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Adoption
Heritage and Naming Ethiopian
Children
Heritage is very
important and traditionally a child grows up to know at least 7 generations of
his / her ancestors. For example a
child named Abraham Alemayehu Zerihun carries 3 generations of names, his own
(Abraham), his father's (Alemayehu) and his grandfather's
(Zerihun).
Why are children
named like this?
One reason is that
many people have the same first name so the father's name identifies them like
the English "Robert - son" = Robertson.
The grandfather's
name adds to this and also shows heritage which is important in determining
status - the more names you know the higher your status in the
community.
Another reason for
naming children this way is that when Ethiopian men plan to marry, traditionally
they send a delegation of 6 elders to the girl's family to negotiate the
marriage. This negotiation includes
determining if the bride and groom are related. Both families must provide the male
lines of both sets of parents back 7 generations. Therefore, it is the names that are
handed down through the generations that are the evidence of their family
line.
Changing your child's name
The following article ison changing your child's name
- published by the Sydney Morning Herald on 23 Oct 2003 (website)
Meanings of Ethiopian Names
For AACASA members... the list of boys and girls names is also saved in the
'files' section of the AACASA e-group.
The lists of meanings of boys and girls names were compiled by an AACASA member who is a waiting-mum.
Email the Compiler of this list if you have any queries, requests or additions for the meanings of boys and girls names.
Boys
Ethiopian Boy's Names & Meanings.
A |
|
|
|
Abal |
Meaning: “Servant To The King” |
Abate |
Meaning: |
Abay |
Meaning: |
Abdel |
Meaning: |
Abdel-Alim |
Meaning: |
Abdella |
Meaning: Muslim |
Abdellahi |
Meaning: Muslim |
Abdi |
Meaning: “My Servant” Muslim |
Abdikarim |
Meaning: “Slave Of God” Muslim |
Abdimelech |
Meaning: “Servant To Kings” Name of an Ethiopian eunuch who lived in ancient Rome |
Abdu |
Meaning: |
Abebe |
Meaning: “He Has Flowered, Flourished, Grown” or “Blooming Like A Flower” Amharic |
Abel |
Meaning: “A Breath” Amharic/Biblical |
Abenet |
Meaning: “Example” Amharic |
Abera |
Meaning: “He Shines” Amharic |
Abebaw |
Meaning: |
Abimelech |
Meaning: “Servant To The King” Biblical of an Ethiopian eunuch. |
Abeselome ~ Abesalom |
Meaning: “Father Is Peace” Amharic/Tigrian/Biblical |
Abey ~ Abiy |
Meaning: “Fathers Joy” Amharic |
Abimelech |
Meaning: “Servant To The King” |
Adamu ~ Adam |
Meaning: “Man Of The Red Earth” Biblical/Amharic |
Adane |
Meaning: “He Saves” Amharic |
Addis |
Meaning: “New” Amharic |
Adisu ~ Addisu |
Meaning: “New One” Amharic |
Adinew |
Meaning: “Save Him” Amharic |
Admassu |
Meaning: “His Horizon” Amharic |
Adugna |
Meaning: “Wealth” or “World” Oromo |
Afewerek ~ Afework |
Meaning: “One Who Speaks Only Of Pleasant Things” or “Golden Mouth” Amharic |
Afeworki |
Meaning: “One Who Speaks Only Of Pleasant Things” Tigrian |
Ahemed |
Meaning: Muslim |
