What's in a (Nigerian) Name?

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet." Juliet

This familiar statement by Juliet (in Shakespeare's Play, Romeo and Juliet) suggests that names are artificial and meaningless and that a person retains the essential essence of their personage - no matter what name they may wear. While Juliet may be right, I believe that names can be vitally important and that, sometimes we live up to the names we are given. (Actually, we can also live down to the names we are called. One only has to endure "name-calling" as a child to begin to understand the consequences of negative names on the human psyche).

Ken 

In America, parents choose their children's names - usually with some reference to a family name or some special meaning. But sometimes names can be chosen just because parents like the sound of it or even because the initials make for a good monogram. In Nigeria, it is quickly obvious that parents choose names for their children with an entirely different mind-set. Sure - there are familiar Igbo tribal names like Ihechi (pronounced: ee-heh-chee) and Obioma (pronounced: oh-bee-ah-muh, which means "kind"). And, sometimes, children are named for relatives or given the name of some other significant person in the life of the parents. At an orphanage like Susana Homes, babies are often named for Americans who have visited the home, or have in some way offered their support to the success of the ministry. It is a high honor when Mama Chi gives one of her babies your name. This little boy in the Braves shirt was named "Ken" in my honor. I felt so honored, I took him a Braves t-shirt. (He seemed to like the shirt but I wondered if he was really thinking,  "I have given this man the honor of wearing his name in Nigeria and all he brought me was this t-shirt.) 

God's Power

Many of the names you hear in Nigeria are memorable because they seem to express the beliefs of the parents or tell you something about the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy and the birth. Can you imagine what the mother went through before giving birth to a baby girl and naming her "Miracle"? Or, can you begin to understand what might have motivated a mother to give her son the name, "God's Power"?  A few of the other great names I heard: Favor, Wisdom, God's Will, Happiness, Confidence, and Blessing.

Praise

For me though, one of the names that fit its wearer the best was "Praise." Praise was our cook at Susana Homes. She is a beautiful young lady, 22 years old. She is from Port Harcourt - a city of over 2 million people and has only been working at Susana Homes for a couple of months. Her ambition is to have her own catering shop - catering parties and making cakes for weddings. Praise finished cooking school and was on her way to apply for a job at a fast food restaurant when she met Chi and got the job at Susana Homes. Praise's father is a minister and she has grown up singing in church. She has a servant-heart and is very humble and hard-working. She cooked our meals, washed the dishes, cleaned our quarters, and served as our hostess. She always had a pleasant disposition and she quietly went about her tasks with dedication and care. If she was busy with her chores and did not know we were listening, she would sing hymns and praises as she worked. I think her favorite song must be "One Day at a Time, Sweet Jesus" because many times we heard Praise sing:

One day at a time sweet Jesus 

That's all I'm asking from you. 

Just give me the strength 

To do everyday what I have to do. 

Praise. A perfect name for Praise. Her voice - constantly singing his praise. Her hands - serving for the praise of his glory. Her heart - devoted to his praise. Her life - inspiring praise in me.