Yoruba Girl Names
90 yoruba girl names with meanings, U.S. popularity, and audio pronunciation on every page.
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A Yoruba name is a sentence. That is the thing most parents do not realise until someone explains it to them — Yoruba girl names are frequently full statements about gratitude, faith and the circumstances a child was born into, compressed into a few syllables. The Oluwa names make this plainest, since Oluwa means God or Lord and anchors an entire family of names. Oluwadarasimi and Ireoluwa both belong to that tradition, as does Tiaraoluwa. They look long on paper and flow easily once you hear them, which is exactly why so many families use a short form at home.
The shorter names are having a real moment, and several have crossed into wide American use without most people knowing their origin. Amari leads that group, with Amarii and Amary following as spelling variants. Tomi, Tobi and Derin are all clipped forms of longer Yoruba phrases and work beautifully as standalone names. Ola and Sola are two of the most versatile syllable-pairs on this list, while Yemaya connects to the great mother-of-waters figure honoured across the Yoruba diaspora.
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 Girl Names
Amari#380 in the U.S.In Yoruba contexts the name relates to strength; in East African (Amharic/Oromo) usage it can m▶Yemaya#3684 in the U.S.Mother goddess of the sea; from Yoruba Yemoja, 'mother whose children are the fish' — orisha of▶Ayani#4891 in the U.S.From Yoruba Ayanniyi/Ayan (a praise/drum-deity element); also a modern -ani coinage echoing Aya▶Ayomi#4893 in the U.S.From Yoruba ayo, 'joy', plus mi, 'my/me' — 'my joy'; also a Japanese name, 'walk/step of beauty▶Amarii#5146 in the U.S.Double-i spelling of Amari — variously 'strength' (Yoruba), 'eternal' (an Amara echo), or 'moon▶Tomi#5754 in the U.S.From Japanese tomi, 'wealth, riches, fortune'; also a Yoruba short form (Oluwatomi, 'God is eno▶Sola#5917 in the U.S.A Yoruba short form (Adesola, 'honour/wealth produces this'); also Latin/Italian sola, 'alone, ▶Oluwadarasimi#6083 in the U.S.From Yoruba (Nigeria), 'God is good to me' (Oluwa, 'God, the Lord', plus dara si mi, 'is good t▶Tiaraoluwa#6117 in the U.S.From Yoruba (Nigeria) — 'the crown/glory of God' (tiara, 'a crown', plus Oluwa, 'God, the Lord'▶Derin#6205 in the U.S.From Turkish derin, 'deep, profound'; also a Yoruba name, 'wealth/good things are near'; here f▶Iya#6232 in the U.S.A short modern name, variously a coinage and an echo of the Yoruba iya, 'mother'; the route is ▶Olani#6316 in the U.S.A modern name, variously echoing the Yoruba ola, 'wealth, honor', and the Hawaiian -lani, 'sky,▶Amary#6386 in the U.S.A spelling of Amari — variously 'strength; a builder' (Yoruba), 'eternal' (linked to Amara), an▶Ireoluwa#6463 in the U.S.From the Yoruba ire Oluwa, 'the kindness, goodness, or blessing of God' (ire, 'kindness, blessi▶Tobi#6879 in the U.S.Variously a pet of Tobias (Hebrew, 'God is good') and the Yoruba Tobi, 'great; big' (a short fo▶Ola#7149 in the U.S.Variously a short form of Olga/Aleksandra (Scandinavian/Slavic, 'an ancestor's descendant; defe▶Adelani#7228 in the U.S.From Yoruba — variously read 'the crown (royalty) has prosperity/wealth' (from ade, 'a crown');▶Oshun#7485 in the U.S.From Yoruba — Oshun (Osun), the orisha (deity) of love, beauty, fresh water/rivers, and fertili▶Shardey#7581 in the U.S.Shardey is a phonetic respelling that writes out the sound 'shar-DAY,' the pronunciation of Sad▶Ase#7613 in the U.S.From Old Norse asa/ase, 'a goddess; of the Aesir (the gods)'; also Yoruba ase, 'power; authorit▶Asiri#7615 in the U.S.From Yoruba, variously 'a secret; mystery; magic; a wonder'; also used as a modern coinage; rou▶Imisioluwa#8110 in the U.S.From the Yoruba (Nigerian), 'the mercy of God; God's grace/favour' (imisi, 'mercy/breath of lif▶Morayo#8250 in the U.S.From the Yoruba (Nigerian), 'I have found/seen my joy; my joy has come' (mo, 'I', + ri, 'see/fi▶Ahmari#8420 in the U.S.A form/spelling of Amari — variously from the Yoruba, 'strength', and the Arabic, 'eternal; bui▶Araoluwa#8467 in the U.S.From the Yoruba (Nigerian) — ara, 'a wonder; a marvel', + Oluwa, 'God; the Lord', hence 