Angola

/à.ŋ̀.ɡó.là/


Gambia

/ɡá.ŋ́.bí.à/


Kiribati

Kiribati (A country consisting mostly of the Gilbert Islands archipelago, located in Micronesia in Oceania)


Romania

Southeast Europe
Southeast Europe#English


Somalia

Somalia (a country in East Africa, in the Horn of Africa)


Fiji

Fiji (a country and archipelago of over 300 islands in Melanesia in Oceania)


Yoruba

Of unclear and disputed origin, it is likely that it was derived from an exonym from neighboring groups to the north, such as Hausa, Fulani, or Bariba. Various implausible etymologies have been proposed, often used to insult the Yoruba people or support supposed Middle Eastern or Jewish origins of the Yoruba people. What is certain is that the term was used originally in reference to only the Ọ̀yọ́ people (a subgroup of the Yoruba ethnic group) and the Oyo empire, and did not become used to refer to all Yoruba peoples until the late 19th century during attempts to foster a common ethnic identity. Etymological theories include:
* Several folk etymologies associate the term from coming from Hausa or Fula slurs of Yoruba people, such as Hausa ya rība meaning "One who cheats," referring to the supposed deceitful tactics Yoruba traders used, or Hausa ya ruba meaning "Bad or rotten person." These has been dismissed and proscribed by most Yoruba scholars, however, the Yoruba term yóóbá is derived from the first etymology, but is not to be mistaken with "Yoruba."
*According to linguist Kọlá Túbọ̀sún, it ultimately derives from a contraction of yārṑ + ọba "Children of the Ọba", (referring to the Alaafin of Oyo).
* A newly proposed theory suggests it is a reborrowing from the word Yàgbà, a Yoruba subethnic group, borrowed into the Nupe and Hausa languages, where it became Yarba, and then reborrowed from Hausa Yarbanci

Mo jẹ́ ọmọ Yorùbá.

Kò gbọ́ (èdè) Yorùbá.


Siria

Syria (a country in West Asia, in the Middle East)


Ado

From a- (“agent prefix”) + dó (“to establish a human settlement”), literally “The place we settled”.


Ado

Possibly from àdó (“tiny gourd type for blowing or for storing ritual medicine”)


Ayọ

a unisex given name meaning “joy”, it is a shortened form or nickname for much longer names, ex. Ayọ̀ọ́délé


Dada

* The given name (Sense 1) is believed to be derived from the name of the divinity (Sense 2)

a kò gbọ́dọ̀ gé irun-un Dàda láìṣe-ètùtù; bí a bá ṣe bẹ́ẹ̀, ọmọ yìí yóò kú

We must not cut the hair of Dada without doing the proper rites, if we do not do so, the child will die

orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá
orukọ amutọrunwa#Yoruba

a unisex given name, an orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá given to a child born with long curly hair or locks

An orisha of nature, plants, and children. They are identified as an older sibling of Ṣàngó and associated as the deification of the Aláàfin of Ọ̀yọ́, Àjàká. They are believed to be a protecter of Dàda children.


Imo

From English Imo, ultimately from Igbo Imo, referring to the Imo River

A state of Nigeria in the South East geopolitical zone. Capital and largest city: Owerri.


Ire

Ire Ekiti (a Yoruba town in Ekiti, Nigeria); known for being closely associated to the deity of Ògún. Ògún is believed to have gone to Ire first when descending from the heavens, and fought for the people of Ìrè. It is also where Ògún is believed to have disappeared into the ground, and returned to the other deities. Ògún is commonly referred to as Onírè, "owner of Ìrè."


Kuba

Cuba (an island and country in the Caribbean)


Sango

(chiefly NWY) Alternative form of Ṣàngó (“Shango”)


Jesu

Jésùbíyìí

a Yoruba name meaning "Jesus gave birth to this child"

Jésùdùnsìn

a Yoruba name meaning "It is sweet to serve Jesus"

Jésùṣọlá

a Yoruba name meaning "Jesus has made honor"

Jésùtọ́lá

a Yoruba name meaning "Jesus is worthy of honor"

Jésùtófúnmi

a Yoruba name meaning "Jesus is enough for me"

Jésùtómi

a Yoruba name meaning "Jesus is enough for me."

