Rwandan names

Naming a child is a very big and important event in Rwandan culture.  Traditionally it happens 6 weeks after the birth of the baby and many guests are invited to attend the ceremony. Food is shared and then everyone, including all the children of all ages, is given an opportunity to suggest a name for the child. It is written in a book and when the parents have pretended to consider everyone's suggestions they announce the name of the baby. Mal and I were thrilled to be involved in this in 2007!

The name given to the child is also very important and well thought out. It will often reflect the desire the parents have for their child or their family, or the situation they found themselves in at the time of the birth.  Most commonly people will have first a Kinyarwanda name and then an English or French name. They use either name when talking or referring to each other. I thought you might be interested to know some of the names of people /children we have met.

First I will tell you some of the English names:


Hallelujah and Amen - these two are twins!
Peace, Joy, Hope, Faith, Happiness, Pray, Goal, Blessing, Shalom, Favour, Alliance, Radiance, Innocent, Epiphany, Emmanuel, Immaculate, Victory, Liberate, Fortunate and Grace.

Some of the Kinyarwanda names, with meanings, are:

Akimana - for God

Cyiza - beautiful

Gisubizo - the answer

Ihimbazwe - glory be to God

Imanishmwe - praise be to God

Iradukunda - God loves us

Iranzi - God knows me

Mutamuliza - never let her be sad

Mutuyimana - I offer her to God

Ngaboyisonga - a courageous soldier

Ruteneshwa - undefeatable

Rabashake - willingness

Umwali - well behaved girl

Uwamwesi - sunshine

And I could go on and on because there are many and they are so very interesting..

People here are also interested to know the meaning of our names because in their culture the meanings are so important. 

What does your name mean?                 Do you know?  

Jane means God is gracious. And I know He is!