RECLAIMING IDENTITY: THE PLACE OF IGBO NAMES IN CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN BAPTISM

Abstract

The encounter between Christianity and African cultures continues to provoke critical reflection on identity, meaning, and the expression of faith within sacramental life. Among the Igbo of south-eastern Nigeria, names are far more than mere identifiers; they embody communal memory, philosophical insight, and deeply held convictions about God and human existence. Despite this richness, the legacy of missionary Christianity, shaped in part by colonial assumptions, has often privileged Western or biblical names within the rite of baptism, thereby marginalising indigenous naming traditions. This article sets out to re-examine the place of Igbo names in contemporary Catholic baptism, arguing that their exclusion represents not only a cultural dislocation but also a theological impoverishment. Methodologically, the study adopts an interdisciplinary and interpretive approach, bringing philosophical hermeneutics into dialogue with theological reflection. Drawing on the insights of Hans-Georg Gadamer on tradition and understanding, alongside the theology of inculturation articulated by Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, the article engages African philosophical perspectives, particularly the Igbo conception of personhood as relational and communitarian. Within this framework, names are understood as expressions of origin, destiny, and one’s relationship with the divine. The study finds a profound consonance between Igbo naming practices and Christian theological affirmations. Names such as Chinedu (“God leads”) and Ngozi (“blessing”) do not merely reflect cultural identity but also articulate core theological truths about divine agency and grace. Their marginalisation within baptismal practice, therefore, signals a loss of both cultural integrity and theological depth. In response, the article argues that authentic inculturation demands a more critical and constructive engagement with indigenous naming traditions. By proposing a dialogical and integrative approach, this study affirms that Igbo names can function as fully valid and theologically expressive within the sacrament of baptism. It further highlights the practical implications for liturgical practice, pastoral ministry, and theological development, suggesting that reclaiming Igbo names is essential for nurturing a Christianity that is at once authentically Catholic and genuinely rooted in African experience.