To the Yoruba people, a name isn’t just a word or an identity. It’s an embodiment of lineage, history, and family. As per the Yoruba custom, Yoruba kids are named in a ceremony that is held seven days after their birth. In ancient times, the names were found by divination performed by traditional Ifa priests, called Babalawo locally. But now, the names are suggested by the ranking members of the family, which include mother, father, grandparents, or relatives. A private ceremony, just for the parents and close family members, is held where the child is bestowed the name. A public ceremony, with entertainment and feasting, is held by parents to celebrate the arrival of the baby a few days after the private ceremony.
Yoruba names are classified into five categories – Oruko Amutorunwa or destiny names, Oruko Abiso or acquired names, Oruko Oriki or Panegyrics, Oruko Abiku, and Oruko Inagije or alias. Yoruba girls are named after the circumstances in which their birth took place, or as a reflection of the wealth, they bring to their family. Modern or Christian parents use Christian forms of traditional names, while Muslim Yoruba parents give Arabic names with Yoruba phonetics to their children.
NAMES |
MEANING |
GENDER |
|||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abayomrunkoje |
God won’t allow humiliation. |
Boy |
|||
Abebi |
We asked for a girl child. |
Girl |
|||
Abegunde |
One born during the holiday. |
Boy |
|||
Abeo |
The bringer of happiness . |
Boy |
|||
Abiade |
One who is born of royal parents. |
Boy |
|||
Abidemi |
A girl born during father’s absence. |
Girl |
|||
Abidugun |
One born before the war. |
Boy |
|||
Abiodun |
One born at the time of festival. |
Boy |
|||
Abiola |
(African – Yoruban) Born in Honor; Born during the first days |
Boy |
|||
Abiona |
One who is born during a journey |
Girl |
|||
Abioye |
The son of royalty; A Variant of Abiola |
Boy |
|||
Adankwo |
One born on fourth day. |
Girl |
|||
Adaoma |
A good and virtuous lady. |
Girl |
|||
Adaora |
Daughter of all |
Girl |
|||
Adebamgbe |
A Nigerian term meaning royalty dwells within me. |
Boy |
|||
Adebiyi |
The royal one. |
Boy |
|||
Adedayo |
The crown has turned to joy. |
Boy |
|||
Adefolake |
Your wealth supports us. |
Girl |
|||
Ademola |
Crown is Added to My Wealth |
Boy |
|||
Adeniyi |
The value or honour of a crown |
Boy |
|||
Adepero |
The crown has bring peace |
Boy |
|||
Aderiyike |
The pampered crown. |
Girl |
|||
Adesanya |
My pains have been compensated with the arrival of this child. |
Boy |
|||
Adeshola |
One who is crowned to bring wealth |
Boy |
|||
Adesina |
She opens the way |
Girl |
|||
Adesola |
A child crowned with wealth. |
Boy |
|||
Adetayo |
Crown has brought us great joy. |
Boy |
|||
Adetokunbo |
A Nigerian name of Yoruba decent. Ade means ‘crown |
Boy |
|||
Adetola |
The crown can be measured to wealth. |
Boy |
|||
Adetope |
The crown is worthy of praise. |
Boy |
|||
Adetosoye |
The crown is entitled to the throne. |
Boy |
|||
Adisa |
Clear Spoken Person – African |
Boy |
|||
Adunni |
A daughter of the sweet person |
Girl |
|||
Aega |
A palm bird, tiny bird |
Girl |
