Reviews

The Los Angeles Times

In “The African Book of Names,” a new work compiled by Askhari Hodari, there are more than 5,000 names deriving from 37 nations and more than 70 ethno-linguistic groups. One thing that sets it apart from other name books is that it makes clear that it’s not just for babies; it notes that adults have taken African names later in life. “New names can represent new stages of development,” Hodari writes. ” Sojourner Truth, Muhammad Ali, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and El Hajj Malik El Shabazz ( Malcolm X) all took on new names as adults.”

Another thing that sets this book apart is its organization. Instead of listing names alphabetically or by language, it is organized by theme and idea. Which kind of makes sense — if you’re thinking you want a name that means “joy” or “speed” or “beauty,” this gives you the tools to find it. But the book could use a reverse directory; it’s not easy to find a name you’ve heard or read if you don’t already know the meaning.

Page through and you will find: that Agunna means “strong boy” in Igbo (Nigeria), Ifetayo (for girls) means “love brings happiness” in West Africa, Ojike means “full of energy” in Nigeria, and Zahabu (for girls) means “the golden one” in Galla (Ethiopia).

So what if you happened to find yourself with octuplets? You might consider Ungi, which means “plentiful, to have a multitude” in Swahili; Akwete and Akwokwo, the elder and younger of female twins, respectively, in Ga (Ghana); or Anele (for boys), which means “we are satisfied, enough children” in Azania.

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The Alabama Writer’s Forum
The African Book of Names
By Askhari Hodari
Reviewed by Colin Crews

Early civil rights activist and author Richard Moore said, “Free men name themselves.” This idea is embodied in Askhari Hodari’s The African Book of Names. The four-part work contains an overview of African culture and history, a guide to traditional naming ceremonies, and more than five thousand African names. Hodari infuses the historical facts with her own story of renaming and self-discovery.

Part One covers many topics quickly and effectively. These early chapters chronicle the colonization of Africa and the ensuing slave trade that stripped millions of their African names. Hodari moves deftly from slaves forced to take the names of their masters to the reemergence of African names that continues today. The naming policies of various African governments are also examined in Part One. For example, to be eligible for basic rights in apartheid-era South Africa, citizens were required to have European or “Christian” names. Alternatively, in 1972 the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) spearheaded a national initiative to “resist and reverse the impact of colonization.” All newborns were to have African names and adults or places with “foreign names” were to be changed. Elizabethville became Lubumbashi and President Joseph Mobutu renamed himself Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa za Banga.

The movement that started in the DRC has spread and continued as African Americans employ more culturally relevant names, many of which are virtually exclusive to their community. A century ago in the United States the most popular names for African Americans and Caucasians largely came from the same European-originated pool.

Part Two is the list of African names. The author efficiently organizes the names by broad themes such as Power, Survival, or Prophecy and narrower categories such as Geography or Birth Order. Finding names with a specific meaning is logical and easy. To locate a name signifying liberty, check the Freedom and Liberation section. The names within the theme are listed alphabetically, followed by pronunciation, meaning, gender specification, and country of origin.

Part Three is an explanation of pronunciation and phonetics, while Part Four is a brief guide to naming ceremonies and traditions.

The election of President Barack Obama makes Hodari’s work not only timely but also accessible to a diverse audience. The African Book of Names is an excellent resource for those naming a child, seeking a new name for themselves, or discovering the origin and meaning of their own names. More than just a clearinghouse, Askhari Hodari has crafted a personal look at African names, history, and traditions. Aug 2009

Colin Crews is a freelance writer in Irondale, Ala.

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Praise

“Askhari Johnson Hodari has put together an invaluable resource book. . . . Inspiring and informative, it is a fascinating glimpse into an important part of African cultural traditions.”
-Pearl Cleage, author of What Looks Like Crazy On An Ordinary Day

“There is a lot more to Dr. Askhari Johnson Hodari’s book than its list of more than 5,000 African names. The book is also about the meaning of names, the power of names to change us, the role of names in connecting people to their histories, the expectations that names inspire, and the way names reflect the cultures that create them. On every level, this book succeeds.”
-Betty DeRamus, author of Freedom by Any Means and Forbidden Fruit: Love Stories from the Underground Railroad

“Askhari Johnson Hodari is to be congratulated and celebrated for simplifying African Americans’ process of reconnecting with a most fundamental aspect of who we are—our names. The African Book of Names has the potential to serve as a catalyst for understanding and embracing our heritage more fully than ever before.”
-Lori Robinson, author of I Will Survive: The African-American Guide to Healing from Sexual Assault and Abuse

“Dr. Askhari Johnson Hodari captures the essence of African cultural identity and expressivity with this wonderfully rich treasure trove of African names that are at the root of African creativity and intellect. The African Book of Names is a testament of affirmation, confirmation, and reclamation, both transformative and empowering, returning us to our ancestral home.”
-Tony Medina, author of My Old Man Was Always on the Lam and I and I, Bob Marley

“We love to come up with unique names for our children—I even know a ‘Uniquequa.’ Dr. Hodari has now provided us with a book of unique names that have meaning. To name is to claim. Let’s claim our future by giving our children meaningful names.”
-Kalamu ya Salaam, New Orleans, writer/educator/moviemaker

“The African Book of Names addresses the complexity and cultural sensitivity of descendants of enslaved Africans in the western hemisphere. Since the 1960s, African descendants have renamed ourselves or given our children African designations. [Askhari Hodari’s] work is a tremendous resource as it not only provides names but offers context for such decisions. Her book will contribute to reconnection and community-building throughout the African world.”
-Akinyele Umoja, Associate Professor, Black Studies, Georgia State University

“Most impressive is the way The African Book of Names remarkably and ingeniously resonates the life, history, culture, and spirit of Africa from all corners of the continent. And the icing on the cake is the included two-hundred-year naming calendar. This book is a ‘must-read’ masterpiece.”
-Michele R. Wright, author of Dear Success Seeker

“One thing that sets this book apart from other name books is that it makes clear that it’s not just for babies.”
-Los Angeles Times