768+ Yoruba Last Names: Preserving Family and Cultural Heritage

Yoruba’s last names tell a story of Nigeria’s vibrant culture. Passed down through generations, these names carry special meanings.

For instance, Adeyemi means “royalty befits me,” and Ogunlade signifies a family linked to war and royalty. These names connect people to their family history and often show their roots, occupations, or birth circumstances.

Yoruba last names are more than just identifiers; they’re a source of pride and a way to honor ancestors. They represent a bridge between the past and the present, reflecting a deep cultural legacy that Yoruba people hold dear.

Top Yoruba Last Names

Top Yoruba last names reflect rich cultural heritage. Common surnames include Adeyemi, meaning “royalty”; Ogunlade, tied to warrior prowess; and Adebayo, denoting joy in abundance. These names often carry profound meanings, embodying values, history, and the vibrant traditions of the Yoruba people in Nigeria and beyond.

Rare Yoruba Surnames

Rare Yoruba surnames are unique identifiers reflecting rich cultural heritage. Examples include “Oyekanmi,” meaning “my sorrows are over,” and “Adebambo,” denoting royalty. These names often carry profound meanings, linking individuals to their ancestry with a sense of pride and history in the Yoruba culture of Nigeria.

Yoruba Last Names and Meanings

Yoruba last names, often rich in cultural significance, reflect the heritage of the Yoruba people in Nigeria and beyond. Common prefixes like “Ade” signify royalty, “Olu” denotes wealth, and “Ola” represents prosperity. These names encapsulate the values and aspirations deeply rooted in Yoruba tradition, adding depth to personal identity.

Last Name	Meaning
Adeyemi	Crown befits me
Adebayo	He came in a joyful time
Ogunlade	Warrior of the crown
Aluko	One who is victorious
Olayemi	I bring joy
Osinaike	The chief has a strong character
Adewale	The crown has come home
Olatunji	Wealth wakes up
Fagbemi	My family deserves the throne
Adegoke	The crown has elevated
Afolabi	Born into wealth
Adeoti	The crown completes me
Osundina	The chief has become a market
Alade	One with a royal status
Aina	Born during a period of wealth
Adebanjo	The crown meets with wealth
Ojo	Born on a rainy day
Ogunbanwo	Warrior meets with strength
Adebisi	We added to the crown
Adebowale	The crown has come home
Ojo	Rain brings happiness
Alao	One who brings wealth
Olaniran	My wealth has increased
Adetokunbo	The crown has returned from overseas
Adeleye	The crown befits the house
Alade	The crown has come
Oluwole	God has come home
Olaoluwa	Wealth of the Lord
Adekunle	Crown fills the house
Oluwaseun	God is gracious
Adebisi	We added to the crown
Oloruntoba	God is our refuge
Adeniyi	The crown has dignity
Olubunmi	God has given me
Adegboyega	The crown befits the ruler
Oluwafemi	God loves me
Adebajo	We find the crown
Okechukwu	God’s gift
Adejumo	The crown brings joy
Olumide	My God has arrived
Adeleye	The crown befits the house
Oluwakemi	God pampers me
Adesina	Crown of the world
Olowookere	God brings prosperity
Adediran	The crown has a strong foundation
Oluwadamilare	God has compensated me
Adeleye	The crown befits the house
Oni	Born in a festive period
Adeoti	The crown completes me
Oyedele	Wealth has turned to my side
Adewale	The crown has come home
Onifade	Born into royalty
Adeyinka	The crown surrounds me
Oshodi	The chief is present
Afolabi	Born into wealth
Oyewole	Wealth has entered the house
Aderibigbe	The crown befits the strong
Oyelakin	Wealth has triumphed
Agboola	Wealth meets with dignity

Unique Yoruba Last Names

Yoruba last names are distinctive and often convey familial or cultural significance. Notable examples include Adegoke, meaning “royalty brings happiness,” and Ogunlana, signifying a family with a strong warrior lineage. These names reflect the rich history and traditions of the Yoruba people, adding depth to individual identities.

Most Common Yoruba Last Names

Yoruba last names often reflect family history, occupations, or geographic origin. Common surnames include Adeyemi, meaning “royalty suits me,” Oladele, “wealth has come home,” and Ogunlade, signifying a warrior’s arrival. These names embody the rich cultural heritage and traditional values of the Yoruba people in Nigeria and beyond.

Popular Yoruba Last Names

Yoruba last names, rooted in Nigeria’s rich cultural tapestry, reflect diverse histories. Prominent among them are Adeyemi, meaning “royalty,” and Ogunlade, associated with martial prowess. Others include Olatunji, signaling “wealth has come,” and Adegoke, denoting “crown brings joy.” These surnames embody the Yoruba people’s heritage, resilience, and societal values.