|||
Aina |
Beautiful Eyed Woman |
Girl |
|||
Ajayi |
Born face-down |
Unisex |
|||
Akin |
Yoruban – Brave, Heroic ; Hebrew – Man |
Boy |
|||
Alake |
African – One To Be Honored |
Boy |
|||
Amoke |
Loving stroke or to pet her |
Girl |
|||
Apara |
Matchless; Unique; One who is exclusive and has no equivalent |
Boy |
|||
Atinuke |
One who has been taken care of right from the conception. |
Girl |
|||
Ayinde |
Yoruba – We gave praise and he came; |
Boy |
|||
Ayobami |
Wealth meet me, one asking for wealth. |
Girl |
|||
Ayodele |
Yoruba – Joy has returned ; A variant of name Ayotunde |
Boy |
|||
Ayokunumi |
I am overwhelmed with wealth. |
Girl |
|||
Ayomide |
Yoruba – Joy has returned ; A variant of name Ayotunde |
Unisex |
|||
Ayomisioluwakonitan |
The Joy of the lord will never diminish in my life. |
Girl |
|||
Ayoola |
The joy of wealth |
Girl |
|||
Ayotola |
Joy is enough wealth. |
Girl |
|||
Ayotoluwafunmi |
The joy that the lord has given me. |
Girl |
|||
Ayotomiwa |
Wealth has returned. |
Boy |
|||
Ayotunde |
Yoruba – Joy has returned; A variant of name Ayomide |
Unisex |
|||
Ayotundun |
A Yoruba term, meaning joy is sweet. |
Girl |
|||
Ayowonuola |
A Yoruba term, meaning joy enters wealth. |
Girl |
|||
Ayowunmi |
A girl who loves joy. |
Girl |
|||
Babasolaf |
Father’s wealth has arrived. |
Boy |
|||
Babatunji |
The father returns again. |
Boy |
|||
Bandele |
Born Away From Home |
Girl |
|||
Banjoko |
Don’t ever leave me. |
Boy |
|||
Bankole |
Build a home for me. |
Boy |
|||
Bayode |
He who brings joy with himself. |
Boy |
|||
Bayowa |
He has come with joy. |
Boy |
|||
Bere |
First daughter of the family. |
Girl |
|||
Bidemi |
Born awaiting me. |
Girl |
|||
Bimpe |
One who is gorgeous and beautiful. |
Girl |
|||
Bisi |
She who is a first-born daughter in the family |
Girl |
|||
Bmidele |
A Yoruba term meaning follow me home. |
Girl |
|||
Bodunde |
Came with Christmas or one who was born during Christmas. |
Girl |
|||
Bolade |
Honor will come. |
Boy |
|||
Bolanle |
One who finds wealth at home. |
Girl |
|||
Bolatito |
A Yoruba term meaning how joy sanctifies me. |
Girl |
|||
Boluwaji |
Rise up with Lord. |
Girl |
|||
Boluwatife |
As God wishes, one who follows the will of God. |
Girl |
|||
Bosede |
A daughter that came to world on a Sunday |
Girl |
|||
Bunmi |
To be my gift |
Girl |
|||
Busayo |
Add to the joy. |
Girl |
|||
Damola |
Mixed with wealth. |
Boy |
|||
Dideoluwakusidede |
The coming of the Lord is at hand. |
Girl |
|||
Diekololaoluwa |
God’s blessing isn’t small. |
Girl |
|||
Diekololaoluwalayemi |
The wealth of God in my life cannot be measured. |
Girl |
|||
Doyinsola |
My wealth is sweet. |
Girl |
|||
Durojaiye |
One who waits for the joy of life. |
Boy |
|||
Durosinmi |
Wait to rest. |
Boy |
|||
Ebunoluwa |
The God’s gift |
Girl |
|||
Emilohi |
Only God is great. |
Girl |
|||
Emiola |
The honorable one, or an honorable man. |
Girl |
|||
Eniafe |
A beloved man. |
Girl |
|||
Eniiyi |
A person of integrity. |
Girl |
|||
Enitan |
Person of the story or person with a history. |
Girl |
|||
Eriifeoluwa |
The evidence of God’s love. |
Girl |
|||
Eromidola |
