Nigerian languages are so interesting; I had a chat with my friend, Adure, today about this. I have always thought that as far as languages go, Igbo is one of the most nuanced and layered languages. Adure translated some beautiful Igbo names to English for me and I was just awed. I think the love that our parents have for us is so obvious in our Nigerian names. It just got me thinking, most of our parents were about my age when they started having kids! So, they were still young and hopeful, excited…you know, just starting life. You can see the pride, love and joy in the names we were given. You can also see the excitement, a little nervousness and perhaps their fear of their own inadequacies, as well as a bit of self-encouragement, in the names.

Some of the names Adure translated were:

Guzzorochi’m: Stand firm in the light of God.

Kanyechukwu: This one is dedicated to God.

Adure: Daughter of grace or daughter of elegance or daughter of beauty.

Codilichukwu: Let it be for God or I surrender to God or Let God’s will be done.

Amarachi: The grace of God.

Ahasanma: They [the gods or God] poured beauty on you.

Chimeni’m: It is the work of God alone or It is done by God alone.

Akugo: The most precious. Literally translated as ‘An eagle’s egg.’

Speaking of names, I’m going to add a Yoruba one I think is so beautiful.’Ifedolapo’ meaning [our] love has become wealth [at the birth of this child]. Also a Kalabari one I love is ‘Kilali’ meaning precious jewel (Literally translate as “coral beads” which were the ancient equivalent to the Crown Jewels in ancient Kalabari kingdom). I have a whole stash of beautiful Nigerian names for my kids, considering I don’t plan to have 50 kids I really don’t know what to do…might start calling my friends’ kids any name I like. Hmmm…

My middle name is ‘Nkemdirim’ meaning, “My own, let no one take what belongs to me.” ‘Nkem’, the short form simply means “mine or my own”. I love it. It is wonderful to feel so loved. 🙂 Funny, I hear that some Igbo couples use ‘Nkem’ as an endearment. So cute!

My discussion with Adure brought to mind a chorus I really like, it’s called Ibu Chi’m. I heard it in church ages ago and I knew it must have a deep translation when I saw the reaction of the congregation as the choir began to sing it. Luckily, my friend Onyinye (meaning ‘a Gift’) very kindly translated it for me.
Interestingly, I asked a colleague to translate the same chorus and although his translation was largely similar to Onyinye’s, it wasn’t exactly the same. I think it’s wonderful that both translators got similar yet different things from the same song, I’ve numbered the lines with two different interpretations.

Our languages are truly powerful.

Song: Ibu Chi’m

I bu chi’m oh ibu chi’m oh!
You are my God, you are my God!

I bu chi anya m gi ahu uzo.
You are the God through whom I see. Literally translated as “…you are the God that my eyes see with.”

A ga m agbachi uzo nwoke obioma
1. Will I lock my door against a man (a God) with a good heart?
2. [You are] A strong protection or my fortress or my refuge. [You are] A good man.

Olilanya di gi nso!
1. Hope is holy to you!
2. You are the hope of the saints. Or you are the expectation of the righteous!

Anyi was re ihe oku mana ife rere oku!
1. The fire that burns but the bush was not consumed!
2. [It is] He who burnt something [that] knows that something is burnt! (It is a proverb comparable to the saying, “Two people cannot tell a lie”, meaning that one of them knows that she is lying. In this context, it’s saying that we who are unworthy know it even if no one else does).

Gini kam ge ji were obi soro gi?!
What will I give to you that will be enough?!

A ga m a kpi isi ala nye gi ekene!
I will bow down and worship you!

I bu chi’m!
You are my God!