Yoruba names and what they mean

Àbẹ̀nífrom a-bẹ̀-ní

We begged to have her: a praise name (oríkì).

Àbíkẹ́from à-bí-kẹ́

Born to be pampered: a praise name (oríkì).

Abímbọ́láfrom a-bí-mi-bí-ọlá

Born into wealth and honour.

Abísọ́láfrom a-bí-sí-ọ́lá

Born into honour.

Adéjọkẹ́from adé-jọ-kẹ́

The crown gathers to cherish this child; one who has come to be pampered.

Adérónkẹ́from adé-rí-oun-kẹ́

The crown has found someone to cherish.

Adéṣẹwàfrom adé-ṣe-ẹwà

The crown creates beauty.

Àdùkẹ́from a-dù-kẹ́

One people compete to cherish: a praise name (oríkì).

Àdùnnífrom à-dùn-ní

Sweet to have: a praise name (oríkì).

Àìnáfrom àìná

A child born with the umbilical cord around the neck: an àmútọ̀runwá name, usually for a girl.

Àjọkẹ́from à-jọ-kẹ́

Cherished by all together: a praise name (oríkì).

Àkànkẹ́from à-kàn-kẹ́

Specially chosen to be cherished: a praise name (oríkì).

Àríkẹ́from À-rí-kẹ́

Seen and at once cherished: a praise name (oríkì).

Aṣàbífrom à-ṣà-bí

One chosen to be born: a praise name (oríkì).

Bọláńléfrom bá-ọlá-ní-ilé

Finds wealth at home.

Bùkọ́láfrom bù-kún-ọlá

Adds to wealth and success.

Bùnmifrom bùn-mi

Given to me (as a gift).

Bùsọ́láfrom bù-sí-ọlá

Adds to wealth.

Fadékẹ́mifrom fi-adé-kẹ́-mi

Cherish me with the crown: a name used in royal families.

Fọlákẹ́from fi-ọlá-kẹ́

Cherished with wealth.

Fọláṣadéfrom fi-ọlá-ṣe-adé

Make wealth into a crown: royalty through honour.

Folúkẹ́from fi-olú-kẹ́

Placed in God's care.

Fúnkẹ́from fún-mi-kẹ́

Given to me to cherish.

Fúnmiláyọ̀from fún-mi-ní-ayọ̀

Give me joy.

Ìbírónkẹ́from ìbí-rí-oun-kẹ́

The family has found someone to cherish.

Ìyábọ̀from ìyá-bọ̀

Mother has returned: given to a girl born after a grandmother's death.

Jọláadéfrom jẹ-ọlá-adé

Enjoys the wealth of the crown.

Jùmọ̀kẹ́from jùmọ̀-kẹ́

Cherished by everyone together.

Kíkẹ́lọmọfrom kíkẹ́-ni-ọmọ

A child is for cherishing.

Modúpẹ́from mo-dúpẹ́

I am grateful.

Mojísọ́láfrom mo-jí-sí-ọlá

I woke into wealth.

Monísọ́láfrom mo-ní-sí-ọlá

I have more added to my honour.

Moráyọ̀from mo-rí-ayọ̀

I have found joy.

Morẹ́nikéjìfrom mo-rí-ẹni-kejì

I have found a companion.

Mọ́rìnsọ́láfrom (ọ)mọ́-rìn-sí-ọlá

The child walks into wealth.

Motúnráyọ̀from mo-tún-rí-ayọ̀

I see joy again: often given after a loss or long wait.

Moyọ̀sọ́rẹfrom mo-yọ̀-sí-ọrẹ

I rejoice over the gift.

Ọlábísífrom ọlá-bí-sí

Wealth has multiplied.

Olúbùkọ̀láfrom olú-bùkún-ọlá

God has added to our wealth.

Olúwakẹ́mifrom olúwa-kẹ́-mi

God cherishes me.

Ọmọ́bọ́láfrom ọmọ-bá-ọlá

The child was born into wealth.

Ọmọ́bọ́láńléfrom ọmọ-bá-ọlá-ní-ilé

The child finds wealth at home.

Ọmọlaráfrom ọmọ-ni-ará

A child is one's kin, one's true family.

Ọmọlọláfrom ọmọ-ni-ọlá

A child is honour.

Ọmọ́tọ́láfrom ọmọ-tó-ọlá

A child is as precious as wealth.

Ọmọ́wùmífrom ọmọ-wù-mí

I long for a child; the child pleases me.

Oyèbọ́láfrom oyè-bá-ọlá

The title meets wealth.

