odio

An archaic term, only found in the praises and oríkì of deities like Ọlọ́fịn, Olú orókè, and Ọlụ́ayé, and certain kings, such as the Olúkàrẹ́, Déjì, Aláwẹ̀, and Èwí. See SEY form òdígho, which may suggest a Proto-Edekiri root, or inter-dialectal borrowings.


Samu

A senior traditional chieftaincy title in Ọ̀yọ́, a member of the Ọ̀yọ́mèsì. Traditionally, upon the death of the Alaafin, the bearer of this title must commit ritual suicide and is then buried alongside the monarch


apere

Déjì ti Àkúrẹ́ tó wa lórí àpèrè l'Ọba Ọ̀dúndún Ẹlẹ́kéjì

The Deji of Akure that is currently on the throne is Odundun II


Alaafin

→ Portuguese: alafim

→ English: Alaafin

From oní- (“one who, owner”) + ààfin (“palace”), literally “Owner of the palace”.

affix

The monarch of Oyo, and historically of the Oyo Empire.


adele

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dèlé (“to guard the home”), literally “One who guards the home (until the rightful owner comes)”.

af

a regent; (specifically) a female regent (usually the eldest daughter of the deceased monarch) who reigns on the throne until the kingmakers (Afọbajẹ) crown another king.


Bara

(historical) the royal burial site of the Aláàfin of the Ọ̀yọ́ empire in the capital city of Ọ̀yọ́-Ilé


Balogun

baba (“father, elder”) + ní (“in”) + ogun (“war”), literally “The father of war”

compound

(historical) A traditional chieftaincy and military title in many Yoruba towns, who historically was the commander of the troops


Aro

Compare with Edo Ero, also possibly from à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ró (“to hold, to uphold”)

af

For example, the Àró of Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín is the chief priest of the worship of the deity Àjàlémògún.

a high-ranking traditional (Ìwàrẹ̀fà) chieftaincy title of many Yoruba towns. The holder of this position usually fulfills religious and ritualistic roles in their respective towns.


alade

The common species of yam grown and consumed in the Yoruba region, specifically Dioscorea cayenensis subsp. rotundata


Ọọni

Etymology is unknown, the deletion of the /w/ (also /ɣ/) phoneme in the Ifẹ̀ and Èkìtì dialects of Yoruba may suggest the original form as Proto-Yoruba Proto-Yoruba *ɔ̀-ɣɔ̀nɪ̃, equivalent to ọ̀ọ̀ (“respect”) + ọni (“person”). Cognate with Edo Ọ́ghẹ̀nnẹ́ and Urhobo Ọ́ghẹ̀nẹ́, where the term is also used in reference to a Supreme being synonymous with Odùduwà


Alake

From oní- (“one who has”) + Aké (“Ake”), literally “One who has Aké”.

affix

the traditional ruler of the Egba people

(historical) the traditional ruler of the Ẹ̀gbá Aké section of the Ẹ̀gbá people.


ọba

Folk etymology states that it comes from ọ- (“agent prefix”) + ba (“to watch over”). Other etymological theories suggest it coming from the same root as father, compare with baba (“father”), ọbàkan (“paternal half sibling”), ọmọba, but is usually gender neutral when referring to a monarch. Cognate with Arigidi ɔba, Edo ọba

ọbabìnrin

queen (as in a queen who rules in her own right, rather as the wife of a king)

Ọbańta

A senior chieftaincy title and the name of the founder of the Ìjẹ̀bú kingdom


ọmọba

/ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄.bā/


atimọle

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + tì (“to lock”) + mọ́ (“into”) + ilé (“house; building”).

af

solitary confinement
solitary confinement

prison, detention centre, solitary confinement


Ọbaala

From ọba (“king, father”) + lá (“to be large, mighty”), literally “Mighty king; Mighty father”.

compound

(Ekiti) A senior chieftaincy title in the royal council of many Eaatern Yoruba kingdoms


Deji

→ Edo: Udezi

Unclear, several folk etymologies exist. A common folk etymology claims it comes from the phrase "ọwá fadé yìí jì ọ", ultimately from ọwá (“king”) + fi (“to use”) + adé (“crown”) + yìí (“this”) + jì (“to gift, to entrust”), literally “The King gifted you a crown”.
* The title Déjì replaced the original title Àjàpadà. The story attached to this phrase comes from a future Déjì of Àkúrẹ́ being gifted a crown by his grandfather, usually attributed to the Ọwá Òbòkun (king of Ilesha Kingdom), and the title become a nickname that later developed into the title. The story of a grandfather-king giving his future king-grandson is a common story in Yorùbá folklore, see Asunkúngbadé.
Also possibly from Edo Udezi (“leopard hunter”)

the title of the traditional ruler of the town of Àkúrẹ́.


