Are you searching for the perfect Yoruba name for your baby? You’ve come to the right place. In Yoruba culture, a child’s name is more than just an identifier, it’s a prayer, a prophecy, and a declaration that shapes their destiny.
This comprehensive guide features over 200 authentic Yoruba names with their meanings, carefully organized to help you find that perfect name for your little one.
Yoruba Names and Their Deep Significance
The Yoruba people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa, with an estimated 40 million people worldwide. Predominantly found in southwestern Nigeria (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti states), they also reside in Benin and Togo.
The Power of Yoruba Names
According to Yoruba custom, children are named 7 days after their birth in a ceremony called Isomoloruko (child-naming ceremony). In the past, names would be chosen after divination performed by Babalawos (traditional Ifa priests) to reveal the child’s destiny. Today, names come from parents, grandparents, or next of kin, chosen according to circumstances surrounding the child’s birth.
The Yoruba believe that:
- A name can influence a child’s behavior and destiny
- Previous bearers of a name impact the influence of that name in a child’s life
- Names carry power and must be carefully selected
- A child’s name should never reflect negativity or disrepute
Five Categories of Yoruba Names
Yoruba names are traditionally classified into five categories:
- Oruko Amutorunwa (Destiny Names) — Names believed to be brought from heaven, derived from circumstances of birth
- Oruko Abiso (Acquired Names) — Names given based on family position, vocation, or events surrounding birth
- Oruko Oriki (Panegyrics/Praise Names) — Attributive names expressing pride or evoking admirable traits
- Oruko Abiku — Special names for children who cycle between life and death
- Oruko Inagije (Alias/Epithetic Names) — Nicknames or descriptive names
Yoruba Names Starting with “Oluwa” (Lord)
“Oluwa” means “Lord” and when used in Yoruba names, it typically refers to God (especially common after Christianity). However, historically “Oluwa” could refer to any lord, king, or person of authority.
| Name | Meaning | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Oluwabusayomi | God has added to my joy | Unisex |
| Oluwadamilare | God has justified me | Male |
| Oluwadamilola | God has blessed me with wealth | Unisex |
| Oluwafemi | God loves me | Male |
| Oluwafifehansimi | God has given me this to care for | Male |
| Oluwakanyinsola | God has put honey in wealth | Female |
| Oluwakorede | God has brought wealth | Male |
| Oluwalonimi | God has honored me | Unisex |
| Oluwalogbon | God gives wisdom | Unisex |
| Oluwaponmile | God planted me | Unisex |
| Oluwarotimi | God has vindicated me | Unisex |
| Oluwasanmi | God has rewarded me | Male |
| Oluwasegun | God has won the battle | Male |
| Oluwaseun | God has done this | Male |
| Oluwaseyi | God has done this | Unisex |
| Oluwatobi | God is great | Unisex |
| Oluwatomiwa | God brought me | Unisex |
| Oluwatoni | God’s own | Unisex |
| Oluwatoyosi | God is enough to glorify | Female |
| Oluwatoyin | God is worthy to be praised | Female |
Yoruba Names Starting with “Olorun” (God)
“Olorun” specifically means “God Almighty” or “Owner of Heaven.” It is more reverential than “Oluwa” and refers exclusively to the Supreme Being.
| Name | Meaning | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Olorunfemi | God loves me | Male |
| Oloruntobi | God is great | Male |
| Olorunshola | God has blessed me | Unisex |
| Olorunwale | God has come home | Male |
Note: While “Oluwa” can refer to any lord, “Olorun” always refers to God Almighty. This is why “Olorun” names are considered more sacred.
