Category Archives: Yoruba names

Yoruba names and their meanings. All Yoruba names have significant meanings, that identify the bearer of the name with Yoruba tradition, culture, history and often, place in Yoruba society.

“Orúkọ Yorùbá ti o ti inu Ẹsin Ìgbàgbọ jade” – “Yoruba names that originated from Christian Religion”

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Yorùbá jẹ èrè àti ka Ìwé Mímọ́ ti a mọ̀ si “Bibeli Mímọ́” nitori iṣẹ́ ribiribi ti Olõgbe Olóri àwọn Àlùfáà Samuel Ajayi-Crowther ṣe lati túmọ Bibeli Mímọ́ si èdè Yorùbá ni Àádóje ọdún sẹhin. Lati igbàyi ni ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ orúkọ ti yipadà si “Olúwa” dipò orúkọ Òrìṣà ibilẹ̀ bi “Ògún, Ọya, Ṣàngó, Ifá”, pàtàki laarin àwọn Onigbàgbọ́. Nitori eyi,ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ orúkọ Yorùbá jade ninú Bibeli Mímọ́ ni èdè Yorùba. Fún àpẹrẹ, “Samueli” túmọ̀ si Mofifólúwa; “Imanueli” – túmọ̀ si Oluwapẹlumi; Grace – Oreọfe àti bẹ́ẹ̀bẹ́ẹ̀ lọ. Ẹ ṣe àyẹ̀wò díẹ̀ ninú orúkọ Yorùbá ti o wọ́pọ̀ laarin àwọn Onigbàgbọ́ ni ojú ewé yi:

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Yoruba people benefitted from reading the Holy Book known as the “Holy Bible” as a result of the great work carried out by Late Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther who translated the “Holy Bible” into Yoruba Language about one hundred and thirty years ago (1884). From that time, many Yoruba names changed to include “God or Lord” in the place of the traditional belief in the Yoruba deities such as “Ogun – god of Iron; Oya – river goddess of Niger River; Sango – god of thunder; Ifa – Yoruba divination”, particularly among the Christians. As a result, many Yoruba names were coined from the “Holy Bible”. For example, “Samuel was translated to “Dedicated to God in Yoruba; Emmanuel – God is with me in Yoruba; Grace – free gift in Yoruba” etc. Check out some of these Yoruba names that are common, particularly among the Christians on this page.

Orúkọ Yorùbá – Yoruba names	Àgékúrú rẹ – Short Form	English meaning of Yoruba names
Àánúolúwapọ̀	Àánú	God’s mercy is much/Mercy
Adéolúwa	Adé/Déolú	God’s crown
Àyànfẹ́olúwa	Àyànfẹ́	God chosen one
Bólúwatifẹ́	Bólú	As God wish
Damilareoluwa	Damilare	Justify me God
Didesimioluwa	Dide	Rise for me God
Ẹ̀bùnolúwa	Ẹ̀bùn	God’s gift
Faramólúwa/Faramólú	Fara	Cleave to God
Fẹ̀hintolúwa	Fẹhin/Fẹ̀hintolú	Rely on God
Ibùkúnolúwa	Ibukun	God’s Blessing
Ìfẹ́olúwa	Ìfẹ́	God’s love
Ìkórèoluwa	Ìkórè	God’s harvest
Imọlẹoluwa	Ìmọ́lẹ̀	God’s light
Ìníolúwa	Ìní	God’s property
Ireolúwa	Ire	God’s goodness
Ìrètí	Ireti	Hope
Ìtùnúolúwa	Ìtùnú	God’s consolation
Iyanuoluwa	Iyanu	God’s wonder
Jadesimioluwa	Jade	Show up for me God
Lànàolú	Lànà	Open the way Lord
Mofẹ́molúwa	Mofẹ́/Mofẹ́molú	I want to know God
Mofẹ́tolúwa	Mofẹ́	I want God’s wish
Mofifólúwa	Mofifólú	Samuel/I dedicate him to God
Mofolúwaṣọ́/Mofolúṣọ́	Folúṣọ́	I use God to guide
Olumuyiwa	Muyiwa	God has brought this
Oluwadamilare	Dami	God has justified me
Olúwadémiládé	Démiládé	God has crowned me
Olúwafẹ́mi	Fẹ́mi	God loves me
Olúwafèyíkẹ́mi	Fèyi/Kẹ́mi	God used this to honour me
Olúwagbémiga/Oluwagbenga	Gbenga	God has lifted me
Olúwajọmilójú	Jọmilójú	God surprised me
Olúwakẹ́mi	Kẹ́mi	God cares for me
Oluwanifẹmi	Nifẹmi	God loves me
Olúwaṣẹ́gun	Ṣẹ́gun	God has given me victory
Oluwaṣeun	Ṣeun	Thank God
Oluwaṣeyi	Ṣeyi	God has done this
Oluwaṣijibomi	Ṣiji	God has shielded me
Oluwatamilọre	Tamilọre	God has given me gift
Olúwatóbi	Tóbi	God is great
Olúwatófúnmi	Tófúnmi	God is enough for me
Olúwatómi	Tómi	God is enough for me
Olúwatómilọ́lá	Tómilọ́lá	God is enough wealth for me
Olúwatóní	Tóní	God is enough to have
Oluwatosin	Tosin	God is worthy to be worshiped
Olúwawẹ̀mimọ́	Wẹ̀mimọ́	God has cleansed me
Oluwayẹmisi	Yẹmisi	God has honoured me
Oreọ̀fẹ́/Oreọ̀fẹ́olúwa	Oore	Grace/God’s grace
Oreolúwa	Oore	God’s present
Pamilẹrinoluwa	Pamilẹrin	Make me laugh God
Ṣadéfúnmiolúwa	Ṣadé	Give me a crown Lord
Ṣijúsimioluwa	Ṣijú	Look down on me God
Similólúwa	Simi/Similólú	Rest on God
Tanitoluwa	Tanitolu	Who is great as God?
Tẹjúmólúwa	Tẹjú	Concentrate on God
Tèmilolúwa	Temi/Tèmilolú	God is mine
Tẹniolúwa	Tẹni	God’s person
Tẹramólúwa	Tẹra	Persist with God
Tẹ́tisolúwa	Tẹti	Listen to God
Tirẹnioluwa	Tirẹni	It is yours Lord
Titobioluwa	Tító	God’s greatness
Tojúolúwa	Tojú	Apple of God’s eyes
Tọ́miolúwa	Tọ́mi	Train me God

