Yoruba names are often a description of the circumstances surrounding the birth of a child, including the conception. The tribe has different monikers for boys, girls, twins, and even a child born after a set of twins.
The Yoruba naming tradition is among the most complicated and interesting worldwide. Immediately after a baby is born, the family will begin arranging for a naming ceremony which takes place seven days from the date of birth. During pre-colonial West Africa, the Yoruba’s relied on their traditional priests to decide a child’s destiny.
The newborn baby’s unique identity will be unveiled at the ceremony where the Ifa priest will then choose a name that will reflect its pathway. However, the advent of Islam and Christianity has changed the naming process in the Yoruba culture, now, it is the family members that gather together to name a newborn.
The Significance Of Yoruba Names
To the members of the Yoruba ethnic group, a name means more than mere identity, They see names as an embodiment of things like history, lineage, family traditions, destiny, and more.
Yoruba names come under different categories
- Oruko Amutorunwa – In the Yoruba culture, Oruko Amutorunwa is referred to as destiny names
- Oruko Abiso – The Yorubas call acquired names, Oruko Abiso
- Oruko Oriki or Panegyrics – These are praise names given to children that came with exceptional pride and joy.
- Oruko Abiku – Abiku in Yoruba term means a child who dies as an infant; he or she is reborn only for the baby to die again and it continues in that manner. Some abiku names include – Ariori, meaning we recognize you for you have come into this family before, Ekundayo meaning tears turn to joy, Durosimi, meaning, live or stay to bury me – pleading with the abiku child not to pass on before its parents.
- Oruko Inagije – These names are used as an alias
Yoruba Names For Boys
There are so many befitting names for the boy child born into the Yoruba culture – names that depict wealth, royalty, strength, courage, and so on.
1. Adebowale
- Meaning: The crown has returned to a (royal) household. It can also represent a child born into a home that has been expectant for many years.
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
- Pronunciation: Ah-Day-Bore-Wah-Lay
2. AkinWunmi
- Meaning: One who desires to be heroic or brave
- Origin: South-West Nigeria
- Pronunciation: Ah-Kin-Wun-Me
3. Ayọ̀mísojúmi
- Meaning: I witness my joy, was able to witness my joyfulness – a word of four syllabus – ayo means joy, mi means mine, se means to become, and mi means mine
- Origin: South-West Nigeria
- Morphology – ayọ̀-mi-ṣe-ojú-mi
4. Abayomrunkoje
- Meaning: God will not allow humiliation
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
5. Abegunde
- Meaning: Someone whose birth occurred during the holiday
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
6. Abeo
- Meaning: A name given to someone who brings happiness to a family
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
7. Abiade
- Meaning: A child born into royalty or the offspring of royal parents.
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
8. Abidugun
- Meaning: A child who was born before the war
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
9. Adebamgbe
- Meaning: I am the embodiment of royalty or royalty dwells in me
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
10. Adepero
- Meaning: The crown has brought in peace
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
11. Adesanya
- Meaning: The arrival of my child has compensated for my pains. My troubles have been compensated with the birth of this child.
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
12. Adeshola
- Meaning: A child that has been crowned to bring affluence
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
13. Adetayo
- Meaning: The crown has brought great joy to us
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
14. Adetola
- Meaning: The crown can be compared to wealth or measurable to affluence.
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
15. Adetope
- Meaning: The crown is praiseworthy or the crown deserves to be praised.
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
16. Adetosoye
- Meaning: The crown is eligible or entitled to the throne
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
17. Ayinde
- Meaning: We gave praises and he came
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
18. Ayotomiwa
- Meaning: Joy has come to me, I have received joy
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
19. Ayotunde
- Meaning: Joy has returned
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
20. Babasola
- Meaning: Father’s wealth has come/arrived
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
21. Banjoko
- Meaning: Don’t ever leave me
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
22. Bankole
- Meaning: Build me a home
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
23. Bayode
- Meaning: One who came with joy
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
24. Bayowa
- Meaning: He has come with joy
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
25. Durojaiye
- Meaning: Wait to relish/enjoy the pleasures of the world.
