In the article, Bukusu Naming Traditions: A Synopsis, we revealed the intricacies behind traditions of how the Bukusu named their children. We continue this cultural journey, this time revealing the meaning of Luhya names from all over Mulembe Nation. Your contributions, by way of dropping a comment, are welcome.
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Quick Jump Links To Luhya Names and Their Meanings
Use the following menu of jump links for fast convenient access to our growing list of unique baby Luhya names and their meaning.
| MEANING OF POPULAR NAMES FOR BOYS | MEANING OF POPULAR NAMES FOR GIRLS |
|---|---|
| Names Derived From Time and Happenings | Names Meaning Beauty |
| Names from animals | Paying Homage To A People, Their Clans and Heritage |
| Luhya girl names derived from time and happenings |
Meaning of Luhya Names: Popular Girl Names
Looking for a unique Luhya name for your daughter, niece, grand daughter or loved one? Find you pick from these Luhya baby names by learning their meaning and the Luhya sub-nation that they come from.
POPULAR LUHYA NAMES FOR GIRLS MEANING BEAUTY
It is said that all girls are beautiful. The following Luhya names for girls mean beauty or beautiful.
Khakasa
This is a popular Luhya girls name among Mulembe communities who trace their ancestral roots to Kakamega county, particularly the Kabras of Malava and Bukusu of Bungoma county. Beautiful is one way to put it. Legend goes that the original Khakasa was a dashing woman. Though the true meaning of Khakasa is speaking of beauty in the third person: Pleasant to the eye; delightful; the fair one.
Khayanga
Similar to Khakasa but from the Bukusu of Bungoma and Trans Nzoia counties. Though not as popular as Khakasa, the meaning of this luhya name lies in its roots as a generic term for the Lubukusu name for the sun: enyanga. Variants of this name include: Anyanga .
Khaondo
Means little pumpkin. This girl Luhya name is popular among sub-tribes occupying lands that border one of the few remnants of the great Equatorial forest: Kakamega forest.
POPULAR NAMES FOR GIRLS MEANING PEOPLE
The meaning of following unique Luhya names for baby girls help parents and guardians to pay homage to their ancestry and roots.
Namuyemba
Omuyemba is a Bukusu clan famed in the days of yore for their skill as blacksmiths. Namuyemba is a popular Luhya name for girls that means: girl of the Omuyemba clan. Famous Omuyembas include: The famous freedom fighter Wakoli khwa Mukisu; Former assistant Minister Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli of Siboti in Bumula; Hon. Pascari Nabwana – the first mayor of Kimilili town; and respected Bukusu historian and former high ranking technocrat Fred Edward Makila.
Vuguza
Vuguza is a common Maragoli name for girls. In Kimaragoli, vuguza means seeds. Balogoli are a traditionally farming community, therefore planting seeds were a much valued commodity. For example, it was a matter of great shame not to have seeds to plant during the planting season. One was seen as irresponsible having eaten all the previous harvest and not saving some for planting.
Luhya names for girls derived from time and happenings
Nakhanu
The Bukusu call simsim, chikhanu. Despite the tedious work involved in harvesting simsim, it is a delicacy that is highly treasured among the Luhya. Simsim is as a key ingredient in the making of the following traditional delicacies: authentic peanut butter, sweet simsim balls, roasted and salted simsim that’s used as a snack or male virility booster; and the tasty simsim paste kamasikhisikhi. Nakhanu is a popular Luhya girls’ name that means: one born in plenty of simsim.
Meaning of Luhya Names: Popular Boy Names
Looking for a unique Luhya name for your son, nephew, grand son, god child or loved one? Find you pick from these Luhya baby names by learning their meaning and the Luhya sub-nation that they come from.
Meaning of popular Luhya names for boys inspired by time and happenings
Often, the Luhya named children based on time and momentous events that were happening within and without the community. The following unique Luhya names for boys should end your search if this is what you desire.
Barasa
This popular Luhya name for boys can be found across all the nations of Mulembe. It has a quirky origin. Have you ever heard of Chief’s barasa? Yes, those ones where the provincial administration would utilize to disseminate government policy and threats? The chief’s baraza was mostly held on Mondays. As it was revealed in Bukusu naming traditions, this boy name was for those born on Monday.
Keya
The Luhya boys name Keya is a corruption of the abbreviation KAR meaning The Kings African Rifles. The Kings African Rifles “was a multi-battalion British colonial regiment raised from the various British possessions in East Africa from 1902 until independence in the 1960s.” The name Keya emerged among our great/grandfathers in the early 20th century as Africans were enrolled into service of the British empire following the campaigns of punitive expeditions – such as the War of Chetambe in 1895 – that resulted in subduing of African tribes.
Matunde
A not so popular Bukusu baby name given to boys. Direct translation yields the meaning – fruits. As these were boys born during the fruit glut season that follows the long rains in April. Guavas, typically are in season then and given that they grow wild, they are accessible to all. During this period, cows were tethered on guava trees. This was done so as to mop up fruits that had fallen on the ground. Those rotting fruits that even the birds don’t bother about as they too have had their fill. Symbolically, this popular boy name means: he of generous abundance.
Marofu
Kamarofu in Lubukusu is ripe bananas. Marofu is the boy born in the season of plenty of ripe bananas. Such a child is a lucky child as they are born into plenty. Bananas are a plant that thrives with plenty of rain. Thus, shortly after a rainy season that’s been particularly heavy, bananas are often in plenty. Such that the bananas ripe while still on the stem in the field.
Nalulwe
Nalulwe is a rare name for boy children among the Bukusu. In keeping with Bukusu naming traditions, it is given to boys born during the circumcision period. As it is a rare name, it most often was given to ‘precious babies’ like those born after a string of death of their siblings. Nalulwe is a plant whose leaves are used to make a traditional medicine for treating a newly circumcised penis.
Animal names for boys
Wafukho
Any keen Swahili speaker will quickly correctly guess that efukho is the Lubukusu name for ‘fuko’, the mole. The mole is a member of the mammalian order Insectivora. Growing up, we christened my little sister efukho for her bath aversion antics that were much as evasive the mole. Beyond these childhood teases, efukho is a much loved Luhya delicacy. It is also the inspiration behind the common Luhya name for boys Wafukho.
That’s nice, include more names to this article. Keep up the good work. Being a bukusu man I have just realised that nalulwe is a new word for me.
Thank you Paul, we will be adding more names as you have suggested.