The Dagomba people in the northern region of Ghana, have one of the unique ways of naming their children. Dagbon names or Dagbani names are wide and varied.

This is because the Dagombas have varied names which depend on the circumstances of the child’s birth

Among the Dagbon people, when a child is born, the baby is considered a stranger ( Sana) until he or she is outdoor and given a name.

The baby is therefore known as “Saan-doo” for a male child and ” Saan-paɣa” for a female child. The child is addressed by this name until he or she is properly outdoored.

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Dagbon Names : Naming Ceremony Among Dagombas

The naming of a child by Dagombas in Northern Ghana usually happens on the 8th day after birth. By this time, the umbilical cord of the child should have fallen off. This is what is known as “Nyuɣu lubu”.

When the umbilical cord falls, the child’s hair is then shaved and given a name.

Before the ceremonial day, the family head (Daŋ-kpema) makes sacrifices to their ancestors, thanking them for the woman’s safe delivery. He then goes to consult a soothsayer.

This consultation is done in order to find out the purpose of the baby’s visit and also to identify the baby child.

This is important because the Dagbamba people have a strong belief in reincarnation.  It is possible that one of their ancestors has decided to come back, just to see how the family is keeping together after their demise.

If the soothsayer affirms that the baby is taken after an earlier ancestor, the family head is obliged to name the child after that ancestor.

However, if the child is just a new member, who wishes to join their family, a befitting name is sought and given to the baby child.

Read More : The advent of the lunsi in Dagbon State

Dagbon Names : Naming Ceremony In Dagbon

A day before the naming ceremony, certain items are brought forth in a pan. These items form an important part of the ceremony, as they symbolize the wishes of the family for the newborn baby. Each ingredient has a symbolic meaning. These items include:

* kariwana ( maize) – symbolizes food. A wish that the newborn baby may never lack food in his stay on earth.

 

* Kanwa (Saltpeter) – A symbol for medicine.  With the wish that the newborn baby never develops any chronic ailment.

 

* Liɣiri (Money)- A symbol for wealth. With the wish that the child grows up to be a wealthy person, who never lacks.

 

* Gumdi (cotton)- cotton is a symbol of clothing.  The wish for the baby child is that he never walks on earth naked. He or she should have enough to clothe himself and others under him.

Dagbon names : Shaving of the baby’s hair :

In Dagbon tradition, the first hair of a child is seen as an impurity ” Zabi biɛri”.  It is believed that the child is from a spiritual world,  and the hair the child carries from the spiritual world must be done away with.

This helps to disassociate the baby from his ties with his fellow spiritual children yet unborn.

This custom is done by a man called ” wanzam “. The Wanzam is responsible for the shaving of hair and circumcision of babies. He also does what is known as

” Kafu kpabu” ; a traditional way of getting rid of blood clots in an injured person. The head of the wanzam is called Mba Gunu.

A day to the naming ceremony, the family head sends cola to the Wanzam, informing him of the naming ceremony.  This gesture serves as an official invitation of the wazam to come and shave the newborn baby and also perform circumcision; in the case of a male child.

After the naming ceremony, the newly born baby has to undergo proper bathing, in order to prevent the child from body odour and also to strengthen the bones of the baby. This is done by traditional mid-wife known as ” Paɣadɔɣisotɔɣinda”.

The paɣidɔɣisotɔɣinda is mostly an aged woman, who has enough experience at delivering a baby and bathing them when the baby is still fragile.

Read More: The Traditional Dagbon Hats: Types, How It’s Worn And Its Significance In Dagbon Kingdom

The Different Categories of Dagbon Names

There’s a popular adage in Dagbon, which goes that ” Din biɛ mini din viɛli zuɣu ka sokam mali o yuli”

to wit, it is because of bad and good that everyone has a name. This implies that one man’s deeds shouldn’t be associated with someone else.

For this reason, among the Dagomba people, a name holds a significant aspect of an individual’s personality. A person’s name can be used to identify the person’s family lineage.

Due diligence is therefore considered when naming children in Dagbon.

In giving a child a name, the Dagomba man takes into consideration, the circumstance, the day, time of the year, etc. in which the child was born. The name of a child should therefore have a link to the child’s birth.

