Every Urhobo name given to a child has a meaning attached to it. The Urhobo believe that a child lives up to the meaning of the name that she or he bears. For instance, there is a general belief that if a ‘thief’ is the name of a child, that child may grow up to be a ‘rogue.’ If, on the other hand, your child is given a name that suggests a ‘rich person,’ there is the belief that such a child invariably grows up to be a wealthy individual. Urhobo parents are therefore very careful of the names they give to their children.

For the most part, grandparents or close older relatives have the privilege of giving names to new-borns. This is usually an honour. However, unlike some of their ethnic neighbours, Urhobo people do not have any special naming ceremonies that require performing certain rites. 

Apart from the parents and grandparents, traditionally Urhobo rarely allow new-borns to be touched or sometimes seen directly by others until the age of three months. Mother and child are usually strong enough to have an outing at this age. This involves visiting the in-laws and other close relatives. At this time, the child would have been given a name. A birth registry is a recent notion in Urhoboland. Traditionally, Urhobo parents do not “count” the number of their children. Parents are not permitted by Urhobo cultural practices to count their children. The number of fingers often represents a count of one’s children.

Urhobo names have deep meanings. Names are not mere labels, as they are in some other societies. Many Urhobo names invoke spiritual or religious significance. Sometimes we give names to connote a challenge to self or others. Urhobo people thrive best when challenged. We also give names as a celebration and appreciation of the gift of a child itself. Several Urhobo names reflect honour and achievement. Certain names are simply philosophical, while others are gender specific. The Urhobo also give names that emphasize the importance of people as an important resource. Sometimes names are given to denote special days, especially if the individual was born on that specific day.

The Urhobo are a very republican people. They work very hard to acquire wealth and fame in an old-fashioned way. Your wealth is as good as its source. Urhobo will investigate the source of your wealth. If it is suspect, you stand to lose your respect, dignity and fame. A good number of Urhobo names have to do with wealth and money.

Names are also given to denote colors, weather conditions, natural resources and place of origin or where born.
The list that follows contains a sample of some common Urhobo names. Urhobo names are sometimes sentences or even phrases.  The ‘long forms’ may in fact be the ‘short forms’ of the actual long names. The ‘short forms’, therefore, are in some cases doubly short forms of the real names. However, the actual meanings of the names are never in doubt. 

Most Urhobo names start with vowels in the initial position except where abbreviated.

Akpenvwoghene(Praise God), Anaborhi (Be born with good destiny), Edewor (Sacred day of worship in traditional religion), Ejiroghene (Praise God), Enohor/Elohor (Blessing), Erhiaganoma (Guardian spirit overpowers the body), Eseoghene (God’s gift), Oghenetega (God is worship-worthy) Oghenefejiro (God is praiseworthy), Efemena (Here is my wealth), Oghenerukevwe (God did this for me), Eserovwe (God’s grace or Free gift), Oghenebrume (God decided in my favour), Oghenechovwe (God aided me), Oghenegaren (God is great) Oghenekevwe (God gave (provided for) me), Oghenekohwo (God provides), Ogheneme (My God),Oghenemine (I look up to God), Oghenenyore (God answers prayers), Ogheneruemu (God makes things possible) Ogheneruno (God has so much great), Edafetanure (The wealthy have spoken), Efemuaye (Those intoxicated with riches), Efetobore( Wealth has now been achieved), Etanomare (Freed from blame / despair), Etaredafe (Words of the wealthy), Iroro (wisdom), Ighomuedafe (Money intoxicates the wealthy)

englishmart:
tallesty1, you no be catholic again?

Tallesty1:
A catholic priest can be referred to as a pastor sir

englishmart:
I didn't dispute that. But last I checked, catholic priests didn't speak in tongues

Tallesty1:
Do you go to adorations or vigils?

The Urhobo are a very republican people. They work very hard to acquire wealth and fame in an old-fashioned way. Your wealth is as good as its source. Urhobo will investigate the source of your wealth. If it is suspect, you stand to lose your respect, dignity and fame. A good number of Urhobo names have to do with wealth and money.

kbshow100:
Pls what is the meaning of EDAFE (I'm not sure Of the spelling)

john4reala:
My husband will stop the export of Edo prostitutes to
Italy* Aisha Buhari (2015)