Many Yoruba names are considered unique because they have strong and powerful meanings. Many people believe that the child’s fate is in the name. So a lot of parents are very careful selecting the name and start searching the information about names' meanings long before a their babies come into this world. If you are interested in unique male Yoruba names and search for their meanings, you have come to the right place.
Yoruba baby boy names
From ancient times the attention of philosophers is riveted on the name. A name of a person accompanies his/her the whole life, and it is a kind of substitute for a person, his/her representative both in a narrow family circle and in broader areas of communication, in official documents.
The following proverbs point out the importance of a name in a person’s life: Íle làn wò ká tó sọ ọmọ l’ rúkọ", which means "We remember and know everything that happened in the family when we want to give the child a name" and "Oruko ní roni" , meaning "A child will live life as his name say." Yoruba people believe that the name of a child influences his fate and often determines his behavior, lifestyle, etc.
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In old traditional culture, each Yoruba had three or four different names. Everyone had a personal name (Оrúkọ àbíso), laudable name (Oríkì àbísọ) and tribal name (Оríkì orílè).
In the culture of the Yoruba people, naming is a big planned celebration for the whole family. There are disagreements among scientists about the naming ceremony day in the society of the Yoruba people.
According to scholars such as Abraham, Dáramọlá, and Jẹ́jẹ́, the boy was given a name on the seventh day after the birth, and the girls were given a name on a ninth day. However, Adeola has a different opinion. According to the scholar, the boy was given a name on the eighth day and the girl on a ninth day.
The name in Yoruba culture reflects the current situation in a child’s life; focuses attention on the child; indicates the marital status of the parents, i.e., they are rich or not, or suggests the religion practiced in the family.
Male Yoruba names and meaning
Yoruba male names and their meaning.
- Adeyemi - this name is motivated and English translation means “the crown fits me,” that is, the name has the following meaning: “I deserve to wear the crown and rule the people.”
- Abiodun - this name shows everyone that such a child was born during a holiday.
- Banjoko - this is a kind of request, which literally translates as "do not ever leave me."
- Fiyinfoluwa- by this name parents give honor to God.
- Ifelewa - this name will bring the child true love and happiness.
- Jaiyesimi - means one who believes that life can be enjoyed, therefore, the child will grow up so that he loves and enjoys the life given by God.
- Jimoh - this name means that baby was born on Friday.
- Tanimola - literally means that "Nobody knows what lies tomorrow", so the life of such baby will be full of surprises.
The names in the culture of the Yoruba people encoded all sorts of information. Through the names, you can find out all about the origin of a man.
- Tantoluwa - this name calls a person like God, that is, he is meant to bring good and prosperity to this world.
- Ogunsina - means "the God of iron has opened the way." This name explains the religion and faith of the parents in the child.
- Abiade - this name speaks directly about the origin of the newborn, that is, means that the child was born by parents from the royal family/
- Tayo - means that a baby boy will be full of happiness and will give it to those around him.
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Also, in the culture of the Yoruba people, there is a name for a premature child, the so-called Orúkọ Àbíkú: this name was given to a child who was born and then died.
Some examples of such names are:
- Banjokoo - the name means "sit with me."
- Durojaye - which means “wait and enjoy life.”
- Kokumo - "this child no longer dies."
- Esupofo - the name means that in the fight with the devil, the latter lost.
Very often give a baby boy is given a laudatory name. The laudatory name is associated with the child's ancestors. Examples of laudatory names for a boy in the traditional culture of the Yoruba people are:
- Alabi - the name means "who was born quickly," that is, his mother did not suffer during childbirth, and his relatives were delighted with his quick birth.
- Ajani - the name means "one who was born with difficulty."
- Ajao - means "one who fights enemies."
In the cultural tradition of Yoruba, there is a tendency to give boys such laudatory names, in which emphasis is placed on such qualities as courage, strength, bravery, whereas in the laudatory names of girls is noted that they are gentle, affectionate, beautiful.
Many Yoruba people today consider the laudatory name as a relic of the past. The use of the laudatory name is associated with one essential part of Yoruba speech etiquette.
In general, the name system today is changing, which means that a part of traditional names is a thing of the past, as well as the belief that a person’s name plays a huge role in his fate.
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Source: Naija.ng