Nigerian singer, Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, popularly known as Ayra Starr, has revealed the inspiration behind her stage name.
She explained that her record label boss, Don Jazzy, played a role in choosing her stage name.
Ayra Starr shared that she came up with “Ayra,” while Don Jazzy added the suffix “Starr.”
Prior to joining Mavin Records, she was recognized as “Oyin,” a shortened version of her first name, Oyinkansola.
Speaking in a special Christmas interview with Arise TV, the singer said: “There is this Yoruba name called Ira, I wanted people to pronounce it as ‘Aira.’ And I was like, the only way they can pronounce it is by spelling it ‘A Y R A.’ So, I was thinking about it and something just told me to go ‘A Y R A.’ And when I did, everything just came together: The meaning of the name, it felt like God was speaking to me.
“And ‘Starr’ was Don Jazzy’s idea. Ayra means ‘woke and open minded.’ And that’s what I want. I want to be honoured and respected.”