We may share our names with thousands of others around the world but a name is still very personal. They can be reflective of a parent’s desire for their child’s future or reveal interesting information about a place of birth, contextual trends and family legacies. Compassion serves more than two million children in 25 countries—that’s a lot of names!
In Australia, the most common children’s names include Charlotte, Olivia and Ava for girls and Oliver, William and Jack for boys.
Compared to the most common names in Australia, taking a closer look at the popular children’s names across each country provides a glimpse into the nation’s unique culture and customs.
Check out the top three names for boys and girls in our program and their meanings:
Africa
Home to 54 countries, the continent of Africa is a melting pot of different cultures and ethnic groups. Across countries in Africa, there can be up to nine different ways to name a newborn baby. From the events surrounding a child’s birth to the emotional state of a family at the time of birth, a child born in Africa will usually have a unique story behind their name.
In Kenya, babies from the Lou ethnic group are known for adopting famous names such as ‘Barak’, ‘Churchill’ or ‘Clinton’. In Ghana, children can be named according to the order of their birth: ‘Panyin’ and ‘Kakra’ are unisex names meaning older and younger twin. Several countries in Africa will also reference their religion and spirituality, selecting baby names based on people from the Bible. In Nigeria, names starting or ending with ‘Chi’ is common, referencing the Igo and Yoruba name for God.
When we discovered the most popular baby names for Compassion-assisted children in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Togo and Uganda, we noticed a strong reference to God:
Burkina Faso
NameGenderMeaningAzizBoyPowerful and belovedMoussaBoyDelivered from the waterAminataGirlFaithful, trustworthy and truthfulFatimataGirlCaptivating
Ethiopia
NameGenderMeaningBereketBoyAbundanceSamuelBoyTold by GodKalkidanGirlNatural beauty and promiseHanaGirlHappiness and satisfaction
Ghana
NameGenderMeaningEmmanuelBoyGod is with usKofiBoyBorn on a FridayAmaGirlBorn on a SaturdayEstherGirlStar
Kenya
NameGenderMeaningBrianBoyHigh or nobleJosephBoyJehovah increasesFaithGirlComplete trust or confidenceMaryGirlBitter
Rwanda
NameGenderMeaningIradukundaUnisexGod loves usMugishaBoyLuckIrakozeGirlThanks to God
Tanzania
NameGenderMeaningBarakaBoyBlessingsDanielBoyGod is my judgeNeemaGirlBorn during good timesMariamGirlOne who is fragrant like myrrh
Togo
NameGenderMeaningDavidBoyBelovedDaganBoyGrain or little fishYayraGirlBlessed or blessingVictoireGirlVictory
Uganda
NameGenderMeaningJoshuaBoyYahweh is salvationBrianBoyHigh or nobleSarahGirlPrincessMercyGirlCompassion, forgiveness or pity
Asia
With roughly 4.5 billion people, choosing a unique baby name is not easy for many families in Asian countries. It’s not unheard of for families to outsource the naming of their newborn to a religious leader in the community who chooses the most auspicious name based on the baby’s date of birth. In China, popular baby’s names are derived from the characteristics of that particular zodiac year or based on historical events such as the establishment of the People’s Republic of China.
In Thailand, children are also given a ‘nickname’. Choosing a name is an integral decision that can determine the child’s luck and fortune. Some adults will change their given name or adopt a new nickname if they believe their original name no longer brings luck or good fortune. Names can also be based on practicalities like the names Wayan, Putu or Gede, the Balinese name for ‘firstborn’.
According to the most popular boys and girls names for children in centres across Bangladesh, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka, names can include beautiful descriptions such as ‘Nethmi’ (meaning ‘eyes like gems’), hopeful desires for a fortunate future and the baby’s value (e.g. Putri means ‘princess’ in Indonesia).
