The Urhobo are a people of southern Nigeria, near the northwestern Niger River delta. The Urhobos are the major ethnic group in Delta State; the Delta State is one of the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They speak Urhobo, a language in Niger-Congo group. Together with another ethnic group in the region, the Isoko, they are collectively known as the Sobo. There is also the another related ethnic group known as the Okpe.

A bulk of the Urhobo people reside in the south western state of Delta in Nigeria also referred to as the Niger Delta. Many live in the Ughelli local government region and in Warri and Ethiope, while the Okpes live in Okpe ans Sapele Local Government Areas with Sapele as their major town, thus covering all areas of Delta state. Their language is also called Urhobo is believed to share similarities with the neighbouring Bini or Edo tribe.

The Urhobos live very close to and sometimes on the surface of the Niger river. As such, most of their histories, mythologies, and philosophies are water-related. They have an annual fishing festival that includes masquerades, fishing, swimming contests, and dancing. There is also an annual, two-day, Ohworu festival in the southern part of the Urhobo area at which the Ohworhu water spirit and the Eravwe Oganga are displayed. The king in an Urhobo village is called the Ovie. His wife the queen is called Ovieya and his children Ọmọ Ovie (child of the king). Often nowadays, these names are also given to children without royal heritage by their parents. For the Okpes the king is called an Orodje, his spokesman an Otota, while palace chiefs are called Okakuro.

As with most tribes in Nigeria, a certain food is considered to belong to or originate from a particular tribe as in pounded yam and egusi soup from the Igbos, Eba and Ogbono soup (sometimes referred to as Ogbolo soup by people of Esan or Ora descent). For the Urhobos there are two foods considered Urhobo in nature. They are: Ukhodo (a yam and unripe plantain dish sometimes cooked with lemon grass and potash) and Starch (actual name of this staple is not often used) and Owo soup (the starch being that of the cassava plant. It is heated and stirred into a thick mound with oil palm added to give the starch its unique orange-yellow colour. The Owo soup is composed of smoked or dried fish, unique spices, potash and oil palm juice). The Urhobos are also noted for having their own unique style of speaking Nigerian Pidgin English. Since their language is very demonstrative that translates into their style of speaking English and Pidgin English.

The Urhobos are known for some special recipe which is called Usi. This is also known as starch, and is made from cassava. Other food that is specific to the Urhobos for which they are known for are Ukhodo, Ohwo soup, and amiedi or banga soup. Banga soup is made from the oil palm fruit. This soup is usually eaten with usi or starch or even garri, which is a kind of pepper soup source made with yams and unripe plantains with potash and various sauces.

There are approximately 450,000 Urhobo people[1]. Some sources put the number at approximately 1.5 million[2]. Their origin is not known.

mohadana you are too much and i am please to identify with you as an urhobo

buyaka waado.is urhobo related to Bini language?

the term sobo is actually offensive to them

URHOBO HISTORICAL SOCIETY

OKORO COMPLEX OF NAMES
IN ISOKO-URHOBO CULTURE

A Comparative Perspective On
A Common Nigeria name.




With the hardening of ethnic boundaries in modern Nigeria, there is a growing questioning of the uses of names and their origins in our times. Little thought has been given to the idea that before colonial times, person-names and place-names as well as object-names were widespread across ethnic lines. Take the word ekpeti. It appears in various forms and pronunciations in the following languages: Isoko-Urhobo, Benin, Itsekiri, Yoruba, Igbo, Ukwuani (different from Igbo in naming patterns) and in several other languages in southern and northern Nigeria. In all of these languages, it means “box.” What is its origin? We may never know. It is probably unwise for any group to rush to lay claim to its origin – unless it proffers a good amount of reasoning, not mere assertions. To take another example: consider the Benin and Urhobo word for market, eki. See how close it is to the Igbo word for market-day, eke. Was one borrowed from the other? It is naive for anyone to rush to easy assertions in such matters.

Linguists were astounded in the early decades of the last century when they discovered vast similarities in the languages of southern Africa and those in the Benue-Cameroon area, thousands of miles away, spreading indeed to central and eastern Africa. That led them to the famous Bantu migration hypothesis which postulates that series of migrations that began in the Chad-Benue region, and that covered many centuries, had imposed a common Bantu culture, including a linguistic pattern, on much of sub-Saharan Africa. In matters like this, it is best to assert hypotheses rather than doctrines. This is because we can only guess at the truth.