Some of the common issues which Dagbombas use to name their children include :

 

Dagbani Names based on the day of birth – Dabisa Yuya

Among the Dagombas, Children are named based on the particular day they are born.

These names are more common to the female child than the male child.

These names include:

Days of the week in English	Dabisa (Days of The week in Dagbani)	Dabisa Yuya (Corresponding Dagbani day name)
Monday	Atani	Tani (female)
Tuesday	Atalaata	Zilaata ( female)
Wednesday	Alaaba	Laaba
Thursday	Alaamishi	Laamihi
Friday	Alizumma	Azindoo -male Azima or Azim paɣa (female)
Saturday	Asibiri	Sibi-doo ( male) Sibi-paɣa ( female
Sunday	Alahari	Lahari ( Female)

 

Dagbani Names based on month of birth – Chira Yuya

The Dagombas have 12 months in a year. Out of these, only two of these months are named after their children.

They are Damba and Chimsi

These are the only names children bear in Dagbon, which are names of the 3rd and 12th months respectively.   Apart from these two names, no month is used to name their children.

However, children born on the day of the Buɣim festival (fire festival), are giving the name Asuro.

Read More : Aboriginal Dagombas : Before The Advent Of Yananima

Dagbani Proverbial names – ŋaha yuya

The most common dagbon names you’ll find in Dagbon are proverbial names.

People give these names to their children as a way of sending indirect messages to the public or to individuals.

Some of these names are also good wishes, which the couple envisage the newborn baby will bring to their family, while others are messages intended to mock their enemies.

In other instances too, these proverbial names may be chosen based on the difficulty the mother faced when she was pregnant.

Depending on what the meaning and purpose of a proverbial name are, it may either bring the newborn baby more lovers or more enemies.

Below are a list is some Dagomba proverbial names and their meaning:

1. Anzansi – courage /perseverance.
2. Balima – persuasion.
3. Bangahim – Unique / distinguished
4. Baŋbebu ( Bangbebu) – Live cautiously.
5. Beninya – Live to witness.
6. Bɛneeti – They have awakened us
7. Bɛgaŋ – Not discriminatory
8. Bonsuduŋ – Why the hatred?
9. Chalipang – Forgive
10. Dipantiche – It will stop one day
11. Daliri – Good fortune
12. Dangana – Consolation
13. Deeshini – persevere / endure in silence
14. Faako – Relieve
15. Jilima – Respect
16. Kasi – Tidy
17. Kataali – Innocent
18. Manfooya – I have kept silent
19. Mbaŋba ( M-bang-ba) – I have found them out
20. Mandeeya – I have accepted
21. Malititi – Resolve for us / make things good for us.
22. M-bo – Well done
23. Mburidiba – My innocence has caused their destruction.
24. Mpanko – I’m not alone
25. Naani – Trust
26. Nasara – Victory
27. Neesim – Enlightenment / brightness
28. Nirilim – kindness / goodness
29. N-nyeyem – I have become sensible
30. Ngaŋ-ŋuni – I discrimate against no one
31. puumaaya – The pain is gone
32. Shini-kadoliba – follow them in silence
33. Suhuyini – Faithfulness
34. Saha – Good luck
35. Suglo – patience
36. Tiyumba – Lets love them
37. Tiyuuniba – We’re watching them.
38. Tuŋteeya ( Tungteeya)- the family has grown
39. Tahama – Hopeful
40. Tifɔmi – We’re silent
41. Timtooni – progress
42. Tipaɣiya( Tipagya) – We are grateful
43. Viɛlim ( vielim) – Beauty
44. Vikuba – they’ve died of shame
45. vinikuba – They’ll die of shame
46. Yumzaa – Love all
47. Ʒisuŋ – Good life
48. Zaa-nyaya – Everyone has seen
49. Zoosim – greatness

Dagbon Names relating to God – Naawuni Yuya:

Other common Dagbani names among the Dagbamba tribe are names that have an association with God.

Such Dagomba names are mostly given to children by way of thanking God for the newborn baby.

Some of these dagbabi names are also used as means of praying, seeking God’s favor in the life of the couple and family.

