Yoruba baby names are rooted in West Africa’s rich cultural heritage. To the Yoruba, 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 held seven days after 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 the mother, father, grandparents, or relatives. A private ceremony is held for the parents and close family members where the child is bestowed the name. A public ceremony, with entertainment and feasting, is held by parents to celebrate the baby's arrival 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. Many Yoruba believe a name can influence a child's behavior and destiny (1). Hence, choosing the right name for the child is considered a crucial responsibility of the parents. Parents seek guidance from elders and family members to fulfill this duty and select names that convey specific meanings or attributes. Yoruba girls are named after the circumstances in which their birth took place or as a reflection of the wealth they bring to their families. Modern or Christian parents use Christian forms of traditional names, while Muslim Yoruba parents give their children Arabic names with Yoruba phonetics. Other factors influencing parents' name choices include cultural values, numerology, aesthetic appeal, and pleasant sound. Moreover, Yoruba names are generally gender-specific, meaning specific names are reserved for boys and girls. Hence, knowing a name's meaning and cultural significance is crucial in Yoruba culture. Understanding this, we have curated a comprehensive list of the best Yoruba baby names with meanings.
Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
Eriifeoluwa | Girl | The evidence of God’s love | |
Eromidola | Girl | My thought has become wealth | |
Esupofo | Boy | The devil has lost | |
Eyitope | Girl | This is worthy of praise | |
Fadekunmi | Girl | Add crown to me or add crown for me | |
Faizon | Boy | Exuberant and joyful | |
Farayioluwa | Boy | I rely on God | |
Fefe | Unisex | Worship; Faith | |
Fehintola | Girl | Rest the back on wealth | |
Feyisayo | Girl | Use this as joy | |
Feyisetan | Girl | A Yoruba term meaning use this as history | |
Feyisola | Girl | A girl who always has the blessing of her parents on her; My blessing | |
Fiayosemi | Girl | The one who has molded her parents with joy | |
Fibikemi | Girl | Yoruba term meaning bless me with your birth | |
Fisayo | Girl | God has added to my joy | |
Fiyifolu | Boy | Give honor to God | |
Folade | Girl | Honor arrives | |
Folake | Girl | One who is looked after with riches | |
Folaoluwashade | Girl | The wealth of God is my crown | |
Folarin | Boy | Walk with glory | |
Folasade | Girl | Honor confers a crown | |
Folu | Boy | A shy or timid man | |
Folusho | Girl | God cares; One who is always under God's protection | |
Fowoke | Girl | A girl who is pampered with money | |
Foyinsola | Girl | Add honey to the wealth | |
Funmilayo | Girl | Gift of God; God has brought me joy | |
Fyiynfoluwa | Girl | One who praises God; One who never forgets to praise God | |
Gbadebo | Boy | The one who brings the crown | |
Gbemisola | Girl | Carry me into wealth | |
Gbohunmi | Girl | God has heard my cry | |
Gbolahun | Girl | Show the wealth | |
Gboyega | Girl | Carry the glory high | |
Ibidolapo | Girl | A child whose birth brought wealth together | |
Ibidun | Girl | A sweet birth | |
Ibilola | Girl | A girl who is born in riches | |
Ibironke | Girl | The family will love this child | |
Ibukun | Girl | Blessings | |
Ibukunade | Girl | The blessings have come to me | |
Ibukunoluwa | Girl | The blessings of God | |
Idogbe | Boy | The second child born after twins | |
Idowu | Girl | A daughter who is born after twins | |
Ifedayo | Girl | Love has turned to joy | |
Ifede | Girl | Love is here | |
Ifedolaoluwa | Girl | God has blessed our love | |
Ifedolapo | Girl | Wealth has been mixed with love | |
Ifejesukristi | Girl | The love of Jesus Christ | |
Ifelayo | Girl | Love is peace | |
Ifelewa | Boy | A beautiful love | |
Ifeoluwadolapo | Girl | God’s love has brought us wealth | |
Ifesowapo | Girl | Love has joined us together | |
Ifetundun | Girl | Love is sweet | |
Ifeya | Girl | Love; A lovable woman | |
Ige | Unisex | Born feet first | |
Ikeoluwa | Girl | One who is under the constant care of God | |
Ilara | Girl | Happy; Cheerful | |
Ileara | Girl | A healthy child | |
Ilerioluwa | Girl | The promise of God | |
Iles | Boy | Messenger of God | |
Ilesha | Unisex | Omnipresent | |
Ilora | Unisex | Someone who loves to buy and wear gold | |
Imade | Unisex | God has given | |
Inioluwa | Boy | Acquiring God’s treasure | |
Iranola | Boy | A wealthy family | |
Iretomiwa | Girl | Blessing has come to me; A girl who has brought blessings to her family | |
Isamotu Olalekan | Boy | Without God I'm destitute | |
Iseoluwa | Boy | The act of God | |
Isoken | Girl | One who is contented with her destiny | |
Iya | Unisex | Violet | |
Iyaad | Unisex | Strong, supportive, leader | |
Iyanla | Unisex | God's gift; Blessing | |
Iyanu-Oluwa | Boy | The miracle of God | |
Iyawa | Girl | Ability or skill; A skillful woman | |
Jacquees | Boy | Supplanter | |
Jadesola | Girl | Come out into wealth | |
Jadesolaoluwa | Girl | One who has come out to the wealth of God | |
Jaiye | Unisex | To enjoy life; To live life | |
Jaiyeola | Girl | One who is enjoying a wealthy life | |
Jaiyesimi | Unisex | One who believes in enjoying the life | |
Jesulayotimoni | Girl | Jesus is my joy | |
Jesutosin | Boy | Jesus is worthy of worship | |
Jibola | Girl | Child born with wealth | |
Jimoh | Boy | A person born on Friday | |
