Yoruba Boy Names
93 yoruba boy names with meanings, U.S. popularity, and audio pronunciation on every page.
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In Yoruba tradition a boy is often named for what his arrival did to the household — the joy it brought, the prayer it answered, the good it confirmed. That is why Yoruba boy names read less like labels and more like small declarations. The joy-and-gift group is the most immediately moving. Ayomide carries the sense that my joy has arrived, Oreoluwa speaks of a gift from God, and Ireoluwa names the goodness or blessing of God. Tayo belongs to the same happy family and is short enough to shout across a garden.
Then there is the group built on ola and oba, words tied to honour, wealth and kingship, which give these names their unmistakable dignity. Olamide and Obaloluwa both sit in that register, formal without ever feeling stiff. Inioluwa and Tifeoluwa extend the devotional line further. For parents who want something briefer, Tobi is a widely used short form, Ajani has travelled well beyond West Africa, and Kayin and Darey both stay compact while keeping the language’s open, rounded music intact.
Every name below opens to its full page — a sourced meaning, its U.S. popularity, and a clear audio pronunciation so you can hear it before you fall for it.
Yoruba Boy Names
Ajani#2070 in the U.S.One (we) fought to have▶Darey#3276 in the U.S.Most plausibly from Yoruba Dare — short for names like Oladare, 'the crown does justice' / 'cro▶Tobi#4168 in the U.S.From Yoruba (a short form of names like Oluwatobi, 'God is great/good'); also a short form of T▶Ayomide#4569 in the U.S.From Yoruba ayo, 'joy', plus mi-de, 'has come to me' — 'my joy has arrived'▶Shade#5602 in the U.S.From the word shade — 'shadow; shelter from light/heat' (Old English sceadu); also a pet form o▶Tayo#5615 in the U.S.From Yoruba, a short form of names like Adetayo/Omotayo, 'joy is enough; happiness has come; wo▶Tifeoluwa#5617 in the U.S.From Yoruba — 'God's love; what God loves; the love of the Lord' (ife, 'love', plus Oluwa, 'the▶Emma#5710 in the U.S.From Germanic ermen, 'whole, universal'; overwhelmingly a girls' name; here for boys (and a Nig▶Amarri#7247 in the U.S.A spelling of Amari — variously from Arabic ('strength; a builder') and Yoruba ('eternal; of gr▶Inioluwa#7406 in the U.S.From Yoruba, 'that which belongs to God; God's possession/wealth' (ini, 'possession', + Oluwa, ▶Ireoluwa#7407 in the U.S.From Yoruba, 'the goodness/blessing of God; the kindness of the Lord' (ire, 'goodness; blessing▶Kayin#7517 in the U.S.Kayin is the Hebrew form of Cain, the elder son of Adam and Eve in Genesis, who killed his brot▶Obaloluwa#7579 in the U.S.From the Yoruba (Nigerian), 'the king is the Lord; God is the king' (oba, 'king', + Oluwa, 'the▶Olamide#8129 in the U.S.From the Yoruba (Nigerian), 'my wealth/prosperity has come; my riches have arrived' (ola, 'weal▶Oreoluwa#8132 in the U.S.From the Yoruba (Nigerian), 'a gift of God; God's gift/bounty' (ore, 'a gift; kindness', + Oluw▶Oshun#8133 in the U.S.From the Yoruba, the name of Oshun — an orisha (deity) of love, beauty, fresh water and rivers ▶Akin#8308 in the U.S.From the Yoruba akin, 'a hero; a brave/valiant one; a warrior'▶Ayo#8360 in the U.S.From the Yoruba ayo, 'joy; happiness; gladness' (also a short form of names like Ayodele)▶Demilade#8467 in the U.S.From the Yoruba Demilade, 'crown me with wealth' or 'mine is now a crown' — a name of blessing ▶Oluwaferanmi#8762 in the U.S.From the Yoruba (Nigeria) Oluwaferanmi — Oluwa, 'God/the Lord', + feran mi, 'loves me', hence '▶Sosa#8849 in the U.S.Variously a Spanish/Portuguese surname (from a place, 'a salty/barren place') and the Yoruba So▶Ade#8958 in the U.S.From the Yoruba ade, 'a crown; royalty' — a common element in Yoruba royal names▶Ademide#8959 in the U.S.From the Yoruba — ade, 'a crown/royalty', + mi, 'my', + de, 'to arrive', hence 'my crown has ar▶Adewale#8960 in the U.S.From the Yoruba — ade, 'a crown/royalty', + wa, 'to come', + ile, 'home/house', hence 'the crow▶Akorede#8977 in the U.S.From the Yoruba — variously 'valor/bravery brings a crown' and 'the brave one brings honor home▶Ayomikun#9044 in the U.S.From the Yoruba — ayo, 'joy', + mi, 'my', + kun, 'is full', hence 'my joy is full; I am filled ▶Ifeoluwa#9303 in the U.S.From