Our Nigerian name database contains 6.832 Nigerian surnames and 16.310 Nigerian first names categorized by gender and frequency. After payment you can download the Nigerian name database in CSV, SQL or JSON format. Africa is very poor organised and has no open data initiatives. The list of names from countries like Nigeria are very limited to the names we know from other countries. The Nigerian names are validated using official governmental databases we received in other countries which contained Nigerian names as well. To create the Nigerian name database we used 165.535 validated Nigerian social media profiles. We have a detailed explanation of our methodology and illustrate our approach with several examples.

Popular Nigerian surnames

This table show popular Nigerian surnames. In Nigeria, surnames usually indicate a person's ethnic group or tribe. For example, a person with the surname "Adebayo" is likely from the Yoruba tribe, while a person with the surname "Igwe" is likely from the Igbo tribe. Additionally, many Nigerian surnames also have meaning or indicate a person's occupation or status in society. For example, a person with the surname "Oni" may be a chief or leader in their community.

Surname Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
Emmanuel 1.380 0.8% Ghanaian French American
Ibrahim 1.340 0.8% Egyptian American Saudi Arabian
Abubakar 1.009 0.6% Pakistani Ghanaian American
Samuel 1.002 0.6% American British Indian
Muhammad 950 0.6% Pakistani Indonesian American
Abdullahi 805 0.5% Somali Kenyan American
John 740 0.4% American British Indian
Bello 720 0.4% Venezuelan American Spanish
Michael 719 0.4% American British German
Yusuf 715 0.4% Indonesian Turkish British
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 165.535 Nigerian social media profiles.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this surname also is used. They are sorted on popularity.

Nigerian first names

In Nigeria, parents typically pick a first name for their child based on a combination of cultural and personal factors. Many parents choose a name that has a significant meaning or is connected to their religion or culture. They may also consider names that are popular in their community or within their family. Some parents may also choose a name based on the child's birth order, such as naming the firstborn after a grandparent or ancestor. Ultimately, the decision is a personal one and is often made with a lot of thought and consideration.

Popular Nigerian male names

First name Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
Emmanuel 1.987 1.7% French Mexican American
Ibrahim 1.346 1.1% Turkish Egyptian Dutch
Prince 1.234 1.0% Indian American Ghanaian
Abubakar 1.120 0.9% Pakistani Ghanaian American
Samuel 1.101 0.9% American British Brazilian
Michael 1.064 0.9% American British German
David 1.039 0.9% American British Spanish
Victor 1.020 0.8% Spanish American Brazilian
John 958 0.8% American British Canadian
Daniel 948 0.8% American British Spanish
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 165.535 Nigerian social media profiles from which 120.166 (73%) is male.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this first name also is used. They are sorted on popularity.

Popular Nigerian female names

First name Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
Precious 441 1.0% American Mahoran Filipino
Blessing 433 1.0% Mahoran Zimbabwean American
Young 416 0.9% American British Mahoran
Queen 404 0.9% American British Mahoran
Túndé 306 0.7% British Hungarian American
Temitope 279 0.6% American British Canadian
Princess 270 0.6% American British Filipino
Favour 270 0.6% American British Ghanaian
Esther 268 0.6% Spanish Dutch American
Damilola 263 0.6% British American Canadian
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 165.535 Nigerian social media profiles from which 45.369 (27%) is female.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this first name also is used. They are sorted on popularity.