Jésùtósìn

a Yoruba name meaning "Jesus is worthy of being worshipped"

a common prefix in names used by Christians


Naija

Niger (a country in West Africa, situated to the north of Nigeria)

A state of Nigeria in the North Central geopolitical zone. Capital and largest city: Minna


Naija

(slang) Nigeria (a country in West Africa, south of the country of Niger)


Tiyamiyu

Shortened from the phrase ti ìyá mi ló jù (“That of my mother's is the greatest”)


Aina

a female given name, an orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá (“predestined name”), given to girls born with a nuchal cord


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


Nikaragua

Nicaragua (a country in Central America)


Ketu

→ French: Kétou

The Ketu (Benin), a subgroup of the Yoruba people in the country of Benin.

The dialect of the Yoruba language spoken by those people.


Ero

Ero (an Ekiti Yoruba town in Ifedore, Ondo, Nigeria)


Oluwafunkẹ

From Blend of Olúwa (“God”) + fún (“to give”) + mi (“me”) + kẹ́ (“to care for, to cherish”), literally “God gave me this child to care for”.

blend

a female given name meaning “God gave me to take care of”


Abia

From English Abia, ultimately from an acronym of four most populated towns in the state at its creation, Aba, Bende, Isuikwuato, and Afikpo.

A state of Nigeria in the South East geopolitical zone. Capital and largest city: Aba.

Aba, Nigeria
Afikpo
Bende, Nigeria
Isuikwuato


Kori

From Clipping of Kórìkóto, ultimately from kórìkóto (“A type of toy or shrine used by children”), compare with kóórì.

Ìbá má sìí èwe, Kórì a kú

If there were not young children, Kori would have died

A female orisha of fertility and childbirth, she is regarded as a protector and orisha of specifically young children, and is mainly worshipped by the people of Ọ̀yọ́


Ao

A Yoruba dialect spoken by some members of the Àkókó subethnic group, consisting of several subdialects including Amùsìgbó, (spoken by the people of Ìdóàní). It is also spoken by the Àfò, Ìpèsì, Ikún, Imerì, Ìdógún, and Ìfira towns in Ondo State.


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.


Ọrunmila

English: Orunmila

/ɔ̀.ɾṹ.mĩ̀.là/

From ọ̀run (“heaven”) + mọ̀ (“to know”) + ìlà (“salvation”), literally “Only knows heaven who reach salvation”.

compound

a semi-legendary figure who is identified as being a priest, scholar, and philosopher in ancient Yoruba society, and may have developed from several wisemen figures throughout ancient history who aided in the spread and development of the Ifá oracle.

Ọrunmila, the primordial divinity (irúnmọlẹ̀) and orisha of wisdom and divination. He is regarded as the custodian of the Ifá oracle.


Ibadan

From ẹ̀bá (“edge, aside”) + ọ̀dàn (“grassland, savannah”), literally “At the edge of the grassland”.

Ibadan (a city, the state capital of Oyo State, Nigeria)

A dialect of Yoruba spoken by the people of Ìbàdàn


Kano

Kano (a city, the state capital of Kano State, Nigeria).

Kano Emirate (a historical emirate in Nigeria)


Ogun

→ Portuguese: Ogum

From ògún (“spirit or energy one has after hunting or battling”), ultimately from Proto-Yoruboid *ò-gwṹ, equivalent ò- + gún.
* The concept of Ogun as the embodiment of iron and hunting likely dates to the Iron Age and is thus present in most religious/spiritual practices of Volta-Niger and Benue-Congo speaking peoples. Two groups of cognates exist. The first ones are those in which this spirit is personified as a deity and becoming a proper noun, see Edo Ogun and Fon Gu. However, other cognates maintain the noun form of this word as simply the energy or spirit associated with killing, see Igala ògwú (“killer instinct”), Idoma ògwú (“honor given to a successful hunter or warrior; display of behavior when someone has killed a large animal”), or possibly Igbo òdogwu (“mighty hunter”). The root term *gwṹ could be cognate with Volta-Niger language terms for "kill," see Igbo ògbú (“killer”) or perhaps nwụ (“to kill”), Proto-Edoid *ghu, Nupe wu, Ibibio woot, Akan wu, Kamo yu. This is likely especially since Igala égwú means "corpse," and the term also greatly resembles the verb to die in Yorùbá, kú.
Likely a Doublet of Egúngún, referring to deified ancestors and veneration of the dead, see Proto-Yoruboid *É-gwṹ.

cog

Kò sí òrìṣà tí yóò ṣe bí Ògún lágbẹ̀dẹ

There is no òrìṣà that will perform like Ògún in a smithy

Ogun (orisha of war, iron, metallurgy, and technology), patron of warriors, hunters, blacksmiths, and ironworkers.