Oyíndàmọ́láfrom oyin-dà-mọ́-ọlá

Sweetness is added to wealth.

Oyínkánsọ́láfrom oyin-kán-sí-ọlá

Honey drips into wealth: sweetness added to good fortune.

Tèmilọláfrom tèmi-ni-ọlá

Wealth is mine.

Títí

Forever: short for Títílayọ̀, Títílọlá and others.

Títílayọ̀from títí-ni-ayọ̀

Joy lasts forever.

Tọ́lánífrom tó-ọlá-ní

Worthy of wealth and honour.

Wúràọláfrom wúrà-ọlá

The gold of wealth: a precious jewel.

Yẹ́misífrom yẹ́-mi-sí

Honours me.

Yétúndéfrom (i)ye-tún-dé

Mother has returned: given to a girl born after a grandmother's death.

Yéwándéfrom iyé-wá-n-dé

Mother has come looking for me: given to a girl born after a grandmother's death.

Adébọ̀wáléfrom adé-bọ̀-wá-ilé

The crown has come back home.

Adégòkèfrom adé-gun-òkè

The crown has risen up.

Adékúnléfrom adé-kún-ilé

The crown fills the house.

Adélékèfrom adé-lékè

The crown has prevailed.

Adémọ́láfrom a-dé-mọ́-ọlá

The crown comes with wealth.

Adésọjífrom adé-sojí

The crown has awoken.

Adéwáléfrom adé-wá-ilé

The crown has come home.

Àjànífrom à-jà-ní

One we fought to have: a praise name (oríkì).

Àkàndéfrom à-kàn-dé

One who came on purpose: a praise name (oríkì).

Akíndéléfrom akin-dé-ilé

Bravery has arrived home.

Akínkúnmifrom akin-kún-mi

Bravery has been added to me.

Akinọláfrom akin-ọlá

Bravery of wealth: a valiant, honoured one.

Akíntúndéfrom akin-tún-dé

The valiant one has come again.

Akínwálé

The brave one has come home.

Akínwùmífrom akin-wù-mí

Bravery pleases me.

Akínyẹmífrom akin-yẹ-mí

Bravery suits me.

Ayọ̀dejìfrom ayọ̀-di-èjì

Joy has doubled: given when the birth coincides with another happy event.

Ayọ̀kúnléfrom ayọ̀-kún-ilé

Joy fills the house.

Ayọ̀túndéfrom ayọ̀-tún-dé

Joy has come again.

Babájídéfrom bàbá-jí-dé

Father has woken and come: given to a boy born after a father's or grandfather's death.

Babátúndéfrom baba-tún-dé

Father has returned: given to a boy born after a grandfather's death.

Babáwáléfrom baba-wá-ilé

Father has come home.

Dèjìfrom di-èjì

Becomes two: short form of names such as Adédèjì.

Dúrósinmífrom dúró-sin-mí

Stay and bury me: a name pleading with a child to live (an àbíkú name).

Fọlárìnfrom fi-ọlá-rìn

Walks with wealth.

Gbéngafrom gbé-n-ga

Lift me up: short for Olúgbénga, Adégbénga and others.

Gbóyègafrom gbé-oyè-ga

Raise the title higher.

Káyọ̀défrom kó-ayọ̀-dé

Brings joy with him.

Kọ́láfrom kó-ọlá

Gathers wealth and honour: short for Kọ́láwọlé and others.

Kọ́láwọléfrom Ko-ọlá-wọ-ilé

Brings wealth into the house: often given to the first boy born in a new home.

Kúnléfrom kún-ilé

Fills the house: short for Adékúnlé and similar names.

Lánrefrom ọlá-ń-re-iwájú

Short for Ọlánrewájú, 'wealth is moving forward'.

Ògúndéléfrom Ògún-dé-ilé

Ògún has come home: from a family devoted to the òrìṣà Ògún.

Ògúnwáléfrom ògún-wá-ilé

Ògún has come home.

Òjó

A boy born with the umbilical cord around his neck: an àmútọ̀runwá name.

Ọládéléfrom Ọlá-dé-ilé

Wealth has arrived home.

Ọládiméjìfrom ọlá-di-méjì

Wealth has doubled: given when the birth coincides with another good event.

Ọládipúpọ̀from ọlá-di-púpọ̀

Wealth has multiplied.

Ọlájídéfrom ọlá-jí-dé

Wealth has woken and come.

Ọlálékanfrom ọlá-lé-ọ̀kan

Wealth has increased by one.