In the realm of widespread uses of person-names, none appears to be more frequent in various southern Nigerian ethnic groups than Okoro. It is a traditional Isoko-Urhobo name which was quite common in precolonial times. It was also common in Igbo culture. Because of the habit of nicknaming ethnic groups during colonial times, Okoro has become closely associated with the Igbos. It is nowadays some times unfairly and incorrectly treated as an exclusive Igbo name. Beyond the Isoko-Urhobo and Igbo ethnic complexes, the name  Okoro exists in Ijaw and Itsekiri languages. What is intriguing in all these uses of the term Okoro is that it is consistently a male name.

Remarkably, the presence of this name is thin in Benin and other Edoid cultures, besides the most ancient Edoid fragments of Isoko and Urhobo. The recent claim by Oghogho Agidigbi, and its ready acceptance by Dr. Ademola Iyi-Eweka, that Okoro is a term of reference and deference to royal princes in Benin culture, should be balanced by the view held by Hilary Evbayiro that the Benin term is “Okorho,” not “Okoro.” But even that suggests a linguistic kinship between this rare Benin usage and its more ample uses in other ethnic groups of southern Nigeria. The abundance of Okoro in Urhobo-Isoko culture and its thinness in Benin culture and the Edoid cultures of northern Edo (Ishan, Owan, Etsako) will allow me to offer one explanatory hypothesis for the uses of Okoro in Urhobo-Isoko culture. It is also striking that the Yoruba, with whose culture Benin has shared many common themes, including the designation of the King as Oba, have no record of Okoro in their vast array of names.

The Uses of Ókoro in Urhobo-Isoko Culture

It is important that we offer a description of the depth and range of uses of Okoro in Urhobo culture. Nigerian languages are largely tonal, with inflections designating meanings in several instances. Urhobos and Isokos pronounce the common term Okoro remarkably differently from the manner by which Igbos pronounce it. In common, the last "o" is muted in the way both groups pronounce the name. But whereas Isoko-Urhobos accent the first "O", thus Ó-koro, rendering the second "o" mute, the Igbo accent the second "o", thus Okóro. (Actually, in Urhobo-Isoko, there is a pause between the first "O" and the "k" in Okoro, thus prolonging the "O",  whereas in the Igbo pronunciation there is a rush.) However, the similarities in these groups' uses of Okoro far outweigh these tonal differences.

First, in both ethnic groups the term is used for males only. In fact, in Urhobo it is a generic term that has the equivalent meaning of "gentleman" -- a male who appears respectable but whose acquaintance is a little distant. An Urhobo elder would respectfully relate to another man who appears responsible by addressing him as "Ókoro." Although it is becoming less common, Ókoro was a very common name in the generations of Urhobo males before colonial rule took hold in Urhoboland from the mid 1890s.

There is a second similarity in  the uses of this common name in Urhobo-Isoko and Igbo cultures. In both of them, the term Okoro serves as a foundation for compound names -- as "John" does in the English language: thus, "Johnson" and "Littlejohn". It is a prefix for many Igbo names: "Okorafor," "Okoronkwo," etc. In Isoko-Urhobo, Ókoro serves as the suffix for the most generic name in these cultures: "Umukoro." By their nature, common names lose their verbal meanings. "Umukoro" is so Urhobo and Isoko, the bearers of these cultures rarely inquire about its meaning. In origin, it appears to connote the English counterpart of "Johnny," indicating young Ókoro.

There are two aspects of the uses of Ókoro and "Umukoro" in Isoko and Urhobo cultures that deserve to be emphasized. First, these names are ancient in these cultures. In modern times, Isoko and Urhobo names have grown apart. But there are important commonalties, most prominently represented by "Umukoro." The basis for claiming that Ókoro and "Umukoro" have ancient vintage flows from the fact that many Urhobo sub-groups have traditions of migration from Isoko. These shared names date from those distant centuries of long ago.

There is a second aspect of the Ókoro complex of names that distinguishes its uses in  Isoko-Urhobo cultures. This is that it has a female counterpart: "Ôkôkô." Just as Ókoro serves as a foundation for the compound name of "Umukoro," so "Ôkôkô" serves as the foundation of the compound name "Umukôkô," which is the female equivalent of "Umukoro." Again, "Umukôkô" is an ancient name in Isoko-Urhobo culture. A responsible woman is addressed as "Ôkôkô" in the same way as a responsible man is addressed as Ókoro.

It is striking that these two classical Isoko-Urhobo names are not popular ones among those given to Urhobo and Isoko young ones in modern times, particularly among the influential class of Western-educated Urhobos and Isokos. However, they continue to count among the less Western-educated Urhobos and Isokos as first names. But they are clearly not as widespread as their age would suggest.

Where Do These Names Come From --
Ókoro, Umukoro, Ôkôkô, and Umukôkô?