Aragberi

/à.ɾá.ɡ͡bē.ɾí/

àrá (“thunder”) + gbé (“to carry”) + orí (“head, destiny, conscience”), literally “Thunder lifts one's destiny”

an ancient clan within the Aresa royal house of the Oyo Empire. Leaders who came from this clan were noted for their deep knowledge in Yoruba herbal medicine and magic.


Awujalẹ

a- (“agent prefix”) + wù (“to appear”) + jà (“to break”) + ilẹ̀ (“the ground”), literally “The one who appears and collapses the ground”

af

Title of the paramount monarch of the Ìjẹ̀bú people and the traditional ruler of the town of Ìjẹ̀bú Òde


Ọdẹmọ

/ɔ̄.dɛ̄.mɔ̃̄/

official title of the traditional ruler of Ìṣarà (Ìṣarà-Rẹ́mọ) town of Ògùn State of Nigeria


Ọkẹrẹ

/ɔ̀.kɛ̀.ɾɛ̀/

official title of the traditional ruler of Ṣakí town in Ọ̀yọ́ State of Nigeria


Oṣemawe

The title of the traditional ruler of Oǹdó town in present day Oǹdó State


Ṣọun

From ṣe ọ̀hún (“The one that goes to the place over there”).

the official title of the traditional ruler of Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ town in Ọ̀yọ́ State of Nigeria


Ataọja

/à.tá.ɔ́.d͡ʒā/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + tẹ́wọ́gbà (“to accept”) + ẹja (“fish”), literally “One who accepts fish”.

compound

The official title of the traditional ruler of the town of Òṣogbo


Oore

official title of the traditional ruler of Ọ̀tùn-Èkìtì and the paramount king of the Mọ̀bà speaking people (a sub-dialect of Èkìtì)


Ọlọwọ

/ɔ̄.lɔ́.wɔ̀/

*From oní- (“one who has”) + Ọ̀wọ̀ (“Ọ̀wọ̀ town”), literally “One who has Ọ̀wọ̀”
*From oní- (“one who has”) + ọ̀wọ̀ (“respect”), literally “One who is respected”

af

official title of the traditional ruler of Ọ̀wọ̀ town of Oǹdó State of Nigeria


Ajero

The traditional ruler of Ìjerò-Èkìtì town in Èkìtì State of Nigeria


Akarigbo

/à.ká.ɾì.ɡ͡bò/

official title of the traditional ruler of Ṣàgámù town in Ògùn State of Nigeria, the paramount ruler of the Rẹ́mọ people


Ogoga

The traditional ruler of Ìkẹ́rẹ́ town (also known as Ìkẹ́rẹ́-Èkìtì)


Sabiganna

official title of the traditional ruler of Ìgànná town of Ọyọ́ State of Nigeria


Akirun

a- (“agent prefix”) + Ìkìrun (“Ikirun”), literally “The one of Ikirun”

the traditional ruler of Ìkirùn town in Ọ̀ṣun State of Nigeria


Olubadan

From olú (“lord”) + Ìbàdàn (“Ibadan”), literally “Lord of Ibadan”.

compound

The official title of the traditional ruler of the town of Ibadan


Olukarẹ

From olú (“lord”) + Ìkàrẹ́ (“Ìkàrẹ́”), literally “Lord of Ìkàrẹ́”.

The traditional ruler of Ìkàrẹ́ town in the Àkókó Yoruba region.


Orimolusi

From orí (“head, conscience”) + mù (“to know”) + olí- (“one who has”) + ùsì (“prosperity, notability”), literally “The orí knows the person who will be prosperous”.

(Ijebu) The title of the traditional ruler of Ìjẹ̀bú-Igbó town


Ewi

From è- (“nominalizing prefix”) + wí (“to say, to speak”), literally “That whom speaks [and it goes into existence]”, signifying one who has authority in his commands as monarch

af

That whom speaks 􂀿and it goes into existence􂁀

(historical) the historic ruler of the Adó Kingdom


Akire

a- (“agent prefix”) + Ìkirè (“Ikire”), literally “One of Ikire”

The traditional ruler of Ìkirè town in Ọ̀ṣun State of Nigeria


Ọrangun

The sixteenth and final of the àpólà or sixteen categories in the odù Ifá, consisting of the final principal chapter, (Ọ̀ràngún méjì) and the other fifteen chapters of Ọ̀ràngún.