Ògún-pípè

A song or chant performed during the worship of Ògún, similar to an ìjálá

Ògúnbíyí

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún gave birth to this child"

Ògúndáyìísí

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún has spared this child"

Ògúndélé

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún has arrived into the home"

Ògúndépò

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún has reached a high rank"

Ògúndípẹ̀

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún has compensated"

Ògúngbẹ̀san

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún took his revenge"

Ògúngbèmí

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún favored/saved me"

Ògúnlẹ́yẹ

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún has honor/dignity"

Ògúnmẹ́fun

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún chose purity"

Ògúnmọ́dẹdé

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún has brought along one who will be a hunter"

Ògúnmọ́lá

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún has chosen honor"

Ògúnmákin

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún has chosen the brave one"

Ògúnníyì

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún has dignity"

Ògúnsányà

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún paid the price for my suffering"

Ògúntáyọ̀

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún is worthy of joy"

Ògúntóyè

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún is worthy of honor," "Ògún is worthy of a chieftancy"

Ògúnwálé

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún has come home"

Ògúnyọ̀ládé

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún rejoices in royalty"

Ògúnyín̄ká

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún surrounds me"

Ògúǹdé

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ògún walked here"

(by extension) August, the third month of the traditional Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá; named in honor of Ògún. Many Ògún festivals are held during this month.


Ogun

From ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gùn (“to be long”), literally “That which is long”.


Kaduna

From English Kaduna, ultimately from an obsolete plural of Hausa kadā (“crocodile”)

Kaduna (a town, the state capital of Kaduna State, Nigeria)


Sokoto

From Hausa Sakkwato, said to ultimately be from Arabic سُوق (sūq)

A state of Nigeria in the North West geopolitical zone. Capital and largest city: Sokoto.


Ori

From orí (“head”), ultimately from o- (“agent prefix”) + rí (“to see”), literally “That whom sees ahead of us”.

af

A Yoruba religious metaphysical concept referring to one's intuition, destiny, and consciousness in life.

Orí la kọ́kọ́ bọ, ká tó bọ òrìṣà

Ori is whom we worship first, before we worship the other orisha

the spirit or orisha representing this concept; it is regarded as a personal guardian of one's soul on earth, and the orisha of destiny, luck, existence, and fate. It is one of the most important orisha and Yoruba concepts in Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.


Afuganisitani

head

Àfùgànísítánì

Àfùgànísítánì

yo-pos

Àfùgànísítánì

Àfùgànísítánì

yo-proper noun

Àfùgànísítánì

Àfùgànísítánì

Borrowed from English Afghanistan, ultimately from Classical Persian افغانستان (afğānistān).

der

Afghanistan (A landlocked country between Central Asia and South Asia)


Sao

Possibly of Edo origin, its existence in other Ekiti towns may also suggest an Ekiti origin, an association with Edo may be the Sao's role in fighting against Bini invasions into Ekitiland. The first Sao of Akure is believed to have arrived to Akure during the reign of Oba Gbogi (late 17th century).

(Ekiti) a high-ranking warrior chief in several Yoruba towns. The Sàò is usually the highest ranking chief in the warrior class of a kingdom (in Akure, this class is known as Ùkómọ). Sàò is also a chief priest of the deity Ògún.


Bara

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

the current royal burial site of the Aláàfin of Ọ̀yọ́, established after the destruction of Ọ̀yọ́-Ilé in present-day Ọ̀yọ́ town.


