# Writing Adolescent Fiction/Character names/Nigerian
## Usage note

Nigeria has many different tribes, and they each have their own pool of given names and surnames. Yoruba have different names from Igbo, who have different names from Hausa, who have different names from Ibibio.
Yoruba given names are unisex. Many Yoruba given names are used to specify a special characteristic of the child’s birth. Names beginning with Ade- are traditionally reserved for royalty.
Many Hausa names are restricted to people born on a certain day of the week. Such names and their associated weekdays are marked in parentheses.
Igbo names with 'Chi' or 'Chukwu' typically refer, at least in part, to God.

## Yoruba first names

* Aanu
* Abayami
* Abegunde
* Abejide
* Abeni ("We prayed for a girl, and she arrived!")
* Abi/Abidemi (born while his/her father was away)
* Abimbola
* Adeagbo
* Adebola
* Adebomi
* Adedagbo
* Adedayo
* Adedoyin
* Adegboyega
* Adegoke
* Adejola
* Adekanye
* Adelabu
* Adelaja
* Aderonke
* Adesina (conceived after much infertility)
* Adetokunbo
* Adewole
* Adeyemi
* Afiya
* Aina (girl born with umbilical cord around her neck)
* Ajagbe
* Ajala
* Ajayi (born face down, as if praying)
* Ajoke
* Akanke
* Akano ("conceived after one touch")
* Akin (boy’s name)
* Akinkuotu (used for boys born into warrior clans)
* Akinyemi (boy’s name)
* Alade (boy born after many girls)
* Alafin
* Amonke
* Aole
* Asinia
* Atiba
* Awogbemi
* Ayoka
* Ayoluwa
* Ayoola
* Baba
* Babatunji
* Banjoko
* Bayo
* Bolanile
* Dada (born with plenty of hair)
* Dada Ogbegun (born with twisty hair)
* Dara
* Daramola
* Dayo
* Ebun
* Efahesun
* Ega
* Erinle Abatan (born with umbilical cord around left hand)
* Erinle Ibu Igberi (born with umbilical cord around right leg)
* Erinle Ibu Oso (born with umbilical cord around waist)
* Erinle Ojutu (born with umbilical cord around right hand)
* Erinle Ondu (born with umbilical cord around left leg)
* Erinola
* Ewegbemi
* Eweji
* Fayola
* Fola
* Folayan
* Foluke
* Gbodi (born with polydactyly)
* Idowu (born after a set of twins)
* Ola (born after Idowu)
* Otunla (born after Ola)
* Etaoku (born after Otunla)
* Erioku (born after Etaoku)
* Idi
* Ifasen
* Ifeoma
* Ige (breech birth)
* Ilori (born to mother who still menstruated while pregnant)
* Ishola
* Iyabo
* Iyabode
* Iyalenu
* Iyara
* Jibade
* Jumoke
* Kayin
* Kayode
* Kehinde (second-born of twins) [Kenny]
* Kikelomo
* Kokumo
* Kolawole
* Korin
* Kosoko
* Kunle
* Labalaba
* Lyapo
* Modupe
* Mongo
* Monifa (girl’s name)
* Nayo
* Oba
* Obadele
* Obanjoko
* Obawole
* Odu (born with sexdactyly)
* Ogbegun
* Ogunfiditimi
* Ojo (boy born with umbilical cord around his neck)
* Oke (born without ruptured membranes)
* Olabisi
* Olabunmi
* Olakuotu (used for girls born into warrior clans)
* Olamina
* Olaniyan
* Olatunji
* Olubayo
* Olufemi
* Olufunke
* Olugbadi (born with 6 toes on each foot)
* Olugbala
* Oluseyi
* Olushola
* Olutosin
* Oluwa
* Oluwaseyi
* Oluwatobiloba
* Omolara
* Onigbagbo
* Opo
* Opolopo
* Orishabiyi
* Osaze
* Oyedeji (given to babies of royal lineage)
* Pupo
* Salako (born with head covered with caul)
* Sangoyomi
* Segun
* Shade
* Shangokoya
* Shangoyomi
* Sharde
* Soja
* Taiwo (first-born of twins)
* Talabi (born with head covered with caul)
* Tawn
* Tawno
* Temitope
* Tobi
* Tosin
* Tunde
* Yemi
* Yeside
* Yetade
* Yetunde
* Yewande