Ọwa

Official title of the traditional ruler of Ìdànrè in Oǹdó State of Nigeria

Official title of the traditional ruler of Ìgbájọ town in Ọ̀ṣun State of Nigeria

Official title of the traditional ruler of Ọtán Ayégbajú town in Ọ̀ṣun State of Nigeria

The official titles of several traditional rulers of some Eastern Yoruba speaking peoples including the Ìjẹ̀ṣà, Èkìtì, Ìgbómìnà, and Oǹdó, including:

Ọlọ́wá

The official title of the ruler of Ìgbàrà-òkè

ọmọwá

The title for prince and princesses of towns in which their kings use the title Ọwá

Ọwá Ìdànrè

The official title of the ruler of Ìdànrè

Ọwá-Obòkun

Title of the king of the town of Iléṣà and paramount ruler of the Ìjẹ̀ṣà people

Ọwálóbòó

The official title of the ruler of Òbó-Ayégúnlẹ̀


Ayangburẹn

/à.jã́.ɡ͡bù.ɾɛ̃̀/

The official title of the traditional ruler of the town of Ìkòròdú in Lagos State, Nigeria


Jẹgun

official title of the traditional ruler of the town of Ìdẹ̀pẹ̀, also known as Òkìtìpupa, in Oǹdó State of Nigeria, and the paramount ruler of the Yoruba Ìkálẹ̀ people.


Ẹlẹkọle

From oní- (“one who has”) + Ẹ̀kọ̀lé (“Ìkọ̀lé”), literally “One who has Ìkọ̀lé”.

The official title of the traditional ruler of Ìkọ̀lé (also known as Ìkọ̀lé-Èkìtì) town in Èkìtì State of Nigeria


Apetumodu

à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + Ìpetumodù (“Ipetumodu”), literally “That whom is the one of Ipetumodu”

The official title of the traditional ruler of the town of Ìpetumodù in Ọ̀ṣun State of Nigeria


Onire

From oní- (“one who has”) + Irè (“the town of Irè”), literally “One who has Irè”.

Ògún Onírè

a nickname for the Yoruba deity of iron and hunting Ògún

An oriki or praise name for the deity Ògún, in reference for his role as the legendary founder of the town of Irè


Alaketu

oní- (“one who has”) + Akétu (“Kétu”), literally “One who has Ketu”

affix

traditional ruler of the town of Ketou in Benin and paramount ruler of the Kétu Yoruba people


Ajalọrun

/à.d͡ʒà.lɔ́.ɾũ̄/

From àjà (“ceiling, attic”) + ní (“of”) + ọ̀run (“sky”), literally “Ceiling of the sky”.

compound

title of the traditional ruler of Ìjẹ̀bú-Ifẹ̀ town


iyọba

From iye (“mother”) + ọba (“monarch”), cognate with Edo iyọba

the queen mother of the Kingdom of Benin


Aṣiwaju

/ā.ʃí.wá.d͡ʒú/

From aṣiwájú (“leader”), from a (“agent prefix”) + ṣí (“to open”) + iwájú (“the front”), literally “One who leads from the front”.


Aṣipa

From a- (“agent prefix”) + ṣí (“to open up”) + ipa (“path”), literally “One who leads the charging along a path”.

af

a male given name, meaning one who leads the way charging


Agbaakin

/à.ɡ͡bàā.kĩ̄/

From àgbà (“elder”) + akin (“bravery, valor, a brave person”), literally “The most senior the brave ones”.

compound

a male given name, meaning "senior among the brave ones."


Alapinni

oní- (“owner of”) + a- (“agent prefix”) + pinni (“sharing”)

prefix

A senior traditional chieftaincy title in Ọ̀yọ́, a member of the Ọ̀yọ́mèsì and the head of the Egúngún cult


Baṣọrun

/bā.ʃɔ̀.ɾũ̄/

From ọba (“king, father”) + a- (“agent prefix”) + ṣe (“to do”) + Ọ̀run (“Ọ̀run "heaven" festival”), literally “The king/father who does the Ọ̀run (sky, heaven) festival”

compound

the highest-ranking traditional chief of the historical Oyo Empire, head of the Ọ̀yọ́mẹ̀sì, and a close advisor to the king. Equivalent to Prime Minister.