Matiu

a male given name originating from the Bible


Timi

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


Maasi

(astronomy) Mars; the fourth planet in the solar system. Symbol: ♂


Ayan

aláyàn

A person who worships Àyàn, a player of the talking drum

àyàn

A plant that is used in the construction of talking drums

Àyànlolú

A Yoruba name meaning, "Àyàn is the prominent one

Àyánbọ̀dé

A Yoruba name meaning, "Àyàn has returned"

Àyánbíyìí

A Yoruba name meaning, "Àyàn gave birth to this one"

Àyándé

A Yoruba name meaning, "Àyàn has arrived

Àyángbadé

A Yoruba name meaning, "Àyàn has secured the crown

Àyángbayì

A Yoruba name meaning, "Àyàn receives dignity

Àyángbọlá

A Yoruba name meaning, "Àyàn received honor

Àyánníyì

A Yoruba name meaning, "Àyàn has worth," "Àyàn has value/dignity"

Àyántómi

A Yoruba name meaning, "Àyàn is enough for me," "Àyàn is worthy of water"

Àyántóyè

A Yoruba name meaning, "Àyàn is worthy of honor"

Families who descend from drummers traditional bear the prefix, "Àyàn" in their names

The Yoruba orisha of drumming and drums.


Aye

The personification of Earth as a female primordial divinity, an orisha and imọlẹ̀.


Ajayi

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jà (“to fight”) + yí (“to turn”), literally “One we fight to turn right side up”.

af

a unisex given name meaning “One we fight to turn”, an orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá given to a child born sideways or facing downwards

A unisex oríkì name, meaning "One we fight to turn"., given to a child born facing downwards.


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.


Ige

a male given name, an orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá given to a child who is born via a breech birth


Alabi

àlà (“white cloth of Ọbàtálá, purity”) + bí (“to give birth to”), "'One born of purity", "One born of the white cloth."

compound

A unisex oríkì name, meaning "One born of purity, One born of the white cloth".


Egun

Ogu people, an ethnic group from Benin, Lagos, and Ogun State.

The Gungbe language spoken by the Ogu people.


Aguda

(historical) Afro-Brazilian Yoruba people who were sold into slavery and upon being freed returned to Nigeria, often characterized by the maintaning of Portuguese names

Catholic (many Afro-Brazilian returnees were Catholic)


Oro

An orisha and primordial divinity of justice, masculinity, and traditional rituals. He is symbolized by the sound of a bullroarer. The Ògbóni and Òṣùgbó are the primary cult and worshippers of Orò.

the primarily male cult that worships the divinity Orò, and serves as the chief authority and enforcement of legal and religious law in Yoruba towns.

Oròóbíyìí

a Yoruba given name meaning, "Oro has given birth to this child; Ritual has given birth to this child"

Oròólẹ́yẹ

a Yoruba given name meaning, "Oro has honor."

Oròóṣọlá

a Yoruba given name meaning, "Oro has made honor."

Oròówọlẹ́

a Yoruba given name meaning, "Oro has entered the household."

Oròówùsì

a Yoruba name meaning, "Oro has grown in prominence

a Yoruba given name prefix given to those born in Oro families


Taye

From tọ́ (“to taste”) + ayé (“the world, life”) + wò (“to try”), literally “To taste life first”.

a unisex given name, an orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá given to the first child in a set of twins


Onko

A Yoruba subethnic group in Oyo State, Nigeria, some Òǹkò towns include Ṣakí, Ìsẹ́yìn, Ṣẹ̀pẹ̀tẹ̀rí, Kìṣí, and Ìgànná.

A Yoruba dialect spoken by the Òǹkò people


Okun

Ọ̀wọ́rọ́ọ̀ Ọwọrọọ#Yoruba

An overarching term for a group of related Yoruba subethnic groups in Kogi State, consisting of the Ọ̀wọ́rọ́ọ̀, Ìyàgbà, Ìjùmú, Ìbùnú, Owé, and Gbẹdẹ.

A dialectal cluster of the dialects spoken by the Okun peoples


Olodumare

From oní- + òdùmarè. Many folk etymologies attempt to explain the origin of the term òdùmàrè, but the etymology is ultimately unclear
*A chapter from the Odù Ifa (Yoruba religious text), Ọ̀sá Ògúndá, explains that the etymology comes from the phrase oní odù tí ń tan òṣùmàrè, ultimately from oní- (“one who has”) + odù (“pot”) + òṣùmàrè (“rainbow”), literally “The owner of the pot from which the rainbow comes from”
*Another folk etymology explains it as ultimately meaning odù (“source of creation, pot”) + mà (“does not”) + rè (“to become exhausted, empty”), literally “The Owner of the Source of Creation that does not get exhausted; The All Sufficient One”
* Compare with Òṣùmàrè
*Another theory tends to link the term to àrè, referring to stranger or someone who has know background, referring to the mysterious origins associated with Olodumare, thus breaking down to oní- (“one who has”) + òdù (“pot, source”) + mọ̀ (“to know”) + àrè (“stranger, foreigner, one of know background”)

af

A primordial being of creation in the Yoruba pantheon, regarded as the supreme ruler of the universe and the highest ranking divinity of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe


Ọlọrun

/ɔ̄.lɔ́.ꜜɾũ̄/

From oní- (“one who has”) + ọ̀run (“heaven”), literally “The one who owns heaven”.

affix

Olorun, a nickname for the supreme divinity of the Yoruba religion, Olódùmarè

(Christianity, Islam) God (the monotheistic deity of the Abrahamic religions)


Naijiria

/nà.ì.d͡ʒí.ɾí.à/


Oluwa

→ Haitian Creole: lwa
→ English: loa

According to R.C. Abraham, from olú (“lord”) + wa (“our”), literally “Our lord” or from olúwa (“lord, husband”).


Oko

Oko (orisha), the orisha of farming and agriculture, in his male form, he is regarded as a sorcerer. The root, oṣó (“sorcerer”) in many names among the Ẹ̀gbá and Ìjẹ̀bú refers to Oko.


Ganbia

/ɡá.ŋ́.bí.à/

Nonstandard spelling of Gáḿbíà (“Gambia (a country in West Africa)”).

Nonstandard spelling of Gáḿbíà (“River Gambia (a river in West Africa)”).


Ifa

From Proto-Yoruboid *ɪ́-fá, Ifa divination can be traced linguistically to Volta-Niger, see Proto-Volta-Niger *-fa, however the ultimately etymology of the root is of unknown origin. Cognates exist across Volta-Niger languages, see Igbo Afa, Ewe Afá, Fon Fá, Igala Ífá, Edo Iha, Ebira Eva, Urhobo Epha, and Nupe Eba. Several theories exist among worshippers of Ifá

the spirit associated with divination, wisdom, and the oracle

ojú odù

principal signs of the Ifa divination system


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

the title of the traditional monarch of the town of Ifẹ (Ifẹ̀) and the Ifẹ̀ people, they are regarded as one the highest ranking Yoruba monarchs, and is the chief priest of the worship of Odùduwà


Ọya

A common folk etymology links her name to ọ- (“agent prefix”) + ya (“to tear, to rip open”), literally “She tore”, referring to her representation as violent whirlwinds. Also possibly from aya (“wife”), as she is strongly associated as the wife of Ṣàngó

Ọya-pípè

Chanting and invocations during the praise of Ọya

Ọyábìyìí

A Yoruba name meaning Ọya has given birth to this child

Ọyágbọlá

A Yoruba name meaning Ọya received honor

Ọyágbèmí

A Yoruba name meaning Ọya has favored me

Ọyátọ́pẹ́

A Yoruba name meaning Ọya is worthy of praise

Òkè Ọya

The northern region of Nigeria, the region of Nigeria above the Niger river

She is regarded as the favorite of Ṣàngó's wife because of their similar tempers.

Ọyá pé méjì. Ọya kìíní ni èyí tí ó bá àwọn Irúnmọlẹ̀ wá sí ayé; èkejì sì ni Ọya tí ó jẹ́ ìyàwóo Ṣàngó Ìtí-olú Olúkòso tíí ṣe Aláàfin ní Ọyọ́-ilé

There are two forms of Oya. The first Oya is the primordial deity who accompanied the four hundred other deities to earth, and the second is Oya the orisha who was the wife of Shango the Alaafin of Oyo

A female orisha and one of the irúnmọlẹ̀ in the Yoruba religion, she is believed to be the spirit of the Niger river, and is the goddess of storms, winds. She is the wife of Ṣàngó, and was also an ayaba (“queen”), when he was the Aláàfin of Ọ̀yọ́.

Niger (a major river in West Africa, that flows into the Gulf of Guinea in Nigeria)


Ogbeyẹku

The seventeenth sign of the Ifa divination system, it is the first and most important, of the signs of the ọmọ odù; the 240 minor signs

The seventeenth chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus. It is one of the sixteen chapters in the Ogbè category (àpólà) and the first and most important of the 240 minor chapters, or àmúlù of the Odù Ifá.