Jolasun | Girl | Let the wealth come forth | |
Kaseko | Boy | To mock or ridicule someone | |
Kayin | Girl | The child that has been long awaited | |
Kehinde | Girl | Came second; The second-born child | |
Kemi | Unisex | Pamper me; Take good care of me | |
Keyshia | Girl | A girl who is favorite of everyone | |
Kikelomo | Girl | A child whom everyone loves pampering | |
Kinfeosioluwa | Girl | Yoruba term meaning that I may love you more, my Lord | |
Kokumo | Girl | This one will not die | |
Kolapo | Girl | Wealth is in abundance | |
Kolawole | Girl | Yoruba term meaning wealth has entered | |
Korede | Girl | A girl who has brought joy to the family. | |
Lanre | Girl | My wealth is the future. | |
Latorunwa | Girl | One who has descended from heaven | |
Lawal | Unisex | The first; First born | |
Lolade | Girl | God is with you | |
Mabayoje | Boy | Do not destroy joy | |
Majekodunmi | Boy | Do not let it be a thing of pain | |
Yoruba baby names carry profound meanings and cultural associations. They offer a captivating insight into the vibrant heritage of the Yoruba tribe and its people. If Yoruba culture's values and ethics resonate with you, the above list of Yoruba names with meanings has several options you may consider to name your baby. These names serve as an enduring connection to the past and hold relevance in the present. So pick a name as per preference and embrace the spirit of ancestral legacy.
Infographic: Culturally Significant Yoruba Baby Names
The Yoruba culture of Nigeria consists of philosophy, religion, and fascinating folktales. It's one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa, with names of immense cultural significance. Exploring Yoruba names will give you a glimpse of rich traditions and beliefs. In this infographic, we've listed the most popular names from this culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which Yoruba names mean peace?
A popular Yoruba name that means peace is Alafia. It is a gender-neutral name. Ìdẹ̀raolúwa is another name that means ‘peace of god.’ Ifelayo is another Yoruba name that implies ‘love is peace.’
2. Are Yoruba names unisex?
Most of the names in Yoruba culture are unisex. Names like Bolu, Bola, Dare, Yinka, Tola, Sola, and Tade are unisex and are fully acceptable by the cultural law of this place. The Yoruba language classifies pronouns according to a person and number and not based on gender (2). However, you will also find many gender-specific names.
3. What are twins known as in Yoruba?
The first-born twin in Southwest Nigeria, irrespective of gender, is always called Taiwo. It means 'having the first taste of the world.' The second twin is called Kehinde. It implies 'arriving after the other.' Between both, the firstborn, or Taiwo, is regarded as the younger twin sibling (3 ).
4. Which Yoruba names mean favor?
In the Yoruba culture, Olúwasanmí means 'God favors me' or 'God rewards me.' It is made of olúwa, which means God; san, which means benefit or favor; and mí, which means me.
5. Which Yoruba names mean moon?
Kamari is an African name that means 'moon.’ It has many variations like Kamaria, Kam, and Mari. Mawu, in the Yoruba language, is also associated with the moon. It's the name of a creator goddess linked to the Sun and Moon.
6. What role do religious or cultural traditions play in selecting Yoruba baby names?
Religious and cultural traditions play a significant role in selecting Yoruba baby names. These names tell the story of the socio-economic backgrounds of families and showcase their religions and customs. Children are often named after significant cultural events surrounding their birth so they can recall the memories later. The names are important means of communication and sources of gender differentiation (4). There is also a tradition in the Yoruba culture about naming according to the background of a family, religion, or antecedents. Some examples include Ògúndìran, which means 'Ogun has become a living tradition in the family,’ and Ayanlowo, which means 'Ayan drumming tradition is honorable.'
7. What are the historical and cultural origins of Yoruba baby names?
According to the Yorubas, a given name has a profound effect. They have always believed that the name that a child bears can influence their entire life cycle from their behavior, profession, and success. From the beginning, Yoribas have regarded a name as representing the socio-economic and cultural characteristics, family background, occupation, place of origin, and political and economic class. Some examples of these names include Abiodun, which means 'born during a festival,' and Abosede, which means a child born on the first day of the week (5).
References
- Welcoming a New Life: Yoruba Naming Traditions.
https://locallearningnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/yoruba.pdf - Yoruba names and gender marking.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262637470_Yoruba_names_and_gender_marking - Yoruba customs and beliefs pertaining to twins.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/98B7AE1DB8FB7E1BF4AD8BFDDD68C4C7/S136905230000252Xa.pdf/yoruba_customs_and_beliefs_pertaining_to_twins.pdf - Yoruba personal naming system: Traditions patterns and practices.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339405518_Yoruba_personal_naming_system_Traditions_patterns_and_practices - Yoruba names as a reflection of people’s cultural heritage.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341878995_Yoruba_Names_as_a_Reflection_of_People%27s_Cultural_Heritage