Ahungena |
Meaning: “Just Now” Amharic |
Aklilu |
Meaning: “Crown” Amharic |
Alazar |
Meaning: “God Is My Help” Amharic/Biblical |
Alemayehu |
Meaning: “I Saw The World” Amharic |
Alem |
Meaning: “World” Amharic |
Alem Neh |
Meaning: “You Are The World” Amharic |
Alemu |
Meaning: “His World” Amharic |
Alengae |
Meaning: Wolitigna |
Ali |
Meaning: Muslim |
Amde Work |
Meaning: “Golden Column” |
Amsalu |
Meaning: “His Image” Amharic |
Aman |
Meaning: “Peace” or “He Is Looking Good” Amharic |
Amanuel ~ Emmanuel |
Meaning: “God Is With Us” Amharic/Biblical |
Amare |
Meaning: “He Looks Good” or “He Is Good Looking” Amharic/Tigrian |
Amensisa |
Meaning: Oromigna |
Amha |
Meaning: “Gift” Geez |
AmhaSelassie |
Meaning: “Gift Of The Trinity” |
Amir |
Meaning: “Strong” Muslim/Biblical |
Amsalu |
Meaning: “His Image” Amharic |
Andenet |
Meaning: “Being One” or “Together” Amharic |
Anom |
Meaning: Geez |
Anwar |
Meaning: “Bright” Muslim |
Araya |
Meaning: Tigrigna/Biblical |
Armah |
Meaning: “Ethiopian Emperor” Amharic/Geez |
Aron |
Meaning: “Exalted” Biblical |
Ashenafi |
Meaning: “Winner” Amharic |
Asamenew |
Meaning: “He Made Him Believe” Amharic |
Ashenafi |
Meaning: “Winner” Amharic |
Asmerom |
Meaning: Tigrigna |
Asnake |
Meaning: “Become Better Than Others” |
Asrat |
Meaning: Amharic |
Asres |
Meaning: Amharic |
Assefa |
Meaning: “He Has Increased Our Family By Coming Into This World” Amharic |
Assi |
Meaning: |
Atikem |
Meaning: “Whose Are You” Amharic/Oromigna |
Atatafi |
Meaning: “One Who Writes Chronicals” or “One Who Assists In Write Up’s” |
|
|
Ayele |
Meaning: “He Has Increased His Power” Amharic |
Azikiwe |
Meaning: “Full Of Vigour” |
Azim |
Meaning: Muslim |
Azmera |
Meaning: “Harvest” Amharic |
|
|
B |
|
Bahta |
Meaning: Tigrigna |
Barnabas |
Meaning: “Son Of Prophecy” Amharic/Biblical |
Basliel |
Meaning: Amharic |
Baslios |
Meaning: “Ethiopian King” Amharic |
Bayissa |
Meaning: Oromigna |
Bayou |
Meaning: Amharic |
Bazin |
Meaning: “If I am Sad” or “When I am Sad” Amharic |
Befikadu |
Meaning: “Through His Will” Amharic |
Beheilu |
Meaning: “Strength” or “Power” |
Beca ~ Beka |
Meaning: “He Who Knows God” Oromigna |
Bekele |
Meaning: “He Has Grown” or “He Has Come Into Being” Amharic |
Bekila |
Meaning: Oromigna |
Belachew |
Meaning: “Tell Them” or “Let Them Know” Amharic |
Belaye |
Meaning: “On Top” Amharic |
Belayneh |
Meaning: “You Are On Top” Amharic |
Belendia |
Meaning: “Say It Out Loud” or “Do It Right” Amharic |
Benti |
Meaning: Oromigna |
Benyam ~ Biniyam |
Meaning: “Benjamin” or “Son Of My Right Hand” Biblical/Amharic |
Bereket |
Meaning: “Blessings” Amharic |
Berehanu ~ Berhanu |
Meaning: “His Light” Amharic |
Berhane |
Meaning: “My Light” Amharic |
Beryihun ~ Berihun |
Meaning: “Let Him Be Our Gate” or “Our guidance” Amharic/Tigrinya |
Berta |
Meaning: “Be Strong” or “Be Vigilant” or “Persevere” Amharic |
Beselot |
Meaning: “Gained Through Prayer” Amharic |
Bezuayehu ~ Bzuayehu |
Meaning: “I Have Seen A Lot” Amharic |
Bessufekad ~ Besu F’kad |
Meaning: “With His Permission” Amharic |
BetreMussie |
Meaning: Amharic/Geez |
Bibi |
