Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the renowned writer, recently shared the story of how she came up with the name ‘Chimamanda’ and revealed the true name her parents gave her.
In a conversation with media personality Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Chimamanda disclosed that she actually chose the name ‘Chimamanda’ for herself, as her parents had named her Ngozi at birth.
When it came time to pick a confirmation name as a Catholic, she chose ‘Amanda’ after reading a novel she liked.
She explained that she went by the name ‘Amanda’ during her school years and early days studying medicine at the University of Nigeria Nsukka.
However, when she moved abroad, she realized the name was too common and didn’t like how it was pronounced.
As she worked on a new novel, she decided to modify the name to have an Igbo origin, hence the name ‘Chimamanda’.
She revealed that that was when she came up with the name, Chimamanda, and she’s delighted with how far and wide the name has gone, as many kids are bearing the name now.
Watch her speak below :
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