In a real sense, these four terms form a complex of names that are as old as Urhobo and Isoko cultures. It is therefore  rather daring to ask the following question. From where do these names originate? If they are such olden names, then we should expect that they relate to the times when Isoko-Urhobos migrated from the lands of the Ogisos. That was over seven centuries ago. Urhobos and Isokos left the lands that are now called Benin when they were quite elementary in their social organizations. These lands acquired their new appellations of "Benin" and "Edo" after the demise of the Ogiso dynasty. That is why "Benin" and "Edo" do not exist in Urhobo language which continues to refer to modern Benins with the term they took away from the days of the Ogisos, namely Aka. (Remarkably, Udo is the term that Urhobos are used to in their folktales, obviously suggesting its existence and importance in the era of the Ogisos.) Indeed, these names of Benin and Edo were given by the Kings of the dynasty of the Obas that replaced the Ogisos. In Urhobo folk imagination, Ogiso counted for much, while the newer dynasty of the Obas was a lot more alien. On the other hand, Ishans, Owans, and Etsakos migrated from the lands of the Obas, when the terms Benin and Edo were already in use. For them, modern Kings of the Oba dynasty are supreme.

A dynastic change is traumatic for any culture, and is usually marked by considerable hostility from the newer ascendant dynasty towards the failed and defunct dynasty. That is what happened in Great Britain with the transition from the Tudors to the Stuarts. In Benin, the change appears to be a lot more dramatic. Much was done to erase the legacy of the Ogisos from Benin culture over which the triumphant Obas presided. Indeed, but for the Urhobos and Isokos, the legacy of the Ogisos would largely be unrecognizable in modern times.

One should assume, legitimately, that the new Oba dynasty sought to enhance its hold on Benin culture by controlling its political institutions. If, indeed, "Okoro" (or "Okorho" was a term of importance and endearment in the general public that reminded Benins of the Ogisos, it could be endangered. I offer the view that the name "Okoro" decayed from usage in Benin lands as a result of the dynastic change from the Ogisos to the Obas. In other words, Ókoro has survived among the Urhobos and Isokos from ancient times, dating back to the Ogisos, while it is now a piece of cultural atavism in Benin culture. How else does one account for the fact that Ókoro, with its derivative Umukoro, remained dominant in ancient Urhobo and Isoko while disappearing from Benin and the newer Edoid fragments of Ishan, Owan, and Etsako? It should be noted that Urhobos and Isokos continue to hold many names in common with the Benins, obviously names that survived from the days of the Ogisos. Consider such names as Idiemudia, Agbogidi, or Awhinawhi, which apparently survived from the pre-Benin era of the Ogisos. Their common uses in Benin and Urhobo contrasts sharply with the apparent disappearance of Ókoro from Benin culture and its continuing importance in Isoko and Urhobo cultures.

I should hasten to add that this is only an hypothesis, offering a plausible explanation for a cultural puzzle in Edoid cultural studies.

you got it down when it comes to research mrs ijaw women, that was very educational

AREA, NOTHING DEY HAPPEN!

Mi kia, mi gwono ri emu, waka re?

Mohadana, i am an Urhobo who grew up in Benin. And i know we have few uhrobo words that are similar to Bini words in spelling, and meaning. Eg
WORD MEANING
Efe Riches
Igho Money
Aghogho Joy
Ese Gift
Mudia Stand
Oji Thief
Otu Mate
ETC

make quick cah join me.


http://hits4pay.com/members/join.cgi?odegua

mohadana:

The Urhobo are a people of southern Nigeria, near the northwestern Niger River delta. The Urhobos are the major ethnic group in Delta State; the Delta State is one of the 36 states of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. They speak Urhobo, a language in Niger-Congo group. Together with another ethnic group in the region, the Isoko, they are collectively known as the Sobo. There is also the another related ethnic group known as the Okpe.

Nice piece on the Urhobo people, the Okpe's are not related to the Urhobo's they are actually Urhobo people, Okpe is one of the clans that make up Urhobo kingdom, there are 22 clans or cultural units that make up the Urhobo Kingdom, it's just that they have a dialect slightly different from general Urhobo, I know because I'm Okpe myself.

You can learn more about the different Clans that make up the Urhobo kingdom from here www.waado.org

Urhobo Historical Society


 

Urhobo Names and Their MeaninG


Every Urhobo name given to a child has a meaning attached to it. The Urhobo believe that a child lives up to the likeness or meaning of the name that she or he bears. For instance, there is a general belief that if a 'thief' is the name of a child that child may grow up to be a 'rogue.' If, on the other hand, your  child is given a name that suggests a 'rich person,' there is the belief that such a child invariably grows up to be a wealthy individual. Urhobo parents are therefore very careful of the names that they give to their children.