My thought has become wealth. |
Girl |
|||
Esupofo |
The devil has lost. |
Boy |
|||
Eyitope |
This is worthy for praise. |
Girl |
|||
Fadekunmi |
Add crown to me or add crown for me. |
Girl |
|||
Farayioluwa |
I rely on God. |
Boy |
|||
Fehintola |
Yoruba term, meaning rest the back on wealth. |
Girl |
|||
Feyisayo |
Use this as joy. |
Girl |
|||
Feyisetan |
A Yoruba term meaning use this as history. |
Girl |
|||
Feyisola |
A girl who always has the blessing of her parents on her, my blessing. |
Girl |
|||
Fiayosemi |
The one who has molded her parents with joy. |
Girl |
Fibikemi |
Yoruba term meaning bless me with your birth. |
Girl |
||
Fisayo |
God has added me to my joy. |
Girl |
||
Fiyifolu |
Give honor to God. |
Boy |
||
Folade |
The honor arrives. |
Girl |
||
Folake |
One who is taken care with wealth. |
Girl |
||
Folaoluwashade |
The wealth of God is my crown. |
Girl |
||
Folarin |
Walk with glory |
Boy |
||
Folasade |
Yoruba term meaning honor confers a crown. |
Girl |
||
Folu |
A shy or timid man. |
Boy |
||
Folusho |
God cares, one who is always under God’s protection. |
Girl |
||
Fowoke |
A girl who is pampered with money. |
Girl |
Foyinsola |
Yoruba term meaning add honey to the wealth. |
Girl |
||
Funmilayo |
Gift of God or God has brought me joy. |
Girl |
||
Fyiynfoluwa |
Give praise to God. A person who never forgets to praise God for everything. |
Girl |
||
Gbadebo |
The one who brings the crown. |
Boy |
||
Gbemisola |
Yoruba term meaning carry me into wealth. |
Girl |
||
Gbohunmi |
God has heard my cry. |
Girl |
||
Gbolahun |
Show the wealth. |
Girl |
||
Gboyega |
Carry the glory high. |
Girl |
||
Ibidolapo |
A term used for a child whose birth brought the wealth together. |
Girl |
||
Ibidun |
The birth was sweet. |
Girl |
||
Ibilola |
A girl who is born in riches. |
Girl |
||
Ibironke |
The family will love this child. |
Girl |
||
Ibukun |
Blessings |
Girl |
||
Ibukunade |
The blessings have come to me. |
Girl |
||
Ibukunoluwa |
The blessings of God. |
Girl |
||
Idogbe |
The second child born after twins. |
Boy |
||
Idowu |
A daughter who is born after twins. |
Girl |
||
Ifedayo |
Love has turned to joy. |
Girl |
||
Ifede |
Love is here. |
Girl |
||
Ifedolaoluwa |
God has blessed our love. |
Girl |
||
Ifedolapo |
Wealth has been mixed with love. |
Girl |
||
Ifejesukristi |
The love of Jesus Christ. |
Girl |
||
Ifelayo |
Love is peace. |
Girl |
||
Ifelewa |
The beautiful love. |
Boy |
||
Ifeoluwadolapo |
God’s love has brought us wealth. |
Girl |
||
Ifesowapo |
Love has joined us together. |
Girl |
||
Ifetundun |
Love is sweet. |
Girl |
||
Ifeya |
Love, a lovable woman. |
Girl |
||
Ige |
Born feet first |
Unisex |
||
Ikeoluwa |
One who is under the constant care of God. |
Girl |
||
Ileara |
A healthy child. |
Girl |
||
Ilerioluwa |
The promise of God. |
Girl |
||
Iles |
Messenger of the God. |
Boy |
||
Inioluwa |
Acquiring God’s treasure. |
Boy |
||
Iranola |
A wealthy family. |
Boy |
||
Iretomiwa |
Blessing has come to me, a girl who has brought blessings to her family. |
Girl |
||
Isamotu Olalekan |
Without God I’m destitute. |
Boy |
||
Iseoluwa |
The act of God. |