'a wond▶Jadesola#8628 in the U.S.From the Yoruba (Nigerian) — ade, 'a crown; royalty', + sola, 'brings honour/wealth', hence 'th▶Iyanla#8662 in the U.S.Iyanla is drawn from Yoruba, where iya means 'mother' and nla means 'great' - read together as ▶Ifeoluwa#9137 in the U.S.From the Yoruba — ife, 'love', + Oluwa, 'God/the Lord', hence 'the love of God; God's love'; we▶Temi#9466 in the U.S.A Yoruba short form (of names like Oluwatemi, 'God is mine', and Temilade, 'my crown'); connote▶Abeni#9526 in the U.S.From the Yoruba, 'we asked for her, and behold, we got her' — a name of prayer answered▶Amarri#9566 in the U.S.A form of Amari — variously 'strength; a builder' (Yoruba) and 'eternal; full moon' (Arabic-lin▶Ayomide#9617 in the U.S.From the Yoruba — ayo, 'joy', + mi, 'my', + de, 'has arrived/come', hence 'my joy has arrived'▶Kemi#9871 in the U.S.A short form of Yoruba names like Oluwakemi — 'pamper/cherish me; God cares for me'▶Oreoluwa#10047 in the U.S.From the Yoruba (Nigeria) Oreoluwa, 'a gift of God; God's bounty/kindness' (ore, 'gift/kindness▶Ife#10090 in the U.S.Ife is a Yoruba name from Nigeria meaning 'love,' and it also recalls Ile-Ife, the ancient and ▶Ayomikun#10353 in the U.S.From the Yoruba Ayomikun, 'my joy is full; God has filled me with joy' (ayo, 'joy', + mi, 'my',▶Anjolaoluwa#10377 in the U.S.From the Yoruba, 'God's wealth; the riches of God' — a name of gratitude and blessing, often sh▶Darasimi#10443 in the U.S.From the Yoruba Darasimi, 'be good to me; increase/multiply my good fortune' (a heartfelt praye▶Femi#10577 in the U.S.A Yoruba name, short for Oluwafemi and similar names, tied to 'God loves me; the Lord loves me.▶Oya#11008 in the U.S.From the Yoruba Oya, linked to 'she tore; the tearer' (also the name of the Niger river); the Y▶Adeola#11083 in the U.S.From the Yoruba (Nigeria), joining ade, 'crown; royalty,' with ola, 'honor; wealth; prestige' —▶Aderinsola#11181 in the U.S.A Yoruba name read as 'the crown (ade) walks into wealth/honor (ola)' — a name of royalty and p▶Folasade#11398 in the U.S.From the Yoruba Folasade, 'honor confers a crown' or 'honor bestows a crown,' from ola ('honor;▶Oluwanifemi#11852 in the U.S.From the Yoruba (Nigeria), Oluwanifemi means 'God loves me' (Oluwa, 'God' + ni fe mi, 'loves me▶Tiwatope#12022 in the U.S.From Yoruba Tiwatope (Omotiwatope), read as 'ours is worthy of much praise/thanks to God'. Know▶Adenike#12141 in the U.S.From the Yoruba Adenike, 'the crown is to be cherished; the crown deserves to be cared for' (ad▶Ajani#12168 in the U.S.Ajani is a Yoruba (Nigerian) name usually read as 'he who wins the struggle' or 'the victor,' t▶Charday#12310 in the U.S.Charday is an English phonetic spelling of the name made famous by the singer Sade, whose given▶Eniola#12526 in the U.S.A Yoruba name, eni ('person') plus ola ('wealth, honor, prestige') — 'person of wealth' or 'one▶Fiyinfoluwa#12578 in the U.S.A Yoruba name meaning 'praise God; give the praise to the Lord' - a devout name of gratitude, h▶Morireoluwa#13005 in the U.S.A Yoruba sentence-name usually rendered 'I have seen God's mercy' or 'I have seen the goodness ▶Olamide#13073 in the U.S.A Yoruba name usually rendered 'my wealth has come' or 'my riches have arrived', from ola ('wea▶Oluwakemi#13076 in the U.S.A Yoruba name usually rendered 'God pampers me' or 'God cares for me', from Oluwa ('God; the Lo▶Temiloluwa#13319 in the U.S.From the Yoruba Temiloluwa, 'mine belongs to God; God is mine' (temi, 'mine,' + ti Oluwa, 'of t▶Temitope#13340 in the U.S.Temitope is a Yoruba given name from Nigeria meaning 'mine is worthy of thanks' or, more freely▶Yomi#13385 in the U.S.A Yoruba short form of longer names built on ayo, 'joy' — for example Ayomide or Oluyomi — carr▶Wuraola#13489 in the U.S.From the Yoruba Wuraola, 'gold' / 'a child as precious as gold' (wura, 'gold'). A treasured nam▶Monifa#13582 in the U.S.Monifa is a Yoruba (Nigerian) girl's name usually translated 'I am lucky' or 'I have my fortune▶Damilola#13832 in the U.S.From the Yoruba Damilola, understood as 'wealth (or prosperity) comes to me' or 'bless me with ▶Erioluwa#13958 in the U.S.A Yoruba sentence name ending in Oluwa, 'the Lord; God'. The first element is generally read as▶Dami#14019 in the U.S.A short name