Bangladesh
NameGenderMeaningHridoyBoyHeartBijoyBoyFull of joyJoyGirlThe feeling of great pleasure and happinessPujaGirlReverence, honour, homage
Philippines
NameGenderMeaningJohnBoyGod is graciousMarkBoyTo be warlikePrincessGirlDaughter of a monarchAngelGirlMessenger of God
Indonesia
NameGenderMeaningPutraBoySonKevinBoyGentle or handsome birthPutriGirlPrincess or daughterGraceGirlEloquence or beauty of form, kindness and mercy
Thailand
NameGenderMeaningChaiBoyTea or aliveKornBoyAdorned with diamond or thunderPornGirlBlessingPloyGirlPrecious stone or gem
Sri Lanka
NameGenderMeaningPraveenBoyLoveablePavithranBoyA pure person or a person with no variationNethmiGirlEyes like gemsTharushiGirlStar or mother of stars
The Americas
The South American continent includes a variety of Spanish, Portuguese and French influences that have contributed to the diverse blend of cultures across its countries. The strong Latin influence is obvious in the common baby names shared throughout the continent.
The structure and order of a child’s name is distinct in every country—in Colombia, children will have two surnames: a paternal surname followed by a maternal surname. When a grown woman gets married, her second surname will be replaced by her husband’s first surname.
The new combination will be joined by adding the preposition ‘de’. In Mexico however, the firstborn son is named after his father and the firstborn daughter will be named after her mother. Some babies in Mexico can have up to three names, based on a national celebration or family member.
Similarly in Brazil, babies have a combination of first names and surnames that have a variety of meanings. One of their names may be based on a historical figure such as a saint or martyr. A baby’s name may also be derived from a brand-new name that combines part of the father and mother’s name.
Bolivia
NameGenderMeaningJoseBoySpanish and Portuguese version of ‘Joseph’, meaning Jehovah increasesLuisBoyRenowned warriorLuzGirlLightCamilaGirlYoung ceremonial attendant
Brazil
NameGenderMeaningPedroBoySpanish version of ‘Peter’, meaning rockFranciscoBoyFree manMariaGirlMeaning bitter or wished for childAnaGirlGrace
Colombia
NameGenderMeaningJuanBoySpanish version of ‘John’, meaning the Lord is graciousLuisBoyRenowned warriorSaraGirlPrincessLauraGirlLatin for the ‘bay laurel plant’, which was a symbol of victory, honour or fame
Ecuador
NameGenderMeaningAnthonyBoyHighly praiseworthyErickBoyRuler of the peopleEmilyGirlIndustriousGenesisGirlOrigin or beginning
El Salvador
NameGenderMeaningKevinBoyGentle or handsome birthCarlosBoyFree manAndreaGirlWomanlyDanielaGirlGod is my judge
Guatemala
NameGenderMeaningJuanBoySpanish version of ‘John’, meaning the Lord is graciousCarlosBoyFree manJuanaGirlSpanish form of ‘John’, meaning God is graciousEvelynGirlWished for child
Haiti
NameGenderMeaningJeanBoyGod is graciousStanleyBoyDweller near a stony clearingRoseGirlFlowerLoveGirlLove or female wolf
Honduras
NameGenderMeaningJonathanBoyYahweh has givenJosueBoyGod is salvationNahomyGirlPleasantnessAbigailGirlFather's joy
Mexico
NameGenderMeaningJesusBoyTo deliver or rescueKevinBoyGentle or handsome birthAlexaGirlTo defendMariaGirlMeaning bitter or wished for child
Every child is uniquely and wonderfully made in the image of our God, but their name can also reveal a lot about the child’s origin and family. If your sponsored child shares one of these names, discovering the meaning behind it might give you some inspiration for your next letter and help you pray for their future!
Find a child with one of these names here!
SOURCES: Expats in Mexico, Slate, Romper, Sixth Tone, Thai Blogs, The World of Chinese, BBC.
Words by Shona Yang
Photos by Juana Ordoñez, Helen Manson, Lina Marcela Alarcón Molina, Jonatan Ruiz, Christian Agha, Vera Aurima, Juana Ordoñez
