It seems a bit counterintuitive to give your baby a name that calls to mind a time of serious hardship and hunger, but that’s exactly what these names the mean famine are for. Sometimes, it’s good to remember where you came from in the hope for new life and greater abundance in the coming years.
Surprisingly, there are a number of names that mean famine, and most of them are Kenyan, Ugandan, and Indian in origin. This is likely due to the hot, arid climates that dominate these regions, making for light rainfall and periodic famines.
Despite their unfortunate origins, these names still roll off the tongue quite nicely. Take Nanjala, for example; this girl’s name comes from the Luhya and Lugisu cultures in Uganda, and means “Born during a famine.” The male equivalent, Wanjala, is of the same origin and naturally, carries the same meaning.
On the Indian subcontinent, we can turn to Trushna for girls and Trushit for boys. Both of these names mean “hunger.” Interestingly, the similar girl’s name Trishna means “thirst” instead of hunger.
You’ll also find Euna in Scotland, a girl’s name that means famine or hunger. It’s not terribly popular within the country, though, having plateaued around the 1500-mark for top baby names in Scotland since 2013.
While these names might mean famine, we’re in no short supply of names inspired by them, as evidenced by our extensive list below. Read on if you’re curious to learn more about their origins.
Aketch
Meaning: Bornd during a famine
Origin: African
Gender: Girl
Euna
Meaning: Lamb or hunger
Origin: Scottish
Gender: Girl
Nanjala
Meaning: Born during a famine
Origin: Uganda
Gender: Girl
Trushit
Meaning: Hunger
Origin: Indian
Gender: Boy
Trushna
Meaning: Hunger
Origin: Indian
Gender: Girl
Wanjala
Meaning: Born during famine
Origin: African
Gender: Boy