Some of these names include ;

1. Chentiwuni – Leave in God’s hands
2. Salpawuni – Man is no God
3. Wunpini – God’s gift
4. Wunimmi – Only God knows
5. Wunnam – God’s might
6. Wunniche – God’s will
7. Wuntia – Faith in God
8. Wunibee – God exists
9. Wunideeya – God has accepted
10. Wuniko – Only God
11. Wunizaligu – God’s plan
12. wunzooya – God is great
13. Wunbiyɛli – It is not ordained by God
14. Wunidabili – A servant of God
15. Wunintira – God is the giver
16. Anamzooya – You are a mighty God

Read More : Naa Gungobili -The destitute Prince of Dagbon Kingdom

Dagbon Names depending on the situation or time of the child’s birth – Saha Yuya

1. Asuro – A child born on the day of the Buɣim festival.
2. Dasana – when a child is born in the market.
3. Dasoli – A child born on the way to the market.
4. Dayuuni – A child who is a year in the mother’s womb before birth. ( 12months)
5. Gariyuuni – A babe who spends more than a year in the mother’s womb.
6. Kayeba – A child born after the death of all grandfathers.
7. Kachaɣu(Kachagu) – A child born during the season of harvesting Guinea corn
8. Napari – When a child is born after twins.
9. Niendoo/ nienpaga – Born on a bright day ( during the day)
10. Saa – Rain ( when a child is born when its raining )
11. Sawalli – A child born during a light rain cloud
12. Suɣuri( Sugri) – The first child to be born when a person becomes a Chief.
13. Siɣili( Sigli) – A child born during the early rains of the wet season
14. Tisua – A child born in the middle of the night
15. Ʒiba – when a child is born after the death of his father.
16. Zama – A child born on a day of festivity ( festival)
17. Ziŋnaa – A chief dies and his wife gives birth after his death. The baby can be named Ziŋ-Naa

Dagomba Names of deities -Buɣ’ yuya ( Bug yuya) :

Before the advent of the Islamic religion, the Dagomba people had a strong belief in deities and principalities.  Every household kept a family deity, known as ” tiya”, while several community deities spread across the land.

Even today, most Dagbon traditional areas still hold great values in these deities and honor them.

Chiefs and commoners alike, visited these community deities to seek aid for themselves, their families, and their communities.

There are instances when a couple, who are unable to have children, will visit these deities to appease them and seek a child.

When the wish of the couple is granted and the baby is born, they give the name of the said deity to the child.

Some common deity dagomba names which you’ll find in Dagbon society include :

1. Budaali
2. Buɣu’jaa (Bugu jaa)
3. Buɣili (Bugu doo/Bugu paga)
4. Buɣu saɣiri ( Bugu Sagiri)
5. Jaagbo
6. Jabuni
7. Kpala
8. Lansa
9. Laasichɛ
10. Nasaɣiri ( Nasagri)
11. Tambo
12. Tia ( Tidoo, Tipaga)
13. Tɔŋ (Tong doo, Tong paga)

Read More : The Resilience Of A King – The Fall & Rise of Bimbila Na Salifu

Dagomba Names of reincarnated children- Dɔɣirikpihiŋ yuya ( Dogri kpihing yuya)

As posited earlier,  the Dagbamba people have a very strong belief in the concept of reincarnation. They call it ” Dɔɣirikpihim” ( Dogri-kpihim).

These are kids, who are believed to deliberately torment their mother by dying and getting born again.

Such babies, if identified, are “sold” ( A rite performed and not sold as in permanently) to a person from another tribe.

The baby is then given the name of the said tribe. The belief is that, giving the baby the name of a different tribe will let the baby stay alive.

Some of these common Dagbani names include :

1. Modoo/Mopaɣa ( mopaga)
2. Gurindoo/Gurinpaɣa ( Gurinpaga)
3. ŋmampiri doo
4. Zabaɣa doo/ Zabaɣa paɣa
5. Fulani doo / Fulan paɣa
6. Kusa doo /Kusa paɣa
7. Alabaani
8. Bɛje
9. Tampuli

Dagbani Names of Twins – Jahi yuya

Twins are considered sacred beings among the Dagbon people. They are believed to possess certain spirits, which can cause one a blessing or a curse.  Because of these, twins are treated with care and sometimes appeased in certain families.

Per Dagbon tradition, when twins are born, the first one to be born is considered the youngest, and the one born later, the elder one. It is believed that the younger was sent by the elder one to see how the world is before he follows suit.

