Nigerian Submitted Surnames

Nigerian names are used in the country of Nigeria in western Africa.
usage
Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. The accuracy of these name definitions cannot be guaranteed.
Abimbola Yoruba
From the given name Abimbola
Adamu Amharic, Swahili, Hausa
From the given name Adamu (see user-submitted name).
Adebowale Yoruba
From the given name Adebowale
Adedeji Yoruba
Means "one crown has become two" in Yoruba.
Adefope Nigerian, Western African, Yoruba
Derived from Adéfọpẹ́, meaning “the crown grants thanksgivings”.
Adegbamigbe Yoruba
From the given name Adegbamigbe.
Adegoke Yoruba
From the given name Adegoke
Adelakun Yoruba
From the given name Adelakun
Ademola Yoruba
From the given name Ademola
Adesanya Yoruba
Meaning "first to be born" in Yoruba.
Adesina Yoruba
From the given name Adesina
Adewale Yoruba
From the given name Adewale.
Adisa Yoruba
From the given name Adisa
Agbaje Nigerian, Yoruba
Meaning unknown. A bearer is Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (1967-), an English actor and model of Yoruba Nigerian descent.
Agrinya Nigerian (Rare)
Means "warrior" in the Nigerian language of Yala. It was an earned name.
Agu Igbo
Agu is an Igbo surname; the word Agu means Tiger in Igobo language.
Ajala Edo
Means "chief of the horses".
Àjàyí Yoruba
From the given names Àjàyí.
Akinnuoye Western African, Yoruba
Means "chief warrior" in Yoruba. A famous bearer is English actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (1967-).
Annaka f African, Hebrew, Hausa
Annaka is a feminine appellation particularly beloved in the Chadic language of Hausa, spoken mainly in Nigeria, Niger, and throughout West Africa. Meaning “sweet-faced,” Annaka is a form of Anika, adding a dash of flavor with its triple “a” and double “n.” Annaka is also a form of the Hebrew Anna, meaning “graciousness.” American author Annaka Harris bears this beautiful appellation, whose work focuses on mental health in children and adults.
Antetokounmpo Western African, Yoruba (Hellenized)
Hellenized form of Adetokunbo. This name is borne by the Greek-Nigerian basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo (1994-), as well as his brothers Thanasis (1992-), Kostas (1997-) and Alex Antetokounmpo (2001-), also noted basketball players.
Anunoby Nigerian (?)
A famous bearer is the British basketball player O.G. Anunoby (1997-).
Archibong Efik, Ibibio
of Efik Origin, originally pronounced asibong but changed by the british to Archibong, meaning Kings Father, Kings Friend, (amasi Obong)
Azi Afizere
Azi is actually pronounced Azīh which means "Unending, in ended father of many generations" it is named after children believed to become the origin or source of lasting families.
Azubuike Igbo
From the given name Azubuike.
Baba Nigerian, Yoruba, Western African
From an honourific title used to denote a father, wise man, or an elder.
Bolaji Nigerian
This surname is very common in Nigeria. Possibly taken from a word in one of the Nigerian tribes languages.
Chiama Igbo
Western Africa (Nigeria)... [more]
Chukwu Igbo
From the given name Chukwu.
Dambe Hausa, Western African
Given from a martial art from the Hausa people.
Danesi Edo
THERE ARE TWO SETS OF DANESI. ONE IN ITALY AND THE OTHER IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA, WEST AFRICA. DANESI ITALIAN MEANS «MAN FROM DENMARK» AFRICAN DANESI MEANS «PRAISE BE TO THE CREATOR»
Darego Nigerian (Rare)
Meaning unknown.
Dauda Hausa
From the given name Dauda.
Ejiofor Western African, Igbo
Means "one who acts in good faith" in Igbo. A famous bearer is British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor (1977-).
Essien Western African, Akan, Ibibio, Efik
Means "sixth born child" in Akan, possibly deriving from the given name Nsia. As a Nigerian name it is derived from a given name (found among the Ibibio and Efik people) denoting the son the family lineage depends on, possibly meaning either "a child who belongs to everyone" or "the child who takes charge of outside matters"... [more]
Etienam Nigerian, Ibibio (?), Spanish (Caribbean, ?)
This is a name which originates from the Calabar/Akwa Ibom region of southeastern Nigeria. It means "a doer of good, or benevolent". It is also found in Spanish-speaking regions of the Caribbean such as Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Cuba (El Oriente) which have populations of people of Ibibio/Efik decent known as "Carabali".
