Where Do Our Names Come From? The Story Behind the Names of Our Pieces

Where Do Our Names Come From? The Story Behind the Names of Our Pieces

One of the most intentional and heartfelt parts of our brand is the way we name each piece. From the beginning, it was important to me that our designs didn’t just carry beauty—they carried meaning. That’s why every single print we have is named after an African name, rooted in culture and identity.

Growing up in the United States as a first generation Nigerian American, one of the first things people noticed about me wasn’t my face, my voice, or my personality—it was my name. Often, it came with questions, mispronunciations, or even jokes. For many of us in the diaspora, our names became something we had to explain, correct, or even hide. Names are powerful. They are sacred. They are stories in themselves.

In African cultures across the continent, names carry deep meaning. They reflect the circumstances of a child’s birth, the hopes of a parent, the legacy of ancestors, or the spiritual beliefs of a family. Among the Yoruba people of Nigeria, for example, naming a child is a sacred tradition, often involving ceremonies, elders, and days of reflection. A name isn’t just a label—it’s a prayer, a prophecy, and a piece of identity that travels with you your whole life.

The Touch of a Queen brand honors that. We don’t just name our pieces randomly. We choose each name with intention, researching its meaning, cultural context, native tribe and language. Whether it’s Thokozani, a Chewa name from South Africa that means “Be thankful/give thanksl” or Iremide, a Yoruba name meaning “My fortune has arrived,” every name we choose reflects the spirit of the piece. 

We also make it a point to share that meaning with you. On every product page, you’ll not only learn about the garment or accessory itself—you will also learn about the name behind it; where it comes from and what it means. Because we believe education is part of empowerment, we want every customer to feel connected not just to the product, but to the culture that inspired it.

This practice is more than branding. It’s a celebration. A celebration of African languages, traditions, and the beautiful diversity of names across the continent. It’s a quiet but powerful way to reclaim the narratives around our identities. To say, “Our names are beautiful. Our names deserve respect. Our names are sacred evidence of our culture.”

So the next time you browse our collection, we invite you to go deeper. Learn the names. Speak them aloud. Share them with your friends. And when you wear that piece, know that you are not just wearing something stylish—you’re wearing a story, a culture, and a name that carries power and pride.

Because here, our names are celebrated—and so are you.