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

(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.
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Originally posted 2014-09-23 09:01:44. 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

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

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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

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

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Originally posted 2014-07-01 20:03:09. 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”

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.

Orúḱ 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

 

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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

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Originally posted 2014-06-27 12:10:46. 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”

A

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
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Originally posted 2014-07-01 20:07:31. 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”

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

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

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 r – 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

 

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

“Àbíkú sọ Olóògùn di èké” – “Child mortality mis-portray the genuineness of the Herbalist”

Ìgbàgbọ́ Yorùbá yàtọ̀ si ohun ti àwọn Ẹlẹko-Ijinlẹ fi hàn ni ayé òde òni.  Ni igbà àtijọ́, bi obinrin/iyàwó bá bi ọmọ, ti ó kú ni ikókó tàbi ki ó tó gba àbúrò, ọmọ ti wọn bá bi lẹhin rẹ ni wọn ma fún ni orúkọ “Àbíkú” pàtàki ti ó bá tó bi meji, mẹta ki ọmọ tó dúró.  Yorùbá gbàgbọ́ ninú àpadà-wáyé, ni igbà miran, wọn á fi ibinú fi àmin, bi ki wọn kọ ilà si ara ọmọ ti ó kú tàbi gé lára ẹ̀yà ara ọmọ yi lati mọ bóyá yio padà wá.  Bi ìyá ti ó bi Àbíkú bá bímọ lẹhin ikú ọmọ ti wọn fi àpá si lára, àpá yi ni wọn ma kọ́kọ́ wò lára ọmọ titun.  Bi wọn bá ri àpá yi, wọn o sọ ọmọ naa ni orúkọ Àbíkú.  Orúkọ àbùkù ni ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ orúkọ Àbíkú – ó lè jẹ́ orúkọ ẹranko, orúkọ ti ó fi ìbẹ̀rù hàn, tàbi orúkọ fún ìmọràn.

Àbíkú jẹ́ ikú ọmọdé àti ìkókó titi dé ọmọ ọdún marun.  Ẹkọ-Ijinlẹ fi hàn pé, ọ̀pọ̀lọpọ̀ ikú ọmọdé ti Yorùbá mọ̀ si Àbíkú yi ti ìpasẹ̀ wọnyi wá: àrùn tó ṣe-dádúró, oúnjẹ-àìtó, omi-ẹlẹgbin,  ilé-iwòsàn ti kò pé tàbi ai si ilé-iwòsàn, àrùn àti àjàkálẹ̀-àrùn, ọmọ ti ó ni iwọn-kékeré nigbà ìkókó. Owe Yoruba ti o ni “Àbíkú sọ Olóògùn di èké” fi ìgbàgbọ́ Yorùbá hàn pé, kò si oògùn ti ó lè dá Àbíkú dúró.  Ìmọ̀ Ijinlẹ fi hàn pe ki ṣe gbogbo ọmọ ti ó kú, ni ó yẹ ki ó kú, nitori lati igbà ti àtúnṣe àwọn ohun ti ó nfa ikú ọmọdé yi ti wà, Àbíkú din-kù – nipa ìpèsè omi ti ó mọ́, ilé-ìwòsàn ọmọdé, ilà-lóye àwọn obinrin nipa ìtọ́jú aboyún àti ọmọdé

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Originally posted 2014-09-19 21:51:28. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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

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

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