In a deeply personal revelation that has captivated social media, veteran Nollywood actor and director Antar Laniyan has shared the extraordinary story behind his unique name, a tale rooted in maternal sacrifice and Yoruba tradition.
The 18-Month Wait and a Mother's Sacrifice
Speaking in an emotional interview on the show Behind The Fame, Laniyan recounted the challenging circumstances surrounding his birth. He disclosed that he overstayed in his mother's womb for an astonishing 18 months, far beyond the typical nine-month gestation period.
This prolonged pregnancy caused great concern among family and community members. As Laniyan explained, people began to suspect that the issue was not merely medical but possibly spiritual in nature. To facilitate his birth, his mother was advised to consume a specific creature.
"She had to eat something in Yoruba called Anta. It looks like a lizard, smaller than a crocodile," the actor revealed. According to his account, the traditional remedy worked remarkably quickly. "They had to prepare it for her. She took it. An hour later, I came."
From "Anta" to "Antar": The Evolution of a Name
In honour of this pivotal event and the creature that played a role in his delivery, Laniyan's mother decided to incorporate "Anta" into his name. The actor expressed immense gratitude for his mother's strength and the cultural significance embedded in his identity.
"There's a story behind it, and I like telling it at times because I want every individual to know the importance of having a mother: a good mother, a great one," Laniyan stated emotionally. He emphasized that many people are unaware of the profound trials their mothers endured. "The kind of things that our mother passed through before they gave birth to us individually, we do not know because we were not there. But when a mother goes into telling you how you came to be, you will weep for yourself."
The name underwent a final modification during his childhood. "When I got to primary school and my friends were playing with the name, I added an 'R' to make it Antar," he shared, giving us the name he is known by today.
Netizens React: Tradition, Creativity, and Cultural Pride
The viral video sparked a lively conversation among Nigerian netizens, with many praising the depth of Yoruba naming traditions. One commenter, OluwaKamal, noted, "Adding that to his name shows how creative his mum is."
Another user, baethiks, highlighted cultural pride, stating, "Everywhere I go in the world, I tell them the Yorubas don't just give names without reason. I mean the real Yorubas."
The discussion also drew parallels to other unique names rooted in birth circumstances. User lowkeypayz shared, "My grandad spent 3 years [in the womb] that he was named 'omope ninu' shortened to 'omope.'" Some users identified the "Anta" creature as likely being a monitor lizard.
This incident follows another recent case where a Nigerian man named Destiny Otumala Ronaldo went viral on social media platform X due to his uncommon name, showing a continued public fascination with the stories and origins behind unique names.
Antar Laniyan's story serves as a powerful reminder of the rich cultural narratives and personal histories often carried within a single name, celebrating both a mother's enduring love and the resilience of tradition.