Lagunna

/lá.ɡũ̀.nã̀/

ọlá (“honor”) + gùn (“to climb”) + ọ̀nà (“path, way”), literally “Honor has climbed its way up the path”

a male given name, meaning honor has climbed its way up the path


Ọbalufọn

Ọbàlùfọ̀n (canonical)
Ọbalùfọ̀n (canonical)

Perhaps from ọba (“father, king”) + ni (“to be”) + ù- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fọ̀n (“to set out for a place”), literally “The King is the one who sets out for new territories” or ọba (“father, king”) + ni (“to be”) + ị̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fọ̀n (“to set out for a place”). The term fọ̀n relates to setting out and establishing a town, which is commonly attributed to Ọbàlùfọ̀n's reign in Ifẹ̀ and military conquests in Èkìtì and Ìgbómìnà regions. In addition, fọ̀n is a term specific to Central Yoruba dialect. The use of ọba as a prefix in the titles of kings and chiefs is very common in ancient Ifẹ̀, see Ọbàtálá, Ọbalúfẹ̀, Ọbamakin, Ọbadìo, etc
Often confused with the deity Olúfọ́n, who is associated with Ọbàtálá

(historical) A traditional chieftaincy title in the Àwòrò class of chiefs during the time of Odùduwà in the ancient Ufẹ̀ kingdom

(historical) A title associated with two legendary figures in Yoruba history, Obalufon Alayemore and Ọbàlùfọ̀n Ògbógbódirin, whom are regarded as being Ọọ̀ni of Ife. They are believed to be descendants of Odùduwà and the founders of the monarchies of many Èkìtì towns. Their reigns are believed to be the beginning of the age of bronze art in Ife.

An orisha and deity associated with Obalufon Alayemore, associated with weaving, art, and bronze, brass casting.


Risinkin

/ɾí.sĩ̄.kĩ̄/

Ẹ̀ṣọ́ Ẹṣọ#Yoruba

(Ijesha, Ekiti) A traditional chieftaincy and military title used in Ìjẹ̀ṣà and Ekiti towns, it is one of the six titles in the Ẹ̀ṣọ́ class of chiefs among the Ìjẹ̀ṣà


Alaaye

The title of the traditional monarch of the town of Ẹfọ̀n-Alààyè in Èkìtì State of Nigeria


Alepata

The official title of the traditional ruler Ìgbòho town in present day Ọ̀yọ́ State of Nigeria


Alaye

The title of the traditional ruler of the town of Òde-Rẹ́mọ


Dagbure

/dá.ɡ͡bū.ɾē/

The title of the traditional ruler of the town of Ìdowá in the Ìjẹ̀bú region


Asẹyin

The title of the traditional ruler of the town of traditional ruler of Ìsẹ́yìn in Ọ̀yọ́ State of Nigeria


Elegosi

oní- (“one who has”) + Egòsì (“Egosi”), literally “One who has Egosi”

af

The title of the traditional ruler of the town of Egòsì in Èkìtì State


Elejigbo

/ē.lé.d͡ʒì.ɡ͡bò/

From oní- (“one who has”) + Èjìgbò (“Ejigbo”), literally “One who has Ejigbo”.

The title of the traditional ruler of the town of Èjìgbò


Elemure

From oní- (“one who has”) + Emùré (“Emure”), literally “One who has Emure”.

The title of the traditional ruler of Emùré-Èkìtì


Alara

*oní- (“one who has”) + Ìlárá (“Ilara”), literally “One who has Ilara”
*oní- (“one who has”) + Ará (“Ara”), literally “One who has Ara”

Title of the traditional monarch of the town of Ará-Èkìtì


Eleruku

oní- (“one who has”) + Erùkú (“Eruku”), literally “One who has Eruku”

Traditional ruler of the town of Erùkú, a town in the Èkìtì region of Kwara State in Nigeria


Eleruuwa

From oní- (“one who has”) + Èrúwà (“Eruwa”), literally “One who has Eruwa”.

