Names of Oromos: Meanings and Origins
Oromo names are made up from the following aspects:
* Inferred names
* Physical features at birth
* Behavioral features at birth
* Names of animals
* Names associated with farming work
* Names associated with farming inputs
* Names of plants
* Amount of cattle owned
* Names referring to the season
* Politically related names
* Names of grandfather
* Names of grandmother
* Names of great grandparents
* Names of Oromo’s days of the month
* Names of birthdays
* Names that show the emotion of happiness
* Names of the place one is born
* Names of trees
* Name of twins
* Name of clans
According to historian Dawne Harrison, a man named Oromo began the lineage of the Oromo people. His youngest son’s name was Bareentuma. The following are 150 Oromo names with their meaning for boys:
1. Abdii
One with hope.
2. Araara
Peaceful or to reconcile.
3. Araarso
Peaceful or to reconcile.
4. Araarsa
Peaceful or to reconcile.
5. Baati
The moon which symbolizes guidance and strength.
6. Badessa
7. Bakkalcha
A full moon which symbolizes strength and luminosity.
8. Bareentuma/o
According to historical tradition, a man named Oromo began the lineage of the Oromo people. His youngest son’s name was Bareentuma.
9. Beekan
One who is known.
10. Biiflee
Young and quick of mind (this name can be for both girls and boys).
11. Billisaa
12. Biqilee
To grow from strong roots to the height of one’s potential.
13. Biqilsan
To grow from strong roots to the height of one’s potential.
14. Biqilan
To grow from strong roots to the height of one’s potential.
15. Birkii
16. Birmajji
An important name in the history of the Gadaa (Oromo democratic system) tradition.
17. Birraa
Spring season which symbolizes blooming, growing, etc.
18. Birrissa
One who is fast as lightning.
19. Biyyaa
Home or homeland which symbolizes “home is where the heart is”.
20. Biyyoo
Home or homeland which symbolizes “home is where the heart is”.
21. Bohaarsa
One who is very entertaining.
22. Bona
Summer season which symbolizes joy and happiness.
23. Boona
One who is proud.
24. Boorana
According to historical tradition, a man named Oromo began the lineage of the Oromo people. His oldest son’s name was Boorana.
25. Bulluq
The name given to the Odaa (Sycamore) tree which where Oromos traditionally come together.
26. Bultum
The name given to the Odaa (Sycamore) tree which where Oromos traditionally come together.
27. Caala
The cream of the crop or naturally the best of the best.
28. Caalsan
The cream of the crop or naturally the best of the best.
29. Daga
One who never forgets.
30. Dansa
Good hearted and joyful.
31. Daraara
One that grows, blooms, and reaches their full potential.
32. Daraaran
One that grows, blooms, and reaches their full potential.
33. Demiksa
34. Dhugaa
One who is honest and truthful.
35. Dhugooms
One who is honest and truthful.
36. Diinqan
37. Diinqatan
38. Diinqu
39. Dureessa
The one who leads.
40. Eba
41. Eebbisan
One who is blessed.
42. Eeyban
One who is blessed.
43. Elemo
A hero of the Oromos.
44. Faarsi
One who is loved.
45. Faarsan
One who is loved.
46. Faayame
One made beautiful by the Almighty.
47. Falma
One who fights for the truth, an honest being.
48. Falmata
One who fights for the truth, an honest being.
49. Fayyisaa
One who is healthy and lives a long life.
50. Fileera
One who is chosen. The chosen one.
51. Firomsaa
One who is relatable and easy to get close to.
52. Gadaa
Leadership or the Oromo democratic form of governance.
53. Galaan
The river, which symbolizes bounty and fulfillment.
54. Galataa
One who is thankful.
55. Galma
One who unifies or gathers all together.
56. Gammachu
Joy, happiness.
57. Gammada
One who is happy.
58. Gameda
One who is happy.
59. Garaakoo
The stomach, which according to Oromo tradition symbolizes the heart.
60. Goota
One who symbolizes heroism.
61. Guddataa
One who grows.
62. Gudina
63. Gulantaa
64. Hamilan
To be morally positive.
65. Hamiltan
To be morally positive.