the Yoruba — ife, 'love', + Oluwa, 'the Lord/God', hence 'the love/will of God'; we note t▶Itan#9318 in the U.S.From the Yoruba itan, 'a story; a legend; history; a narrative'; also read as a modern coinage;▶Oluwasemilore#9506 in the U.S.Oluwasemilore is a Yoruba sentence-name from Nigeria. It opens with Oluwa, God or the Lord, and▶Olajuwon#9596 in the U.S.From the Yoruba (Nigeria) — variously 'wealth/honor is at the top; being wealthy/honorable is t▶Oluwafemi#9597 in the U.S.From the Yoruba — Oluwa, 'the Lord/God', + femi, 'loves me', hence 'the Lord loves me; God love▶Oluwaseyi#9598 in the U.S.From the Yoruba — Oluwa, 'the Lord/God', + seyi, 'did this/made this', hence 'God did this; the▶Babatunde#9796 in the U.S.Babatunde is a Yoruba name from Nigeria meaning father returns or father has come again, tradit▶Adebayo#9878 in the U.S.From the Yoruba — ade, 'a crown/royalty', + bayo, 'meets joy/comes with joy', hence 'the crown ▶Ademola#9880 in the U.S.From the Yoruba — ade, 'a crown/royalty', + mola/mowo, 'joins/adds to wealth', hence 'royalty j▶Ayodeji#9987 in the U.S.From the Yoruba (Nigeria) Ayodeji, variously 'joy has become two/doubled' and 'the crown/royalt▶Shango#10078 in the U.S.From the Yoruba Sango, of uncertain meaning (linked to 'the striker'); the Yoruba orisha of thu▶Eko#10152 in the U.S.Variously from the Javanese/Sanskrit Eko ('the first; one', from eka) and the Yoruba Eko (the i▶Korede#10432 in the U.S.From the Yoruba Korede, 'the crown/royalty brings good things' (ko, a royal element, + rede, 'b▶Oluwadamilare#10593 in the U.S.A Yoruba (Nigerian) name from Oluwa ('God; the Lord') and damilare ('has vindicated me; has pro▶Oluwadarasimi#10594 in the U.S.A Yoruba (Nigerian) name from Oluwa ('God; the Lord') and dara si mi ('is good to me'), so 'God▶Oluwademilade#10595 in the U.S.A Yoruba (Nigerian) name from Oluwa ('God; the Lord') and demilade ('has crowned me; has made m▶Ajamu#10602 in the U.S.Ajamu is an African name popular in the African American community, generally cited as Yoruba o▶Temidayo#10682 in the U.S.A Yoruba name (Nigeria), 'mine has become joy; my own has turned to joy' — a name of gladness a▶Abayomi#10782 in the U.S.Abayomi is a Yoruba name from Nigeria, generally translated as 'born to bring joy' or 'brought ▶Aderemi#10803 in the U.S.From the Yoruba, 'the crown consoles me' (ade, 'crown,' + a root of consolation) — a royal, com▶Alika#10876 in the U.S.In Hawaiian, Alika is the local rendering of the English name Alexander, itself Greek for 'defe▶Ayinde#10969 in the U.S.A Yoruba name, Ayinde, understood as 'we gave praise (or sang praises) and he came' — a name of▶Ayodele#11016 in the U.S.A Yoruba name, Ayodele, 'joy has come home' or 'joy enters the house' (ayo, 'joy' + dele, 'come▶Atiba#11045 in the U.S.Atiba is a Yoruba name from Nigeria, understood in the tradition to carry the sense of understa▶Ayooluwa#11054 in the U.S.From the Yoruba Ayooluwa, 'joy of God; God's joy' (ayo, 'joy,' + Oluwa, 'God; the Lord') - a na▶Erioluwa#11291 in the U.S.A Yoruba theophoric name built on 'Olúwa' ('the Lord; God') — Erioluwa reads as 'the wealth (or▶Iremide#11427 in the U.S.Iremide is a Yoruba name often read as 'my consolation has come' or 'good things have come', re▶Iyanuoluwa#11435 in the U.S.Iyanuoluwa is a Yoruba name meaning 'miracle of God' or 'wonder of God', combining iyanu ('mira▶Kayode#11634 in the U.S.A Yoruba name, 'he brought joy' or 'he brings happiness', celebrating the joy a child brings. A▶Oluwadamilola#11909 in the U.S.From the Yoruba, 'Oluwa (God) has made me wealthy; God has enriched me.' An Oluwa- theophoric n▶Oluwadunsin#11910 in the U.S.From the Yoruba, roughly 'God (Oluwa) is sweet to lean on; it is pleasant to rest upon God.' An▶Oluwatamilore#11911 in the U.S.From the Yoruba, roughly 'God (Oluwa) has spread out good things for me; God has favored me.' A▶Oluwatise#11912 in the U.S.From the Yoruba, 'Oluwa (God) did this; it is God's doing.' An Oluwa- theophoric name giving cr▶Oluwatobi#11913 in the U.S.From the Yoruba, a short form of Oluwatobiloba, 'Oluwa (God) is great; God is big enough to be ▶Oluwatobiloba#11914 in the U.S.From the Yoruba, 'Oluwa (God) is big enough to be king; God is great enough to reign.' An Oluwa▶Oluwaseun#11918 in the U.S.Oluwaseun is a Yoruba given name from Nigeria meaning 'God, we