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
26. Durosinmi
- Meaning: Wait to rest
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
27. Esupofo
- Meaning: The devil has lost out
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
28. Farayioluwa
- Meaning: I rely on God
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
29. Fiyifolu
- Meaning: Give honor to God
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
30. Folu
- Meaning: A shy and timid man
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
31. Gbadebo
- Meaning: The binger of the crown, or a child who brings the crown
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
32. Idogbe
- Meaning: The second child that comes after a set of twins
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
33. Ifelewa
- Meaning: The beautiful love
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
34. Inioluwa
- Meaning: Acquiring the treasure of God
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
35. Iranola
- Meaning: A wealthy family
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
36. Iyanu-Oluwa
- Meaning: The miracle of God
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
37. Jaiyesimi
- Meaning: A person who believes so much in enjoying the life
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
38. Jesutosin
- Meaning: Jesus is worthy of adoration/worship
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
39. Jimoh
- Meaning: Someone whose birth occurred on a Friday
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
40. Kaseko
- Meaning: To ridicule someone or to mock
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
41. Mabayoje
- Meaning: Don’t destroy the joy
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
42. Shoyebi
- Meaning: Wizards that are experts in warding off the evil
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
43. Mobolaji
- Meaning: A boy born of wealth
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
44. Modadeola
- Meaning: A man that wears a crown of affluence or wealth
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
45. Modupeore
- Meaning: Thank you Lord for this gift
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
46. Modurodoluwa
- Meaning: I waited/hoped on the Lord
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
47. Modurolorilerioluwa
- Meaning: A man standing on the promises of God
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
48. Mofetoluwa
- Meaning: One who accepts the will of God graciously
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
49. Mofihinfoluwa
- Meaning: To God be the glory
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
50. Mofolorunso
- Meaning: A child placed in the care of God’s
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
Yoruba Names For Girls
The Yoruba ethnic group has beautiful names for baby girls too and we have gathered some of the best.
51. Abebi
- Meaning: We asked God for a girl child
- Origin: Old Western
- Pronunciation: Ah-Ber-Bee
52. Tiaraoluwa
- Meaning: The Lord’s wonder or from the body of God
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
53. Aanuoluwakiishi
- Meaning: The mercy of God never fades away or ends
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
54. Abisola
- Meaning: A baby girl born into an affluent family
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
55. Abosede
- Meaning: A girl whose birth occurred on the first day of a new week can be given Abosede
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
56. Adebimpe
- Meaning: I was born by the crown
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
57. Aderonke
- Meaning: Something to pamper for the crown
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
58. Adesewa
- Meaning: The crown of beauty or the crown makes beauty
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
59. Adetoke
- Meaning: The crown needs to be handled honorably
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
60. Adewemimo
- Meaning: The crown washed me clean
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
61. Adewunmi
- Meaning: I desire the crown
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
62. Adunni
- Meaning: A person that is sweet to have
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
63. Aduragbemi
- Meaning: Prayer lifted me, it can also mean Prayer favored me
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
64. Akintoye
- Meaning: Strength is enough title
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
65. Anjolaifeoluwa
- Meaning: I am relishing the love of God
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
66. Anrolaoluwayo
- Meaning: We are seeing and rejoicing in the Lord’s goodness
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
67. Anuoluwabamise
- Meaning: The mercy of the almighty has done it for me
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
68. Anuoluwadamisi
- Meaning: The mercy of God kept me
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
69. Anuoluwakiishi
- Meaning: God’s mercy never fades or the mercy of God cannot diminish
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
70. Anuoluwapo or Anuoluwaposi
- Meaning: God is merciful
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
71. Araoluwanimi
- Meaning: I am God’s wonder
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
72. Atinuke
- Meaning: A baby girl that is being taken care of right from conception
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
73. Atofarati
- Meaning: Dependable/reliable, someone you can lean on
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
74. Ayanfeoluwanimi
- Meaning: I’m God’s beloved
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
75. Ayodapomope
- Meaning: Joy and thanksgiving mixed together
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
76. Eyiwunmimitoluwasefunmi
- Meaning: I like this exact thing the Lord has done for me
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba (popular among Christians)
77. Ayokunumi
- Meaning: I’m overwhelmed with joy or joy has made me speechless
