Global rap superstar Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, better known to the world as Nicki Minaj, has revealed an interesting detail about her identity: she actually has an Igbo name.
Nicki confirmed that her first name, Onika, is the Trinidadian version of the Igbo name Onyekachi, a revelation that immediately sent her Nigerian fanbase into celebration mode.
The conversation started after a fan praised her recent appearance at the United Nations, where she spoke boldly against jihadist violence targeting Christians in Nigeria. In that post, the fan suggested that Nicki’s name, Onika, meaning “Who is greater than God”, was a sign she was destined to use her voice for justice.
To drive the point home, the fan shared a graphic explaining the meaning and variations of the name, writing:
“The name Onika means ‘continued belief in a supreme being who holds ultimate authority and surpasses all others in greatness.’
They added: “Let my Nigerian Barbz and friends confirm how God destines someone for great things before they are even born!”
Nicki’s response came with a playful twist. Quoting the post, she added another layer of mystery to her identity:
“Will it get even more mysterious if I told you the tattoo on my arm means ‘God is with me’ in Chinese?”
With that single reply, the rapper left fans buzzing, connecting dots between her roots, her name, and her unexpected ties to the Igbo heritage.
Will it get even more mysterious if I told you the tattoo on my arm means “God is with me” in Chinese? 🙏🏽🎀🫶🏽 https://t.co/FfKMSGdpD8
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) November 20, 2025