For the most part, grandparents or close older relatives have the privilege of giving names to new-borns. This is usually an honor. However, unlike some of their ethnic neighbors, Urhobo people do not have any special naming ceremonies that require performing certain rites. Apart from the parents and grandparents, traditionally Urhobo rarely allowed new-borns to be touched or sometimes seen directly by others until the age of three months. Mother and child are usually strong enough to have an outing at this age. This involves visiting the in-laws and other close relatives. At this time, the child should have an established given name. A birth registry is a recent notion in Urhoboland. Traditionally, Urhobo parents do not “count” the number of their children. Parents are not permitted by Urhobo cultural practices to count their children. The number of fingers often represents a count of one's children.



Urhobo names have deep meanings. Names are not mere labels, as they are in some other societies. Many Urhobo names invoke  SPIRITUAL or religious significance. Sometimes we give names to connote a  CHALLENGE  to self or others. Urhobo people thrive best when challenged. We also give names as a celebration and  APPRECIATION  of the gift of a child itself. Several Urhobo names reflect honor and  ACHIEVEMENT. Certain names are simply PHILOSOPHICAL, while others are GENDER specific. The Urhobo  also give names that emphasize the importance of PEOPLE as an important RESOURCE. Sometimes names are given to denote  SPECIAL DAYS, especially if the individual was born on that specific day.


The Urhobo are a very republican people. They work very hard to acquire wealth and fame in an old-fashioned way. Your wealth is as good as its source. Urhobo will investigate the source of your wealth. If it is suspect, you stand to lose your respect, dignity and fame. A good number of Urhobo names have to do with WEALTH AND  MONEY.



Names are also given to denote COLORS, WEATHER conditions, NATURAL  RESOURCES and PLACE of  origin or where born.



The list that follows contains  a sample of some common Urhobo names. It must be pointed out that a few of the names under GENDER are not so common any more. The names are placed in categories. Each category contains the long form, short form, gender, and meaning attached to each name. Urhobo names are sometimes sentences or even phrases.  The ‘long forms’ may in fact be the 'short forms' of the actual long names. The ‘short forms’, therefore, are in some cases doubly short forms of the real names. However, the actual meanings of the names are never in doubt. Some of these names may belong to cross categories warranting repetition in some cases. This is deliberate.  Most Urhobo names start with vowels in the initial position except where abbreviated.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Names with SPIRITUAL or RELIGIOUS Significance





NAMES
SHORT FORMS
GENDER
MEANINGS

Akpenvwoghene
Akpenvwe
Unisex
Praise God

Anaborhi
Naborhi
UNISEX
Be born with good destiny

Edewor
Dewor
Male
Sacred day of worship in traditional religion

Ejiroghene
Ejiro
Unisex
Praise God

Ejokparoghene
Jokpa or  Oghene
Unisex
Let's trust in God

Ejomafuvwe
Jomafuvwe or Jomafu
Unuisex
Let peace reign in my life

Enohor/Elohor
Nohor or Lohor
Female
Blessing

Erhiaganoma
Erhi or Rhiaganoma
Male
Guardian spirit overpowers the body

Erhimeyoma
Oyoma
Unisex
My guardian spirit (God) is good

Erhinyoja
Rhinyoja or Onyoja
Unisex
Guardian spirit (God) meets our challenges (hears our prayers)

Erhinyuse
Use
Unisex
Guardian spirit (God) answers prayers

Erhiroghene
Erhi or Oghene
Unisex
The spirit of God

Eseoghene
Ese
Unisex
God's gift

Eserovwe
Ese or Ovwe
Unisex
God’s grace or Free gift

Oghenebrume
Brume
Unisex
God decided in my favor

Oghenechovwe
Chovwe or Oghene
Unisex
God aided me

Oghenefejiro
Ofejiro or Oghene
Unisex
God is praiseworthy

Oghenegaren
Garen or Oghene
Unisex
God is great

Oghenekevwe
Kevwe or Oghene
Unisex
God gave (provided for) me

Oghenekohwo
Oghene or Kohwo
Unisex
God provides

Ogheneme
Ome or Oghene
Unisex
  My God

Oghenemine
Mine or Mimi
Unisex
I look up to God

Oghenenyore
Nyore or Oghene
Unisex
God answers prayers

Ogheneruemu
Oghene
Unisex
God makes things possible

Oghenerukevwe
Rukevwe or Ruks
Unisex
God did this for me

Ogheneruno
Oruno or Runo
Unisex
God has so much (great)

Oghenetega
Tega or Oghene
Unisex
God is worship-worthy

Oghenevwede
Oghenede or Oghene
Unisex
God owns the day

Oghenevwogagan
Gaga or Oghene
Unisex
God provides all strength

Oghenochuko
Ochuko or Oghene
Unisex
God provides my support

Okeroghene
Okeoghene or Oghene
Unisex
God’s own time

Omamerhi
Mamerhi or Oma
Unisex
Good guardian spirit

Onakpoma
Ono
Unisex
Who creates life?