## Igbo girls’ names

* Ada
* Adama
* Adamma
* Adanma
* Adanna
* Adaora
* Aina
* Aku
* Akueke
* Akueni
* Amadi
* Amoge
* Anasi
* Ani
* Aniweta
* Awele
* Azuka
* Chiamaka
* Chibugo
* Chibuzo
* Chidera
* Chidimma
* Chidumaga
* Chielo
* Chiemela
* Chika
* Chikaodili
* Chikwendu
* Chima
* Chimaobim
* Chinaka
* Chinara
* Chinasa
* Chinelo
* Chinemeremma
* Chinese
* Chinira
* Chinue
* Chinwe
* Chinyere
* Chizuoke
* Chukwuka
* Ebelechukwu
* Egobi
* Ejimofor
* Ekene
* Ekwefi
* Ezelagbo
* Ezinma
* Ginika
* Gwamniru
* Ifama
* Ifeanyi
* Ifeoma
* Ifeyinwa
* Ijeoma
* Iniko
* Iverem
* Kambina
* Kambiri
* Madu
* Mazi
* Mbafor
* Mbeke
* Mgbafo
* Mgbogo
* Mgbonkwo
* Ndu
* Ndulu
* Njide
* Nkechi
* Nkem
* Nkemakonam
* Nkemjika
* Nkiru
* Nkoli
* Ngozi
* Nneka
* Nnenaya
* Nonye
* Nonyelum
* Nwakasi
* Nwakego
* Nwamaka
* Nwayieke
* Obi
* Obiageli
* Obialo
* Obioma
* Odion
* Ogechi
* Ogechikamma
* Ogechukwu
* Ojiugo
* Okechuku
* Okechukwu
* Okpara
* Okwii
* Ola
* Olachi
* Olanma
* Olaedo
* Olisa
* Onaedo
* Onuchukwu
* Onyi
* Onyinye
* Onyinechukwuka
* Otitodilichukwu
* Ozoemena
* Ubanwa
* Uchefuna
* Uchenna
* Udenkwo
* Ugochi
* Ugoeze
* Ulu
* Ure
* Urenna
* Uzodimma
* Zikoranachukwudimma
* Zinachidi

## Igbo boys’ names

* Achebe
* Afamefula
* Agu
* Ajike
* Ajofia
* Ajulu
* Ajuluchukwu
* Akukalia
* Amadi
* Amaefula
* Amalinze
* Amazu
* Amikwu
* Anene
* Anuli
* Anywanwu
* Azu
* Azubuike
* Chiagoziem
* Chibuzo
* Chidi
* Chidiebere
* Chidimma
* Chigozie
* Chijioke
* Chike
* Chikezie
* Chinedu
* Chino
* Chinonso
* Chinou
* Chinua
* Chinue
* Chioke
* Chizoba
* Chukwubuikem
* Chukwudi
* Chukwuemek
* Chukwura
* Chuma
* Diji
* Dozie
* Ebelegbulam
* Eberechukwu
* Egonwanne
* Elewechi
* Emefo
* Ezeani
* Ezeudu
* Gozie
* Ibe
* Ibekwe
* Ibezimako
* Idigo
* Ifama
* Ifeanyi
* Ifeanyichukwu
* Igwelo
* Ikechukwu
* Ilom
* Iweobiegbulam
* Jaja
* Kamalu
* Kanye
* Kanyechukwuekele
* Kayin
* Machi
* Madu
* Maduka
* Ndulu
* Ndulue
* Ngozi
* Nkwocha
* Nmeregini
* N’namdi
* N’neka
* Nwakibie
* Obasi
* Obiako
* Obioma
* Obinna
* Obiora
* Ogbonna
* Ogochukwu
* Okechuku
* Okechukwu
* Okeke
* Okorie
* Okorle
* Okorocha
* Okoye
* Okpara
* Okwudilichukwu
* Onwuma
* Onyeka
* Onyemachi
* Onyeorulu
* Onyinye
* Onyinechukwuka
* Orji
* Osondu
* Otito
* Ozo
* Rapuokwu
* Sochi
* Tobechukwu
* Tobeolisa
* Uchenna
* Ugonna
* Ukegbu
* Ulu
* Unoka
* Uyanwa
* Uzowulu
* Zebenjo

