325 Yoruba Baby Names With Meanings

Yoruba Baby Names With Meanings

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

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.

NameGenderMeaning
heart image Titilayo heart image baby boy sign Girl One who is joyful forever; Ever happy
heart image Tiwa heart image baby boy sign Unisex One who owns the crown or kingship
heart image Tiwalade heart image baby boy sign Boy The crown is ours
heart image Tiwatope heart image baby boy sign Boy Our situation is worthy of thanks
heart image Tokunbo heart image baby boy sign Unisex One who is from across the seas
heart image Tolani heart image baby boy sign Unisex Wealthy and successful
heart image Tolu heart image baby boy sign Unisex God is enough; God is worthy
heart image Tolulola heart image baby boy sign Boy Wealth belongs to God
heart image Tolulope heart image baby boy sign Boy To God be the glory
heart image Toluwalase heart image baby boy sign Boy Authority belongs to God
heart image Toluwalashe heart image baby boy sign Girl God's will will be done
heart image Toluwalogo heart image baby boy sign Boy The glory belongs to God
heart image Toluwalope heart image baby boy sign Boy God is worthy of praise
heart image Toluwanimi heart image baby boy sign Boy I belong to God
heart image Tomori heart image baby boy sign Boy We have seen a baby again
heart image Tosin heart image baby boy sign Boy Only God is servable
heart image Tujuka heart image baby boy sign Girl Cheerful
heart image Wale heart image baby boy sign Unisex Companion; Friend
heart image Yaba heart image baby boy sign Unisex Mother of joy
heart image Yaw heart image baby boy sign Boy Born on Thursday
heart image Yejide heart image baby boy sign Girl One who looks like her mother
heart image Yele heart image baby boy sign Boy One who befits the family
heart image Yemaya heart image baby boy sign Unisex Goddess of the ocean
heart image Yemi heart image baby boy sign Unisex Joyful and blessed
heart image Zoputan heart image baby boy sign Girl The protector

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.

lively yoruba names for boys and girls (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

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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

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Welcoming a New Life: Yoruba Naming Traditions.
    https://locallearningnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/yoruba.pdf
  2. Yoruba names and gender marking.
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262637470_Yoruba_names_and_gender_marking
  3. 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
  4. Yoruba personal naming system: Traditions patterns and practices.
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339405518_Yoruba_personal_naming_system_Traditions_patterns_and_practices
  5. 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
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