Boy |
||
Isoken |
One who is contented with her destiny. |
Girl |
||
Iyanu-Oluwa |
The miracle of God. |
Boy |
||
Iyawa |
Ability or skill. A skillful woman. |
Girl |
||
Jadesola |
Come out into wealth. |
Girl |
||
Jadesolaoluwa |
One who has come out to the wealth of God. |
Girl |
||
Jaiyeola |
One who is enjoying a wealthy life. |
Girl |
||
Jaiyesimi |
One who believes in enjoying the life. |
Unisex |
||
Jesulayotimoni |
Jesus is the joy I have. |
Girl |
||
Jesutosin |
Jesus is worthy of worship. |
Boy |
||
Jibola |
A child born with wealth. |
Girl |
||
Jimoh |
One who is born on a Friday. |
Boy |
||
Jolasun |
Let the wealth come forth. |
Girl |
||
Kaseko |
To mock or ridicule someone |
Boy |
||
Kayin |
Kayin means The Child that has been Long Awaited |
Girl |
||
Kehinde |
Came second or the second born child. |
Girl |
||
Keyshia |
A girl who is favorite of everyone. |
Girl |
||
Kikelomo |
A child whom everyone loves pampering. |
Girl |
||
Kinfeosioluwa |
Yoruba term meaning that I may love you more, my Lord. |
Girl |
||
Kokumo |
This one will not die. |
Girl |
||
Kolapo |
Wealth is in abundance. |
Girl |
||
Kolawole |
Yoruba term meaning wealth has entered. |
Girl |
||
Korede |
A girl who has brought joy to the family. |
Girl |
||
Lanre |
My wealth is the future. |
Girl |
||
Latorunwa |
One who has descended from heaven. |
Girl |
||
Lolade |
God is with you. |
Girl |
||
Mabayoje |
Yoruba term meaning do not destroy joy. |
Boy |
||
Majekodunmi |
Do not let it be a thing of pain. |
Boy |
||
Mayowa |
One who brings joy to the family. |
Boy |
||
Mobo |
Freedom |
Boy |
||
Mobolaji |
A boy who is born of wealth. |
Boy |
||
Modadeola |
A man wearing a crown of wealth or affluence. |
Boy |
||
Modupeore |
Thank you God for this gift. |
Unisex |
||
Modurodoluwa |
I waited on the Lord. |
Boy |
||
Modurolorilerioluwa |
One who stands on the promise of God. |
Boy |
||
Mofetoluwa |
A man who graciously accepts God’s will. |
Boy |
||
Mofihinfoluwa |
To God be the glory. |
Boy |
||
Mofolorunso |
One who is placed in God’s care. |
Boy |
||
Mofoluwakemi |
Given for the Lord’s blessing. |
Girl |
||
Monife |
The one who has been loved |
Girl |
||
Monjolaoluwa |
Enjoying the wealth of God. |
Unisex |
||
Morenikeji |
This child resembles me. |
Unisex |
||
Naade |
A boy who is born in royalty. |
Boy |
||
Niyilolawa |
The wealth is here. |
Unisex |
||
Numilekunoluwa |
Clean my tears, Lord. |
Boy |
||
Oba |
The king |
Boy |
||
Obafemi |
The King loves me. |
Boy |
||
Obaloluwa |
God is the king. |
Boy |
||
Obasolape |
Yoruba term meaning God has made his wealth complete. |
Boy |
||
Obatotosinloluwa |
God is indeed worthy of praise. |
Boy |
||
Odunayo |
Year of happiness. |
Boy |
||
Ogooluwa |
The glory of God. |
Boy |
Olabamiji |
Wealth wakes with me. |
Boy |
||
Olabisi |
The joy is multiple. |
Boy |
||
Olabode |
Wealth has come home. |
Boy |
||
Oladayo |
Wealth has become joy. |
Boy |
||
Olajuwan |
The exaltation of the triumph. |
Unisex |
||
Olamide |
Divinity of triumph, being supernatural of success. |
Girl |
||
Olamilekan |
Lord Shiva, one of the three major divinities in the later hindu pantheon. |