Originally posted 2014-08-12 20:59:28. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“Odò ti ó bá gbàgbé orisun gbi gbẹ ló ngbẹ” – “A river that forgets its source will eventually dry up”

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Orúkọ idile Yorùbá ti ó nparẹ́ nitori èsìn. Àwọn orúkọ ìdílé wọnyi kò di ẹlẹ́sìn lọ́wọ́ lati ṣe iṣẹ́ rere tàbi dé ọ̀run,

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Yoruba family names that are disappearing. These traditional names should not be seen as obstacles by religious ones to doing good work or getting to heaven.

ÒGÚN – god of iron, war and justice

Orúkọ idile Yorùbá	Orúkọ igbàlódé ti ó dipò orúkọ ibilẹ̀	English/Literal meaning – IFA –Yoruba Religion
Adéògún		Ogun’s crown
Ògúnadé		Ogun in the crown
Ògúnbámbi	Olúbambi
Ògúnbiyi	Olubiyi/Biyi	Ogun/God gave birth to this
Ògúnbùnmi	Olúbùnmi/Bunmi	Ogun/God gave me
Ògúnbọ̀wálé	Adébọ̀wálé/Débọ̀
Ògúndàmọ́lá	Adédàmọ́lá/Dàmọ́lá	Ogun/Crown mixed with wealth
Ògúndiyimú/Ògúndimú
Ògúǹdé/Ògúnrindé		Ogun has arrived
Ògúndélé	Ọládélé/Délé	Ogun came home
Ògúndèyi		Ogun has become this
Ògúnfúnmi/Ògúnbùnfúnmi	Olúwáfúnmi/Fúnmi	Ogun gave me
Ògúngbadé	Olúgbadé/Gbadé	Ogun received the crown
Ògúngbèjà	Olúgbèjà	Ogun/God defends
Ògúnkọ̀yà	Olúkọ̀yà/Kọ̀yà	Ogun/God rejected suffering
Ogunlade	Olulade
Ògúnlàjà	Olulaja/Laja	Ogun/God separated a fight
Ògúnlànà	Olúlànà	Ogun/God paved the way
Ògúnlékè	Ọlálékè/Lékè	Ogun/God prevailed
Ògúnléndé		Ogun pursued me here
Ògúnlẹyẹ	Olulẹyẹ/Lẹyẹ	Ogun/God is honourable
Ògúnmọ́dẹdé	Olúmọ́dẹdé	Ogun/God made the hunter to arrive
Ògúnmọ́lá	Olumola	Ogun/God plus wealth
Ògúnmuyiwa	Olúmuyiwa/Muyiwa	Ogun/God brought this
Ògúnpọ́nlé/Ògúnpọ́nmilé	Olúpọ́nlé/Pọ́nlé	Ogun/God honoured me
Ògúnrẹ̀milẹ́kún	Oluwarẹmilẹkun/Rẹmi	Ogun/God consoled me
Ògúnrọ̀gbà	Adérọ̀gbà	Ogun/Crown has eased time
Ògúnsànyà	Olúsànyà/Sànyà	Ogun/God repay suffering
Ògúnṣẹ̀san	Olúṣẹsan/Ṣẹ̀san	Ogun/God compensate
Ògúnṣinà	Olúṣinà/Ṣina	Ogun/God opened the way
Ògúnṣọlá	Olúṣọlá/Ṣọlá	Ogun/God created wealth
Ògúnṣuyi	Ọláṣuyi/Ṣuyi	Ogun/God created honour
Ògúntóbi	Oluwatóbi	Ogun/God is great
Ògúntọ́ba	Olútọ̀ba	Ogun/God is equal to the King
Ògúntólú	Adétólú	Ogun/Crown is equal to the gods
Ògúntọ́lá	Olútọ́lá	Ogun/God is equal to wealth
Ògúntọ̀nà	Adétọ̀nà	Ogun/God leads the way
Ògúntoyinbo		Ogun is equal to the white man
Ogunye		Ogun survived
Ògúnyẹmi	Olúyẹmi/Yẹmi	Ogun suits me

