Acharaugo

A good contender for the Nigerian Igbo-word of 2025 is #Acharaugo—not “Achalugo” (apologies @OmoniOboli)! To allow the incorrect spelling is to disfigure the root of a beautiful name. Getting some people to stop using “Ibo” is still an ongoing battle: It is #Igbo and never with an ‘s’! Admittedly, some northwestern Igbo dialects often say “l” in place of “r”; hence, ‘achala’ is widely understood. However, “Achalugo” is wrong and does not do justice to the beautiful name. It should be corrected to preserve the etymology and to promote standard Igbo. Therefore, “Acharaugo” is it.

So, what is the meaning of Acharaugo? Thank you for asking. I have written about it. Here we go again: Acharaugo is an appellation adopted by beautiful and trending women. It may appear in given names, but it is used more as a dance-troupe nickname and lately as a taken title or conferred chieftaincy name. The etymology is easy to deconstruct when written correctly in standard Igbo: achara + ugo.

‘Achara’ is the tender core of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum), which is obtained after layers of the tough grass have been removed. It is used to cook delicious ‘ofe achara’ (achara soup) with ground and molded melon seed (egusi) and liberal protein particulars—assorted meat and fish. The delicacy is popular in the Umuahia area of Abia State, Nigeria.

‘Ugo’ is Igbo for ‘eagle,’ but the meaning is deeper. The eagle is the king of birds and depicts royalty, excellence, glory, and honor. The eagle feather is sacred and signifies beauty, nobility, and uniqueness. Hence, “Turu ugo!” (an eagle feather to your crown) is a way to hail someone’s deserving achievement, i.e. “Congratulations!” Used as both male and female name, ‘Ugo’ is usually a short version of a longer name.

In Chiké’s ‘Roju’ track, he deploys the symbolic significance of the eagle in using “Adaugo” (esteemed daughter; lit. eagle’s daughter) and “Akwaugo” (precious or priceless possession, lit. eagle’s egg). While the eagle feather is regal and sacred, the eagle’s egg is considered rare and precious. The bird itself is revered. In Igbo society, to see an eagle is to behold a praiseworthy beauty, a sight not seen every day.

Whether as a prefix or a suffix, many Igbo names use ‘ugo’ to coin names with deep meanings. They include: Acharaugo, Akwaugo, Mmirimaraugo, Ugochi, Ugochukwu, Ugodiya, Ugomma, Ugonna, Ugoọjị, Ugosimba, and Ugosinachi.

@OkaaMoe, 9.26.25