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.
We, at MomJunction, have gone out of our way to get you some of the best Yoruba baby names with meanings. Take a look!
NAMES | MEANING | GENDER | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abiona | One who is born during a journey | Girl | |||
Adesina | She opens the way | Girl | |||
Aina | Beautiful Eyed Woman | Girl | |||
Ajayi | Born face-down | Unisex | |||
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 | |||
Bandele | Born Away From Home | Girl | |||
Ige | Born feet first | Unisex | |||
Kayin | Kayin means The Child that has been Long Awaited | Girl | |||
Kehinde | Came second or the second born child. | Girl | |||
Olayinka | Wealth surrounds me | Unisex | |||
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 | |||
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 | |||
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 | |||
Akin | Yoruban - Brave, Heroic ; Hebrew - Man | 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 | |||