Found interesting meanings of my name on-line this afternoon. Which gave me the idea to blog about the significant meaning our names have.
To begin with, according to my mother: she gave me the name, Aviwe, because I was born on Workers' Day- 1 May 1992. Which meant for the first time, after having given birth to 2 children before me, my father was present when my mother gave birth. 1992 is the time when Apartheid in South Africa still existed, therefore, maternity leave was granted to the mother alone. She gave me the name "Aviwe" thanking the Lord that her 'prayers' had been "answered". Thus, "Aviwe" means being "heard" or being "listened to".
Secondly, my mother had 2 sons before me, which meant spectacular news to my father.In African Tradition it is important that a man has a heir to take over from him. You are seen as being a 'real man' if your wife gives birth to a son as your first born child. Nonetheless, my mother always wanted a daughter....and finally after three babies she was blessed with one...me- "Aviwe", which then again means "your prayers have been answered"
Lastly, every Xhosa name has a greater context meaning than just being fixed in their family history or context. So, 1992 is the intermediate year between 1990- when Nelson Mandela was released from prison and 1994- when Apartheid was abolished in South Africa. So, at the time of 1992 many black South Africans were anticipating to see a new brighter chapter in their lives, a new constitution, after having been oppressed by White people (Apartheid Regime) for so many decades. 1600's are regarded as the "days of White Invasion" when Dutch settlers arrived in Cape Town (South Africa). The Khoi-khoi (the first inhabitants of Southern Africa) and Dutch had their first war in the 1800's (Dutch-Khoikhoi War). So, you can imagine the excitement my people, family and the whole black community had when Nelson Mandela was released from prison- because all what they had been striving for was near to them to grasp. Therefore, I was named 'Aviwe' because the Lord had finally 'heard our cry, our prayers' for freeing a black man from white oppression.
I found some exciting meanings online to:
1. Ancestry24
Aviwe, given to both genders, means "been heard"http://ancestry24.com/learning-centre/xhosa-names-and-meanings/
2. Baby name base
Aviwe name - meaning and origin
| Name: | Aviwe |
| Origin: | African |
| Meaning: | Aviwe name means: God hear their prayer |
| Gender: | Boy http://www.babynamesbase.com/meaning_Aviwe.html |
3. The Meaning of NamesWhat does my name mean? Hidden within your name is a special meaning.
What does the name “Aviwe” mean? A name is much more than just a name!
A is for amenable, for your easy going nature.
V is for volunteer, your giving side.
I is for ideas, that you bring to life.
W is for wisdom, you acquire with age.
E is for easy going, no ruffle here.
You're welcome to tell me what your name means or I can try to answer what your name means for you :)