Common Dagbon names given to twins in Dagbon are:

1. Dawuni – Danaa ( All males)
2. Pagwuni – Pagnaa – ( all females)
3. Dawuni ( male) – Pagnaa ( female)
4. Danaa ( male ) – Pagwuni ( female)

Danaa and Pagnaa are considered the elders while Dawuni and Pagwuni are the younger ones.

 

Aboriginal Dagbon Names – Dagbon kura yuya

1. Banzu
2. Balimini
3. Birigiyomda
4. Dariʒiɛɣu
5. Datorili
6. Dimani
7. Fɔɣu
8. Shagbaa
9. Shitɔbu
10. Kumtili
11. Nadima
12. Nyagsi
13. Sindoliwa
14. Zanjina
15. Zagli
16. Gungɔbili
17. Yɛnzoo
18. Ʒipupɔra
19. Zirili
20. Zoligu
21. Zulandi

With the advent of foreign cultures in Dagbon ; especially the Islamic religion, the majority of the Dagomba people now bear names like Adam, Haruna, Inusah, Alhassan, Ali, Zeinab, Hasana, Jamila, etc.

Some of these names have been doctored because of the problem with pronunciation, while others come with appellations.

Some common Dagbon names with their appellations- Yuya mini ŋa Salima:

1. Alaasani ( Alhassan) – karikari Baako
2. Ablai ( Abdullai) – Tooka
3. Fusheni ( Hussein) – Juuna
4. Mahamaru ( Mohammed) – Zanjina/ Mankaanu
5. Yakubu – Gubili
6. Ʒenabu ( Zeinab) – Gadabisi
7. Rahama – Dahama lana
8. Azima – kaɣali piɛɣu ku pili ŋmani
9. Sulemana – Bindawudu
10. Adamu – Katakule
11. Awaabu ( Hawa) – Ʒini duu ka nya ŋmariga
12. Laabi – Badawiya
13. Mariama( Mariam) – Yɛmbu
14. Meemunatu – Baamunu
15. Abubakari – Gariba
16. Dawuda – Che sua
17. Imoro – Guru
18. Sayibu – Zunzɔŋ
19. Musah – Kalaamulahi

 