Originally posted 2016-04-05 11:47:25. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“Orúkọ ẹni ló njẹri ẹni lókèèrè: Yorùbá tó wà ni òkè-òkun fẹ́ràn orúkọ kúkúrú” – “One’s name is one’s most advocate abroad: Yoruba people abroad, love shorter names”

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Yorùbá ki dá gbé, nitori eyi, ẹbi àti ará á pa pọ̀ lati sọ ọmọ lórúkọ. Ni ọjọ́ ìsọmọ-lórúkọ, ki ṣe iyá àti bàbá ọmọ nikan ni ó nmú orúkọ silẹ̀, iyá àti bàbá àgbà àti ẹ̀gbọ́n naa yi o fún ọmọ tuntun lórúkọ. Nitori eyi ọmọ Yorùbá ki ni orúkọ kan wọn ma nni orúkọ púpọ̀ lori iwé-orúkọ. Ni ayé òde oni pàtàki ni òkè-òkun, ọpọ fẹ́ràn à ti fi orúkọ kúkúrú dipò orúkọ gigun ayé àtijọ́. Nitori à ti pè ni wẹ́rẹ́, ṣùgbọ́n wọn lè fi orúkọ gigùn si aarin àwọn orúkọ yoku. Ẹ ṣe àyẹ̀wò diẹ̀ ninú orúkọ kúkúrú Yorùbá ti ó ṣe fún ọmọ ni ojú iwé yi.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Yoruba people live communal life, hence, family and friends come together during child naming. During the naming ceremony, not only the baby’s parent give name to the baby, grandparents, uncles and aunties do give name to the new-born. Most often, this is why there are more than one name on the birth certificate of a Yoruba baby. Nowadays, abroad, many prefer to give shorter names in place of the long olden days names. This is to enable ease of pronunciation but other long names could still ne included as middle names. Check below some of the short Yoruba names.

Orúkọ ́ kúkúrú Yorùba	English meaning of short Yoruba names
Àánú	God’s mercy is much/Mercy
Àbẹ̀ní	Plead to own
Ádára	It will be well
Adé	Crown
Adéìfẹ́	Crown of love
Àyànfẹ́	Chosen love
Bídèmí	A child born in the absence of Dad
Dide	Rise up
Dúró	Wait
Ẹ̀bùn	Gift
Ẹniọlá	Wealthy/Prominent person
Fara	Cleave
Fẹ́mi	Love me
Fèyi	Use this
Gbenga	Lift me
Ìbùkún	Blessing
Ìfẹ́	Love
Ìfẹ́adé	Love of crown
Ìkẹ́adé	Crown’s care
Ìkórè	Harvest
Ìmọ́lẹ̀	Light
Ìní	Property
Ire	Goodness
Ireti	Hope
Ìtùnú	Comfort
Iyanu	Wonder
Iyi	Honour
Jade	Show up
Kẹ́mi	Care for me
Lànà	Open the way
Mofẹ́	I want
Nifẹ	Show love
Ọlá	Wealth
Oore	Kindness
Oreọ̀fẹ́	Grace
Ṣadé	Create a crown
Ṣẹ́gun	Victor
Ṣeun	Thanks
Ṣiji	Shield
Simi	Rest
Ṣọpẹ́	Give thanks
Tàjòbọ̀	Returnee
Tẹjú	Concentrate
Temi	Mine
Tẹni	One’s own
Tẹra	Persist
Tẹti	Listen
Tirẹni	It is yours
Tóbi	Great
Tómi	Enough for me
Tọ́mi	Train me
Tóní	Worthy to have
Wẹ̀mi	Cleanse me
Wúrà	Gold
Yẹmisi	Honour me

