1Sharon:
Lol OP what does Lawrence mean?

Dremca:
Lol. Google is your friend.

1Sharon:


You tell me

Dremca:
I currently bear my grand-father's name as my surname "Nweke" which means "A boy born on 'eke' market day" (One of the market days in Igbo: Eke, Orie, Afor, Nkwo) It could literally mean "son of a python" (Nwa- meaning Child, Eke- meaning python). Also from my findings it is affiliated with deities which I can't deeply explain.

Imagine having kids someday and my children walk up to me out of curiosity wanting to know the meaning of my surname and it sound meaningless. So I have decided to bear my grand-father's second name which is "Laurence" (his is Lawrence) which has a better meaning and acceptance. If the surname was Eze/Obi (meaning king) or any other meaningful name, I wouldn't have bothered changing it. I want to read meaning to my names, for the fact that my family members bears same surname doesn't mean I should do the same.

I would appreciate if you guys have a diverse view of the name if is worth keeping or not.

Cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44

bigfrancis21:


Few things here:

1) Nwaeke simply means a male born on Eke day. It is never interpreted as 'son of a python' or intended to mean that, even though both sound familiar when pronounced.

2) A quick check up on the name Lawrence shows that it means, "from the place of the laurel leaves". When you mentioned, 'Lawrence...(sic) which has a better meaning and acceptance', is that the meaning you were referring to or you just want to pick up an English surname so you sound fancy/sophisticated? Your motives for wanting to change your surname are important here and to me it just seems you want to pick up an English surname because it sounds 'fancy' to you.

3) Nweke is quite a popular Igbo last name, thus I see no reason to change it. It carries no deep ancestral meaning to a native god, for the 'deep christians'. My family surname has been passed down since 4 generations now unchanged. We've had no reason to change it, and in fact we are very proud of it due to the feats my great-grandfather (his name- our family surname) achieved.

4) If at all you do decide to change your last name, then go for your father's Igbo name instead, rather than the English one. English last names are foreign to us and are very unIgbo or unafrican. There is nothing special in that, when you have thousands of beautiful Igbo names with deep meanings to choose from. Lately we have had hundreds of african americans and afro-descended peoples dropping their English names (which are relics of slavery) for african names and surnames instead.

Choose wisely.

nazablossom:
At Op, to me I don't see any bad thing in nweke and it's meaning. Every tribe have their culture and tradition. Eke,orie,afor na nkwo simply means four market days in igbo no strings attached. Igbo's don't have seven days in a week like the White's. And these four market days is what they use to know which day is which till it get to a month which is simply (onwa=moon),then till one year, and that's how they have been counting it from generation to another before the coming of white men. And mind you all this current week Monday-sunday that is widely accepted now has it's own meaning. To me nweke is ok but if you are no longer comfortable with it, you can change it but let it be native igbo name. I don't fancy using English name as surnames, it doesn't make sense to me. Eke (market day) eke(python) eke(God)to some group of people, eke(to create). Is one word but different meanings.any igbo person that said that nweke means child of python just wants to mock the person bearing the name. Jisie Ike

Dremca:
I've decided to replace "Nweke" with a native name. I really appreciate your contribution.

Dremca:
In Omawumi's voice (If you ask me, na who I go ask, the matter wey we see so, the day wey e start, the matter for ground, na who I go ask)

1Sharon:


Why did you pm me for?

Dremca:
I
Imagine having kids someday and my children walk up to me out of curiosity wanting to know the meaning of my surname and it sound meaningless.

So I have decided to bear my grand-father's second name which is "Laurence" (his is Lawrence) which has a better meaning and acceptance.

Ishilove:

Is Nweke meaningless?


Better meaning, you say? We know Nweke means 'son of Eke', so what is the meaning of Lawrence?

naptu2:


He wrote "Laurence", which is the original form of the name. Laurence = a man from Laurentum.

The name Laurentum is believed to have been derived from Laurel. Laurel wreaths or crowns indicate honour, distinction and fame.

Ishilove:

Let the man speak for himself

Ishilove:

Let the man speak for himself

baby124:
Nice thread. Nothing wrong with your surname OP. It’s just like people that bear Monday or Friday. Not a big deal like you make it. It just shows one of your ancestors was born on a certain day. This is interesting because most people will want to dig deep into their family history with such information at hand. Not trying to change it. Without a certain Nweke, you won’t be here today. So honor your ancestors. Don’t let anyone claim that your name is a curse to you. Be proud of the son of whom you are, and embrace yourself. Don’t let any prophet or fake pastor rob you of that.

naptu2:


I'm certainly not holding his mouth shut.

Ishilove:

You are provoking me

naptu2:


I'm certainly not holding his mouth shut.

Ishilove:

You are provoking me

naptu2:


You are wrong. I have not yet started provoking you, but I shall soon start.

naptu2:


You are wrong. I have not yet started provoking you, but I shall soon start.

oyb:

Ishilove:

Lmao! You are the king of trolls, although yours is very subtle but deadly

donbuchi1:
Nweke means a child born on Eke day and not son of a Python as you have implied. People bear Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

ibietela2:
This is name thingy is confusing me.

Am answering my father's name and my grand father's name joined together with my name.

Dremca:
So whose name is ought to be beared as surname.

ibietela2:

Am asking......

Dremca:
I currently bear my grand-father's name as my surname "Nweke" which means "A boy born on 'eke' market day" (One of the market days in Igbo: Eke, Orie, Afor, Nkwo) It could literally mean "son of a python" (Nwa- meaning Child, Eke- meaning python). Also from my findings it is affiliated with deities which I can't deeply explain.

Imagine having kids someday and my children walk up to me out of curiosity wanting to know the meaning of my surname and it sound meaningless. So I have decided to bear my grand-father's second name which is "Laurence" (his is Lawrence) which has a better meaning and acceptance. If the surname was Eze/Obi (meaning king) or any other meaningful name, I wouldn't have bothered changing it. I want to read meaning to my names, for the fact that my family members bears same surname doesn't mean I should do the same.

I would appreciate if you guys have a diverse view of the name if is worth keeping or not.

Cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44