## Hausa girls’ names

* Altine (M)
* Amina
* Aminatu
* Annakiya
* Arziki
* Asabe
* Assibi (Sa)
* Asura
* Audi (born after father died)
* Auta
* Ayesho
* Balaraba (W)
* Batunya
* Daura
* Delu (born after many sons)
* Gaddo (born after a set of twins)
* Gude (Sa)
* Gumbo
* Hanazullunni
* Hasana (first of twins)
* Huseina (second of twins)
* Jummai (F)
* Kaka
* Kande (born after many sons)
* Koshi
* Ladi (Su)
* Lami (Th)
* Laminde (Th)
* Lantala (Tu)
* Lantana (Tu)
* Lanti (Tu)
* Laraba (W)
* Larai (W)
* Lauretu (W)
* Lisha
* Lubabah
* Marka
* Monafiki
* Nagode
* Rabo
* Rita
* Shatu
* Shetu
* Talatu (Tu)
* Tani (M)
* Tanisha
* Tarana
* Turunku
* Yalwa
* Yar Arziki
* Yar Jekada
* Zaila
* Zamangirra

## Hausa boys’ names

* Abashe
* Adamu
* Ajuji
* Aminu
* Auta
* Bakano
* Balarabe (W)
* Barmani
* BiSalla
* Ciwake
* Danasabe (Sa)
* Danjuma (F)
* Dan Kano
* Danladi (Su)
* Danlami (Th)
* Dan More
* Dantala (Tu)
* Daren (born during the night)
* Daren Tuwo
* Dikko (firstborn)
* Dogo
* Dogon Jokado
* Duka
* Fodio
* Gaddo (born after a set of twins)
* Galadima
* Hassan (first of twins)
* Husayn (second of twins)
* Husseini (second of twins)
* Iggi (only son)
* Jakada
* Jirgi
* Juji
* Lahidi
* Laraba
* Mai Zaria
* Noma
* Rabo
* Risku
* Shaba
* Shekarau
* Shuka
* Talatu (Tu)
* Tanimu (M)
* Tanko (born after many daughters)
* Tatau
* Tatu (Tu)
* Yakubu
* Yalwa
* Yaro
* Yohance
* Zaki

## Efik/Ibibio girls’ names

* Affiong
* Akaninyene
* Akon
* Aniekan
* Aret
* Arit
* Atim
* Awatt
* Bassey
* Batufon
* Edidiongabasi
* Edima
* Edoamaowo
* Ekanem
* Ekebo
* Ekei
* Ekpeyoawan
* Eme
* Emeh
* Etim
* Ewon-Obong
* Eyoanwan
* Ikwo/Iquo/Iqwo
* Imaabasi
* Ini
* Inibehe
* Isang
* Isio
* Kufre-Obong
* Lovelyn
* Ndina
* Nene
* Nkoyo
* Nsa
* Nse
* Nsemeke
* Nseobong
* Nsi
* Nsidibe Abasi
* Nsikak
* Nsini-Abasi
* Nya
* Offiong
* Otokima-Abasi
* Rega
* Uduakobong
* Ukeme
* Unyime
* Unyimeabasi
* Uyu
* Wana

## Efik/Ibibio boys’ names

* Akaninyene
* Andem
* Andom
* Aniekan
* Asibong
* Asuquo
* Awatt
* Bassey
* Edet
* Edidiongabasi
* Edima
* Ekara
* Ekebo
* Ekei
* Ekeng
* Ekpenyong
* Ekwere
* Etekamba
* Etim
* Etuk
* Ewon-Obong
* Eyenmma
* Ima Muma
* Inibehe
* Iniibege
* Inyang
* Isio
* Itam
* Kufre-Obong
* Ndueso
* Nnimmonu
* Nsa
* Nseobong
* Nsidibe Abasi
* Nsini-Abasi
* Nsisong
* Nya
* Nyakno
* Obio-Offiong
* Offiong
* Okon
* Okwong
* Orok
* Ovieh
* Tekamba
* Ubong
* Uduakobong
* Unyime
* Unyimeabasi
* Utin
* Uwem

