Humanist

Write about your first name: its meaning, significance, etymology, etc.

For many Ugandans, the first challenge with today’s daily prompt is determining which of their names they consider their first name.

You see, as is tradition in most Ugandan cultures, the first name given to a child is usually a name that denotes their ancestry. Since we are mostly patrilineal societies, normally the first name given to a child is a name with origins from their father’s first nation.

Culturally, therefore, my first name is Alinga, the name I was given first, as I was honored to be named after the late mother of my late father. While she was still alive and as is the tradition among my people, the Iteso, I was privileged to spend a lot of time with she whom I am named after.

I learnt a lot from my late grandmother, and a lot of what she taught me about carrying forward our name, guides me still. For example, while I am cooking. I simply do as she did, putting ingredients together without a recipe and getting the portions right, each time, okay most of the time.

Also, when I am getting dressed, my late grandmother’s voice often filters through, especially when I am questioning if how I am dressed is morally acceptable for the occasion and at my age. She had a effective one-liner that had the power to get you to re-think your outfit.

Legally, however, my first name is Norah. A legacy of colonialism still in force in Uganda, where it is required for one to have a religious name and that name is elevated as the first name. A name which is officially given at religious baptisms way after our cultural names are given.

Be that as it may, Norah, was given to me because it was the name of our family friend, a woman of substance. She too has since rested, but in her life time she made me feel proud to be named after her.

De facto, my name Norah carries significance to me more because of whom I was named after and not so much its religious meaning. This is not to suggest that it doesn’t carry significant meaning to me in other contexts.

I have since learned, following an online search, that Norah has its origins among the Irish and that similarly in Hebrew it means honor, light, and dignity. Qualities that I love and aspire to hold.

I am convinced, in fact, that it is because those qualities come shining through me, honor, light and dignity, that colleagues that I have only met for the first time in Berlin, have gone out of their way to ensure my safety and wonderful stay here.

One took at least two hours or may be three hours of his time, while he was off the clock, I think, to come meet me at the airport, ensure I got on the right train and bring me to my hotel. Wow!

Another, went out of his way to makes sure I get from hotel to all the important events and meetings. Including taking me to the station and riding with me to the “Global Forum for Food and Agriculture 2025”, at the CityCube Berlin.

I don’t know what I would have done without them both.

For more on the meaning of our names, I invite you to read my previous post

Profiled photo @ Norah Owaraga at the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture.