In December of 1998, the Chukwu octuplets (6 girls and 2 boys) were born in Texas to Nigerian parents Nkem Chukwu (mom) and Iyke Louis Udobi (dad).
The first baby was born naturally on December 8th, while the other seven were born via Caesarean section on December 20th.
Here are their names:
- Ebuka (pronounced uh-BOO-kuh), nickname of
- Chukwuebuka (meaning “God is great”) Nkemjika Louis
- Chidi (CHEE-dee)
- Chidinma (“God is good”) Anulika Louis
- Echerem (CHER-um)
- Chinecherem (“God thinks of me”) Nwabugwu Louis
- Chima (CHEE-muh)
- Chimaijem (“God knows my way”) Otito Louis
- Odera (oh-DARE-uh)
- Chijindu (“God has my life”) Chidera Louis
- Ikem (EE-kem)
- Chukwubuikem (“God is my strength”) Maduabuchi Louis
- Jioke (YOH-kee)
- Chijioke (“God holds my portion”) Chinedum Louis
- Gorom (gorm)
- Chinagorom (“God is merciful”) Chidiebere Louis
Ikem and Jioke (#6 and #7) are the two boys.
When the names were announced (via a statement released by Texas Children’s Hospital), the parents said that they named the children in the tradition of the Igbo (EE-boh) ethnic group. They also explained:
It is very special to us that God gave us our babies at the same time of the year that we celebrate the birth of His Son, Jesus. The names we have given our children symbolize the strength, guidance and grace we know God will give them throughout their lives.
The seven surviving octuplets turned 10 on Saturday. (Odera, #5, passed away a week after she was born.)
Today, the family — which also includes a younger sister, 6-year-old Favor — lives in a 6-bedroom home in a suburb of Houston.
The kids agreed that Ebuka was the best student and Ikem was the messiest eater. Chima is the tallest, and all the kids pointed to her when asked whom the boss of the group was.
Sources: Chukwu octuplets – Wikipedia, Houston octuplets get names (UPI), Surviving Houston octuplets turn 10 years old (NBC News), Octuplets’ names reflect parents’ tradition (Tampa Bay Times)
Image: Ein Kinderfest (1868) by Ludwig Knaus
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