Nigerian-British actress and writer, Chidinma Ifunanyachi, has launched her latest book, The Importance of Names, aimed at helping young Nigerians embrace their cultural identity.
At the heart of the book is a simple message: names matter. “Growing up as a Nigerian in the diaspora, it was always a struggle,” Ifunanyachi said during the launch. “Our names carry weight, but living in the West often forces us to hide them or change them just to fit in.”
According to the author, this pressure has led to generations of young Nigerians feeling “uncomfortable” with their names. Through her book, she hopes to challenge this and encourage children to feel “confident about who they are.”
The book tells a relatable story of a young girl who feels out of place because of her traditional name. It is only after her aunt explains the meaning and origin of her name that the girl begins to see it differently. “This is what I want to achieve,” Ifunanyachi said. “I want Nigerian children to understand the power in their names and be proud of it.”
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She believes the digital age has made this challenge more complex. While social media allows more people to connect with African identity, it has also encouraged a version of acceptance that often comes “with Western seasoning.” According to her, many young Africans feel they must adopt English names like “Vanessa” or “Lucy” to be accepted in Western spaces.
Ifunanyachi said it is crucial to reach children early because “they are the most impressionable.” She stressed the role of adults in ensuring that children are confident in their heritage from the beginning. “By the time they meet the world, they are already ready,” she noted.
Uzodinma Nwankwo, Partner, Audit ENR at KPMG, described the book as “easy to read” and praised its ability to make a strong point through a simple story. He said the narrative is “relatable” and that the story offers a powerful example of how understanding the meaning behind a name can shift one’s identity and confidence.
Nwankwo encouraged parents to start conversations about names early. “It’s on each and every one of us to live by example,” he said. “I’m proud of my name, Uzodinma, and I can relate to the story.”
He also spoke on the importance of reading among children. “The future starts today. Books like this help build vocabulary, confidence, and cultural awareness.”
