Yoruba names for boys are deeply rooted in heritage and often carry profound messages about a child’s personality and destiny.
In Yoruba culture, one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa, naming a child is a thoughtful and symbolic process that reflects the family's values, beliefs, and aspirations.
Naming ceremonies hold significant importance among the Yoruba people. While the ceremonies generally follow a shared structure, families and communities introduce unique customs that add distinctiveness.
The practice of naming, or christening, is a universal tradition, symbolizing a crucial milestone in all African cultures and religions.
Among the Yoruba of Southwest Nigeria, naming transcends simple identification; it reveals the "social DNA" of the individual, encompassing their ancestry, occupation, education, birth circumstances, character, and religious background.
Names encapsulate the aspirations, expectations, and wishes of the name-givers for the child. Some names are circumstantial, reflecting the hopes and fears of the child’s parents and relatives.
Even the mother’s condition during childbirth, her mode of delivery, and the baby’s position at birth can influence the chosen name.
For the Yoruba, a name is more than a mere label; it is a profound connection to heritage and the circumstances surrounding one’s arrival into the world.
This cherished tradition weaves generations together, celebrating the rich history and culture that define the Yoruba people. Preserving these names and customs is vital in a rapidly changing cultural society.
In Nigeria, it is widely known that the Yoruba people typically wait seven days after a child's birth before holding the naming ceremony.
This tradition dates back centuries to a time when Ifa priests would consult the oracles to uncover a child’s destiny before choosing a name.
Today, the world has evolved, and many people have embraced different religions that influence the choice of names for their children, allowing for greater creativity in name selection.
As one of Nigeria's three major ethnic groups, the Yoruba have a rich collection of names. These names frequently appear in discussions of the nation's politics, history, and religion, reflecting their cultural significance.
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Yoruba Names for Boys And Their Meaning
Abimbola
Meaning: Born into wealth
Abiodun
Meaning: Born in a festive period
Abiola
Meaning: Wealth has been born
Abioye
Meaning: Born into royalty
Abitoluwa
Meaning: Born as God’s own
Ade
Meaning: Crown
Adebayo
Meaning: The crown has met with joy
Adebimpe
Meaning: The Crown is complete
Adebisi
Meaning: We added to the crown
Adebola
Meaning: The crown meets with wealth
Adebowale
Meaning: The crown has come home
Adeboye
Meaning: The crown has brought title
Adedamola
Meaning: The crown has mixed with wealth
Adedayo
Meaning: The crown has turned to joy
Adedeji
Meaning: The crown has become two
Adegoke
Meaning: The crown has been exalted
Adekola
Meaning: The crown brings wealth
Adekunle
Meaning: Crowns have filled the house
Adelaja
Meaning: The crown settled this fight
Adeleke
Meaning: The crown stays above
Adelomo
Meaning: A child is a crown
Adelowo
Meaning: The crown has honour
Ademola
Meaning: The crown knows wealth
Adeniyi
Meaning: The crown has honour
Adenrele
Meaning: The crown is going home
Adenuga
Meaning: The crown owns the palace
Adepoju
Meaning: Many crowns
Adesoji
Meaning: The crown is revived
Adesola
Meaning: Crown makes wealth
Adetokunbo
Meaning: The crown arrived from over the sea
Adetola
Meaning: A crown is worth the same as wealth
Afolabi
Meaning: Born into wealth
Akande
Meaning: First born
Akinkunmi
Meaning: I am full of valour
Akintoye
Meaning: Strength is all I need
Akinwale
Meaning: Strength has come home
Akinyemi
Meaning: Valour befits me
Alaba
Meaning: Second child after twins
Anjolaoluwa
Meaning: We are enjoying the goodness of the Lord
Anuoluwapo
Meaning: God is merciful
Adewale
Meaning: The crown has come home
Adewumi
Meaning: I love the crown
Adeyemi
Meaning: I am befitting of the crown
Adeyinka
Meaning: I am surrounded by the crown
Araloluwa
Meaning: God of wonders
Araoluwakiitan
Meaning: The Wonders of the Lord never ends
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Aremu
Meaning: First male child
Ayanfeoluwa
Meaning: God’s beloved
Ayobami
Meaning: Joy meets with me
Ayobintan
Meaning: Joy gave birth to this
Ayodele
Meaning: Joy has come home
Ayomide
Meaning: My joy has arrived
Ayomiposi
Meaning: My joy has increased
Ayoola
Meaning: The joy of wealth
Ayooluwa
Meaning: The joy of the lord
Ayooluwakiitan
Meaning:
The joy of the lord never ends
Ayorinsola
Meaning: Joy walked into wealth
Ayowumi
Meaning: I love joy
Babalola
Meaning: Father is wealth
Babatunde/Babajide
Meaning: The return of the father
Babawale
Meaning: The arrival of the father
Bamidele
Meaning: Follow me home
Bayiloluwato
Meaning: This is how great the Lord is
Bikoseoluwa
Meaning: If not for God
Boluwatifenisola
Meaning: God handles his grace/goodness as he pleases
Durodola
Meaning: Wait for wealth
Ebunoluwa
Meaning: God’s gift
Eniobafe
Meaning: The one the King loves
Eniola
Meaning: A person of wealth
Erioluwa
Meaning: God Testimony
Erioluwape
Meaning: God’s testimony is perfect
Eyitayo
Meaning: Sufficient cause for joy
Eyitomilayo
Meaning: This is enough for me to rejoice
Fiyinfoluwa
Meaning: Give praise/ prestige to God
Ibukunoluwa
Meaning: Blessing of God
Idunnuola
Meaning: Happiness
Ifedayo
Meaning: Love brings joy
Ifeoluwa
Meaning: God’s love
Ilerioluwa
Meaning: God’s promise
Inioluwa
Meaning: God’s heritage
Ireoluwa
Meaning: God’s goodness
Iretioluwa
Meaning: God’s hope
Iseoluwa
Meaning: Word of God
Iteoluwakiishi
Meaning: The throne of God never fades/ cannot be moved
Iyanuoluwa
Meaning: God’s praise
Iyinoluwa
Meaning: The prestige that comes with wealth
Mobolaji
Meaning: I woke up with wealth
Mobolarinwa
Meaning: I walk with wealth
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Mosadioluwa
Meaning: I ran to God to shield me
Motosinoluwa
Meaning: I am capable of serving God
Obaloluwa
Meaning: God is King
Ojumirayo
Meaning: My eyes see joy
Okanlanwon
Meaning: Only male child
Oladayo
Meaning: Wealth turns to joy
Olafimihan
Meaning: Wealth has revealed me/ Wealth shows me off
Oluwadaramisi
Meaning: God is good to me
Oluwasemilore
Meaning: God did good to me
Oluwaseun
Meaning: Thanks be to God
Oluwaseyi
Meaning: God made this/ God did this
Oluwaseyifunmi
Meaning: God has done this for me
Oluwatobi
Meaning: God is great
Oladimeji
Meaning: Wealth has doubled
Olamide
Meaning: My wealth has arrived
Olamilekan
Meaning: My wealth is greater
Olamiposi
Meaning: My wealth has increased
Olaoluwatayo
Meaning: God’s wealth/riches sprung forth
Olasupo
Meaning: Wealth comes together
Oluwafemi
Meaning: God Loves me
Oluwatofunmi
Meaning: God is sufficient for me
Oluwatosin
Meaning: God is worthy to be served
Oluwatoyin
Meaning: God is worthy to be praised
