* By Clifford J. Palacio *


GARIFUNA NAMES

 

The following is a list of suggested Garifuna names. The list is, by no means , complete, but the names may be helpful to those who wish to give their children Garifuna names that will connect them with Yurumein (St. Vincent) where their own roots and identity began. (1635-1797)

 

NAME                                                            TRANSLATION

 

Áhari                                                                Guardian Angel

*Anigi                                                              Heart

Ára                                                                  Warmth

Areyda                                                             Generous

Araini                                                               Generosity

Arumani                                                           Cleanliness

*Arunei                                                            Captain

Átuadi                                                              Health

Awanda                                                           Ability to endure

Ayumahani                                                       Wish

Ayumuruni                                                        Praise

Barana                                                             The sea

Baruna                                                             I have brought it

Beh                                                                  You see (Diminutive of Balbina)

Benefau                                                            State of been industrious

Binadu                                                              Aged; Tested

*Cada                                                              Each one

Chagua                                                 Complex

Ché                                                                  Don't do it.

Chibana                                                            I have purified it.

Darngilou                                                          Peace, tranquillity

Darila                                                               He has discovered it.

*Darina                                                            Eureka, I discovered it.

Darita                                                               She has discovered it.

Dariwa                                                             It has been discovered.

Digana                                                              I have removed it.

Emenigi                                                            Confidence, Hope, Reliance

*Emeni                                                 Confidence

Émeri                                                               Path, Way, Course

Érei                                                                  Strength

Eyeri                                                                Man

Fe                                                                    Information

Ganigi                                                               Having strong determination

Gari                                                                  Hurt, Pain

Gariyawa                                                          Spectacular

Goubana                                                          Mahogany

*Gudemegu                                                      Depressed, Pitiful

Gunfuli                                                  Righteousness

Gulicha                                                 Tight embrace

Gumuna                                                            I completed the task.

Gürüna                                                 I bit it.

Gürana                                                             I hitched it.

Gurasu                                                             Patience; Pleasant disposition

Haricha                                                            Their inalienable rights

Hayuna                                                 Their ancestors

Harüne                                                             Their captain or leader

Hayá                                                                He or she smiles

Hayumahan                                                      Their wishes

Héfe                                                                 Completely cooked

Heliya                                                               Where

Hemeni                                                 Dependability

Hiluma                                                  Radiant appearance

Hiyuruha                                                           Divining Spirit Helpers

Idaba                                                               Heart of hearts

Igundani                                                           Happiness

Inebe                                                                Respect

*Isani                                                               A child

Isebei                                                               Fondness, preference or taste

Irichaü                                                              Dignity, prudence

*Irisini                                                              Riches

Ítara                                                                 As is

Ětarala                                                               Let it be so

Igaburi                                                              Attitude

*Igemeri                                                           Light; Enlightenment

*Iseri                                                                New, Novelty

Ilumani                                                 Fresh or flourishing condition

Irufugu                                                              Beauty

Kariun                                                              Kindness, courtesy

Lacuta                                                              Its suds; Foam

Liani                                                                 His wife

Luwenden                                                        Its adornment; Embellishment

Magadien                                                         Beauty, Pleasing in appearance

Mefe                                                                Not completely cooked

Miranan                                                            I have hit the mark.

Mítaran                                                            It is not so.

Nafíen                                                              My faith

Nanigi                                                              My heart; Love; Affection

Nemeni                                                            My reliance

Nenege                                                            One who looks like me

Nibase                                                             My niece

Nibache (Old form)                                       My niece

Nibeh                                                               My facsimile

Niricha                                                 My rights

*Nirisin                                                                        My riches or wealth

*Nisani                                                             My child

Nisinu                                                               My destiny

*Nisien                                                             My love or affection

Numán                                                             My buddy

Numada                                                           My friend

Nufén                                                               My knowledge

*Nuwáni                                                          My soul; Vital principle of life

Pantaü                                                              Pride

Pusara                                                              Accommodations

Saminaü                                                           Thoughts; Ideas

Sagana                                                             I have resolved the problem.

Sandu                                                               Saint; A virtuous person

*Sará                                                               He or she resurrected

Saragu                                                              Numerous; Plentiful

Semén                                                              Tasty; Delicious

Seremein                                                          Thanks; It's fortunate.

Seru                                                                 Dear; Precious; Delightful

Suamein                                                           Admiration

Sügú                                                                 Tribulations

Sumadí                                                 Audacity

Sunuwa                                                            It has been lessened (reduced)

Tulé                                                                  Spread out

Tulu                                                                  Spread in many directions

Uganu                                                              News

Úani                                                                 Soul or Spirit

Ugundani                                                          Happiness

Ufemei                                                 Ambition

Uwama                                                            Wish, Desire

Wabase                                                            Our niece

Wabache (Old form)                                       Our niece

Waricha                                                           Our rights

Warisin                                                 Our riches or wealth

*Wasani                                                           Our beloved offspring

*Wasinun                                                         Our destiny

Wisien                                                              Our love or affection

Warüne                                                            Our captain or leader

Wamada                                                          Our mutual friend

Wafén                                                              Our knowledge

Wairigu                                                            Proud, Haughty

*Wana                                                             Jane; Let me call.

Wawani                                                            Our Soul or spirit

Wendei                                                            Well-dressed condition

Wibe                                                                Our facsimile

Winwan                                                            Live, Lively

Wahina                                                 We are going to explore the idea

Warita                                                              She has surmounted the obstacle.

Waruguma                                                        A shining star

Webu                                                               Our (spiritual) leader

Whoruna                                                          I have anointed it

Yunruguou                                                        Satisfaction

 

* This signifies that the name is already in use.

 

FRENCH NAMES

 ADAPTED BY THE BLACK CARIBS OF YURUMEIN

 

Jean Baptise                                                     Dufonte Begot

Boyordell                                                         Dirang

Chatoyer                                                          Doucre Baramont

Lalime                                                              Broca

Saioe                                                                Francois Laron

Saint Laron                                                       Anisette

Clement                                                            Bigott

Simon                                                               Bauamont

Justin                                                                Matthieu

Jean Louis Pacquin                                                Gadel Goibau

John Baptise                                                     Lonen

Boyudon                                                          Du Valle

Boucharie                                                         Deruba Babilliard

Canaia