Meaning: Amharic |
Bililign |
Meaning: |
Biru |
Meaning: “You Are Birr” (Ethiopian Currency) |
Biruh |
Meaning: “Bright” |
Bogale |
Meaning: “Glowing” or “Getting Brighter” |
Bona |
Meaning: Oromigna |
Boru |
Meaning: Oromigna |
Brehan |
Meaning: “Light” |
Brehane |
Meaning: “My Light” |
Brehanu |
Meaning: “His Light” Amharic |
Brook ~ Bruck |
Meaning: “Blessed” Amharic |
Bruch ~ Bruk |
Meaning: “Blessed” Amharic |
Bullo |
Meaning: Oromigna |
|
|
C |
|
Caleb |
Meaning: “The Devoted One” Biblical/Amharic/Tigrian |
Cherenebereck |
Meaning: “You Were Generous” (Telling God He Was Generous To Give This Child) Amharic |
Chernebereck |
Meaning: “You Were Generous” (Telling God He Was Generous To Give This Child) Amharic |
|
|
D |
|
Dagim |
Meaning: “Again” Amharic |
Dagmawi |
Meaning: “Again” or “Second Time” Amharic |
Daniachew ~ Danichew |
Meaning: “Be Their Judge” or “You Be The Judge” Amharic |
Daniel |
Meaning: “God Is My Judge” Amharic/Biblical |
Darge |
Meaning: Amharic |
Dawit |
Meaning: “David” or “Beloved” Amharic/Biblical |
Debebe |
Meaning: Amharic |
Degife |
Meaning: Oromigna |
Degu |
Meaning: “The kind one” |
Dejen |
Meaning: “Foundation” or “Pillar” Amharic |
Dejene |
Meaning: “Support” or “Back Up” or “Protecter” |
Demeke |
Meaning: “Getting Brighter” |
Demissie ~ Demessie |
Meaning: “Destroyer” Amharic |
Dereje |
Meaning: “He Has Evolved” Amharic |
Dessalegne |
Meaning: “I am Happy” Amharic |
Desta |
Meaning: “Joy” or “Happiness” |
Dibaba |
Meaning: Oromigna |
Dula |
Meaning: “King” Oromigna |
Duri |
Meaning: Muslim |
|
|
E |
|
Eba |
Meaning: Oromigna |
Ebenezer |
Meaning: “God Has Helped Us Till Now” Biblical |
Ebissa |
Meaning: |
Edris |
Meaning: Muslim |
Eezkias |
Meaning: “Hezekiah” or “God Is My Strength” Amharic/Biblical |
Einku |
Meaning: |
Ejigu |
Meaning: “Grandiose” Amharic |
Eleazar |
Meaning: “God Helped” Amharic/Biblical |
Elesbaan |
Meaning: |
Elias |
Meaning: “Elijah” and “The Lord Is God” Biblical/Amharic |
El-Shamy |
Meaning: |
Elshaday |
Meaning: “Almighty God” Biblical |
Emanuel |
Meaning: “God Is With Us” Biblical |
Emerta |
Meaning: “First Step Towards Something Big” or “A Clue To Something Good” |
Endale |
Meaning: “As He Said” Amharic |
Ephram ~ Ephrame |
Meaning: “Ephraim” or “Fruitful” Biblical/Amharic |
Ephrem |
Meaning: “Ephraim” or “Fruitful” Biblical/Amharic |
Ermias |
Meaning: “Jeremiah” or “God Will Uplift” Biblical/Amharic |
Eskinder |
Meaning: “Defender Of Man Kind” Amharic |
Essayas |
Meaning: “Gods Helper” Amharic/Biblical |
Etefu |
Meaning: “Double” or “Twice” Amharic |
Eyasu |
Meaning: “Joshua” or “Ruler Of Ethiopia” Amharic/Biblical |
Eyoab |
Meaning: “Joab” Amharic/Biblical |
Eyoel |
Meaning: “God Prevails” |
Eyob |
Meaning: “Job” or “Persecuted” Biblical/Amharic |
Ezana |
Meaning: “Ethiopian King” Amharic/Tigrian |
Ezera ~ Ezra ~ Esra |
Meaning: “The Helper” Amharic/Biblical |
Ezkeiel |
Meaning: “Intellect” Amharic/Biblical |
|
|
F |
|
Fassil |
Meaning: “Ethiopian King” Amharic |
Fassilidas |
Meaning: “King Of Ethiopia” Amharic |
Fasika |
Meaning: “Easter” Amharic |
Fekadu |
Meaning: “His Permission” Amharic |
