African Muslims sometimes have honorific titles associated with their name, e.g. Sheikh / Cheikh, or Hajj / Hadji / Hajji / el-Hadji / Hajja etc.  If only a title and not needed for differentiation, these elements should not be used as part of the established name (though a reference could be added with that usage).  Sometimes, however, these terms are actually given names.  Sometimes it’s not possible to tell for certain which is the case.  The important thing is to be aware of this and try to distinguish between the two.

 

Nigerians (male) sometimes use Chief with their name; this is usually just honorific.  Some have a traditional local government title, which may be included as a qualifier in the approved form of their name.  The honorific title can be used also in added references for someone whose predominant form of name does not include the honorific title. 

 

Examples:

 

• Akran, C. D., ǂc Oba of Badagry

• Lipede, Oyebade, ǂc Alake of Egbaland

• Folagbade, Theophilus Adenuga / Adenuga, ǂc Awujale of Ejebu-Ode

 

In Arabic, duktūr = دكتور (doctor, as in, an advanced degree) is often abbreviated with the initial d. = د.

​

Ethiopian names: Ato is a formal male prefix, and should not be included in the authorized version of the name.  The female equivalent is Weizero, abbreviated W/ro (married) and Weizerit, abbreviated W/t (unmarried).

 

Igbo names:  Mazi / Maazi is a formal male prefix; the female equivalent is Dede.

 

In Francophone situations, especially older texts, assume that M. before a male name is for Monsieur, not an actual initial. 

In the context of French-language publications, here are some common personal title abbreviations:

 

M.          Monsieur  (do not assume that this is a first initial)

 

MM       Messieurs  (more than one monsieur)

 

Mlle       Mademoiselle  (unmarried)

 

Mme     Madame  (married)

 

Pr            Professeur

​

​

RETURN TO MENU

​