How I coined my stage name – Ayra Starr explains, references Don Jazzy’s input
The well-known Nigerian singer Ayra Starr, whose stage name is Oyinkansola Sarah Aderibigbe, has disclosed the source of her inspiration.
She revealed that her record label boss, Don Jazzy, had partially inspired her stage moniker.
The singer claims that she came up with the name “Ayra” and the head of Mavin Records added the suffix “Starr.”
She added that “Oyin,” a nickname for her first name, Oyinkansola, was how people knew her before she signed with Mavin.
Speaking in a special Christmas interview with Arise TV, the music star 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.”