Originally posted 2015-01-20 14:00:28. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“Ẹni ti ó bá mọ inú rò, á mọ ọpẹ́ dá”: Whoever can think/reason will know how to give thanks

Ọmọ bibi ni ewu púpọ̀, nitori eyi ni Yorùbá fi ma nki “ìyá ọmọ kú ewu”. Ni ọjọ́ ìsọmọ lórúkọ tàbi ìkómọ, Bàbá, Ìyá, ẹbi àti ọ̀rẹ́ òbí ọmọ tuntun á fi ìdùnnú hàn nipa ṣíṣe ọpẹ́ pataki fún Ọlọrun

Ẹ ṣe àyẹ̀wò àwọn orúkọ wọnyi ti òbí lò lati fi ẹmi imõre hàn.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Child birth is fraught with danger, as a result, Yoruba people often greet the mother of a new born, “well done for escaping the danger”. On the day of the naming ceremony or child dedication, both the father, mother, family and friends of the new baby’s parent would show their gratitude by giving thanks to God.

See below some of the names that parents give to show their gratitude: Continue reading →

Originally posted 2014-06-27 12:10:46. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“Orúkọ ti òbi Yorùbá nsọ Àbíkú” – “Yoruba parental names associated with Child Mortality”.

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(Olóògbé Ọ̀jọ̀gbọ́n Olikoye Ransome Kuti – Oníṣègùn-Ọmọdé ti gbogbo àgbáyé mọ̀, Òjíṣẹ́-Òṣèlú Nigeria ni ọdún keji-din-lọ́gbọ̀n si ọdún keji-lé-lógún sẹhin, ṣe irànlọ́wọ́ gidigidi nipa di-din “Ikú ọmọdé kù” nipa ẹ̀kọ́-ìlàjú fún gbogbo ilú àti abúlé. Ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ọmọ ni, ìlàjú lóri ẹ̀rọ amóhùn-máwòrán àti ẹ̀rọ asọ̀rọ̀-mágbèsi gbàlà lọ́wọ́ ikú igbẹ́-gburu, nipa ìmọ̀ “Omi Oni-yọ lati dipò omi ara”.

Ẹ ṣe àyẹ̀wò àpẹrẹ bi Àbíkú ti din-ku ni orilẹ̀ èdè Nigeria, nitori eyi orúkọ Àbíkú din-kù:

Ikú ọmọ ti kò ti pé ọdún marun ni ọdún mẹrin-lé-lógún sẹhin jẹ́ Igba-lé-mẹ́tàlá
Ikú ọmọ ti kò ti pé ọdún marun ni ọdún keji sẹhin ti din-kù si Mẹrin-lé-lọgọfa.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

An Internationally acclaimed Paediatrician, Late Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti – Nigeria’s Minister of Health 1986 to 1992 contributed greatly to the reduction of Child Mortality in Nigeria through his Television/Radio Enlightenment Programme as well as promotion of Rural Health Education. Many children were saved from death through diarrhoea through his Television and Radio Enlightenment Programme on “Oral Dehydration Therapy – ORT”.

Check out example of how Child Mortality has reduced in Nigeria, hence names associated with Child Mortality has reduced. According to UNICEF statistics:

Under 5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) 1990 – 213
Under 5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) 2012 – 124

Orúkọ Yorùbá fú́n Àbíkú – Yoruba Name associated with child-mortality	Igé Kúrú Orúkọ Àbíkú – Short form of Name associated with child-mortality	Itumọ – Meaning in English
Gbókọ̀yi	Kọyi	The forest rejected this
Kòkúmọ́	Kòkú	Not dying again
Malọmọ	Malọ	Do not go again
Igbẹkọyi	Kọyi	The dungeon rejected this
Akisatan		No more rags (worn out clothes or rags were used as diapers)
Kòsọ́kọ́		No hoe (e.g. hoe is synonymous with any instrument used in digging the grave i.e. Digger, Shovel, etc
Ọkọ́ya		The hoe is broken (i.e. hoe is synonymous with any digging instruments)
Ẹkúndayọ̀	Dayọ̀	Weeping has turned to joy
Rẹ̀milẹ́kún	Rẹmi	Pacify me from weeping
Ògúnrẹ̀milẹ́kún	Rẹ̀milẹ́kún	The god of iron (Ogun) has pacified me from weeping
Olúwarẹ̀milẹ́kún	Rẹ̀mi/Rẹ̀milẹ́kún	God has pacified me from weeping
Bámitálẹ́	Tálẹ́	Remain with me till the evening/end
Fadaisi/Fadayisi	Daisi/Dayisi	“Ifa” has spared this
Ogundaisi/Ogundayisi	Daisi/Dayisi	“Ogun” has spared this
Mátànmijẹ	Mátànmi	Don’t deceive me
Jokotimi	Joko	Seat with me
Dúrójayé	Dúró/Jayé	Stay to enjoy the world
Dúró́sinmi	Dúró/Sinmi	Stay to bury me (Me here means the plea from the child’s parent)
Dúróorikẹ	Rikẹ	Stay to bury me (Me here means the plea from the child’s parent)
Dúrótimi	Rotimi	Stay with me
Bámidúró	Dúró	Stand with me
Jokotọla	Joko/Tọla	Seat with wealth
Adérọ́pò	Rọ́pò	He/she who came to replace
Olúwafirọ́pò	Rọ́pò/Firọ́pò	God’s replacement
Dúródọlá	Dúró/Dọlá	Wait for wealth
Kilanko	Lanko	What are we naming
Ajá		Dog
Ẹnilọlóbọ̀	Ẹnilọ	He/she who left has returned
Dúrójogún	Dúró/Jogún	Live/Stay to inherit.