Onomavwe
Ono
Unisex
Who is my creator?

Onomine
Ono or Mimi
Unisex
Whom do I look up to?

Onovughakpor
Ono or Onovughe
Unisex
Who can predict what life can bring?

Oyovwikemo
Kemo or Yovwike
Unisex
May our children be blessed

Oyovwikerhi
Kerhi or Yovwike
Unisex
May my guardian spirit (God) be blessed




Names with  CHALLENGE  Connotations



Achojah
Achojah
Male
Rise up to challenge

Aruegodore
Egodo
Male
We have come (established) home

Edojah
Dojah
Male
Day of challenge

Efemini
Efe
Male
Let's see how wealthy you can be

Efetobo
Efe
Unisex
Wealth is achieved

Efetobore
Tobore
Male
Wealth has now been achieved

Etanomare
Tanomare or Nomare
Unisex
Freed from blame (despair)

Ighomuedafe
Igho or Dafe
Male
Money intoxicates the wealthy

Miriodere
Miriode
Unisex
I now have a name

Mitaire
Mitai
Unisex
I have achieved (reached) their match

Mivwodere
Mivwode
Unisex
I now have a name

Oboganriemu
Obogan
Male
Be strong to survive (eat)

Ogbamremu
Ogba
Male
The brave meets a lot of challenges

Ojakorotu
Jakorotu or Orotu
Male
This is a group challenge

Ojanomare
Janoma
Unisex
I have met the challenge

Onajite
Ojite
Unisex
This is sufficient

Onanojah
Onojah
Male
This is a challenge

Onogaganmue
Ono or Ogagan
Male
Who is intoxicated with power?

Onoharhese
Noharhese
Unisex
Who blames good deeds?

Udumebraye
Udume or Dumebraye
Male
My presence gives them heartache (challenge)



Names with ACHIEVEMENT Connotations





NAMES
SHORT FORMS
GENDER
MEANINGS

Edafetanure
Tanure
Male
The wealthy have spoken

Efemena
Efe
Unisex
Here is my wealth

Efemuaye
Efe
Male
Those intoxicated with riches

Efetobore
Tobore
Male
Wealth has now been achieved

Etanomare
Tanomare or Tanoma
Male
Freed from blame / despair

Etaredafe
Dafe
Male
Words of the wealthy

Ighomuedafe
Igho or Dafe
Male
Money intoxicates the wealthy

Ighovavwerhe
Igho
Male
There is joy in riches

Irikefe
Kefe
Male
First to become wealthy

Miriodere / Mivwodere
Miriode or Mivwode
Unisex
I now have a name

Mitaire
Mitaire
Unisex
I have reached their match

Odafe
Dafe
Male
Rich individual

Odavwaro
Odaro
Unisex
I am contented

Oghomena
Ogho or Omena
Unisex
Here is my respect

Oghonoro
Ogho or Onoro
Unisex
Respect is greater than gold (riches)

Okagbare
Kagbare
Male
Now I have all styles / skills

Omonigho
   Omo or Igho
Unisex
Child is greater than riches

Omonoro
  Omo or Onoro
Unisex
Child is greater than gold

Onajite
Ojite or Jite
Unisex
This is sufficient

Onogaganmue
Ogagan or Ono
Male
Who is intoxicated with prowess (power)?

Orodena
Orode
Male
The great one



Names with Connotations of APPRECIATION





NAMES
SHORT FORMS
GENDER
MEANINGS

Akpenvwoghene
Akpenvwe
Unisex
Praise God

Ejiroghene
Ejiro or Oghene
Unisex
Praise God

Eseoghene
Ese or Oghene
Unisex
God's gift

Norioghene
Norien
Unisex
Look at God’s judgment

Oghenebrume
Brume
Unisex
God decided in my favor

Oghenechovwe
Chovwe or Oghene
Unisex
God supported me

Oghenefejiro
Ofejiro or Oghene
Unisex
God is praiseworthy

Oghenekevwe
Kevwe
Unisex
God gave me (this child)

Oghenenyerhovwo
Nyerhovwo or  Oghene
Unisex
God answers prayers

Oghenerhoro
Oghene
Unisex
God is great

Ogheneruemu
Oghene
Unisex
God makes things possible

Oghenerukevwe
Rukevwe  or  Ruks
Unisex
God did this for me

Ogheneruno
Runo or Oruno
Unisex
God has done so much (great)

Oghenetega
Tega
Unisex
God is worship worthy

Oghenochuko
Ochuko or Oghene
Unisex
God provides my support

Onoharhese
Noharhese
Unisex
Who blames good deeds?

