: Nyiabasi
Ibibio: Meyeneabasi
Meaning: I have God
Oro: Osuiniabasi
Ibibio: Ekeminiabasi
Meaning: it is God's time
Oro: Onyieme
Ibibio: Andiyeneama
Meaning: the owner loves it so
Oro: Uduonyi
Ibibio: Idorenyin
Meaning: hope
Oro: Ufoabasi
Ibibio: Mfonabasi
Meaning: God's grace
Oro: Ujeiabasi
Ibibio: Uyaiabasi
Meaning: beautiful God
Oro: Uniokid
Ibibio: Inemesit
Meaning: happiness
Oro: Unwana
Ibibio: Unwana
Meaning: light/bright
Oro: Uwem
Ibibio: Uwem
Meaning: life
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