Common names are the absolute worst; you’ve all heard of Mary, Peter and John, ewww. But they exist in every society, almost like a necessary evil. And Benin is no different.
Before we go, be warned. This post contains baseless generalisations so don’t be offended if your name appears here. Having said that, here are ten common names that will get a lot of heads turning towards your direction if you were to call them out into the crowd at Oba Market:
Osahon
Big-headed, troublesome Osahon will never leave you alone. But more annoyingly, the bloody name can never leave his mother’s mouth as she is bound to scream it every five seconds like a deranged cow close to its death. Osahon actually translates to God heard my prayer but I am always wondering what prayer they are talking about.
Bright
Bright is not always bright nor fair-skinned for that matter. In fact, they are often notoriously dark-skinned. For some reason, Benin parents love the name and keep it to their children. More annoying, though, is the friends who would ‘shorten’ the name to Brighto, I mean, BFR.
Adesuwa
Spelt Adesua by the Esan people, this name is P for popular. It used to be reserved for princesses but any basic B can bear it now. In the Edo language, Adesuwa means controller of resources and in the Esan language, surrounded by wealth. The great thing about it is that people named Adesuwa are often pretty so at least there is that.
Osamudiamen
Osamudiamen translates as God stands for me and is an interesting name. People who bear it often go by something shorter like Mudia, Amen, Osamu or however else the permutation of syllables in that name can be arranged.
Aisosa
Aisosa sort of translates to none is greater than God and is a name a lot of Benin people, both boys and girls, bear. But these days, it is mostly girls, who sometimes shorten the name to Aise. Aisosas are the worst and you should run for your life if you meet one. I’m just kidding.
Osato
Osato is short for something but please don’t ask, otherwise you will be faced with monstrosities like Osatohanmen. Anyway, the name means God have mercy and you will definitely being saying that a lot more once you meet an Osato.
Eseosa
Also spelt as Esosa. the name is a unisex Benin name. Now, most people, especially the girls, who bear this name prefer to go by the short and sexier version, Ese. Eseosa means gift of God and what a real gift they often turn out to be.
Ivie
You cannot meet a more typical Benin girl than one called Ivie. The name literally translates to beads, but has come to mean precious jewels. Ivies are however anything but precious. They are troublesome and can fight for Africa. Find their trouble at your own risk.
Efosa
Efosa is a male name meaning wealth of God. There is nothing wrong with the name except, like every other name on this list, it is a bit pedestrian. I mean, to spruce up the name, many have resorted to Efoski and Fosi-baba. It is literally giving desperate and sad.
Osagie
If any name is popular, this one here, Osagie, which is a male name, is the king of the pops. Osagie means Godsent and has several alternative spellings like Osaghae, Osaghie, Osaghee and Osaje, all with their slight pronunciation. For people sent by Divinity, Osagies often need a lot of help for their erratic behaviours.
Dear Benin Parents of Common Names
I implore you today to stop giving your children the most basic bottom-tier names that exist in the Edo language. Try less conventional names like Osarenoma, Ehinosen, Ekhorose, Idahagbon, Igbinomwanhia, Zuwa and Zaye.
Which Benin common names did I miss? Comment below
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