Yoruba Names Starting with “Ade” (Crown/Royalty)
“Ade” means “crown” and names beginning with “Ade” reference royalty, nobility, or kingship:
| Name | Meaning | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Adebayo | The crown meets joy | Male |
| Adebisi | The crown has given birth to more | Unisex |
| Adebola | The crown meets wealth | Unisex |
| Adebowale | The crown has returned home | Male |
| Adedayo | The crown becomes joy | Unisex |
| Adegoke | The crown has ascended the mountain | Male |
| Adekunle | The crown has filled the home | Male |
| Adelola | The crown has wealth | Female |
| Ademola | The crown is with wealth | Male |
| Adenike | The crown is to be cared for | Female |
| Adeniyi | The crown has honor | Male |
| Adeola | The crown of wealth | Unisex |
| Aderonke | The crown has found something to cherish | Female |
| Adesewa | The crown of beauty | Female |
| Adetokunbo | The crown returns from over the sea | Unisex |
| Adewale | The crown has come home | Male |
| Adewunmi | The crown loves me | Female |
| Adeyemi | The crown suits me | Male |
Yoruba Names Starting with “Ola” (Wealth)
“Ola” means “wealth” or “honor.” Names beginning with “Ola” express hopes for prosperity:
| Name | Meaning | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Oladapo | Wealth is gathered together | Male |
| Oladele | Wealth has followed me home | Male |
| Oladimeji | Wealth has doubled | Male |
| Olaitan | Unending wealth | Female |
| Olajide | Wealth has awakened | Male |
| Olajumoke | Wealth has pampered me | Female |
| Olakitan | Wealth is full | Unisex |
| Olakunle | Wealth fills the house | Male |
| Olalere | Wealth has begun | Male |
| Olamide | My wealth has arrived | Unisex |
| Olanike | Wealth has pampered me | Female |
| Olaniran | Wealth saw me | Male |
| Olanrewaju | Wealth is walking towards me | Male |
| Olasunkanmi | Wealth has come closer to me | Male |
| Olatubosun | Wealth is reborn | Male |
| Olatunde | Wealth has come again | Male |
| Oluwafunmilola | God has given me wealth | Female |
| Olayinka | Wealth surrounds me | Unisex |
Popular Yoruba Names for Boys
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Abayomi | They would have mocked me (commemorating avoided misfortune) |
| Abidemi | Born in my absence |
| Abiodun | Born during festival/celebration |
| Abiola | Born in honor/Born in wealth |
| Adedotun | The crown has been renewed |
| Adisa | One who is clear/One who makes clear |
| Afolabi | Born with wealth/honor |
| Ajayi | Born face down |
| Akeem | Wise/Intelligent (from Arabic) |
| Akindele | Bravery has followed me home |
| Akinwale | Bravery has come home |
| Akintunde | Bravery has returned |
| Ayo | Joy |
| Ayodele | Joy has come home |
| Ayodeji | Joy has doubled |
| Ayomide | My joy has arrived |
| Babajide | Father has awakened/come back |
| Babatunde | Father has returned |
| Bamidele | Follow me home |
| Biodun | Born during festivity |
| Bolaji | Wealth awakens |
| Damilare | Justify me |
| Damilola | Bless me with wealth |
| Dare | Challenge/Brave |
| Dayo | Joy has arrived |
| Diran | Become good |
| Doyin | Sweet |
| Dunsin | Sweet to have |
| Femi | Love me |
| Folorunsho | Given to God to keep |
| Gbadebo | Return with honor |
| Gboyega | Bring honor |
| Gbolahan | Bring honor to me |
| Kayode | He brought joy |
| Korede | Brought wealth/honor |
| Kunle | Fill the house |
| Lanre | Walking towards wealth/honor |
| Mobolaji | I woke up with honor |
| Niyi | Honor/Dignity |
| Oke | Heap/Mountain |
| Olumide | God/Lord has arrived |
| Omotayo | Child is worth rejoicing for |
| Rotimi | Stay with me |
| Segun | Victory/Conqueror |
| Tayo | Joy is enough |
| Teslim | Submission (from Arabic) |
| Timi | Mine |
| Tobiloba | God is great |
| Tunde | Return/Come again |
| Tunji | Wake again/Revived |
| Wale | Come home |
Popular Yoruba Names for Girls
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Aanuoluwakiishi | God’s mercy doesn’t fade away |
| Abebi | She came after asking |
| Abeni | We prayed and we received |
