When he was born his mother named him Njũkĩ, after his father’s brother. But Njũki was not this man’s name. It was different. Among his people, you do not call your in-laws by name. Therefore you modify the name to one with similar background ie Njaũ. She modified the name a little and chose Njũkĩ or though she could have called him Mwanĩki, Mbora or Gĩcovi. How? These names are derivatives of the same Njaũ.
Like this. Njuki is a bee, a bee sting is called mbora. Mwanĩki is the person who sets a bee hive. Closely associated is Mũthũsi who keeps checking whether hive is colonised and Mũrori harvests the honey. He could have received any of those names. A bee makes honey that in turn is used to brew liquor. Liquor handling is virtue. A good tippler is called Gĩcovi, Kĩnyua and such endearing names. The best liquor is made from honey so those three were suitable names for him too.
A person has many names in this community. Sometimes up to five. When you are born, your mother gives you a name selected from the Njaũ of the person you are named after. Then the person you are named after gives you a name he or she is proud of. As a small girl/boy your age mates give you a name. When you come of age, (via the sharp edge of a knife and some cold water), you arrogate yourself a name such Rũnyenje, Mũthiĩũtukũ, Mwĩtamagomi or Mũriambĩthĩ, MrBee
