48 Yoruba names with their meaning, gender and the birth circumstance they recall, taken from academic work and dictionaries. Each meaning is the one given by the source: none is guessed.

Good to know. The meanings of these names come from Wiktionary, the only online source that gives them. Those marked “literal meaning” are a word-for-word translation of the name, not a definition. Know a reference book or another meaning? Write to us.
1

Birth order and twins

Àlàbá unisexThat who is wealthy has met the rest of the children (literal meaning)
Kẹ́yìndé unisexThe child who comes from behind, the one who comes second (literal meaning)
Táíwò unisexTo taste life first (literal meaning)
Táyé unisexTo taste life first (literal meaning)
2

Other names and their meanings

Àárínọlá unisexOne who is amongst honor (literal meaning)
Abím̄bọ́lá unisexI was born with wealth (literal meaning)
Abíọ́dún unisexBorn a festival
Abíọ́nà unisexOne who is born on the road (literal meaning)
Adébáyọ̀ boyroyalty meets joy (literal meaning)
Adédìran boyRoyalty has become generational
Adékìítẹ̀ unisexThe crown does not fall
Adéyẹmí unisexRoyalty befits me
Àjàyí unisexOne we fight to turn
Akínlẹ̀yẹ boyBravery is honorable
Àyándìran boyDrumming has become generational
Ayọ̀ unisexjoy
Bánkẹ́ unisexHelp me take care (of the child
Bọ́sẹ̀dé girl[One who] comes with the start of a new week
Bùkáyọ̀ unisexAdd to fill (my) joy
Ifábùnmi boyIfá blessed me with this (child). (literal meaning)
Ìyàndá unisexOne who was specially chosen to be made
Kòfowórọlá unisexthey did not use money to buy honor
Kọ́láwọlé boyOne who brings honor into the house
Kúnlé boy(One that) fills the house
Lágùnnà boyHonor has climbed its way up the path (literal meaning)
Ògúǹdé boyOgun has walked in
Olúbọ̀dé unisexThe warrior has come or the Lord has come
Olúgbódi unisexThe one that carries a bunch (literal meaning)
Ọdẹ́gbàmí boyThe hunter saved me
Ọláifá unisexThe honor of Ifa; the [[grace]] of Ifa
Ọlátúnjí boynobility/wealth has resurrected
Ọláyíwọlá unisexHonor has rolled into honor
Ọlọ́ládé unisexThe honorable one has arrived
Ọmọlẹ̀yẹ unisexThe child is honor; Children are honor
Ọmọ́pẹ́ unisexThe child stayed late (literal meaning)
Ọmọ́rẹ̀mílẹ́kún unisexThe child has consoled my tears
Ọ̀rànmíyàn boyMy case has been resolved, My issue has been sorted (literal meaning)
Rótìmí boyStay with me
Sàlàkọ́ unisexto a hang a white cloth on one's shoulder (literal meaning)
Súnkànmí unisexMove towards me
Ṣọlágbadé unisexMake nobility to receive royalty
Tàlàbí unisexThat which is born with white cloth (literal meaning)
Abọ́sẹ̀dé girlOne born at the start of a new week (literal meaning)
Adéfúnkẹ́ girlRoyalty gave her to me to care for
Adérón̄kẹ́ girlThe crown has seen something (a child) to take care of
Ìbídùn girlBirth is sweet
Mọ́remí girlThe child attracts my attention
Olúwafúnkẹ́ girlGod gave me to take care of

Test yourself

1. What does “Àárínọlá” mean?

2. What does “Ayọ̀” mean?

3. What does “Olúbọ̀dé” mean?

4. What does “Sàlàkọ́” mean?

Where do these words come from?
Sources: en.wiktionary.org. Do you speak this language and spot a mistake? Write to us.