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Home › Baby Names Directory › Chidera

Chidera

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Chidera

Pronounced chih-DEH-rah /tʃɪˈdɛ.rɑ/Medium

Meaning: From Igbo (Nigerian), 'what God has written; as God decides/wills' (Chi, 'God', plus dera, 'has written/decided'); here for girls; used for both sexesMedium

In 30 seconds: As God decides: Chidera is Igbo for 'what God has written; as God wills'. Devout, lyrical, and warm. Used for both sexes (here for girls; said 'chih-DEH-rah').
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Origin MediumIgbo
MeaningFrom Igbo (Nigerian), 'what God has written; as God decides/wills' (Chi, 'God', plus dera, 'has written/decided'); here for girls; used for both sexes
U.S. rank (2025)#6597 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births17 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2014
Total births (all-time)≈ 527
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Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201419932025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Chidera comes from Igbo (Nigerian), 'what God has written; as God decides or wills' (Chi, 'God; one's personal guardian spirit', plus dera, 'has written, has decreed'). A devout, lyrical name of trust in God's will, used for both sexes, here for girls (slug distinguished; said 'chih-DEH-rah'; nickname Chidi, Dera).

In the U.S. it appears in Nigerian families. Rare, as-God-decides at the root, and devout.

Did you know? Chidera means 'what God has written; as God decides/wills' in Igbo (Chi, 'God; one's personal spirit', plus dera, 'has written/decided') — a devout, lyrical Nigerian name, used for both sexes (said 'chih-DEH-rah').
Overall data confidence 68%
Igbo references — Chidera — etymology

Variations

Chidera

Nicknames

Dera

Famous Bearers

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If you like Chidera…

Chizara— another Igbo name
Amarra— echoes that soft -ra sound
Zikora— lands in the same popularity range
Amara— lands in the same popularity range
Chizaram— a fellow Igbo choice

Explore names like Chidera

By themeunisexdevotionalwest-africanigbo
By meaningGod / Divine

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Chidera mean?

Chidera is Igbo for 'what God has written; as God decides/wills'.

How do you pronounce Chidera?

It's said chih-DEH-rah /tʃɪˈdɛ.rɑ/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Chidera a boy or girl name?

Chidera is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Chidera?

Chidera is a rare name in the U.S.

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