Ọlásúnkànmífrom ọlá-sún-kàn-mí

Wealth has come round to me.

Ọláwáléfrom ọlá-wá-ilé

Wealth has come home.

Olúgbéngafrom olú-gbé-mi-ga

God lifts me up.

Olúkáyọ̀défrom olú-kó-ayọ̀-dé

God has brought joy to us.

Olúmidéfrom olú-mi-dé

My lord has come.

Olúṣẹ́gunfrom olúwa-ṣé-ogun

God has triumphed.

Olúwadámilárefrom olúwa-dá-mi-ní-àre

God has vindicated me.

Olúwaṣẹ́gunfrom olúwa-ṣẹ́-ogun

God has conquered.

Olúwọléfrom olú-wọ-ilé

The lord enters the house.

Oyèlárànfrom oyè-ní-àrán

The title is draped in velvet: an honoured title.

Oyèwọlé

The title has entered the house.

Túndéfrom tún-dé

Has returned: short for Babátúndé and similar names.

Wáléfrom wá-ilé

Comes home: short for Adéwálé, Ọláwálé and others.

Abídèmífrom a-bí-dè-mí

Born before I returned: given when the father was away at the birth.

Abíọ́dúnfrom a-bí-(sí)-ọdún

Born at a festival time.

Adébáyọ̀from adé-bá-ayọ̀

The crown meets joy: one whose arrival is greeted with happiness.

Adébísífrom adé-bí-sí

The crown has given birth to more: royalty multiplies.

Adébọ́láfrom adé-bá-ọlá

The crown meets wealth; royalty joined with honour.

Adédayọ̀from adé-di-ayọ̀

The crown has become joy.

Adéníyìfrom adé-ní-iyì

The crown has honour.

Adéọláfrom adé-ọlá

Crown of wealth: the height of nobility.

Adéolúwafrom adé-olúwa

The crown of God.

Adéoyèfrom adé-oyè

The crown of title and honour.

Adérẹ̀mífrom adé-rẹ̀-mí

The crown comforts me.

Adétòkunbọ̀from adé-ti-òkun-bọ̀

The crown has returned from across the sea; often given to a child born abroad.

Adéwùmífrom adé-wù-mí

Royalty pleases me.

Adéyẹmífrom a-dé-yẹ-mí

The crown suits me.

Adéyínkáfrom adé-yí-n-ká

The crown surrounds me.

Àlàbá

The child born after Ìdòwú, that is, the second child after twins.

Àyànfẹ́from à-yàn-fẹ́

The chosen, specially loved one: a praise name (oríkì).

Ayọ̀adéfrom ayọ̀-adé

The joy of the crown.

Ayọ̀bámifrom ayọ̀-bá-mi

Joy has met me.

Ayọ̀déléfrom ayọ̀-dé-ilé

Joy has arrived home.

Ayọ̀mídéfrom ayọ̀-mi-dé

My joy has come.

Ayọ̀ọláfrom ayọ̀-ọlá

The joy of wealth and honour.

Bámidéléfrom bá-mi-dé-ilé

Follow me home.

Bọ́láfrom bá-ọlá

Meets wealth: short form of names such as Adébọ́lá.

Bọ́ládéfrom bá-ọlá-dé

Arrives with wealth.

Bọ́lájífrom bá-ọlá-jí

Wakes up with wealth.

Bólúwátifẹ́from bí-olúwa-ti-fẹ́

As God wills.

Dàda

A child born with naturally locked hair: a name 'brought from heaven' (àmútọ̀runwá).

Damilọ́láfrom dá-mi-ní-ọlá

God has made me wealthy: short for Olúwadámilọ́lá.

Dárasímifrom dára-sí-mi

Good to me: short for Olúwadárasími, 'God has been good to me'.

Dayọ̀from di-ayọ̀

Turns into joy: short form of names such as Adédayọ̀.

Ẹ̀bùnfrom ẹ̀bùn

Gift.

Ẹniọláfrom ẹni-ọlá

A person of wealth and honour.

Fáyẹmífrom (i)fá-yẹ-mí

Ifá suits me.

Fẹ́mifrom fẹ́-mi

Love me: short for Olúwafẹ́mi.

Fèyíṣayọ̀from fi-èyí-ṣe-ayọ̀

Use this one for joy.

Fìyìnfólúwafrom fi-ìyìn-fún-olúwa

Give praise to God.

Fọ́lọ́runsọ́from fún-ọlọ́run-ṣọ́

Given to God to watch over.