## Yoruba surnames

* Abasi
* Abeni
* Abimbola
* Abiodun
* Abiola
* Adadevoh
* Adamolekun
* Ade
* Adebayo
* Adebimpe
* Adebiyi
* Adebowale
* Adeboye
* Adedeji
* Adedokun
* Adedoyin
* Adefuye
* Adegbalola
* Adegbile
* Adegbite
* Adegoke
* Adekoya
* Adekunle
* Adelakun
* Adeleke
* Ademola
* Adeniji
* Adeniran
* Adeniyi
* Adenowo
* Adenuga
* Adeoye
* Adepoju
* Aderin
* Adesanya
* Adesida
* Adesina
* Adetunji
* Adewale
* Adewole
* Adewoye
* Adewumi
* Adeyanju
* Adeyemi
* Adeyemo
* Adeyeye
* Adigun
* Afolabi
* Afolayan
* Agbo
* Agboola
* Aina
* Aiyejina
* Aiyeku
* Ajakaiye
* Ajala
* Ajayi
* Ajibade
* Ajibefun
* Ajibola
* Ajiboye
* Ajose
* Ajulo
* Akanbi
* Akande
* Akinboboye
* Akinkoye
* Akinnagbe
* Akinola
* Akinpelu
* Akinradewo
* Akinsanya
* Akintoye
* Akintunde
* Akinwale
* Akinwande
* Akinyemi
* Akinyinka
* Akiode
* Alabi
* Alade
* Aladekoba
* Alake
* Alakija
* Alao
* Alo
* Aluko
* Amale
* Aminu
* Amusa
* Anibaba
* Aradeon
* Aragbaye
* Aremu
* Aromashodu
* Atatalo
* Awe
* Awojobi
* Ayanbadejo
* Ayeni
* Ayodele
* Ayoola
* Ayuba
* Baba
* Bababunmi
* Babalola
* Babatunde
* Baderinwa
* Baiyewu
* Bakare
* Balogun
* Bamidele
* Bamiro
* Banjo
* Bankole
* Bashorun
* Bayo
* Bello
* Biobaku
* Borishade
* Boye
* Dabiri
* Dagunduro
* Daramola
* Egunjobi
* Emiola
* Euba
* Fabiyi
* Faborede
* Faduma
* Fafunwa
* Fagbohun
* Fakeye
* Falola
* Faloye
* Falusi
* Familoni
* Famuyiwa
* Fatinikun
* Fatiu
* Fayemi
* Filani
* Gambari
* Gbaja
* Ibidapo
* Ibikunle
* Idowu
* Ige
* Ipaye
* Ishola
* Isola
* Jegede
* Jimoh
* Kayode
* Kehinde
* Kolade
* Kolawole
* Kumuyi
* Kuti
* Ladipo
* Lambo
* Lawal
* Mabogunje
* Majekodunmo
* Makinde
* Manyika
* Mimiko
* Obafunwa
* Obesere
* Obey
* Odeku
* Odutokun
* Oduwole
* Oduye
* Ogunbiyi
* Ogunde
* Ogundipe
* Ogunfiditimi
* Ogunkoya
* Ogunlesi
* Ogunleye
* Ogunmola
* Ogunnaike
* Ogunsheye
* Ojerinde
* Ojike
* Ojikutu
* Ojo
* Ojopagogo
* Oke
* Okediji
* Okeniyi
* Okikiolu
* Ola
* Oladapo
* Oladele
* Oladimeji
* Oladipo
* Oladipupo
* Oladoye
* Olaiya
* Olajide
* Olajuwon
* Olaleye
* Olaniyan
* Olaniyi
* Olanrewaju
* Olarewaju
* Olaswere
* Olatunji
* Olayiwola
* Olopade
* Oluanika
* Olukotun
* Olumide
* Olupona
* Olusola
* Oluwafemi
* Omole
* Omolewa
* Omolola
* Omotola
* Omotoso
* Onabule
* Onatolu
* Onayemi
* Oni
* Oriola
* Osagie
* Osakalumi
* Oshinowo
* Oshoniyi
* Osinbajo
* Osofisan
* Osundare
* Osuntokun
* Osupa
* Owoh
* Owolabi
* Oyedepo
* Oyediran
* Oyegunle
* Oyekan
* Oyelana
* Oyetoro
* Oyewole
* Oyewumi
* Ozolua
* Popoola
* Salako
* Sani
* Sanni
* Sanusi
* Sanya
* Shadare
* Shekoi
* Shittu
* Soboyejo
* Sodimu
* Sofola
* Sofolowe
* Sosimi
* Sotubo
* Sowande
* Soyinka
* Taiwo
* Temowo
* Tetuila
* Torimiro
* Tubosun
* Yekini