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba, (popular among Christians)
78. Ayotola
- Meaning: Joy is enough wealth
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
79. Digiola
- Meaning: The Reflection of wealth or the Mirror of wealth
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
80. Ebunifewamiri
- Meaning: God’s gift of love has found me
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba, (popular among Christians)
81. Eriadurami
- Meaning: Testimony of my prayer
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba, (popular among Christians)
82. Eriifeoluwasimi
- Meaning: Evidence/proof of the love of God to me
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba, usually born by Christians)
83. Ifeoluwakofimisile
- Meaning: The love of God has never left or departed from me
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba, (popular among Christians)
84. Mogbadunolajesu
- Meaning: I am enjoying the goodness of God or am relishing the wealth of God
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba, (popular among Christians)
85. Momoririoluwa
- Meaning: I know the importance of God or I know the worth of God
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba, (popular among Christians)
86. Morenike
- Meaning: I have found someone to pamper
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
87. Morireoluwagbanilealaaye
- Meaning: I received God’s goodness on earth
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba, (popular among Christians)
88. Moyosooretoluwasefunmi
- Meaning: I rejoice in God’s goodness or God’s gift to me
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba, (popular among Christians)
89. Moyosooretoluwaseninuayemi
- Meaning: I enjoy/appreciate the good that God did in my life
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba, (popular among Christians)
90. Ojumitirireoluwa
- Meaning: My eyes have witnessed God’s goodness
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba, (popular among Christians)
91. Oluwaseunbabarafunmi
- Meaning: God has done a miraculous/wonderous thing for me
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba, (popular among Christians)
92. Oluwatetisimi
- Meaning: The Lord has listened to my voice or God heard my voice
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba, (popular among Christians)
93. Oluwatomilola/Oluwatomini
- Meaning: God is enough for me or the lord is sufficient for me
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba, (popular among Christians)
94. Omobolanle
- Meaning: A child that came to meet wealth at home
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
95. Oreofeoluwatofunmi
- Meaning: The Grace of God is enough or sufficient for me
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba, (popular among Christians)
96. Sibesibeoluwanbepelumi
- Meaning: God is still with me despite everything
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba, (popular among Christians)
97. Yeyetunde
- Meaning: Mother has come back or returned – the name is only merited by baby girls that were born immediately after their grandmother’s death
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
98. Oluwadunbarin
- Meaning: To walk with God is such a joy
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba, (popular among Christians)
99. Oluwafiebunifesetojumisibe
- Meaning: The lord’s gift of love continues to preserve me
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba, (popular among Christians)
100. Oluwajomilojupupo
- Meaning: God has greatly surprised me
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba, (popular among Christians)
Yoruba Names that Sound English
There are Yoruba names that look a lot like English words in writing but the pronunciation is where the difference lies.
101. Ore
- Meaning: “Gift of God” and the name is short for Oreoluwa
- Gender: Girl child
102. Shade
- Meaning: honor earns a crown – the name is popularized by the female Yoruba singer Shade Adu who sang the track Sweetest Taboo.
- Gender: Female child
103. Kola
- Meaning: Brings wealth
- Gender: Male child
104. Wale
- Meaning: A person who Returns to God.
- Gender: Male Child
105: Akin
- Meaning: Strong, Warrior, or Valiant one
- Gender: Male child
106. Dupe
- Meaning: Thank You or I am grateful
- Gender: Girl child
107. Jade
- Meaning: A short form of Jadesola – a word of two syllabi, Jade means – go out and Sola means into wealth
- Gender: Girl child
108. Dare
- Meaning: Do good
- Gender: Male child
109. Ire
- Meaning: The goodness – this can be the short form of Irewole.
- Gender: Male child
110. Awe
- Meaning: A short form of Awelewa that means The beautiful one or Bathed in beauty
- Gender: Female child
Yoruba Names For Twins
The naming traditions for twin babies in the Yoruba culture are equally interesting. Yoruba names for twins are predetermined by the twins’ order of arrival.
111. Taiwo
- Meaning: This is the name given to the twin that comes first and it is translated as pre-tasted the world
- Gender: Both male and female children
112. Kehinde
- Meaning: This name is given to the second twin and it means one who lagged behind
- Gender: Male and female children
Yoruba Names That are Seen As Unisex
Some Yoruba names can be borne by both male and female children. These names are referred to as unisex.
113. Abiodun
- Meaning: born at the onset of festivities like Christmas, New Year, Sala, and so on
- Pronunciation: Ah-Bee-Or-Dune
114. Temidayo
- Meaning: My trials or sorrows have turned to joy
- Pronunciation: Tay-Me-Dah-You
115. Ayomide
- Meaning: My joy has come or my laughter has come
- Pronunciation: Are-Your-Me-Day
116. Ayomikun
- Meaning: My joy is full
- Pronunciation: Are-Your-Me-Kun
117. MofifOluwa
- Meaning: I dedicate this baby to God
- Pronunciation: Mow-Fee-Foal-Loo-Wah
118. Sinmiloluwa
- Meaning: Rest in the lord
- Pronunciation: seengmeelolooa
119. Ademurewa
- Meaning: The crown brought goodness
- Origin: Old Western Yoruba
120. Ajayi
Meaning: Born face down
Origin: A name usually used by Yoruba Muslims