Yoruba names with meanings A-Z

Workplace suitability used to be a determining factor for parents when choosing Yoruba names for their children. Parents often agonised about the possibility of children losing job opportunities because a boss couldn’t pronounce their names.

While for the current generation it is comforting to know that many successful artists have made waves, even with their native Yoruba names. A couple of examples are Fela Anikulapo-Kuti (Fela is short for Olufela, which means God enlarges wealth) and Jide Kosoko (Jide means to be awoken).

Whether you're expecting a new arrival, or someone in your family is due to welcome a child, choosing a name can be a daunting task.rom the surrounding Yoruba traditions to a helpful list of Yoruba boys, girls and unisex names, you’ll find everything you need to know about Yoruba names right here.

Facts about naming children in Yorubaland

The Yorubas have one of the most interesting and the most complicated naming traditions in the world. A private child naming ceremony is often organized seven days after the birth of the child.

There, the child’s unique identity is unveiled. In pre-colonial West Africa, parents from the Yoruba ethnic group relied on traditional priests to decide the child’s destiny and to choose a name that reflects their pathway. Then a public ceremony was held, to celebrate the arrival of the child with friends and family.

However, things have changed in the twenty-first century, especially with the advent of Christianity and Islam. Parents, grandparents and, in rare cases, family friends suggest beautiful Yoruba names for the baby. Often these names describe the circumstance surrounding the baby’s conception and birth.

Some of the most delightful names available in this majority South Western and North-central Nigerian ethnic group are referred to as praise names (popularly called Oriki names). Such names are often bestowed upon children who have brought exceptional joy and pride to the family. Examples of Oriki names include Ayinla, Ajoke, Alao, Akano, Asabi, Ajani, Akanmu, Amope, Anike, Abike, Abake, Alao, Adio, Akanni, Amoke, Arike, Akano, Agbeke, Ajin-un, Alake, Awero, Abebi, Abeun, Aremu, Alani, Ayinke and Ìshọ̀lá.

Also notable is that Yorubas have interesting naming traditions for twins. In such cases, names are predetermined by the order of the baby’s arrival. Taiwo (a name that loosely translates to ‘pre-tasted the world’) is the name given to the first twin. The second twin is named Kehinde, a name meaning ‘the one who lagged behind’.

There are lots of Yoruba names to choose from. To simplify your name search, we have compiled a comprehensive litany of trendy, religious, quaint or modern baby names. Enjoy choosing a creative name for your baby.

There are lots of Yoruba names to choose from

Yoruba boys names and meanings A-Z

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