Iteshi

/E-tay-eyshi/ male surname Ebonyi

Tone-marked spelling: Iteshi

The pot did not cook

Etymology

Iteshi is an Igbo surname derived from the Igbo words: 'Ite' meaning 'pot'; 'eshighi' meaning 'not cook'.

It is the short of the fuller expression: the 'Ite eshighi na ọkụ' meaning 'the pot was not set on the fire.'

Cultural context

The story behind this particularly unique name is of a family which upon the eventual arrival of a much sought after male child where in such jubilation that no one remembered to cook or eat.