Originally posted 2014-09-23 09:01:44. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Orúkọ ti ó wọ́pọ̀ ni idile “Ọlá”, “Ọba”, “Ìjòyè” àti “Akinkanjú ni àwùjọ – Common Names among “Wealthy Family, Palace, Chieftains, Valiant Families”

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Yoruba Names	Short Form	English meaning
Abimbọ́lá	Bimbọ	Met wealth at birth
Abisọ́lá	Bisọ́lá	Born into wealth
Abiọ́lá	Biọ́lá	Born into wealth
Adébisi	Adé/Bisi	Crown has increased by birth
Adébọ́lá	Adé/Bọ́lá	Crown met wealth
Adébọ̀wálé	Débọ̀	The crown has returned home
Adédára	Dára	The crown is good
Adédàmọ́lá	Dàmọ́la	Crown has joined with wealth
Adédàpọ̀	Dàpọ	Mixture of Crowns
Adédiran	Diran	Crown becomes lineage
Adékòge	Gòkè	Crown has risen up
Adéifẹ́	Ìfẹ́	The crown of love
Adéloyè	Déloyè	The Crown is the Title
Adémọ́lá	Démọ́lá	Crown came into wealth
Adénikẹ	Nikẹ	Crown has petting
Adéniran	Niran	Crown has pedigree
Adéniyi	Niyi	Crown has honour
Adéọlá	Deọla	Crown of wealth
Adéoyè	Déloyè	The Crown of Chieftain
Adésanmi	Sanmi	The crown is suitable for me
Adésọ́lá	Désọ́lá	He/She who came into wealth
Adéṣọlá	Ṣọlá	The crown became wealth
Adéwálé	Wálé	The crown came home
Adéwọlé	Wọlé	The crown entered home
Adéwọnúọlá	Wọnú	The crown entered into wealth
Adéwùnmi	Wùnmi	I love the crown
Ajibọ́lá	Jibọ́lá	Woke to meet wealth
Akinọlá	Akin	The valour of wealth
Akinlabi	Labi	We gave birth to the valiant
Àńjọláolúwa	Anjọla	We are enjoying the wealth of God
Arinọla	Arin	The middle of wealth
Ayọ̀ọlá	Ayọ	The joy of wealth

Originally posted 2014-07-01 20:07:31. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“Bibi ire kò ṣe fi owó rà – Yoruba names” – “Good pedigree cannot be bought with money”

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Kò di igbà ti enia bá ni owó rẹpẹtẹ ki ó tó sọ ọmọ rẹ ni “Ọlá” nitori Yorùbá ka ipò giga, ọmọ, ilera, orúkọ rere si “Ọlá”. Ibi ti “Ọlá” wà ninú orúkọ Yorùbá, a lè lo “Adé; Ibi; Olú; Ọmọ; Oyè” dipò. Fún àpẹrẹ, “Ọláyẹmi; Adéyẹmi; Ibiyẹmi; Olúyẹmi; Ọmọyẹmi àti Oyèyẹmi”.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

It is not until a person has so much money before naming a child “Ola which connotes Wealth”, because Yoruba regard, high position in the society, children, good health, good name etc as “Wealth”. Wherever “Ola” appears in a name, it can also be replaced with “Ade – Crown; Ibi – Birth; Omo – Child; Oye – Chieftaincy”. For example “Olayemi; Adeyemi; Ibiyemi; Oluyemi; Omoyemi and Oyeyemi”.