Oyovwikerhi
Kerhi or Yovwike
Unisex
May my guardian spirit (God) be blessed


 
PHILOSOPHICAL  Names





NAMES
SHORT FORMS
GENDER
MEANINGS

Akpobome
Akpobo
Unisex
My own life

Akpofure
Ofure
Male
Life is now peaceful.

Akporovwovwo
Akpovwovwo
Unisex
Good life in later years

Anaborhi
Naborhi
Unisex
Be born with good destiny

Asaroyoma
Sayoma
Female
Comfort zones(people prefer comfort zones)

Ataikiru
Taikiru
Male
Talk (plan) before taking action

Avwunudiogba
Unudiogba
Unisex
Those who profess strength with mere talk

Edaferierhi
Edafe
Male
The rich have good destiny

Edemirukaye
Ede or Demirukai
Male
The day I did them a favor

Eghwrudjakpor
Jakpor or Eghwrudje
Unisex
I have come to stay / Stranded in this world

Eguono
Guono
Unisex
Love

Ejaita
Jaita
Unisex
Let them say

Ejoyovwi
Joyovwi
Unisex
Let it be good ( a success)

Emarejedje
Omare or Ejedje
Unisex
The elderly also run for life

Emetitiri
Metitiri
Male
Mine is famous

Emudiaga
Mudiaga
Male
Let's stand firmly

Emuobosa
Muobo
Unisex
Your own thing is precious (unique)

Emuvoke
Voke
Unisex
Every thing has time

Enakpodia
Nakpodia
Male
The way life should (ought) to be

Enita
Nita
Unisex
Watch what you say

Enitekiru
Eniteh
Unisex
Think before you act

Enivwenaye
Nivwenai
Unisex
Compare my achievements with those of my detractors

Erhinyuse
Use
Unisex
Guardian Spirit answers prayers

Erhuvwun
Erhus
Unisex
Beauty

Erukainure
Rukainure or Eruks
Unisex
We have aided them (met their challenge)

Etarakpobuno
Etabuno or Tabuno
Unisex
The world has so much to say (much gossip)

Irorokpaka
Rokpaka
Unisex
Our thoughts went far (deep thoughts)

Isio
Isio
Unisex
Stars

Miriodere
Miriode
Unisex
I now have a name

Oba
Oba
Male
King

Obatare
Atare
Unisex
Destiny

Oborerhinrin
Berhirin
Unisex
It’s your destiny

Odirin
Dirin
Unisex
Patience

Ogbeta
Gbeta
Male
Bad talk

Oghomena
Omena or Ogho
Unisex
Here is my respect

Okiremute
Okite
Unisex
There is time for every thing

Okpako
Kpako
Unisex
Senior

Omafuvwe
Mafuvwe or Oma
Unisex
I am at peace ( All is well with me)

Omenasan
Menasan
Unisex
Mine is unique

Onogaganmue
Ogagan or Ono
Male
Who is intoxicated with prowess (power)?

Onoharhese
Noharhese
Unisex
Who blames good deeds?

Onome
Onome
Unisex
This is mine

Onomine
Ono or Mimi
Unisex
Whom do I look up to?

Onoriode
Ono
Unisex
Who knows tomorrow?

Orodena
Orode
Male
The great one

Otevwobrise
Otobrise or Otobru
Unisex
It’s sufficient to make parables

Ovie
Ovie
Male
King

Oviereya
Ovieya
Female
Queen

Ovigueraye
Ovigue
Unisex
Everyone with his/her own destiny

Ovuevuraye
Ovuevu or Vuevuraye
Unisex
Everyone has his/her own minds/thougths

Oyabevwe
Oyabe
Unisex
Tired of sojourn

Udumebraye
Udume or Dumebraye
Male
My presence gives them heartache (challenge)

Ufuoma
Fuoma
Unisex
Peace of mind

Ughwubetine
Betine
Unisex
No more deaths (dying)

