It doesn’t take rocket science to realize that the process and act of naming children has evolved through the years just like the rest of humanity.  In the traditional Rwandan and African context, it was a widely held belief that the actual choice of name could influence the life of both the child and the family.

An over ambitious name could seem ‘odd’ whereas a simple name will not carry such high expectations. Names reflecting the day of birth and the environment or circumstances surrounding the birth were common back in the day but not so much today.

Names have always been associated with people’ hopes, dreams and aspirations.  Parents have been known to choose names for their children by reflecting on their geographical environments, their fears, their religious beliefs, and their philosophy of life et cetera.  Children’s names are more often than not an insight into their parents’ cultural or socio-political beliefs and perceptions.

However, times have changed. It used to be a popular practice to name children and find a way to praise God along the way in the Rwanda society. A quick scan into the names of our Amavubi team will give you a vivid picture.

This trend however is dying out as new generations arise. Modern parents apparently see no need to subject their children to names longer than four letters. Names like Mimi, Tutu, Kami, Tita, and Emmy are taking center stage.

Names given to children today certainly have a more modern, mystique and simplistic quality to them compared to the past. It was also quite common for parents to give their children biblical names but that is also being kept in the back pockets of modernity.

Today children are names more on what is trending, exciting, fresh, beautiful and unique. Let it not come as a shock meeting kindergarten kids called Mercedes, Dawn, Krypton, Chelsea and Shirley.

Where do names come from?

Some parents have given their children names reflecting a proclamation of what they want them to be or achieve.

Those who bear names like Manzi, Ntwali and Ntare fit into this definition perfectly.

Some children are given circumstantial names depending on the conditions they are born in. Nancy Umulisa had her daughter Louise three months ego and she says she named her child after the nurse who delivered her child under very hard conditions.

Names could be in honor of specific events, people or occurrences that shaped parents’ lives and hence they are modified as names and passed on children. Steven Kaijuka called his son Kagame as a way of honoring his hero.

‘I also want my sons to forever be curious about the legacies of their names and never take for granted what they have.’ he explained.

Also children are mostly given a name that is a continuation of a family lineage.

While it is common for children to carry their father’s last names, these days’ children may bear the last names of both their parents.

Jovia a mother of one says she had always wanted to pass on her paternal family name to her child. ‘I always wanted to honor my father by naming my child after him. Fortunately my husband saw no problem with our only son carrying both our father’s names.’ she added

While there are numerous manners in which parents come up with their children’s names, one thing is clear and that is that they are getting more creative and fearless with the names they choose.

Dora admits she named all her four children by watching movies and picking the most unique and extravagant names to name them.

‘People ask me all the time what my children’s names mean. All I knew was I didn’t want my children to have common names. My children three boys have foreign first names and my daughter was named after my favorite Australian poet Summer rain,” she elaborated.

Stacy Uwera an 18 year old student says she already has names picked out for her children and they are all in Kinyarwanda.

‘People think that our so called English names are Christian names but I disagree, we have some beautiful and meaningful Kinyarwanda names and they are the ones I want my children to identify themselves with.’ explained the passionate young woman.

Who names the child?

Andrew Mutabazi, whose wife is soon giving birth believes that it is only proper that his children bear his last name to carry the family name on.

‘My wife and I have been discussing names for the past 3 months. I think I will leave to her because her name choices are more creative than mine. However I still insist that all my children will bear my last name.’ he said.

Echoing his sentiments is Brenda a mother of three, ‘I think that it is important that children bear the name of their father because it gives them an identity and grounds them in the roots of the family from which they come from.’

‘Sometimes a family may have a name that has been passed on from very many generations and it would be unfair to end it abruptly.’ she says

Carol Butera an expecting mother however disagrees citing that children need an identity of their own and a clean slate to live their lives differently than other bearers of a given name.

‘I think it is unrealistic to give a child a name they are expected to live up to. We can’t live our lives through our children. It’s only fair that we give them a chance to grow into their own names and find themselves without comparison to their predecessors.’ she explained

Contemporary baby-naming celebrations if you can recall, included organizing a party in which a time was allocated for all the invited to suggest a name. This is also another naming practice dying out.

James insists that this naming of a child is a private and family concerned decision that others should respect. He added that he actually contributed nothing to naming his two kids as his wife had their names picked when she was 16!

What to keep in mind

You are not naming yourself, A few parents may be carried away with the thought of what they would have loved to be called and blueprint it on their children forgetting a new era has dawned. It is important to ask yourself ‘if you were starting out in your life today, what would you want to represent you?’

Beware of trending names lest you give your child a name which fifteen other children in his/her kindergarten class will share, thus obliterating your child’s sense of individuality and forever dooming them to be known as ‘namesake’ and called in initials instead of a name.

It is important to remember that even though they look like darlings right now, your children will grow up and as adults they will not thank you for giving them lifelong baby names when they go on job interviews or have to fill out a marriage license with Bebe as a first name. Put yourself in the child’s shoes. Picture your child not as a cute baby but as a grown-up bearing the name you picked.

Naming a child is a very important and fun process as it’s the very first gift you will give to your baby.  It is important to keep in mind that they will bear that name for the rest of their lives and should rejoice in your choice every time the word utters it.

Kinyarwanda names and their definitions

Rugero: An exemplary person

Rugwiro: An enthusiastic person

Mwiza: beautiful person

Miheto: Gives reference of strength and protection, while we can as well add the ability to be a ‘role model’ to

Ntwali: Brave or hero person

Ngabo: Someone full of warrior character, it derives from the word Ingabo which relate to maturity, responsibility, a fighter, an initiated person from one stage to another.

Gatsinzi: Winner .It originates from the word to win or defeat an opponent (adversary)

Mutesi: spoiled child: they are children with particular behaviors due to overindulgence or excessive joy or care from their educators or parents

Teta: dotted on or to shown excessive affection.

Agasaro:  means a pearl or bead: it refers to a person   to whom you are attributing high value, beauty or love.

Uwase: cherished father’s daughter who is conceived, born and grow up to adopt or imitate her father’s behavior and values.

Manzi : meanings: 1. Imanzi ( one of names or category attributed to Rwandan Heroes)  2. (Imanzi) a boy that has not yet had sexual intercourse 3. (Guca Imanzi)  A sign drawn or cut on a body for making it attractive or beautiful 4. Also a kind or innocent person

Rukundo! Love

English names

Isabella is a Hebrew name that means "Consecrated to God; devoted to God”.Abigail is a Hebrew name meaning  ‘My Father’s joy, father of exaltation”.Olivia: Peace, olive tree.

"Ava” is: "Like a Bird; Voice”.Aiko : Beloved One and NobleEthan is: "Firm, strong, impetuous

Alexander is an ancient Greek name to mean "Protector and defender of people”.Michael is a Hebrew name to mean "Who is like God?”.Liam : Will, desire,  Determined Guardian, Resolute protector

Daniel is: "God is my Judge”Noah is: "Rest, Peace, Comfort, Peaceful”.