B TO N
Yoruba Names	Short Form	English meaning
Bọ̀bọ́lá	Bọ̀bọ́	Met wealth
Bọ́ládalẹ́	Bọ́lá	Remain with wealth till night
Bọlajoko	Bọla	Seat with wealth
Bọ́lánlé	Bọ́lá	Met wealth at home
Bọ́látitó	Bọ́lá	How great the wealth
Dámilọ́lá	Dámi	Prosper me
Dáramọ́lá	Dára	Beautiful with wealth
Dúródọlá	Dúró	Wait for wealth
Dúrótọlá	Dúró	Wait with wealth
Ẹniọlá	Ẹni	Wealthy/Prominent Personality
Fadéjimi	Jimi	Leave the crown with me
Faramádé	Mádé	Associate with the crown
Faramọ́lá	Fara	Associate with wealth
Fẹ̀hintọlá	Tọlá	Lean back on wealth
Fọlábi	Fọ́la	Came at the time of convenience
Fọlájimi	Jimi	Leave the wealth with me
Fọláhàn	Fọlá	Show off wealth
Fọlákẹ́mi	Fọlákẹ́	Use wealth to pet me
Fọlámi	Fọlá	Breathing in wealth
Fọláṣadé	Ṣadé	Use wealth as crown
Fọláyan	Fọlá	Boastful in wealth
Fọláyẹmi	Yẹmi	Let wealth suit me
Fúnmikẹ́/Fúnkẹ́	Funkẹ	Given to me to pet
Ibitọ́lá	Ibi	Birth is equal to wealth
Ikẹ́adé	Ikẹ	Care of the Crown
Imisiọla	Imisi	The breath of wealth
Iniọla	Ini	Ownership of wealth
Iretiọla	Ireti	Expectation of wealth
Iyiọla	Iyi	The honour of wealth
Jayéọlá	Jayé	Enjoy wealth
Jayéọba	Jayé	Enjoy kingship
Jadesọla	Jade	Come into wealth
Jokotọla	Joko	Seat in the company of wealth
Jọ́ládé	Jọ́lá	Let wealth come
Jọláadé	Jọlá/Adé	Enjoy the wealth of crown
Jọ́láyẹmi	Jọla/Yẹmi	Let wealth suit me
Káriọlá	Kári	The wealth got round
Kayinsọla	Káyin	Drop honey in to wealth
Kẹ́misọ́lá	Kẹ́mi	Pet me into wealth
Kọ́lápọ̀	Kọ́lá	Bring wealth together
Kọ́láwọlé	Kọ́lá	Bring wealth home
Mobọ́láji	Bọ́láji	I woke up with wealth
Monisọ́lá	Moni	There is an addition to my wealth
Mosúnmọ́lá	Mosún	I got closer to wealth
Moyọ̀sádé	Moyọ̀	I rejoice into crown
Moyọ̀sọ́lá	Moyọ̀	I rejoice into wealth
Ninisọ́lá	Nini	Having an addition to wealth

Continue reading →

Originally posted 2014-07-04 23:41:51. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“Ã Ò PÉ KÁMÁ JỌ BABA ẸNI…”: It is not enough to have a striking resemblance to one’s Father

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Yorùbá ní “Ã ò pé kámá jọ Baba ẹni timútimú, ìwà lọmọ àlè”. Òwe yi bá ọpọlọpọ Yorùbá tí o nyi orúkọ ìdílé wọn padà nítorí ẹ̀sìn lai yi ìwà padà̀ lati bá orúkọ titun áti ẹ̀sìn mu. Yorùbá ni “ilé lanwo ki a tó sọmọ lórúkọ” nítorí èyí, ọpọlọpọ orúkọ ìdílé ma nbere pẹ̀lú orúkọ òrìṣà ìdílé bi: Ògún, Ṣàngó, Ọya, Èṣù, Ọ̀sun, Ifá, Oṣó àti bẹ̃bẹ lọ. Fún àpẹrẹ: Ògúnlànà, Fálànà, Ṣólànà ti yi padà sí Olúlànà. Ìgbà míràn ti wọn bá lò lára orúkọ àwọn òrìṣa yi wọn a ṣe àyípadà si, fún àpẹrẹ: “Eṣubiyi” di “Èṣúpòfo”.

Esupofo, image is courtesy of Microsoft office images

“Esupofo”? Njẹ Èṣù pòfo bí, nígbàtí ẹni ti o yi orúkọ padà sí “Èṣúpòfo” njale. . .

Njẹ Èṣù pòfo bí, nígbàtí ẹni ti o yi orúkọ padà sí “Èṣúpòfo” njale, ṣiṣẹ́ gbọ́mọgbọ́mọ, purọ́, kówó ìlú jẹ, àti bẹ̃bẹ lọ? Ótì o, Èṣù o pòfo, ìwà lọmọ àlè. Ọmọ àlè ti pọ si nítorí ìwà Èṣu ti pọ si ni ilẹ̀ Yorùbá. Kò sí nkan tí óburú ninú orúkọ yíyí padà, èyí ti o burú ni kí a yí orúkọ padà lai yi ìwà padà. Ẹ fi ìwà rere dípò ìporúkodà.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