## Igbo surnames

* Abani
* Achebe
* Acholonu
* Adichie
* Adigwe
* Aduba
* Afigbo
* Agu
* Agunwa
* Aniakor
* Anyanwu
* Asomugha
* Azikiwe
* Azuonye
* Bardi
* Chijindu
* Chikezie
* Chimezie
* Chukwu
* Chukwuka
* Dike
* Dingba
* Diogu
* Duru
* Echeruo
* Echinkunwoke
* Edochie
* Edozie
* Ejiofor
* Ejiro
* Eke
* Ekeh
* Ekwensi
* Ekwueme
* Emecheta
* Emenanjo
* Enemkpali
* Enwezor
* Enwonwu
* Esogbue
* Eze
* Ezeh
* Ezekwesili
* Ezeogu
* Ezeugo
* Ezuruonye
* Gwam
* Ibe
* Ibekwe
* Ifeadi
* Ifeajuna
* Igwe
* Iheme
* Ijeh
* Ike
* Ikedieze
* Ikeji
* Ikpeazu
* Ikpi
* Isozoh
* Iweala
* Iwundu
* Kalu
* Kaly
* Kanayo
* Kechere
* Kiaga
* Madu
* Madubuike
* Mba
* Mezu
* Mmeka
* Moemeka
* Mordi
* Moweta
* Mozie
* Muoneke
* Ndibe
* Nduka
* Ndukwe
* Njoku
* Njokuani
* Nnaji
* Nnamani
* Nsa
* Nsofor
* Nwabudike
* Nwachukwu
* Nwaise
* Nwankwo
* Nwapa
* Nwelue
* Nwoffiah
* Nwoko
* Nwosu
* Nzekwu
* Obadike
* Obi
* Obialo
* Obielum
* Obinna
* Obiora
* Obodoechina
* Ochuba
* Odogwu
* Odosiobodo
* Odumegwu
* Ofili
* Ogbonna
* Ogbu
* Ogochukwu
* Ogoro
* Oguine
* Ogwu
* Ogwumike
* Ojiudu
* Ojuederie
* Ojukwu
* Okafor
* Okaome
* Oke
* Okafor
* Okeke
* Okereke
* Okigbo
* Okocha
* Okoh
* Okoli
* Okonjo
* Okonkwo
* Okonma
* Okorafor
* Okore
* Okorie
* Okoro
* Okoye
* Okpara
* Okpuzu
* Okwara
* Okwei
* Okwelume
* Omalu
* Omengboji
* Omenka
* Omenuko
* Onuoha
* Onweagba
* Onwenu
* Onyefulu
* Onyekwelu
* Onyekwene
* Onyewu
* Opara
* Opia
* Orji
* Oruche
* Osemele
* Ovia
* Owoh
* Ubogagu
* Uche
* Uchendu
* Udechukwu
* Udeg
* Udo
* Ugochukwu
* Ugonna
* Ugwu
* Umeadi
* Umeh
* Umenyiora
* Umunna
* Unigwe
* Utomi
* Uzoigwe
* Uzoma

## Hausa surnames

* Abdullahi
* Abu
* Adamu
* Aliyu
* Alkali
* Amadi
* Audu
* Bature
* Burja
* Dauda
* Garba
* Habe
* Isah
* Junaidu
* Madaki
* Muhktar
* Mustapha
* Raji
* Rumfa
* Shagari
* Shehu
* Sule
* Tijani
* Yahaya
* Yakubu

## Efik/Ibibio surnames

* Akinwale
* Akpan
* Bassey
* Edet
* Effiong
* Ekpo
* Essien
* Esua
* Esuene
* Etefia
* Etim
* Igbokwe
* Imeh
* Inyang
* Obong
* Okon
* Udo
* Udoh
* Umoh