Boy |
||
Olaniyi |
The son of victorious people, son of the success crowd. |
Girl |
||
Olayinka |
Wealth surrounds me |
Unisex |
||
Olorunyomi |
God has saved me |
Unisex |
||
Oluchi |
The work of god. |
Girl |
Olumoroti |
I stand with God |
Unisex |
||
Olusola |
God has blessed me |
Unisex |
||
Oluwabusola |
God adds to my wealth. |
Girl |
||
Oluwafunbi |
God gave this to me. |
Girl |
||
Oluwagbenga |
God has lifted me up. |
Unisex |
||
Oluwatoke |
God is worthy to be adored. |
Unisex |
||
Omolade |
Child of the crown. |
Girl |
||
Omorinsola |
The child who walks into wealth. |
Girl |
||
Orisa |
An angelic manifestation. |
Girl |
||
Oson |
Summer |
Boy |
||
Oyinlola |
Nigerian term, meaning wealth is sweet. |
Girl |
||
Pamilekunayo |
One who brings tears of joy. |
Boy |
||
Remilekun |
Stop my grief. |
Boy |
||
Rereloluwa |
God is good all the time. |
Boy |
||
Ronke |
A person who has someone to pamper |
Girl |
||
Ropo |
Come to save. |
Boy |
||
Sangodele |
The God of thunder has come. |
Boy |
||
Sareola |
One who is walking towards getting healthy. |
Boy |
||
Seriki |
Leader of an Islamic community. |
Boy |
||
Seye |
Honor |
Boy |
||
Shakale |
The almighty |
Boy |
||
Shola |
A blessed one |
Girl |
||
Shoyebi |
A word used for wizards who wards off the evil. |
Boy |
||
Sijuwade |
A man who is destined for greatness. |
Boy |
||
Similoluwa |
Rest in the Lord. |
Boy |
||
Sunkanmi |
A Yoruba word meaning draw close to me. |
Boy |
||
Sunmoluwa |
One who is moving closer towards God. |
Boy |
||
Tadenikawo |
Person under the protection of the crown. |
Boy |
||
Tambara |
A girl who is at ease. |
Girl |
||
Tanimola |
Nobody knows what lies tomorrow. |
Boy |
||
Tantoluwa |
One who is like God. |
Boy |
||
Tayo |
Boy full of happiness |
Boy |
||
Tejumola |
One who looks forward to better days. |
Unisex |
||
Teleayo |
The one who lays ground for joy. |
Boy |
||
Teleola |
He has laid ground for wealth. |
Boy |
||
Temidayo |
Mine has turned into joy. |
Boy |
||
Temiloluwa |
God is mine. |
Boy |
||
Temitope |
One who is worthy for praise. |
Boy |
||
Teniayo |
The foundation of joy. |
Boy |
||
Tiaraoluwa |
From the body of God, Lord’s wonder |
Girl |
||
Tifeoluwa |
It is the will of God. |
Boy |
||
Timilehin |
God is with you. |
Girl |
||
Titilayo |
One who is joyful for ever, ever happy |
Girl |
||
Tiwa |
One who owns the crown or kingship |
Unisex |
||
Tiwalade |
The crown in ours. |
Boy |
||
Tiwatope |
Our situation is worthy of thanks |
Boy |
||
Tokunbo |
One who is from across the seas |
Unisex |
||
Tolulola |
Wealth belongs to God. |
Boy |
||
Tolulope |
To God be the glory. |
Boy |
||
Toluwalase |
Authority belongs to God. |
Boy |
||
Toluwalashe |
Gods will be done |
Girl |
||
Toluwalogo |
The glory belongs to God. |
Boy |
||
Toluwalope |
God is worthy of praise. |
Boy |
||
Toluwanimi |
I belong to God. |
Boy |
||
Tomori |
Yoruba term meaning we have seen a baby again. |
Boy |
||
Tosin |
Only God is servable. |
Boy |
||
Tujuka |
Cheerful |
Girl |
||
Yejide |
One who looks like her mother. |
Girl |
||
Yele |
One who befits the family. |
Boy |
||
Zoputan |
The protector |
Girl |