thank you' or 'we thank God'. It▶Sade#12044 in the U.S.Sade is short for the Yoruba name Folasade, 'honor confers a crown.' It is far better known as ▶Temiloluwa#12151 in the U.S.Temiloluwa is a Yoruba name meaning 'mine is of God' or 'what is mine belongs to God,' a name o▶Toluwani#12167 in the U.S.A Yoruba name, often read as a short form of longer phrases like Toluwanimi, expressing 'the Lo▶Tomi#12173 in the U.S.A short form of Thomas ('twin'), and separately a Yoruba name (as in Oluwatomi) and a Japanese ▶Adetayo#12262 in the U.S.From the Yoruba, 'the crown is worthy of joy' (ade, 'crown,' + a root of joy/worthiness) — a ro▶Akinola#12319 in the U.S.From the Yoruba, 'valour (or bravery) is wealth' (akin, 'valour; brave one,' + ola, 'wealth; ho▶Adebola#12338 in the U.S.A Yoruba name combining ade, 'crown; royalty,' with bola, 'meets wealth; honor' — glossed 'the ▶Adedamola#12339 in the U.S.A Yoruba name combining ade, 'crown; royalty,' with damola, 'mix with wealth' — glossed 'the cr▶Adeyemi#12340 in the U.S.A Yoruba name combining ade, 'crown; royalty,' with yemi, 'suits me; befits me' — glossed 'the ▶Araoluwa#12441 in the U.S.Araoluwa is a Yoruba name combining ara ('wonder; marvel') with Oluwa ('God; the Lord'), read a▶Ayobami#12500 in the U.S.Ayobami is a Yoruba name from Nigeria meaning 'joy is with me' or 'my joy has come', built on '▶Boluwatife#12547 in the U.S.Boluwatife is a Yoruba name meaning 'as God wishes' (from elements naming God and His will). Li▶Dairo#12677 in the U.S.A Yoruba (Nigerian) surname, and separately a Spanish/Colombian given name. Its routes are unce▶Fiyinfoluwa#12735 in the U.S.A Yoruba name meaning 'praise God' or 'praise the Lord' ('give praise to the Lord'). A devotion▶Fikayo#12863 in the U.S.Fikayo is a Yoruba name from Nigeria, generally a short form of names like Oluwafikayomi, meani▶Folarin#12868 in the U.S.A Yoruba name commonly read as 'walk with wealth' or 'one who walks with prosperity', built fro▶Jaiye#13027 in the U.S.Jaiye is a Yoruba word meaning 'to enjoy life' or 'live well,' and it appears inside Yoruba nam▶Olanrewaju#13646 in the U.S.A Yoruba sentence-name built on ola ('wealth; honor; dignity'), commonly glossed 'honor is walk▶Olaoluwa#13647 in the U.S.A Yoruba name from ola ('wealth; honor') and Oluwa ('God; the Lord') — 'God's honor; the wealth▶Olukolade#13651 in the U.S.A Yoruba name built on Olu ('God; the Lord') and ade ('crown'), commonly glossed 'God brings ho▶Oluseyi#13652 in the U.S.A Yoruba name from Olu ('God; the Lord') and se yi ('did this'), glossed 'God did this' — a nam▶Oluwatimilehin#13653 in the U.S.A Yoruba sentence-name from Oluwa ('God; the Lord') meaning 'God supports me' or 'the Lord stan▶Oluwatosin#13654 in the U.S.A Yoruba name from Oluwa ('God; the Lord') and to sin ('worthy of worship') — 'God is worthy to▶Omi#13655 in the U.S.Omi is Yoruba for 'water' — a plain, life-giving word used as a name. It also functions as a sh▶Olufemi#13789 in the U.S.From the Yoruba Olufemi, 'God (Olu) loves me' - a warm name of blessing and gratitude. Noted re▶AriyoA Yoruba name, Ariyo, understood as 'one to rejoice over' or 'a child worth rejoicing in' — a j▶IruA short name with more than one route: in Yoruba (Nigeria) iru is a fermented locust-bean seaso▶ObatalaFrom the Yoruba Obatala, 'king of the white cloth' (oba, 'king', + ala, 'white cloth'); the Yor▶OgunFrom the Yoruba Ogun, of uncertain meaning (linked to 'iron; war'); the Yoruba orisha of iron, ▶OlokunFrom the Yoruba Olokun, 'owner of the ocean' (oni, 'owner', + okun, 'ocean'); the Yoruba orisha▶OrunmilaFrom the Yoruba Orunmila, 'only heaven knows the path to salvation'; the Yoruba orisha of wisdo▶
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Frequently Asked
What are popular Yoruba boy names?
Common choices include Ajani, Tobi, Ayomide and Olamide. Each page shows how the name has been used in U.S. birth records.
What Yoruba boy name means joy?
Ayomide carries the meaning that my joy has come, and Tayo belongs to the same family of joy-based names. Both are warm, well-established choices.
Why are some Yoruba boy names so long?
Because they are complete phrases rather than single words — a name like Oreoluwa states a whole thought about God and gift. Families almost always use a short everyday form alongside the full name.