Famous Yoruba Last Names

Prominent Yoruba last names reflect rich cultural heritage in Nigeria. Notable ones include Adeyemi, symbolizing royalty; Ogunlade, linked to war and valor; and Adegoke, denoting prominence. These names carry ancestral significance, mirroring the Yoruba people’s history, traditions, and diverse achievements across generations.

Adeyemi	Adebayo
Ogunlade	Adekunle
Adegoke	Adewale
Ajayi	Adeniyi
Aluko	Aderibigbe
Alade	Afolabi
Adetola	Agboola
Akanbi	Akindele
Akintola	Akinyemi
Awosika	Babalola
Balogun	Daramola
Dosunmu	Egunjobi
Fasina	Folarin
Gbadamosi	Ige
Ogunleye	Ojo
Okeke	Okonkwo
Olumide	Oyetunde
Odumosu	Oni
Odeyemi	Ogundele
Ojo	Okechukwu
Olanrewaju	Olufemi
Onafowokan	Oni
Olaniran	Olowe
Olatunji	Oshodi
Owolabi	Owoeye
Oyebanji	Oyelakin
Sobowale	Solarin
Sonaike	Taiwo
Tijani	Udegbe
Yakubu	Yusuf
Akinfenwa	Ajala
Balogun	Bello
Ekundayo	Esan
Fashola	Fatunmbi
Ibiyemi	Idowu
Ikumapayi	Ishola
Jaiyesimi	Kuti
Labiran	Lawal
Makinde	Mustapha
Nwaogu	Ogunbanwo
Ogedengbe	Oguntuase
Okechukwu	Okonkwo
Okoye	Oladele
Oladipo	Olajide
Olanipekun	Olanrewaju
Olayinka	Olumide
Oni	Onyekachi
Oshinaike	Osuntokun
Owoeye	Oyelakin
Salami	Shittu
Tiamiyu	Udegbe

Beautiful Yoruba Last Names

Yoruba last names, reflecting rich Nigerian heritage, are both melodious and meaningful. From the elegant Adeyemi, meaning “crown befits me,” to the regal Ogunlade, symbolizing “warrior born into royalty,” each name embodies cultural significance. These beautiful surnames resonate with a legacy of tradition, pride, and familial honor.

Cool Yoruba Last Names

Yoruba is reflected in the wealth of last names that members of this ethnic group use. These last names are often derived from ancestors’ names, places of origin, or words or phrases that hold special meaning. Some of the cool Yoruba last names are listed below.

Bimbo – (Yoruba origin) one of the rarer names meaning “to be born wealthy”.

Bubakar – (Yoruba origin) This is one of the popular last names which translates to “noble”.

Deyemi – (Yoruba origin) Famous among the Yoruba tribe, this African surname means ‘worthy to be a king’.

Falade – (Yoruba origin) This is one of the unique African surnames which translate to complete sentences. Falade means “God of divination has intermingled with royalty”.

Abara (Igbo origin) This surname means “spirit”.

Gbadamosi – This surname is usually meant for boys and means “the independent one”.

Aku – (Igbo origin) This last name represents “wealth”.

Babangida – (Hausa origin) The meaning of this Nigerian name is “the master of the house”.

Attah – (Nigerian origin) From the Igala tribe, it means “Father of all”. This name is less common.

Igbinedion – (Benin origin) It means “seeking refuge in elder’s protection”.

Yau

Haruna

Micheal

Chukwuma

Adam

Okoye

Rufai

Ganiyu

Felix

Edem

Jibrin

Ogunleye

Edet

Akinyemi

Aremu

Liman

Raheem

Salihu

Uba

Oladipupo

Francis

Salawu

Hamza

Okocha

Abdul

Eyo

Adeoye

Sambo

Hamisu

Ogbu

Bello

Eze

Yakubu

Haladu

Philip

Olatunji

Anyanwu

Udeh

Isiaka

Momoh

Modu

Amadu

Yohanna

Nwosu

Samuel

Ekeh

Zubairu

Usman

Yahuza

Auwal

Adebayo

Pam

Abraham

Abdulkareem

Tajudeen

Lawali

Jonah

Audu

Sunday

Alade

Ayoola

Tanimu

Rabiu

Muhammad

Zakari

Lamidi

Agbo

Idowu

Popoola

Tiamiyu

Nwachukwu

Fatai

Sabo

Muhammed

Osoji

Duru

Ohakwu

Dike

Igwe

Orji

Afolabi

Samson

Wowo

Saliu

Lateef

Onyia

Sulaimon

Basiru

Ichendu

Halilu

Fun Fact – Halilu who is a doctor enrolled at age 19 in the Nigerian Military Training College (NMTC) in 1962.

Related: Last Name Start With R

Catchy Yoruba Last Names

There are also last names derived from words or phrases with special meanings. For example, Ojomo is derived from the phrase “O ju mo,” which in Yoruba means “one who is ready to be led.” Are you looking for some catchy yoruba last names? Here is the list

Danjuma – (Yoruba origin) Meaning “born on Friday”.