Uruemuesiri
Esiri  or Uruemu
Unisex
Good deeds



Names Based on GENDER





NAMES
SHORT FORMS
GENDER
MEANINGS

Emetemedia
Metemedia
Female
I will always remain a lady

Emeterhire
Emete
Female
Girls have arrived

Enajemete
Emete
Female
These are also girls

Esereshareberuo
Ese or Eseberuo
Unisex
Men are hard to please

Eyakodevu
Okodevu
Unisex
Women  can very secretive

Inenevwerha
Nene
Unisex
There is joy in motherhood

Okoro
Okoro or Oshare
Male
Man

Okotete
Okote
Male
Little young man

Omote
Omote
Unisex
Girl

Omotejohwo
Omotohwo
Female
A girl is also a human being

Omotekoro
Oro
Female
A girl is like gold

Omotore
Tore or Omote
Female
Girl’s birth brings festivity

Umukoko
Okoko
Female
Young woman

Umukoro (Omokoro)
  Mukoro  or Mokoro
Male
Young man

Umuto
Muto
Female
Woman



Names based on People as an important RESOURCE





NAMES
SHORT FORMS
GENDER
MEANINGS

Imonivwerha
Imoni
Unisex
There is joy in having blood relations

Iniovosa
Niovosa
Unisex
Siblings are unique

Odibo
Odibo
Unisex
  Disciple (Follower or Servant)

Ohwevwo
Ohwo
Unisex
Good human relationship provides valuable support

Ohwofasa
Ofasa
Male
A person’s status should be defined by his/her achievement.

Ohwonigho
Igho
Male
A person is greater than riches

Omodibo
Modibo
Unisex
Young disciple (follower or servant)

Omonigho
Igho
Unisex
Child is greater than riches

Omonoro
Oro    or    Monoro
Unisex
Child is greater than gold

Omotore
Motore or  Omote
Female
Girl’s birth brings festivity

Onanefe
Ona  or  Efe
Unisex
This (child) is greater than riches



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Names that indicate SPECIAL DAYS





NAMES
SHORT FORMS
GENDER
MEANINGS

Edeki
Deki
Unisex
Market day

Edewor
Dewor
Male
Traditional religion sacred day of worship

Edidjana
Didjana
Unisex
Sunday

Edore
Dore
Unisex
Day of festivity (festival)

Eduvie
Duvie
Unisex
Glory day  (Day of Glory)

Omotore
Tore or Motore
Female
Girl’s birth brings festivity




Names Related to WEALTH / MONEY



NAMES
SHORT FORMS
GENDER
MEANINGS

Avwunufe
Efe or wunufe
Unisex
Wealthy only by talk not substance

Edafetanure
Tanure
Male
  The wealthy have spoken

Efediome
Diome
Unisex
Let riches be mine

Efekodo
Efe or Fekodo
Unisex
Famous with wealth

Efemena
Efe
Unisex
Here is my wealth

Efemini
Efe
Unisex
Let’s see how wealthy you can be

Efemuaye
Efe
Male
Those intosticated with riches

Efeturi
Efe or Feturi
Unusex
There are more than 100 types of riches/wealth

Efevwerha
Efe
Unisex
Wealth is joyful

Efurhievwe
Efe
Unisex
Destined to be wealthy

Ejaife
Jaife
Male
Let them be rich (wealthy)

Esisorigho
Esiso
Unisex
Bag of money

Etaidaferua
Taidafe
Male
Words of the wealthy are more acceptable

Etaredafe
Dafe
Male
Words of the wealthy

Igberaharha
Gberaharha
Male
The poor take the blame

Ighofose
Ose or Igho
Unisex
Money can break close male/female relationships

Ighofovwe
Igho
Unisex
Wealth suites me

Ighohwo
Igho
Unisex
Riches make you human

Ighovavwerhe
Igho
Male
There is joy in riches

Irikefe
Kefe
Male
First to become wealthy

Odafe
Dafe
Male
Rich individual

Oghonoro
Onoro
Unisex
Respect is greater than gold (riches)

Omoefe
Omo or Efe
Unisex
Child is wealth

Omonigho
Igho
Unisex
Child is greater than riches

Omovigho
Omo or Igho
Unisex
  Child brings wealth (means wealth)

Onofeghara
Efe or Nofeghara
Unisex
Who divides (shares) his/ her wealth with others?

Onoharhigho
Igho or Noharhigho
Male
Who blames riches / wealth?

Uduefebraye
Efe or Uduefe
Male
Wealth gives them challenge (heartache)




Names in Appreciation of COLOURS



NAMES
SHORT FORMS
GENDER
MEANINGS

Ahwinahwi
Ahwi
Male
A really black ( dark) individual

Obiebi
Biebi
Unisex
Black (dark)

Ododo
Dodo
Unisex
Red

Ofuafo
Fuafo
Unisex
White

Ofuako
Fuako
Unisex
One with white teeth

Omoyibo
Moyibo
Unisex
Little white / fair skinned person

Oyibo
Oyibo
Unisex
White / fair skinned

Oyibonanarhoro
Oyiborhoro or Oyibo or Oyibode
Male
  This is a big white / fair skinned person