The title of the traditional ruler of the town of Èrúwà in Ọ̀yọ́ State of Nigeria


Aragbiji

/ā.ɾá.ɡ͡bì.d͡ʒí/

a- (“agent prefix”) + Ìrágbìjí (“Iragbiji”), literally “One who has Iragbiji”

The title of the traditional ruler of Ìrágbìjí town in Ọ̀ṣun State of Nigeria


Aarẹ-ọna-kakanfo

/àà.ɾɛ̄.ɔ̀.nã̀.kā.kā.ŋ̀.fò/

From Ààrẹ ọ̀nà kakaǹfò, from Nupe kakamfò (“One who has no relatives or interests in a place”)

bor

The title is born by people not from the town of Ọ̀yọ́, as a way of preventing the possibility of him overthrowing the Aláàfin.

The title of the highest ranking chief in Yorubaland. Historically, he was the commander of the Ọ̀yọ́ empire's military.


Agura

the title of the traditional ruler of the Gbágùrá subsection of the Ẹ̀gbá people in Abeokuta


Ọrọmpọtọ

head

Ọ̀rọ̀m̀pọ̀tọ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀m̀pọ̀tọ̀

yo-pos

Ọ̀rọ̀m̀pọ̀tọ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀m̀pọ̀tọ̀

yo-prop

Ọ̀rọ̀m̀pọ̀tọ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀m̀pọ̀tọ̀

/ɔ̀.ɾɔ̀.ŋ̀.k͡pɔ̀.tɔ̀/

clipping

Ọ̀rọ̀m̀pọ̀tọ̀níyùn

(Ọyọ, archaic) A female given name of historical usage, notably borne by Orompoto


Ọrọnpọtọ

head

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀

yo-pos

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀

yo-prop

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀

head

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ́tọ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ́tọ̀

yo-pos

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ́tọ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ́tọ̀

yo-prop

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ́tọ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ́tọ̀

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀ (canonical)
Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ́tọ̀ (canonical)

/ɔ̀.ɾɔ̀.ŋ̀.k͡pɔ̀.tɔ̀/

/ɔ̀.ɾɔ̀.ŋ̀.k͡pɔ́.tɔ̀/

clipping

Ọ̀rọ̀ǹpọ̀tọ̀níyùn

a female given name, Alternative form of Ọ̀rọ̀m̀pọ̀tọ̀


Ọlọfa

From oní- (“one who has”) + Ọ̀fà (“Offa”), literally “The ruler of Offa”.

af

Ìyẹ̀rú-ọ̀kín ọmọ Ọlọ́fà-mọjọ̀ ― (oríkì of the town of Ọ̀fà)

The title of the traditional monarch of the town of Offa (Ọ̀fà) in Kwara State, Nigeria.


baalẹ

From baba (“father”) + oní (“one who has”) + ilẹ̀ (“land”), literally “Father of the town”.

compound

Examples of modern day monarchs in Nigeria whom were originally baálẹ̀ include the Ṣọ̀ún of Ògbómọ̀ṣọ́ and the Olúbàdàn of Ìbàdàn, whom both answered to the Aláàfin

baálórí l'ó nilórí, baálẹ̀ l'ó nìlú, òun sì lọkọ ìlú, ṣùgbọ́n ọba l'ó nilẹ̀ ― The husband owns the house, and the baálẹ̀ owns the village, he is the lord of the community, but the king owns the land (proverb on authority)

In pre-colonial Yoruba society, the head or ruler of a small village or a town. In modern day Nigeria, most baálẹ̀ have been recognized as a king of their own respective village.


Parakoyi

A class of Yoruba traditional chiefs who are responsible for administering trade, commerce, and the market and economy of a Yoruba society (specifically among the Ọ̀yọ́).


ilumoye

From ìlú (“town”) + mọ (“to know”) + oyè (“chieftaincy title”), literally “The town knows who to give a chieftaincy title”.


Ọdọfin

/ɔ̀.dɔ̀.fĩ̄/

Possibly from ọ̀dọ̀ (“public, official, in the presence of the government”) + ọ̀fin (“palace”), literally “The physical presence of the palace”, compare with Ọlọ́fin. Probably cognate with Edo ọdafẹn (“husband”)

A senior traditional chieftaincy title in Yorubaland, titleholders are members of the Ìwàrẹ̀fà or Ògbóni chieftaincy councils in their respective towns.


jẹwọ

to relocate to the palace of a town upon being crowned as a monarch of a town


Ogiyan

Said to be a Contraction of Ògìrìyán. Folk etymology states that part of the name derives from iyán (“pounded yam”)

ọdún Ògìyán

celebration of the orisha Ogiyan and yams

the legendary founder of the town of Ejigbo. He was deified as an orisha upon his demise, and is worshipped as the orisha of fertility and newly harvested yam. He is closely associated with purity and Ọbàtálá.


