Why Our Names Matter: Healing Identity in the African Diaspora

For individuals throughout the diaspora, reclaiming ancestral names is more than just a matter of cultural pride. It is a way to restore identity, align with our destiny, and reconnect with the divine. This post explores the traditional role of naming in the Ifá tradition, how colonization disrupted this practice, and how individuals can reclaim their birthright through it. If you are considering a traditional name, this guide explains why it matters and how to get started.

Updated on February 5, 2026

What’s Really In a Name?

In many African cultures and traditions, a name is more than just a label. It is a declaration of purpose, a symbol of identity, and a marker of one’s place within society. Names are often the first expression of our past, present, and future. They tell us where we come from, who we are, and what path we are meant to walk.

In traditional cultures, names are never arbitrary. They often embody profound meaning and power. Sadly, in the African diaspora, we’ve lost much of that connection to our culture. But we are waking up.

For those of us who have been disconnected, there is still hope. As we answer the call of our ancestors, we can reclaim part of our identity through traditional names that breathe life and meaning into our existence. This is why it’s critical for us to understand and embrace names rooted in our cultural heritage. 

The True Power of a Name

In traditional African societies, names are chosen with great care and intention. They carry meaning and responsibility. A name may reveal how a child entered the world, what their family expects of them, or what their destiny may hold.

Some of the most common themes African names reflect include:

• Circumstances surrounding birth
• Family lineage or ancestral presence
• Connection to specific deities or spiritual paths
• Messages received through divination or elder insight

In Yoruba culture, for example, names like Babatunde or Yetunde signify ancestral return. Children born under specific conditions, such as twins or breech births, often receive names that reflect those events. Others receive names aligned with the Orisha who govern their path.

A name is often the first intentional act of alignment for a child’s life path. It shapes how others interact with them and how they come to understand their role in the world.

How Colonization Disrupted Identity

During slavery and colonial rule, the practice of naming was forcibly stripped from many African and other indigenous people groups. Traditional names were often replaced with European names that held no cultural meaning. In some cases, names were erased entirely and replaced with numbers or arbitrary labels.

This loss was not just symbolic. It was a calculated step in separating people from their lineage, culture, and divine inheritance. Without a name that connected them to their past or spiritual origin, many were left to define themselves through systems that denied their humanity.

That disconnection created long-lasting effects. Generations have grown up disconnected from ancestral traditions, unaware of their purpose or identity.

Reclaiming those names is not just about cultural pride. It is a vital part of the journey toward healing and wholeness for the African diaspora.

The Diaspora’s Journey Back Home

In recent years, more people of African descent have begun to revisit the question of naming. Some are changing their given names to reflect African languages and traditions. Others are choosing culturally meaningful names for their children to ensure they grow up with a strong sense of identity and belonging.

This shift is part of a larger movement of reclamation and restoration of traditional ways of being. People are not only reconnecting with their ancestral roots but also seeking guidance on how to live balanced, purposeful lives.

Giving a child a name rooted in African culture can serve as a powerful starting point. It sends a message that their identity is valuable, that their life is intentional, and that their existence is part of a larger story. 

For adults, the process of renaming can be just as potent. It offers a deep sense of healing and reconnection. It becomes a way of realigning and redirecting one’s energy through intentional pathways.

Reclaiming Identity Through Ifá

Receiving a name in the Ifá tradition is a sacred process of connection. When someone receives a name through this system, it is a sign that they are aligning with their true essence and Cosmic blueprint.

There are two primary ways this naming occurs:

• When a person receives a sacred icon such as the Hand of Ifá (Ìṣẹ̀fá) or another Orisha pot or icon
• When they undergo full initiation, such as Ìtẹ́fá or other rites within the Isese lineage

In both cases, names are revealed through Ifá divination, during a ritual facilitated by trained priests and priestesses. This process reveals the name and the underlying Odu (sacred verse) that governs that person’s destiny.

These names reflect:

• The individual’s connection to the Orisha that walks with them
• The person’s destiny or life’s path as shown in their Odu
• The lessons that must be honored to maintain balance

What’s In a Name?

For many in the diaspora, receiving an Orisha name is the first time they feel truly seen. It speaks to something within them that may have felt undefined for much of their life. Some people describe it as a deep inner confirmation. It helps them understand the missing pieces of the puzzle. 

When parents pursue this process for their children, they are giving them more than a name. They are giving them identity, structure, and a spiritual legacy. It connects the child to their ancestors and to a tradition that will support them throughout their life.

For adults, the process of receiving a name later in life can feel like a reintroduction to Self. Many who enter the tradition later do so after years of searching. When the name is finally received, it often marks the beginning of a new chapter. It sets the stage for greater fulfillment through understanding one’s purpose.

This is why initiation and receiving sacred icons are not just ceremonial. They are transformational. They restore what has been lost and open the door to a deeper relationship with the divine.

Reconnecting with Your Lineage

Names have always mattered. But in the African diaspora, reclaiming them has become one of the most important forms of renewal.

Whether you are considering initiation, receiving an Orisha icon, or naming your child through the lens of tradition, the path you choose is vital. It shapes how you move through the world and how the world recognizes you in return.

At Asanee 44, we guide individuals through the Ifa Initiation process. If you’re considering initiation or looking to reconnect with your ancestral identity, download our free Ifá Initiation Guide to learn how to start your journey.

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