FekareYessus |
Meaning: “Ethiopian Christian Name” Geez |
Feleke |
Meaning: “It Sprang” Amharic |
Frayzer ~ Frezer |
Meaning: “Fireseed” or “Fertile” |
Frew |
Meaning: “Seed” Amharic |
F’Romsa |
Meaning: “Friend” |
Fsiha |
Meaning: “Happiness” |
Fikre |
Meaning: “My Love” or “Love” Amharic |
FikreYessus |
Meaning: “Ethiopian Christian Name” Geez |
Finhas ~ Fineas |
Meaning: “Ethiopian King” Amharic |
Fisseha |
Meaning: Amharic |
Fitsum ~ F’tsum |
Meaning: “Absolute” Amharic |
G |
|
Gabra ~ Gebre |
Meaning: “An Offering” Amharic/Tigrinya |
Gabriel |
Meaning: “God Is My Strength” Amharic/Biblical |
Gad |
Meaning: “One Of The 12 Tribes Of God” Amharic |
Galawdeyos |
Meaning: “Ethiopian King” Amharic/Geez |
Gebriael ~ Gebreel |
Meaning: “God Is My Strength” Amharic/Biblical |
Gedarm ~ Gedam |
Meaning: “Monstery The Place Where Catholic or Orthodox Monks Live” |
Gedeyon ~ Gedeon |
Meaning: “Destroyer” Amharic/Biblical |
Germame |
Meaning: Amharic |
Gersem |
Meaning: “Ethiopian Emperor” Amharic/Geez |
Getachew |
Meaning: “Their Master” or “Leader” Amharic |
Getahun |
Meaning: “Let You Be Lord” Amharic |
Getasew |
Meaning: “Lord Man” Amharic |
Geteye |
Meaning: “My Master” Amharic |
Ghidewon |
Meaning: Amharic |
Gidada |
Meaning: Oromigna |
Girma |
Meaning: “Majesty” or “Grace” Amharic |
Girum |
Meaning: “Wonderful” |
Gizaw |
Meaning: Amharic |
Goliad ~Goliath |
Meaning: “Revealing” Amharic/Biblical |
Gorfu |
Meaning: “Flood” Amharic |
Goytom ~ Goitom |
Meaning: Tigrian |
Gukssa ~ Guggsa |
Meaning: Amharic |
Gulema |
Meaning: “Child Of Mine” Oromo |
H |
|
Habibi |
Meaning: “Beloved” Muslim |
Habtamu |
Meaning: “Rich” or “Wealthy Person” Amharic |
Hagos |
Meaning: “Joy” or “Happiness” Amharic/Tigrian |
Hakim |
Meaning: “Doctor” or “Medicine Man” Amharic |
Haider |
Meaning: |
Haile |
Meaning: “My Power” Amharic |
Hailu - (Ha-yi-loo) |
Meaning: “His Power” or “The Power” Amharic |
Hassan |
Meaning: “First Born” Muslim |
Henoke ~ Henoch |
Meaning: “Enoch” or “Experienced” or “Consecrated” Amharic/Biblical |
|
|
Hezekiah |
Meaning: “King Of Ethiopia” Amharic/Biblical |
|
|
I |
|
Iskinder |
Meaning: “Defender of Mankind” Amharic |
Israel ~ Isreal |
Meaning: “Ruling With The Lord” Amharic/Biblical |
Issa |
Meaning: “The Messiah” Muslim |
Iyasu |
Meaning: “Joshua” or “Ruler Of Ethiopia” Amharic/Biblical |
Iyoas |
Meaning: Amharic/Biblical |
|
|
J |
|
Jember |
Meaning: “Sunset” |
Joas |
Meaning: Amharic/Biblical |
Joshua |
Meaning:“Ruler Of Ethiopia” Biblical/Amharic |
|
|
|
|
K |
|
Kabede |
Meaning: “Heavy & Strong” |
Kaleb ~ Kale’Ab |
Meaning: “Caleb” or “The Devoted One” Biblical/Amharic/Tigrian |
Kaleyesus |
Meaning: “The Word Of Jesus” |
Kassa |
Meaning: “Compensation” Amharic |
Kayin |
Meaning: “Long Awaited Child” |
Kebede |
Meaning: “Getting Heavy” |
Kelile |
Meaning: “My Protector” Amharic |
Ketema |
Meaning: “City” or “Town” |
Keya |
Meaning: Oromigna |
Kifle |
Meaning: “My Share” Amharic |
Kidane |
Meaning: “My Covenant” |
Kinde |
Meaning: “Strong Like An Arm” Amharic |
Kile |
Meaning: “Cain” or “Son Of Adam” Amharic/Biblical |
|
|
L |
|
Lake |