Ajapada

Folk etymology derived from a local myth states it comes from àjà (“a traditional rattle device”) + pa (“to kill”) + ẹdá (“a type of brown rat”), literally “One who kills a rat with a rattle”. It is said to come from an endurance test Odùduwà presented his descendant Àjàpadà to perform before founding Àkúrẹ́

(historical) title of the traditional ruler of the Àkúrẹ́ kingdom, replaced with title Déjì.


Ọbadio

From ọba (“king, father”) + Idìo (“the sacred shrine of Odùduwà in Ife”), literally “Father of Idio”

the title of the chief priest of the worship of Odùduwà as a divinity in the town of Ifẹ̀


ijọba ibilẹ

head

ìjọba ìbílẹ̀

ìjọba ìbílẹ̀

yo-pos

ìjọba ìbílẹ̀

ìjọba ìbílẹ̀

yo-noun

ìjọba ìbílẹ̀

ìjọba ìbílẹ̀

/ì.d͡ʒɔ̄.bā ì.bí.lɛ̀/

From ìjọba (“government”) + ìbílẹ̀ (“native; traditional”).

com

Ìjọba Ìbílẹ̀ Olúyọ̀lé


Giẹsi

Probably from a Contraction or a nickname

(historical) a historic monarch, or Ọ̀ọ̀ni, of the Ifẹ̀ kingdom


Iwarẹ

From ì- + wàrẹ, cognate with Edo Igharẹ, see cognates in other Yoruba-dialects, Ị̀àrẹ, Èghàrẹ, Ùwàrẹ, perhaps from the same root as ààrẹ (“leader, president”)

the highest class of chiefs in a Yoruba town, the first six makeup a council known as the Ìwàrẹ̀fà


Iwarẹ

a high-ranking chief of a Yoruba town; a member of the Ìwàrẹ̀fà council of chiefs


Olisa

a traditional chieftaincy title usually given to the highest ranking chief of most Yoruba towns, and head of the Ìwàrẹ̀fà or in some cases, Ògbóni, council of chiefs


ọlọja

/ɔ̄.lɔ́.d͡ʒà/

For the first sense, from oní- (“one who has”) + ọjà (“town”), compare with Olukumi ọlọ́zà, for the second sense, from oní- (“one who has”) + ọjà (“market”). The semantic shift of ọjà from meaning town, village to market seems to have happened after the adoption of ọlọ́jà (king) as a title. Eventually the use of the term as king or monarch has largely been replaced historically by terms like ọwá, ọba, and baálẹ̀.

Ọlọ́jà

title of a monarch in certain Yoruba towns


Oluwoo

the title of the traditional monarch of the town of Ìwó, Ọ̀ṣun state


ọṣin

Among the archaic terms for "king," "monarch," or "leader," originally widespread in most Yoruba dialects, now mainly restricted to oral poetry (oríkì), songs of deities like Ògún, and use in old Ìjẹ̀bú names and surnames like Ọ̀ṣínbàjò or Ọ̀ṣínnọ́wọ̀.
The term seemed to have been used quite commonly among the Ìjẹ̀bú, while it has been archaic in most other dialects, (especially the non-nasalized form ọṣì.
See òdío, which is a similar archaic term for king among the Èkìtì and Ìkàrẹ́ people.

Ògún lákáayé ọṣìn imọlẹ̀
Ògún lákáayé, leader of the deities

(archaic, Ijebu) king, leader; the first person to a location

Ọ̀ṣínbàjò

Yoruba name meaning The king has returned from a journey

Ọṣìnbọ̀wálé

Yoruba name meaning The king has returned home

Ọṣíndélé

Yoruba name meaning The king arrived home


Ọṣilẹ

(historical) the ruler of the Òkò kingdom


afọbajẹ

/ā.fɔ̄.bā.d͡ʒɛ̄/

From a- (“agent prefix”) + fi (“to put”) + ọba (“monarch”) + jẹ (“to reign”).

af

kingmaker; a chief of a council that appoint monarchs


abọbaku

From a- (“agent prefix”) + bá (“to accompany”) + ọba (“monarch”) + kú (“to die”), literally “one who dies with the monarch”.

(monarchy, especially in Ọ̀yọ́) the chief, usually a general, that is required to commit ritual suicide to join the ọba (“monarch”) in death