Emem – One of the unique unisex African last names, this surname means “peace”.

Bolaji – A very common Nigerian last name, it is a word from the original tribal families.

Chukwu – (Igbo Origin) meaning “God, spiritual being, and great”.

Egbe – (Yoruba origin) This is a nickname turned into a surname which means “kite”.

Chidubem – A name of respect, it means, ‘Guided by God’.

Eze – (Igbo origin) This popular African surname is a title of respect which means ‘King’.

Akerele – (Yoruba origin) meaning “small but tough”.

Ibrahim – (Arabic origin) The surname means “Father of Nations”.

Ibeh – (Igbo origin) The name means “In one’s relation as a friend, family or acquaintance”.

Emeka

Pius

Sani

Onah

Abba

Garuba

Wada

Garba

Nwankwo

Tukur

Ieben

Chuku

Obi

Ekpo

Idoko

Saadu

Musa

Ezeh

Oladimeji

Adesina

Shuaibu

Magaji

Etim

Adewumi

Umar

Adeyemi

Owolabi

Surajo

Anwukweru

Kayode

Paul

Mba

Adeniran

Nwafor

Shehu

Isyaku

Azubuike

Babatunde

Saleh

Salisu

Fatima

Galadima

Attah

Otu

Mathew

Dickson

Adekunle

Kehinde

Chima

Asuquo

Dauda

Hussaini

Isiyaku

Luka

Abdu

Suleiman

Abel

Ibeh

Abdulhamid

Oladele

Iliya

Matthew

Abdullahi

Bassey

Odo

Okonkwo

Adeniyi

Moses

Umoh

Auwalu

Solomon

Ahmed

Ude

Dahiru

Nuhu

Akinola

Kabir

Edeh

Okafor

Ayeni

Bukar

Jibril

Onwuka

Ozuru

Mark

Christopher

Jonathan

Bashir

Ishaku

Aisha

Fun Fact – The word Aisha originated from Japan.

Related: Mysterious Last Names

Best Yoruba Last Names

One common type of Yoruba last name is the patronymic or matronymic. These are names that are derived from the father’s or mother’s given name. Examples include Adeoye (son of Ade), Oluwole (son of Olúwo), and Fagbohun (daughter of Fagbo). Some of the best yoruba last names are given below.

Aliu – (English origin) meaning “noteworthy, remarkable, and distinctive”.

Alaneme (Igbo origin) – Ala (land) + neme( doing something), which means “the land is active”.

Etienam – With an interesting history behind it, this name means “the one who does good deeds or is benevolent”. Interestingly, it is also a common name in the Caribbean region.

Aguero – (Igbo origin) One of the African surnames given to girls, it means “the hardship is over”.

Amaechi – (Igbo origin) The African meaning of the name is “who knows tomorrow”.

Eesuola – (Yoruba origin) This name means “to have a lot of wealth”.

Ali – (Arabic origin) meaning “high, champion, or elevated”.

Balogun – (Yoruba origin) It is a title bestowed by a family which means “Warlord”.

Hassan – (Arabic origin) This name mainly reserved for boys means ‘handsome’ or “strong and manly”.

biola – (Yoruba origin) This Nigerian last name means ‘born in honour and wealth’.

Joseph

Sule

Sanni

Danladi

Abdulrahman

Thomas

Udofia

Clement

Sale

Akanbi

Ade

Rabi

Ugwu

Samaila

Habu

Ajibola

Ukpong

Sunusi

Balogun

Nwali

Goni

Nasir

Odoh

Mohammad

Buhari

Busari

Nkomadu

Adebisi

Mahmud

Alabi

Abdulkadir

Umeh

Chinda

Ayuba

Nura

Sanusi

Adeleke

Habibu

Adeniji

Mbah

Akpan

Monday

Idris

Rowland

Oseni

Udo

Idiris

Okolo

Adepoju

Ojonjoku

Okereke

Oyewole

Williams

Babangida

James

Saminu

Uzoma

Adams

Usaini

Ekanem

Baba

Charlse

Manu

Nweke

Isa

Abdulsalam

Tijjani

Abdulkarim

Benjamin

Shittu

Nwoye

Ademola

Stephen

Murtala

Ogbonna

Muktar

Alasan

Mustafa

Chukwu

Ajibade

Adedeji

Saka

Gambo

Elijah

Nnadi

Dada

Alao

Eke

Onu

Isah

Fun Fact – Isaiah has many, many prophecies in it that came true in the New Testament, came true in history, and are still coming true today

Related: Western Last Names

Amazing Yoruba Last Names

Agency is one of the most popular Yoruba last names and is derived from the combination of two words, “Ade” meaning king, and “Niyi” meaning honor. It is often a sign of respect given to a person of high status. Some amazing yoruba last names are given below.

débáyọ̀ – (Yoruba origin) This last name is synonymous to a “king or crown or royalty”. It can also mean that “he came at a joyful time”.

