young white lioness with the tear in her face from the Birmingham Pride of kruger national park south africa gets a new name 'Nakinya'

 

Nakinya

Nakinya is a feminine Maasai name meaning 'the torn one.' Originating from the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania. It stems from the verb akiny, meaning “tearing” (as in pulling off the bark of a tree or removing part of the skin), which leaves a scar. 

This is supported by the background of Kenya’s first president, Jomo Kenyatta, originally named by the Maasai 'enkinyata' which is a piece of skin obtained through the akiny process.

Typically, you won’t find many women named Nakinya. But it’s more common to hear this name given to livestock, as naming them after scars isn’t considered problematic. On the other hand, quite a few Maasai men carry the name Ole Sakinya, which is the masculine form. Men often view scars as symbols of battles fought and won (particularly in the past), so being named after a scar is seen as a point of pride.

Write up provided by journalist Parmeris Ole Kiminta (who also suggested the name)