In Bunyoro-Kitara, as was the case elsewhere in Africa, names and naming bear spiritual, psychological, and physical significance. Names, naming practices, and meanings for the people shape a collective identity of the Banyakitara. Babies are given names at birth which reflect the context in which their families find themselves.

Personal names are an indicator rather than a determinant of a child’s life chances, names being more symptom than cause of the evolving racial divide. Names then can be used to link social actors, reproduce social relationships or create change. They establish order, by both categorizing and differentiating people. Through naming, people can express power over the child, within the household, or in the community.

Like most African names, Kinyoro names are actually words or phrases in the Runyoro language; and they have a meaning. Most names are based upon the prevailing circumstances, environment, family or clan at the time of the child’s birth.

The surname has always been an indigenous one, say Kinyoro, Kitooro, Kitagwenda, Kituku, or Kinyabindi name. Officially, the name is given by clan elders, but practically, the will of the parents is paramount in this decision. Like most African names, kinyoro names are actually words or phrases in the Runyoro language; and they have a meaning.

In the past, Bunyoro had an individualizing pattern of naming, where children typically had a name that was invented for them, and would disappear with them. A child was named usually by the father, though grandparents often exerted influence over the process. Often this was regarded as merely formalizing a situation which was already well known to the local community. For some people, though, the naming of a child was a means of demonstrating their awareness of neighbors’ or family members’ masked antipathy.

Traditionally, a Munyakitara – Banyoro, Batooro, Batagwenda, Batuku, Banyabindi, Basongora, Banyara, Baruuli and other people of Western Uganda (including the Hema of the Democratic Republic of Congo), among others – have at least three names. These included the surname (family name) and an empaako (name of praise), which are given to them shortly after birth.