Rap superstar Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, widely known as Nicki Minaj, has revealed that her first name has Igbo roots.
The Trinidadian-born rapper confirmed that “Onika” is a Trinidadian variation of the Igbo name Onyekachi, meaning “Who is greater than God?”
Minaj made the revelation while reacting to a post by a fan who celebrated her recent speech at the United Nations, where she condemned jihadist attacks on Christians in Nigeria.
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The fan noted that the meaning of her name reflected divine purpose, describing it as “continued belief in a supreme being who holds ultimate authority and surpasses all others in greatness.”
Sharing a graphic that detailed the meaning and variations of the name, the fan added: “Let my Nigerian Barbz and friends confirm how God destines someone for great things before they are even born!”
Responding to the post on X, Minaj confirmed the name’s Igbo connection and added another interesting detail about her identity.
She wrote: “Will it get even more mysterious if I told you the tattoo on my arm means ‘God is with me’ in Chinese?”
Her response has generated excitement among Nigerian fans, especially within the Barbz community, who expressed pride in the rapper’s connection to the Igbo language and culture.
The revelation adds to the growing bond between Minaj and her Nigerian fan base, following her strong remarks at the UN event, where she called for global action against religious persecution and emphasised the need to protect freedom of worship worldwide.