200+ List of Dagbani Names and Their Meanings

Name In Dagbanli	Gender	Group	Meaning
Aburu
Adirikarili
Adishiri
Adishiri
Ajuwa
Alheri
Anamzooya
Andani
Andi
Anfani
Anim
Anisung			good intention
Anzansi
Asana
Asiro		Saha Yuya
Azima		Dabsa Yuya
Azindoo
Balemini		Ancestral
Balima
Banbangtaba			those who know each other
Bandaba
Bangahim
Bangbebu
Bangda
Bangsim
Banzu		Ancestral
Beemoni		Saha Yuya
Beninye			stay and witness
Bieŋmali		Saha Yuya
Bigaŋ		Ŋaha Yuya	Not discriminated
Bineti			they have enlightened us
Biziŋ
Biʒem
Bonidima
Bonnidima / Dondirima		Ŋaha Yuya
Borizama
Budaali		Buɣi Yuya
Buɣijaa		Buɣi Yuya
Buɣili		Buɣi Yuya
Bugudabila		Buɣi Yuya
Buɣudabili		Buɣi Yuya
Buguli		Buɣi Yuya
Buɣutandi		Buɣi Yuya
Buɣuyɛligu		Buɣi Yuya
Busaɣiri		Buɣi Yuyaf
Chaanga
Chalpang
Changona
Chentiwuni
Chimsi		Goya Yuya
Daajuɣu		Saha Yuya
Daanaa
Daangoɣu		Ŋaha Yuya
Daankali
Daballi
Dahama
Daliri
Damba		Goya Yuya
Damduu
Danaa		Saha Yuya
Dangana
Dariʒieɣu
Dasana
Dasoli		Saha (Circumstantial)
Datia
Datorili
Dawora		Ŋaha Yuya
Dawuni
Dayuuni		Saha Yuya
Dede
Deeshini
Dikpong
Dinnani		Ŋaha Yuya
Dintoli
Dinviela
Dipantiche
Dirli
Faako
Fanjima
Fibili
Fiiluwa
Fuseina
Fuseini
Gariba
Gburiŋ
Gurimachaɣupaɣa		Dɔɣirikpihim Yuya
Gurimpaɣa		Dɔɣirikpihim Yuya
Hikolana
Jebuni,		Buɣi Yuya
Jemda
Jenda			It means Outstanding or exceptional when used as a verb, but when used as a noun it means responsibility
Jepu
Jilma
Jintora
Kachaɣu
Kacheli
Kaɣili
Kanli
Kasi
Kasuwa
Kataali
Katari
Kawoligili
Kayaba		Saha zooYuyazin
Kochim
Kokura
Kpala		Buɣi Yuya
Kuɣuli
Kumtili
Laakala
Lahari
Lansa		Buɣi Yuya
Lariba		Dabsa Yuya
Lasiche
Luro
Malima
Malimaŋa
Malisimli		Ŋaha Yuya
Maltiti		Ŋaha Yuya
Mandeiya
Matta
M'baŋba		Ŋaha Yuya
Mbatɔɣima
Mbo
M'buridiba		Ŋaha Yuya
Mfaanga
Mirifa
Mpanko
Naama
Naani		Ŋaha Yuya
Naatɔɣima
Nagumsi
Naina
Nakpambo		Ancestral
Naniendo
Nanjaa
Napaga
Napari
Naporo		Ancestral
Nasakai
Nasara
Nayi
Nbangzaa
Ndaduŋ
Ndini
Neina
Neindoo
Neira
Neisim
Nenpaga
N'gaŋŋuni		Ŋaha Yuya
Niema
Nirlim
Niyasung
Njalwuni			Leaning on God
Nniŋdini
Nnyeyam
Ntabiliba		Ŋaha Yuya
Nyaɣisi
N'yubaje		Ŋaha Yuya
ŋɔʒe
ŋmapiripaɣa		Dɔɣirikpihim Yuya
Paɣanaa
Paɣawuni
Pagnaa
Pini
Puumaya
Saa		Saha Yuya
Sachibu
Sagtiti
Saha
Saha
Sakundi
Salaŋa		Saha Yuya
Salpawuni
Sayora		Saha Yuya
Shagba		Ancestral
Sheriga
Shitobu
Sibido		Dabsa Yuya
Sibiri
Siche
Siɣili		Saha Yuya
Siisabigi
Simdi
Sindoliwa		Ancestral
Soochi
Suɣiri		Saha Yuya
Suglo
Suhidoo
Suhipelli
Suhiyini		Ŋaha Yuya
Taali-mbo
Tahama
Talaata		Dabsa Yuya
Tamaha
Tambo		Buɣi Yuya
Tampuli		Dɔɣirikpihim Yuya
Tani		Dabsa Yuya
Tapilimpaɣa		Dɔɣirikpihim Yuya
Tasalla		Saha Yuya
Teenaba
Tia		Buɣi Yuya
Tidiya
Tido		Buɣi Yuya
Tikuli
Tikuma		Ŋaha Yuya
Timani
Timtooni		Ŋaha Yuya
Tinitoo
Tipaga		Buɣi Yuya
Tipaɣa
Tiyumba
Tiyuundiba
Toblanguri
Tunteiya
Tusua		Saha Yuya
Vabiloɣu		Saha Yuya
Vani
Velim
Wumbei
Wumda
Wumpini
Wumpini
Wundeiya
Wunibiyɛli
Wuniche
Wuninmi		Ŋaha Yuya
Wunintira		Ŋaha Yuya
Wunko
Wunnam
Wunpini
Wuntia
Wuntima
Wunzalgu
Yada
Yaɣimerigu
Yalsumah
Yemtori
Yemusa
Yerda
Yiko
Yiri		Ancestral
Yirifa
Yumzaa
Yumzaa
Yurizaa
Zabaɣapaɣa		Dɔɣirikpihim Yuya
Zambalima		Dɔɣirikpihim Yuya
Zantale
Zemoli
Zenebu		Buɣi Yuya
Ziŋba
Ziŋnaa		Saha Yuya
Zirili
Zitana (Ʒitana)
Ziyaba
Zoli
Zoosim
Zoosimli		Ŋaha Yuya
Zugsung
Ʒeenya
ʒiba
Ʒisuŋ