(The) belief that any name given to a child will ultimately affect him/her throughout the entire life. This, then, accounts for the adage in Yoruba which says that Oruko a maa roni; Àpeje a sì maa ronìyan meaning that a person’s name directs his actions and behaviors. Therefore they tend to give names that will bring prosperity and goodness to the child. After a child is born, the oracle is consulted to know the future of the child. This will enable the parents know and monitor the child’s career, marriage partner, travel, vocation and job, and any other plan.

the child has at least three different names which will guide the child through life. The first is either an amutorunwa name (name brought from heaven) or an abiso name (name given at birth). Secondly, there is the oriki (praise name) which expresses what the child is or is hoped to become. Thirdly, the child has his/her orile which is a name indicative of the child’s kinship group’s name. The choice of a name depends on many factors such as time of day, a specific day, or a special circumstance relating to the child, parents, extended family, or the whole community which attends the child’s birth.