Ìbùkúnfrom ì-bù-kún

Blessing, an addition.

Ìdògbé

The third child after twins (after Ìdòwú and Àlàbá).

Ìdòwú

The child born after twins.

Ìfẹ́dayọ̀from ifẹ́-di-ayọ̀

Love has turned to joy.

Ìfẹ́olúwafrom Ìfẹ́-olúwa

The love of God; God's will.

Ìgè

A child born feet first: an àmútọ̀runwá name.

Ìmọ́lẹ̀from ì-mọ́-ilẹ̀

Light.

Ìníolúwafrom ìní-olúwa

God's own possession.

Ìrètífrom ì-rètí

Hope.

Ìrètíọláfrom ìrètí-ọ̀lá

The hope of wealth and honour.

Ìyanuolúwafrom ìyanu-olúwa

God's miracle.

Kẹ́hìndéfrom kẹ́hìn-dé

The one who came last: the second-born twin, traditionally the elder.

Mobọ́lájífrom mo-bá-ọlá-jí

I woke up with wealth.

Ọdúnayọ̀from ọdún-ayọ̀

The year (or festival) of joy.

Ọdúnọláfrom ọdún-ọlá

The year of wealth and success.

Ọláfrom ọlá

Wealth, honour, nobility.

Ọlámidéfrom ọlá-mi-dé

My wealth has come.

Ọláolúfrom ọlá-olú

The wealth of God.

Ọláolúwafrom ọlá-olúwa

God's grace; the wealth of God.

Ọláyẹmífrom ọlá-yẹ-mí

Wealth and honour suit me.

Ọláyínkáfrom ọlá-yí-mi-ká

Honour surrounds me.

Ọlọ́runtóbifrom ọlọ́run-tóbi

God is great.

Olúfẹ́mifrom olú-fẹ́-mi

God loves me.

Olúrẹ̀mífrom olú-rẹ̀-mí

God comforts me.

Olúṣọláfrom olú-ṣe-ọlá

God has made wealth.

Olúwadárafrom olúwa-dára

God is good.

Olúwáfẹ́mifrom olúwa-fẹ́-mi

God loves me.

Olúwáṣeunfrom olúwa-ṣe-oun

God has done it (well); can also be heard as 'thank you, Lord'.

Olúwátimíléhìnfrom olúwa-tì-mí-ní-ẹ́yìn

God is behind me, God supports me.

Olúwatóbifrom olúwa-tóbi

God is great.

Olúwatómifrom olúwa-tó-mi

God is enough for me.

Olúwatosìnfrom olúwa-tó-sìn

God is worth worshipping.

Olúwatóyìnfrom olúwa-tó-yìn

God is worthy of praise.

Ọmọ́déléfrom ọmọ-dé-ilé

The child has arrived home.

Ọmọ́táyọ̀from ọmọ-tó-ayọ̀

A child is worth joy.

Ọmọ́yẹmífrom ọmọ-yẹ-mí

The child suits me and brings me honour.

Ọpẹ́yẹmífrom ọpẹ́-yẹ-mí

Gratitude suits me: I ought to give thanks.

Ọrẹolúwafrom ọrẹ-olúwa

God's gift.

Similólúwafrom sinmi-lé-olúwa

Rest in God; rely on God.

Táíwò

The one who tasted the world first: the first-born twin.

Táyéfrom tọ́-ayé-wò

The first to taste the world: the first-born twin, same as Táíwò.

Tèmídayọ̀from ti-èmi-di-ayọ̀

My story has turned to joy.

Tèmítọ́pẹ́from tèmi-tó-ọpẹ́

What is mine is worth thanks.

Tiwaladéfrom tiwa-ni-adé

The crown is ours.

Tóbi

Great: short for Olúwatóbi.

Tóbilọ́bafrom tóbi-ni-ọba

Great enough to be king: short for Olúwatóbilọ́ba, 'God is a great king'.

Tòkunbọ̀from ti-òkun-bọ̀

Returned from overseas: often given to a child born abroad.

Tolúlọpẹ́from ti-olú-ni-ọpẹ́

Praise belongs to God.

Tolúwanifrom ti-olúwa-ni

This one belongs to God.

Tọ́pẹ́from tó-ọpẹ́

Worthy of thanks: short for Tèmítọ́pẹ́ and others.

Tóyìnfrom tó-yìn

Worthy of praise: short for Olúwatóyìn.

Yínká

Surrounds me: short for Adéyínká, Ọláyínká and others.