read two ways: a modern coinage, and a Yoruba short form of names like Damilola ('▶Iremide#14104 in the U.S.From Yoruba ire ('goodness, blessing, prosperity') with mi ('my') and de ('has come, has arrive▶Iyanuoluwa#14124 in the U.S.From Yoruba iyanu ('miracle, wonder') and Oluwa ('the Lord, God') — 'the miracle of God'. It is▶Oni#14713 in the U.S.Oni is a Yoruba given name from Nigeria, read in name lists as 'desired one' or as a child born▶Oyinkansola#14722 in the U.S.From the Yoruba, 'sweetness/honey adds to wealth' (oyin, 'honey; sweetness,' + kan si ola, 'add▶Oluwatomisin#15120 in the U.S.From the Yoruba, 'God is enough for me to worship; God is worthy of my praise' (Oluwa, 'God; th▶Alika#15354 in the U.S.Alika appears independently in more than one culture, which is part of its appeal and its ambig▶Eko#15910 in the U.S.Eko is the indigenous Yoruba name of Lagos, Nigeria; to English ears it also reads as 'echo,' a▶Inioluwa#16167 in the U.S.A Yoruba theophoric name containing Oluwa, 'the Lord; God.' Names of this family are sentences ▶Shaday#16228 in the U.S.Shaday spells out the sound of Sade (Shah-DAY), the stage name of singer Sade Adu, short for th▶Lolade#16713 in the U.S.A Yoruba (Nigerian) name, a short form of names such as Omolade ('the child is a crown; a crown▶Ololade#16979 in the U.S.From the Yoruba, read as 'wealth has arrived' or 'honour has arrived' (ola, 'wealth; honour,' +▶Oluwadamilola#17004 in the U.S.From the Yoruba, 'God has made me wealthy; God has blessed me with wealth' (Oluwa, 'God; the Lo▶Oluwatamilore#17005 in the U.S.A Yoruba sentence-name built on Oluwa, 'the Lord; God,' read as 'God has given me a gift.' Name▶Oluwatoni#17007 in the U.S.Oluwatoni is a Yoruba name from Nigeria built on Oluwa, 'God' or 'the Lord.' The full name is g▶Sharde#17168 in the U.S.Sharde is a shorter phonetic spelling of Sade, the Yoruba name (from Folasade, 'honor confers a▶Shade#17252 in the U.S.The English word shade ('shelter from light; a hue'); also a Yoruba name, a short form of Folas▶Simisola#17290 in the U.S.From the Yoruba, read as 'rest/rejoice into wealth' (simi, 'rest; be at ease,' + ola, 'wealth; ▶Temilade#17391 in the U.S.From the Yoruba Temilade, 'mine has become a crown; mine is now a crown' (temi, 'mine,' + ade, ▶Teniola#17392 in the U.S.From the Yoruba, read as 'wealth is worth having/spreading' (tan/teni + ola, 'wealth; honor') -▶Tolani#17528 in the U.S.A Yoruba name, short for fuller names like Adetola ('the crown/wealth is enough') and Omotolani▶Taraoluwa#17705 in the U.S.Taraoluwa is a Yoruba theophoric name from Nigeria built around Oluwa, 'God' or 'the Lord', a w▶Tifeoluwa#17740 in the U.S.From the Yoruba Tifeoluwa, 'God's own; that which belongs to the Lord' (Oluwa, 'the Lord'). A d▶Charde#17866 in the U.S.Charde is a phonetic respelling in the family of Sade, the stage name of British-Nigerian singe▶Shardae#18721 in the U.S.Shardae spells out the sound of Sade, the Yoruba name (short for Folasade, 'honor confers a cro▶Yetunde#18762 in the U.S.Yetunde is a Yoruba name from Nigeria meaning 'mother has returned' or 'mother comes again,' fr▶Sharday#19755 in the U.S.Sharday spells out how the singer Sade's name is pronounced, sha-DAY. The source is Yoruba: Sad▶OlokunFrom the Yoruba Olokun, 'owner of the ocean' (oni, 'owner', + okun, 'ocean'); the Yoruba orisha▶SosaA Spanish/Portuguese surname (borne by singer Mercedes Sosa and baseball's Sammy Sosa) used as ▶YemojaFrom the Yoruba Yeye omo eja, 'mother whose children are the fish'; the great Yoruba orisha of ▶
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Frequently Asked
What are beautiful Yoruba girl names?
Widely loved choices include Amari, Ayomi, Sola and Ireoluwa. Every one has its own page here with meaning and pronunciation.
What does Oluwa mean in Yoruba names?
Oluwa means God or Lord, and it appears at the start or end of many Yoruba names such as Oluwadarasimi and Ireoluwa. It marks the name as a statement of faith or thanksgiving.
Are Yoruba girl names hard to pronounce?
Yoruba is a tonal language, so the same spelling can be said several ways and the tone matters to the meaning. We include an audio clip on each page so you can hear a name properly rather than approximating it.