The Yoruba people have a saying that “It is not enough to have a striking resemblance to one’s father, character distinguishes a bastard”. This proverb refers to Yoruba people that replace their family names without matching change of character to go with the name or religion. Another Yoruba saying goes that: “home is observed before naming a child” as a result of this, and so family names are derived with a prefix of the name of the gods and goddesses worshiped in the family such as Ò̀̀̀̀̀̀gun – god of iron/war, Ṣango – god of thunder, Oya – Sango’s wife, Eṣu – Satan, Osun – river goddess, Ifa – Divination, Oso – Wizard etc. For example names like: Ogunlana, Falana, Solana have mostly been changed to “Olulana”. Sometimes, when part of these gods/goddess names are used it is often changed, for example: “Esubiyi – delivered by Satan” is turned “Esupofo – satan has lost”. Continue reading →

Originally posted 2015-01-23 10:15:54. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“Ilé làńwò ki a tó sọmọ lórúkọ – Orúkọ Yorùbá” – Home is examined before naming a child – Yoruba Names

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Ni àṣà Yorùbá, ni ayé àtijọ́, ọjọ́ keje ni wọn ńsọmọ obinrin ni orúkọ, ọjọ́ kẹsan ni ti ọmọ ọkùnrin, ṣùgbọ́n ni ayé òde òni, ọjọ kẹjọ ni wọn sọ gbogbo ọmọ lórú̀kọ. Yorùbá ki sọmọ lórúkọ ni ọjọ́ ti wọn bi,ṣùgbọ́n Yorùbá ti ó bá bimọ si òkè-òkun lè fún ilé-igbẹbi lórúkọ ọmọ gẹgẹ bi àṣà òkè-òkun ki wọn tó sọmọ lórúkọ.

Òwe Yorùbá ni “Ilé làńwò, ki a tó sọmọ lórúkọ” nitori eyi, Bàbá àti Ìyá yio ronú orúkọ ti ó dara ti wọn yio sọ ọmọ ni ọjọ́ ikómọ. Orúkọ Yorùbá lé ni ẹgbẹ-gbẹrun, àwọn orúkọ yi yio jade ni ipasẹ̀ akiyesi iṣẹ̀lẹ̀ ti o ṣẹlẹ̀ ni àsikò ti ọmọ wa ni ninú oyún; ọjọ́ ibi ọmọ; orúkọ ti ó bá idilé tabi ẹsin àtijọ́ àti ẹsin igbàlódé mu.

A o ṣe àyẹ̀wò àwọn orúkọ igbalode àti àwọn orúkọ ibilẹ ti ó ti fẹ ma parẹ. A o bẹrẹ pẹlu orukọ ti o wọpọ ni idile “Ọlá”, “Ọba”, “Olóyè” àti “Akinkanjú ni àwùjọ ni ayé òde òni. “Ọlá” ninú orúkọ Yorùbá ki ṣe owó àti ohun ini nikan, Yorùbá ka “ilera” si “Ọlà”. Continue reading →

Originally posted 2014-07-01 20:03:09. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

“Orúkọ idile Yorùbá ti ó ńparẹ́” – “Yoruba family names that are disappearing”

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Orúkọ ẹni ni ìfihàn ẹni, orúkọ Yorùbá fi àṣà, iṣẹ́ àti Òriṣà idile hàn tàbi àtẹsẹ̀bi ọmọ. Yorùbá gbàgbọ́ ninú Ọlọrun/Eledumare ki ẹ̀sin igbàgbọ́ àti imọ̀le tó dé. Ifá jẹ́ ẹ̀sin Yorùbá, nitori Ifá ni wọn fi ńṣe iwadi lọ́dọ̀ Ọlọrun ki Yorùbá tó dá wọ́ lé ohunkohun. Yorùbá gbàgbọ́ ninú àwọn iránṣẹ́ Ọlọrun ti a mọ̀ si “Òriṣà”. Àwọn Òriṣà Yorùbá pọ̀ ṣùgbọ́n pàtàki lára àwọn Òriṣà ni: Ògún, Ṣàngó, Ọya, Yemọja, Oṣó, Ọ̀ṣun, Olokun, Ṣọ̀pọ̀ná, Èṣù àti bẹ̃bẹ̃ lọ. Àwọn orúkọ ti ó fi ẹ̀sin àwọn Òriṣà wọnyi hàn ti ńparẹ́ nitori àwọn ẹlẹsin igbàlódé ti fi “Oluwa/Ọlọrun” dipò orúkọ ti ó bẹ̀rẹ̀ pẹ̀lú Ifá, Ògún, Èṣù àti bẹ̃bẹ̃ lọ. Ẹ ṣe àyẹ̀wò àwọn orúkọ wọnyi:

