Nnanna first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Nnanna has been for the last 1 years (from 1997 to 1997) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Nnanna

Father's father, of Igbo (Nigerian) origin.

Popularity of Nnanna by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Nnanna is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1997, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Nnanna.

Year Male Count Female Count
1997 5 0

The history of the first name Nnanna

The name Nnanna originated from the Igbo culture of southeastern Nigeria. It is an Igbo name that has its roots dating back centuries. The name is derived from the Igbo words "nna" meaning father and "nna" meaning mother, denoting the reverence for both parents in the Igbo tradition.

In ancient Igbo culture, names carried significant meaning and were carefully chosen to reflect the circumstances surrounding a child's birth or the aspirations of the parents for their offspring. Nnanna was typically bestowed upon a child born after a long period of waiting or after the loss of a previous child, signifying the joy and gratitude of the parents.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nnanna can be found in the oral traditions and folklore of the Igbo people, which have been passed down through generations. These stories often featured characters with the name Nnanna, reflecting the cultural importance and prevalence of the name.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Nnanna. One such figure was Nnanna Nzeogu (c. 1500s), a renowned Igbo warrior and leader from the Nri Kingdom, who played a pivotal role in defending his people against invaders during the 16th century.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Nnanna Nwabueze (1862-1934), a renowned Igbo merchant and philanthropist who established several schools and healthcare facilities in his community, leaving a lasting impact on education and social welfare in southeastern Nigeria.

In the realm of literature, Nnanna Ochuba (1920-1988) was an Igbo writer and poet who contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of Igbo culture through his works, which explored themes of identity, tradition, and social change.

Nnanna Okeke (1938-2017) was a distinguished Nigerian artist and sculptor whose works gained international recognition for their unique blend of traditional Igbo aesthetics and modern techniques. His sculptures can be found in various museums and galleries around the world.

More recently, Nnanna Kalu (born 1964) is a notable Nigerian-American computer scientist and entrepreneur who co-founded and served as the Chief Technology Officer of the successful software company Trillian. His contributions to the field of computer science and technology have been widely recognized.

The name Nnanna has endured through the ages, carrying the cultural richness and significance bestowed upon it by the Igbo people. Its continued use reflects the enduring influence of Igbo naming traditions and the importance placed on honoring one's roots and ancestry.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Nnanna was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Nnanna, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Nnanna first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 13, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/nnanna-meaning-and-history/.

"Nnanna first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/nnanna-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 13 May, 2025

Nnanna first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/nnanna-meaning-and-history/.

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.