| Abidemi | Born in my absence |
| Abimbola | Born to meet wealth |
| Abosede | Born on Sunday |
| Adebimpe | The crown is complete |
| Adedoyin | The crown has turned to honey/sweetness |
| Adenike | The crown is to be cared for |
| Adunni | Sweet to have |
| Aisha | Life (from Arabic) |
| Ajoke | Pampered by all |
| Akinyi | Born during mourning |
| Amoke | To know her is to pet her |
| Anike | To be cared for |
| Ashake | To be picked and petted |
| Asabi | Born of noble/select birth |
| Asake | Born to be cared for |
| Ayobami | Joy has met me |
| Ayomide | My joy has arrived |
| Ayotunde | Joy has returned |
| Bamidele | Follow me home |
| Banke | Help me care for |
| Bimpe | Complete/Beautiful |
| Bisola | Born into wealth |
| Bolaji | Wake with honor |
| Bolanle | Wealth found at home |
| Bukola | Adds to wealth |
| Busayo | Add to joy |
| Damaris | Gentle |
| Damilola | Bless me with wealth |
| Dasola | Created into wealth |
| Dayo | Joy has arrived |
| Derin | Sweet/Pleasant |
| Doyin | Sweet like honey |
| Dunsin | Sweet to have |
| Dupe | Thank you |
| Durojaiye | Wait and enjoy life |
| Enitan | Person of story/history |
| Ewatomi | Beauty is enough for me |
| Fadesewa | The crown beautifies |
| Fehintola | Rest in wealth |
| Femi | Love me |
| Feyikemi | Use this to care for me |
| Feyisara | Use this as a relative |
| Feyisayo | Use this for joy |
| Folakunmi | Wealth has cared for me |
| Folashade | Honor walks with a crown |
| Folasade | Honor comes with a crown |
| Funke | Given to care for |
| Funmi | Give me |
| Funmilayo | Give me joy |
| Gbemisola | Carry me into wealth |
| Gbolabo | Wealth meets honor |
| Idowu | Born after twins |
| Ifedayo | Love has become joy |
| Ifeoluwa | God’s love |
| Ifeoma | Good thing |
| Iyanuoluwa | God’s wonder |
| Iyanu | Wonder/Miracle |
| Iyanuoluwa | God’s wonder |
| Iyabo | Mother has returned |
| Jumoke | Everyone loves the child |
| Kanyinsola | Drop honey into wealth |
| Kemi | Care for me/Pamper me |
| Kikelomo | Child meant to be pampered |
| Kofoworola | No one disputes wealth |
| Lara | Descended from a wealthy family |
| Mobolaji | I woke up with riches |
| Modupe | I am grateful |
| Mojisola | Woke up into wealth |
| Monifoluwa | I have God |
| Morenike | I have found one to pamper |
| Morinsola | I walk into wealth |
| Motunrayo | I have found joy |
| Moyosore | I rejoice in my friend |
| Nike | To be cared for/pampered |
| Nimota | Blessing (from Arabic) |
| Niniola | Having wealth |
| Nkechi | What God has given |
| Nneka | Mother is supreme |
| Oge | Time |
| Olamide | My wealth has arrived |
| Olasubomi | Wealth has brought me honor |
| Olufunke | God has given me to pamper |
| Olufunmilayo | God has given me joy |
| Omolola | Child is wealth |
| Omotola | Child is worth gold |
| Opeyemi | I should be praised |
| Ramatoulaye | Accepted in God’s eyes |
| Ranti | Remember |
| Sekinat | Tranquil/Peaceful (from Arabic) |
| Shade | Crown |
| Shalewa | Wealth has honored |
| Simisola | Rest in wealth |
| Sola | Honor/Wealth |
| Temidayo | Mine is joy |
| Temitayo | Mine is joy enough |
| Temitope | Mine is worthy of thanks |
| Teniola | Mine is wealth |
| Tinu | Ours |
| Titilayo | Endless/Eternal joy |
| Titilola | Eternal wealth |
| Titi | Forever/Eternal |
| Tolani | Wealth is ours |
| Toluwalase | God is worthy to be served |
| Toyin | Worthy of praise |
| Yejide | Image of mother |
| Yemisi | Honor me with this |
| Yetunde | Mother has returned |
Yoruba Twin Names
Twins hold a special place in Yoruba culture. They are called “Ibeji” and are believed to bring good fortune:
| Birth Order | Name | Meaning | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Twin | Taiwo (or Taye) | To taste the world | Unisex |
| Second Twin | Kehinde | The one who follows/arrives after | Unisex |
| Child After Twins | Idowu | Born after twins | Unisex |
Cultural Note: Interestingly, Taiwo (the first-born) is considered the younger twin, as they came out first to “taste the world” for their sibling, Kehinde.