Oyiborhoro
Oyibode or Oyibo
Male
A big white / fair skinned person

Oyiborode
Oyibode or Oyibo
Male
  A big white / fair skinned person




Names in Recognition of Types of WEATHER CONDITIONS



NAMES
SHORT FORMS
GENDER
MEANINGS

Edosio
Ede or Osio
Male
Rainy day

Ohwahwa
Hwahwa
Male
Harmattan/cold season

Okposio
Osio
Unisex
Heavy rain

Osio
Osio
Unisex
Rain

Uvo
Uvo
Male
Dry/Sunny season


         

Names in Recognition of Significance of NATURAL RESOURCES



NAMES
SHORT FORMS
GENDER
MEANINGS

Egbo
Egbo
Male
Forest

Emeni
Meni
Male
Small elephant

Emerho
Merho
Male
A special type of (small) catfish

Eni
Eni
Male
Elephant

Erhue
Erhue
Male
A special breed of cow used for traditional ceremonies

Ogoro
Ogoro
Male
Frog

Okpogoro
Ogoro
Male
A big toad

Uloho
Loho
Male
Iroko tree

Urhie
Urhie
Male
River


 


Names in Honour of Cities and Places of BIRTH



NAMES
SHORT FORMS
GENDER
MEANINGS

Agbarha
Agbarha
Male
Born in Agbarha

Emetisiorho
Isiorho
Unisex
Children born in diaspora

Okpara
Okpara
Male
Born in Okpara

Ometeko
Eko
Female
Girl born in Lagos/Eko

Omorogun
Omo or Morogun
Unisex
Child born in Orogun

Omotughele
Motughele
Female
Girl from Ughelli

Omotukane
Motukane
Female
Girl born in diaspora (Ikale-Yoruba)

Orogun
Orogun
Unisex
Born in Orogun

Sapele
Sapele
Male
Born in Sapele

Uhwokori
Kokori
Male
Born in Uhwokori.

Mohadana,

Thanks very much for this most enlightening and educative thread.
My mrs is Urhobo, born in the diaspora with little knowledge of her
heritage unfortunately. What you have provided is a great help.

Tell me, what is the word for Princess in Urhobo and is it usual to name
a child princess or would it sound funny?

Mi guo

Mavo desorlah,? oma garin? vredo aye me,!, we we ukwo urhobo gbani ukwo yoruba?, didi ode we,? mi kia, mi gwono damee!

Ono uwei? mi kia, mi gwono paza

emo onime wado. Tivo wa vwa? Me guno ria usi ve amiedi. Wa ka keme usi?

wow mohadana
now i am confused which name to give my child.u have given me too many options.thanks for the post.urhobo wado

irun obo wado, do omo mi dada ;d

waado!
i am urhobo, but i cant speak
do you know of any urhobo maeeting in lagos. i wwould like to join

Gollum.
just mail me and I'll hook u up with Urhobo people's club meeting @ saipan

Hi,

I am looking for some Urhobo recipes. Could not find much on Google or Yahoo! Can anybody give me some recipes? I read on Wikipedia about Ukhodo, Ohwo soup, and amiedi or banga soup. Does anybody know how to make these please?

Thank you

Jandu 

Mohadana: You've got my Urhobo middle name there in your list!

Thanks! I am urhobo but I cannot speak it and can barely understand *shame*

I am based in the UK and would like to know if there are any classes, books, DVDs or CDs that I can either attend or use in my aid to understand the language.

mi guo, imoni me!! ode me na tejiri. biko, my people, can anyone help me translate the lord's prayer to urhobo? tode!

Waado. I am esan while my husband is urhobo. would want my kids to speak the language. Does anyone know of tapes or books that would help. thanks a lot mohadana. i have really learnt a lot from this thread.

There's one that is very good for beginners known as Urhobo Language Primer. It has a tape and book. Another very popular one is Uyono Urhobo, which comes in a series, but I don't think it has tapes.

urhobo wado oo

Hi I am new here and require some insight into Nigerian/Urhobo tribe culture.

My wife is Nigerian born in England, i am West indian also born in London. I have met with my wife's family who are very nice people, but there is something i do not understand. When i greet my wifes grandfather, he is polite, but refuses to shake my hand, indeed he pulled his hand out of mine, when i tried to extend mine. Other than that he is cordial.
My wife says it's nothing personal, and that he shakes no-ones hand as he is a chief, but i am ALMOST positive that i have seen him shake other peoples hand.

Maybe i am just being silly, but genuinely need some advice, on this matter.

Thanks in advance

I am a terrible urhobo person to the core. I dont understand a dime of urhobo and i have never lived or visited delta state. My middle name is Akpomedaiye and i dont even know the meaning of it and i hardly use it except my family members scream it loud into my ears. I would love to know a t more about urhobo but then again, where can i start?