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

One’s name is one’s identity, Yoruba names reflect the culture, trade, gods being worshipped in the family as well as the situation in which a child was born. Yoruba had faith in the Almighty God of Heaven ever before the advent of Christianity and Islam. Ifa was then the religion of the Yoruba people, because “Ifa” was the medium of consulting God before embarking on any venture. Yoruba believed in the messengers of God known as mini gods called “Orisa”. There many mini gods but prominent among them are: Ogun – god or Iron; Sango – god of thunder and lightning; Oya – river Niger goddess, wife of Sango; Yemoja – goddess of all rivers; Oso – wizard deity, Osun – river goddess; Olokun – Ocean goddess; Sopona – deity associated with chicken pox; Esu – god of protector as well as trickster deity that generates confusion; etc. The names that were associated with all these Yoruba gods are disappearing because they are being replaced with “Olu, Oluwa, Olorun”, to reflect the modern beliefs. Check below names that associated with the traditional and modern faith:

IFÁ – Yoruba belief of Divination

Orúkọ idile Yorùbá	Orúkọ igbàlódé ti ó dipò orúkọ ibilẹ̀	English/Literal meaning – IFA –Yoruba Religion
Fábùnmi	Olúbùnmi	Ifa/God gave me
Fádádunsi	Dáhùnsi	Ifa responded to this
Fadaisi/Fadairo	Oludaisi	Ifa/God spared this one
Fadójú/Fadójútimi		Ifa did not disgrace me
Fádùlú		Ifa became town
Fáfúnwá	Olúfúnwá	Ifa/God gave me to search
Fágbàmigbé		Ifa did not forget me
Fágbàmilà/Fagbamiye		Ifa saved me
Fágbèmi	Olúgbèmi	Ifa/God supported me
Fagbemileke	Oluwagbemileke	Ifa/God made me prevail
Fágbénró	Olúgbénró	Ifa/God sustained me
Fágúnwà		Ifa straightened character
Fájánà/Fatona		Ifa led the way
Fájọbi		Ifa joined at delivery
Fájuyi		Ifa is greater than honour
Fakẹyẹ		Ifa gathered honour
Fálànà	Olúlànà	Ifa/God opened the way
Fálayé		Ifa is the way of the world
Fáléti		Ifa has hearing
Fálọlá		Ifa is wealth
Fálolú	Ọláolú	Ifa is god
Fámùkòmi/Fáfúnmi	Olúwafúnmi	Ifa/God gave to me
Fámúrewá		Ifa brought goodness
Farinre	Ọlarinre	Ifa/Wealth came in goodness
Fáṣeun	Olúwaṣeun	Thanks to Ifa
Faséùn/Fápohùndà		Ifa kept his words
Fáṣọlá	Olúṣọlá	Ifa/God created wealth
Fatimilẹhin	Oluwatimilẹhin	Ifa/God supported me
Fátúnàṣe		Ifa repaired morals
Faturoti		Ifa is worth waiting on
Fáyẹmi	Olúyẹmi	Ifa/God suits me
Fayoṣe		Ifa will perform it
Ọláifá	Ọláolú	Ifa’s wealth

Originally posted 2014-07-11 20:39:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

The Yoruba Blog

Ẹ jẹ ki a gbé èdè àti àṣà Yorùbá Lárugẹ: keeping the Yoruba language alive…

Category Archives: Yoruba names

“Orúkọ Yorùbá ti o ti inu Ẹsin Ìgbàgbọ jade” – “Yoruba names that originated from Christian Religion”

“Odò ti ó bá gbàgbé orisun gbi gbẹ ló ngbẹ” – “A river that forgets its source will eventually dry up”

“Orúkọ ẹni ló njẹri ẹni lókèèrè: Yorùbá tó wà ni òkè-òkun fẹ́ràn orúkọ kúkúrú” – “One’s name is one’s most advocate abroad: Yoruba people abroad, love shorter names”

“Ẹni ti ó bá mọ inú rò, á mọ ọpẹ́ dá”: Whoever can think/reason will know how to give thanks

“Orúkọ ti òbi Yorùbá nsọ Àbíkú” – “Yoruba parental names associated with Child Mortality”.

Orúkọ ti ó wọ́pọ̀ ni idile “Ọlá”, “Ọba”, “Ìjòyè” àti “Akinkanjú ni àwùjọ – Common Names among “Wealthy Family, Palace, Chieftains, Valiant Families”

“Bibi ire kò ṣe fi owó rà – Yoruba names” – “Good pedigree cannot be bought with money”

“Ã Ò PÉ KÁMÁ JỌ BABA ẸNI…”: It is not enough to have a striking resemblance to one’s Father

“Ilé làńwò ki a tó sọmọ lórúkọ – Orúkọ Yorùbá” – Home is examined before naming a child – Yoruba Names

“Orúkọ idile Yorùbá ti ó ńparẹ́” – “Yoruba family names that are disappearing”

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