Yoruba Destiny Names (Oruko Amutorunwa)
These names are given based on the circumstances of birth:
| Name | Meaning | Gender | Birth Circumstance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aina | Difficult birth/Born with umbilical cord around neck | Female | Umbilical cord issue |
| Ojo | Boy born with umbilical cord around neck | Male | Umbilical cord issue |
| Ige | Born feet-first (breech birth) | Unisex | Breech position |
| Ajayi | Born face down | Male | Face-down birth |
| Abimbola | Born to meet wealth | Female | Born into prosperity |
| Abidemi | Born in father’s absence | Unisex | Father was away |
| Abiodun | Born during festival | Unisex | Festival time |
| Yejide | Image of mother | Female | Resembles grandmother |
| Babatunde | Father has returned | Male | Born after grandfather’s death |
| Yetunde | Mother has returned | Female | Born after grandmother’s death |
| Iyabo | Mother has returned | Female | Born after grandmother’s death |
| Babajide | Father has awakened | Male | Reincarnation of grandfather |
Yoruba Names Based on Days of Birth
| Day of Week | Name | Gender |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Abosede, Taiwo (if twin) | Female |
| Monday | Abosede, Ojo (if problematic birth) | Varies |
| Wednesday | — | — |
| Friday | — | — |
Note: The Yoruba traditional week actually operates on a four-day market cycle, different from the Western seven-day week.
Unisex Yoruba Names
Many Yoruba names are completely unisex:
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bolu | Wealth/Honor |
| Bola | Wealth/Honor |
| Dare | Challenge/Brave |
| Dayo | Joy has arrived |
| Yinka | Surrounded |
| Tola | Enough wealth |
| Sola | Wealth/Honor |
| Tade | Crown has arrived |
| Tayo | Joy is enough |
| Timi | Mine |
| Tolu | God is enough |
| Femi | Love me |
| Wale | Come home |
Yoruba Praise Names (Oriki)
Oriki are praise or endearment names expressing hopes, qualities, or characteristics. For girls, Oriki often highlights beauty, grace, or cherished traits:
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Arike | One that is cared for on sight |
| Ajike | One who wakes up to petting and pampering |
| Omo Dara bi Egbin | Beautiful like a gazelle |
How to Choose the Right Yoruba Name
When selecting a Yoruba name for your child, consider:
- Understand the full meaning: Make sure you know what the name represents and the prayer it speaks over your child’s life.
- Consider pronunciation: Some Yoruba names can be long. Think about ease of pronunciation, especially outside Nigeria.
- Think about nicknames: Most Yoruba names can be shortened:
- Oluwafemi → Femi
- Folasade → Sade
- Olajide → Jide
- Toluwani → Tolu
- Family circumstances: Consider events surrounding the child’s birth, answered prayers, or family vocation.
- Religious considerations: Christian Yoruba parents often use “Oluwa” prefixes, while Muslim Yoruba parents use Arabic names with Yoruba phonetics.
- Avoid negative associations: The Yoruba believe previous bearers of a name influence its power. Don’t name your child after someone with a bad reputation.
“Oluwa” vs “Olorun”
Many people wonder about the difference between these two references to God:
Oluwa = “Lord” or “Owner”
- Can refer to any lord, master, king, or authority
- When used in modern Yoruba Christian names, refers to God/Jesus
- Example: A husband can be “Oluwa” to his wife; a judge can be “Oluwa” to supplicants
Olorun = “Owner of Heaven” or “God Almighty”
- Always refers specifically to the Supreme Being
- More sacred and reverential than “Oluwa”
- Exclusive to God, cannot refer to humans
Olodumare = “The Almighty” or “The Supreme Being”
- The most sacred name for God
- Emphasizes God’s omnipotence and supremacy
- Used in traditional Yoruba religion and by Christians alike
Famous People with Yoruba Names
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie — Award-winning novelist (though Igbo, she has Yoruba connections)
- Femi Kuti — Afrobeat legend
- Ayo Makun (AY) — Comedian
- Tiwa Savage (Tiwatope Savage) — Singer
- Adekunle Gold — Singer
- Bisola Aiyeola — Actress/Singer
- Funke Akindele — Actress
The End
Naming your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. In Yoruba culture, a name is a prayer that speaks destiny, honor, and purpose over your child’s life every time it’s called.
Whether you choose a name that honors God (Oluwa/Olorun), celebrates wealth (Ola), expresses royalty (Ade), or simply brings joy (Ayo), every Yoruba name carries the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of millions of Yoruba people worldwide.
May the name you choose be a blessing and a source of pride for your child!
Did we miss any Yoruba name? Drop your favorite Yoruba names and their meanings in the comments section below!
Share this article with other parents looking for beautiful Yoruba names for their babies.
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