Eto'o Central African, Ibibio, Efik
Means "tree, wood" in Ibibio and Efik. It is found predominantly in Cameroon. The former Cameroonian soccer player Samuel Eto'o (1981-) is a famous bearer of this surname.
Garbai Nigerian, Kanuri, Hungarian
Meaning unknown.
Haruna Hausa, Fula
From the given name Haruna 2.
Husaini Persian, Afghan, Urdu, Arabic, Bengali, Hausa
From the given name Husayn.
Iduh Nigerian
Iduh surname occurs mainly in Africa, of the Idoma people of Benue state, Nigeria.
Igwe Igbo
Means "sky".
Ihekweme Igbo
Name used mostly by South Eastern Nigerians
Iwuchukwu Igbo, African
It means God's covenant is unwavering. This name is a bearer is a testimony of God's command. This ia a Christian name.
Kingibe Kanuri, Nigerian
Meaning unavailable.
Konkwo Igbo
"Boy born on Nkwo"
Kporaro Nigerian (Rare)
The name Kporaro translates into the English language as "PROGRESS" (literally Kpo which is "Go", Ra which is "OF" and Aro which is "FRONT" in which case the Ra implies "For" or "Of" thus Kporaro is literally "Go Of Front" or more properly "Move Forward")... [more]
Mikel English, Nigerian
From the given name Mikel.
Nenge Tiv
Means, "see".
Ngozi Igbo
From the given name Ngozi.
Nwankwo Igbo
From the given name Nwankwo.
Nwude Igbo
The surname Nwude is likely of Igbo origin, a major ethnic group in Nigeria. In the Igbo language, Nwude (or Nwodi) can be a combination of two elements:... [more]
Oderasak Yoruba (Rare)
It is Yoruba mispronunciation of the the name Oscar. It was a middle name that became a last name.
Odoemene Nigerian
Odoemene roots from Nigeria. It has branched onward to America, and multiple other countries. It literally means 'yellow reluctance' in Igbo.
Okoturo Nigerian
A surname most popular in Nigeria; meaning currently unknown.
Olatunji Yoruba
"Olatunji" is a Yoruba surname and a given name meaning "Wealth awakes again".
Onyilogwu Nigerian (Rare), Igbo (Rare)
Possibly means "he who is invulnerable to dark magic" in Igbo.
Orelias Nigerian (Latinized, Modern, Rare), Italian (Tuscan), Venetian
Means "golden", when coupled with a first name becomes "the golden". Varied from Orelia, "golden".... [more]
Osy Nigerian
From Imo, Nigeria
Owo Nigerian
From the given name Owo.
Ọyáwálé Yoruba, Nigerian
Means "the river goddess came home" in Yoruba.
Oyekan Yoruba
Means "the next to be crowned" in Yoruba.
Oyinvwi Urhobo
A name from the history of the urhobo culture. It's been noted that the name indicate strength and is the name attached to it. The important vice of the tradition. Leads trivial matters in hope for liberty.
Popoola Yoruba
"The way of the rich man" or "The way of prosperity"
Sajuyigbe Yoruba (Americanized, Rare)
The Sajuyigbe family, with its roots in the Yoruba tribe, carries a rich and complex history. The family is believed to descend from a line of royals that held significant influence in Yorubaland around the time of the Nok culture... [more]
Shettima Kanuri, Nigerian
Meaning unknown.
Shitu Nigerian
Related to Shittu.
Sullubawa Hausa
The Hausa transliteration of a noted Fulani Clan coming from the Bilād as-Sūdān region of West Africa.
Tersoo Tiv
Means, "father's love". Has its history from Tiv origin. Its a common name amongst the Tiv people of Nigeria.
Umburter Tiv
Means, "Remember the father". Father also used in the context of God.
Uthman Nigerian
From the given name Uthman.
Uwem Ibibio, Efik, Anang
Meaning "Life". It originates from the Efik, Ibibio and Anang tribes of Cross River state, Nigeria which has now been divided with the Ibibios and Anang people in the newly formed Akwa Ibom state. Other variations of the name are: Uwemedimo meaning "life is wealth" and Nkereuwem meaning "my name is life"
Uzochukwu Igbo
Meaning "god's way".
Zulum Kanuri, Nigerian
Derived from the Arabic Salim.