Asaju – Yet another one of the Nigerian names which means a warrior or rather, leader of warriors.

Akinyemi (Yoruba Origin) means “fated to be a warrior”.

desina – (Yoruba origin) A name given to a long-awaited child, meaning “crown opens the way”.

Bassey – It means “God” in efik language of Nigeria.

Baba – A revered last name, it is an honorary title bestowed on an elder.

Awolowo (Yoruba origin) – This Nigerian last name means “the oracle has dignity”.

bdullahi – (Arabic Origin) The one who follows God or the servant of God.

Bello – (Latin origin) Derived from the bellus, it means “handsome/beautiful”.

Akpabio – (Ibibio origin) The name usually means a “leader” prime or noble”.

Ogundele

William

Jackson

Agboola

Taiwo

Alhaji

Nnaji

Olanrewaju

Olayiwola

Danjuma

Salami

Ado

Shaibu

Adeyemo

Benson

Aina

Ogbonda

Kasimu

Joel

Amina

Oko

Bashiru

Ummaru

Patrick

Daniel

Sadiq

Bakare

Kabiru

Sahabi

Oladejo

George

Inuwa

Badamasi

Uche

Ishaq

Oke

Abubakar

Onoja

Nnamani

Jimoh

Adegoke

Aguomba

Ogu

Abdulazeez

Okoh

Aliu

Nwaeze

Muritala

Nasiru

Mohammadu

Wobo

Olaniyan

Adewole

Amadi

Egwu

Lawan

Amesi

Okoli

Effiong

Ameh

Ismaila

Bamidele

Ibe

Abah

Ali

Muhammadu

Jacob

Inyang

Udoh

Ndukwe

Okpara

Adisa

Abiodun

Victor

Adewale

Okeke

Onwe

Mamman

Madu

Ahamed

Tijani

Bala

Umaru

Ashiru

Ani

Oni

Muazu

Lawal

Ede

Ibrahim

Fun Fact – Ibrahim was born in a house of idolaters in the kingdom of Babylon.

Related: Georgian Last Names

Awesome Yoruba Last Names

Another type of Yoruba last name is one that is derived from the place of origin. For example, Ogunsanya is derived from the town of Ogun in Nigeria. Similarly, Adebayo is derived from the town of Bayo in Oyo State. Some of the awesome yoruba last names are given below.

Anenih – (Yoruba origin) Used for the boys/men, this name means “God-bearing name”.

Alison – (Greek origin) meaning “light”.

Aguta – (Igbo origin) – This Igbo origin the last name means “countless” or “to have many”.

Alana – (German origin) meaning “precious and beautiful”.

Guh – (Hebrew origin) The surname Guh means “Gift of God”.

Azi – Pronounced as Azih, this name means “unending”.

Agbani – (Yoruba origin) – meaning “Praise God”.

Bankole – (Yoruba origin) – One of the rare African last names, this surname is given to sons which means “help build our house”.

deoye – (Yoruba origin) This tribal African surname means “crown”.

Folorunsho – (Yoruba origin) This surname means “under God’s protection”.

Chukwuemeka

Iliyasu

Bulus

Augustine

Olaleye

Michael

Emmanuel

Aliyu

Osi

Hassan

Danlami

Ummar

Azeez

Ayodele

Onuoha

Sabiu

Adamu

Joshua

Oloyede

Kareem

Archibong

Anthony

Tom

Kalu

Idi

Ike

Ojo

John

Akande

Bankole

Okon

Hashimu

Sadi

Adedokun

Adebiyi

Ben

Husaini

Mohammed

Okere

Olaniyi

Essien

Tanko

Badmus

Kazeem

Bawa

Simon

Bitrus

David

Ajayi

Tasiu

Isaac

Amaechi

Yusif

Lasisi

Ishola

Bako

Peter

Eneotu

Gabriel

Olajide

Johnson

Alex

Mustapha

Okoro

Hamidu

Yunusa

Kolawole

Okorie

Ahmadu

Friday

Ugochukwu

Ezekiel

Okechukwu

Suleman

Ismail

Godwin

Labaran

Malam

Amos

Osuji

Amodu

Mamuda

Yusuf

Anas

Daramola

Sulaiman

Adeleye

Jamilu

Adetunji

Yahaya

Fun Fact – Yahya Khan succeeded Ayub Khan as president when the latter resigned his office in March 1969. 

Related: Sophisticated Last Names

Conclusion

Yoruba last names are important because they connect people to their cultural roots and ancestors. These names tell a story of heritage, creating a sense of unity among the Yoruba people and preserving their rich traditions.

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