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Several names per Beninese person
The average Beninese person has 3 to 5 names: a day name, a circumstance name, a Christian name, a family name… Here is how this many-sided tradition works.
The day name
Given automatically according to the day of birth:
This name is automatic: being born is all it takes. It cannot be changed.
The circumstance name
Chosen by the parents to tell the circumstances of the birth or to express a wish:
The Christian or Muslim name
Since colonization and the conversions, parents often add a biblical or Quranic name:
Result
A Beninese person may have 3-5 names on their papers, plus a Fon family name. They usually use 2 in daily life: a “close” one (for family) and an “official” one (for administration).
One name, one story
This wealth of names tells a person’s whole genealogy: day, circumstance, faith, lineage. It is a cultural ID card in miniature.
Behind every first name, there is a whole language.
A Fon name is a sentence. To truly hear it, you need the language: 79 video lessons with a native speaker — greet people, introduce yourself, talk about your family, understand your grandmother on the phone.
One free trial lesson when you sign up.
- The Fon video course: see the program — 79 lessons with a native speaker from Cotonou, taught in French
- What is your Fon level? — the free 15-question test