Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *à-gbã̀. Cognates exist in most other Volta-Niger languages (where it is often translated as chin or jaw), suggesting what is likely a common Volta-Niger origin, see Igala àgbà, Ayere àngbà, Yekhee agba, Itsekiri agba, Arigidi àmgbà, Arigidi àgbɔ̀̃, Edo agbanmwẹn, Idoma agba, Fon gbà, Igbo àgbà, and Urhobo egba, and potentially Oko-Eni-Osayen akã̂, perhaps from Proto-Volta-Niger *à-gbà. The possible Benue-Congo cognates Ibibio mban̄, Ahwai akpaal, and Ahwai áŋkpàn may suggest a pre-Volta-Niger origin, which is uncertain.