66. Hamilee
To be morally positive.
67. Harxummaa
A historically known place in the northern part of Oromia.
68. Hayyuu
69. Heeran
One who is polite, elegant, gentle and conducts his affairs properly.
70. Hegeree
One who has a good future ahead of them.
71. Hirba
72. Horo
One who will multiply, symbolizes fertility.
73. Humnaa
One who espouses strength and bravery.
74. Hundee
Symbolizes the importance of strong roots.
75. Ibsaa
One who is bright.
76. Ifaa
Luminosity, light, or what shines in nature.
77. Injifannoo
One who has won.
78. Irbuu
One who promises. This is held in high esteem according to Oromo tradition.
79. Irree
Courageous and resilient.
80. Jalatan
One who is loved.
81. Jeyna
One who is strong physically and mentally.
82. Ji’aa
The moon which symbolizes guidance and strength.
83. Jiraanne
One with longevity or long life.
84. Jiraa
One with longevity or long life.
85. Jirata
86. Kiyyaa
Mine – According to Oromo tradition, when a child is born it belongs to the nation.
87. Keeysan
Yours - According to Oromo tradition, when a child is born it belongs to the nation.
88. Keenya
Ours - According to Oromo tradition, when a child is born it belongs to the nation.
89. Kumaaol
One who has it all or to be more than abundant.
90. Kumalaa
One who has it all or to be more than abundant.
91. Kumaa
One who has it all or to be more than abundant.
92. Labuu
93. Leellisaa
One who shines bright.
94. Leenca
Lion which symbolizes strength and never giving up.
95. Lencho
Lion which symbolizes strength and never giving up.
96. Lubbukoo
My soul.
97. Magariisa
Green which symbolizes wealth, growth, etc. and is also held in high esteem according to Oromo tradition.
98. Magarroo
Green which symbolizes wealth, growth, etc. and is also held in high esteem according to Oromo tradition.
99. Magarsaa
One who is prosperous and growing.
100. Melbaa
An important name in Gadaa (Oromo democratic system) history.
101. Meyraa
Green which symbolizes wealth, growth, etc. and is also held in high esteem according to Oromo tradition.
102. Meiga
103. Miidhagsan
One who looks good, handsome.
104. Milkii
One who is successful.
105. Milkeeyssa
One who is successful.
106. Mirqaanan
One who is always cheerful.
107. Mohanne
One who is victorious.
108. Mooti
The king or royalty.
109. Moti
The king or royalty.
110. Murti
One who is decisive.
111. Murteessa
One who is decisive.
112. Nabee
A name given to the Odaa (sycamore) tree, which symbolizes the place where Oromos traditionally gathered.
113. Naa’if
The light for me.
114. Nandagin
Forget me not as I shall remember you too.
115. Neissa
116. Negasu
117. Obsaa
One who is patient.
118. Obsan
One who is patient.
119. Obsa
One who is patient.
120. Obsi
One who is patient.
121. Qalbisaan One who is thoughtful.
122. Qeero
Tiger which symbolizes youth and speed.
123. Raasaa
Open space which symbolizes one with an open heart and mind.
124. Rabbirra
One chosen by God.
125. Rabbii
One chosen by God.
126. Risaa
Eagle which symbolizes great eyesight and one who can build a future.
127. Rooba
Rain which symbolizes prosperity, wealth, and growth.
128. Roobsan
Rain which symbolizes prosperity, wealth, and growth.
129. Roobe
Rain which symbolizes prosperity, wealth, and growth.
130. Roobeera
Rain which symbolizes prosperity, wealth, and growth.
131. Sadoo
132. Siindagu
Forget me not as I shall remember you too.
133. Siinmalee
To live without them is impossible.
134. Sirreessa
One to sets things right.
135. Sirreessan
One to set things right.
136. Sooran
137. Soora
138. Soori
139. Tarsiimoo
140. Tolfamee
One who was created by God.
141. Tolessa
142. Tujii
143. Waaran
144. Waaqarra
One chosen by God.
145. Waaqa
One chosen by God.
146. Waka
Supreme God.
147. Waari
148. Waario
149. Waysira
150. Yadeta