Meaning: “Getting Better” |
LeAlem |
Meaning: Amharic/Geez |
Lebna |
Meaning: “Heart” or “Soul” Amharic |
Legesse |
Meaning: |
Lema |
Meaning: “He Has Developed” or “Cultivated” Amharic |
Lemma |
Meaning: “Growing Better” Amharic |
Lemuel |
Meaning: “Devoted To God” Amharic/Biblical |
Leul ~ Li’ol ~ Leuel |
Meaning: “Prince” Amharic |
LeuelSeged |
Meaning: “The Prince Who Took A Bow” Amharic |
Lewie |
Meaning: “Levi” or “United” Biblical/Amharic |
Liben |
Meaning: “Ethiopian King” Amharic/Geez |
Lire |
Meaning: “Joy” or “Happiness” |
M |
|
Mamo |
Meaning: “Little Boy” Amharic |
Markos |
Meaning: “Mark” Biblical/Amharic |
Maren |
Meaning: “Spare Us” Amharic |
Masresha |
Meaning: “The One Who Helped Us To Forget” Amharic |
Mateos |
Meaning: “Mathew” or “Gift From God” Biblical/Amharic |
Matias |
Meaning: “Mathew” or “Gift From God” Biblical/Amharic |
Meba |
Meaning: “Gift” Geez |
MebaSelassie |
Meaning: “Gift Of The Trinity” |
Mebrete ~ Mebreatu |
Meaning: “My Light” |
Medr |
Meaning: “Earth” or “Fertility” |
Meherka |
Meaning: “Astonished” or “Impressed” Geez |
Mekbib |
Meaning: Amharic |
Mekdem |
Meaning: “First” Amharic |
Mekonnen |
Meaning: “Nobel” Amharic |
Mekuria |
Meaning: “Proud Of” |
Melech |
Meaning: “Servant To Kings” Name of an Ethiopian eunuch who lived in ancient Rome |
Melesse |
Meaning: “He Has Returned” Amharic |
Melaku |
Meaning: “The Angel” Amharic |
Meles |
Meaning: Tigrigna |
Melesse |
Meaning: “He Has Returned” or “He Has Returned Something” Amharic/Tigrinya |
Melkamu |
Meaning: “Better” |
Melku |
Meaning: “My Image” |
Menas |
Meaning: “Ethiopian King” Amharic/Geez |
Menasse ~ Manasses |
Meaning: “Forgetful” Amharic/Biblical |
Mengesha |
Meaning: “Kingdom” Amharic |
Mengistu |
Meaning: “You Are The Government” |
Menielk ~ Menelik |
Meaning: “Son Of A Wise Man” or “What Will He Send” also “Queen of Sheba & King Solomon’s Son” Amharic |
Menkir |
Meaning: Amharic |
Mesay |
Meaning: “Look Alike” Amharic |
Mesfin |
Meaning: “Duke” Amharic |
Meseret |
Meaning: “Base” |
Mignote |
Meaning: “My Desire” Amharic |
Mihret |
Meaning: “Mercy” or “Pardon” |
Mike |
Meaning: “Michael” or “Like The Lord” Amharic/Biblical |
Mikias |
Meaning: “Elias” Biblical/Amharic |
Mirtus |
Meaning: “He Who Has Been Chosen” Tigriain |
Mitiku |
Meaning: “His Replacement” Amharic |
Moges |
Meaning: “Grace” Amharic |
Motuma |
Meaning: “He Is The Government” |
Mulu |
Meaning: “Whole” Amharic |
Mulugeta |
Meaning: “He Is All Lord” Amharic |
Mulualem ~ Mulu Alem |
Meaning: “Whole World” |
Mulu Ken |
Meaning: “Whole Day” or “Good Day” Amharic |
Mussie ~ Muse |
Meaning: “Moses” or “Saved From The Water” Biblical/Amharic |
|
|
N |
|
Nahom ~ Nahome |
Meaning: “An Old Testament Prophet” or “Compassionate” Amharic/Biblical |
Nahum |
Meaning: “An Old Testament Prophet” or “Compassionate” Amharic/Biblical |
Naoed ~ Naod |
Meaning: “Ethiopian King” Amharic |
Nataye |
Meaning: “Come And Be Seen” Amharic |
Natnael |
Meaning: “Nathaniel” or “Gift From God” Biblical/Amharic |
Nazwari |
Meaning: |
Nebiat |
Meaning: Amharic |
Nebiyou |
Meaning: Amharic |
Nega |
Meaning: “Day Break” |