Ogbe

Cognate terms are found throughout Volta-Niger languages, and cognates also show evidence of the o- and e- prefixes, which are likely obsolete plural markers. See Itsekiri Ogbìn, Igala Ébì, Edo Ógbì, Igbo Ógbì, Igbo Óbì (Nsukka), Idoma Ébì, Fon Gbè, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ó-gbì. In sister divination systems, this signature is known as Osika, Osinkan, and Osinkara.

The first principal sign of the Ifa divination system.

The first of the àpólà or sixteen categories in the Odù Ifá, consisting of the first principal chapter, (Èjì Ogbè) and the other fifteen chapters of Ogbè.

The first and most important chapter of the Odù Ifá

The spirit and divinity associated with the Ogbè divination sign, he is believed to be a son of Ọ̀ṣun and Ọ̀rúnmìlà and was born in the town of Ọ̀tùn, where the king was his maternal grandfather.


Ọyẹku

Folk etymology suggests it comes from ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + yẹ̀ (“to avoid, to dodge”) + ikú (“death”), literally “That which avoids death”. It is a possibility that the root term may relate to kú (to die) as the second part of the term stays relatively consistently throughout Volta-Niger languages, and kwu or ku is generally associated with old roots for death, however, in some cognate terms, it changes, so that assertion is unlikely, but possible. See Gun Ìyẹ̀kú, Itsekiri Akú, Igala Ọyẹkwu, Igala Akwu, Edo Àkó, Urhobo Àkó, Igbo Àhwụ, Nupe Eyako, Ebira Ọ̀hàkú. Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *V-kwú

The second principal sign of the Ifa divination system

The second of the àpólà or sixteen categories in the Odù Ifá, consisting of the second principal chapter, (Ọ̀yẹ̀kú méjì) and the other fifteen chapters of Ọ̀yẹ̀kú (beginning with Ọ̀yẹ̀kúlógbè).

The second chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus, and one of the major ojú odù

The spirit and divinity associated with the Ọ̀yẹ̀kú divination sign


Iwori

From Proto-Yoruboid *ò-ɣòlì, across Volta-Niger, the term has not changed from what could be its original form where, making it potentially possible to reconstruct the root all the way to Proto-Volta-Niger, (see Proto-Volta-Niger *-ɣòlì or Proto-Volta-Niger *-gòlì). Cognate with Igala Ògòlì, Itsekiri Òɣòlì, Edo Òɣòì, Urhobo Òɣòrì, Igbo Ògori (Nsuka), Igbo Òyori (Nri), Nupe Gòrì, Gun Wolì.

èèwọ̀ ni, Ìwòrì kì í rẹ̀kú, eégun kò gbọ́dọ̀ na babaláwo

It is a taboo, Iwori does not carry an egúngún costume; an egúngún must not beat an Ifá priest

The third principal sign of the Ifa divination system

The third of the àpólà or sixteen categories in the Odù Ifá, consisting of the third principal chapter, (Ìwòrì Méjì) and the other fifteen chapters of Ìwòrì.

The third chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus, and one of the major ojú odù

The spirit and divinity associated with the Ìwòrì divination sign


Odi

Cognate across Volta-Niger, where it has consistently remained constant across almost all the languages, making it potentially possible to reconstruct the root all the way to Proto-Volta-Niger, (see Proto-Volta-Niger *-dí). Cognate with Igala Òjí, ultimately derived from Proto-Yoruboid *Ò-dí, see there for more cognates.
* Folk etymologies found in the verses assigned to this chapter are plentiful for example, ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dí (“to block”), literally “That which blocks evil”.

af

The fourth principal sign of the Ifa divination system

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

The fourth chapter of the odù Ifá corpus, and one of the major ojú odù

The spirit associated with the Òdí sign, he is believed to have born in a place near Ìlọrin


Irosun

Possibly, but unlikely from ìròsùn (“camwood”). Cognate with Idoma Orosu, Itsekiri Ùròsùn, Igala Òlòrù, Edo Òrúùhù, Urhobo Ùɹ̝̊ùɹ̝̊ù, Igbo Ùrúrù, Igbo Ùlúshù, Nupe Rùsù, Ebira Òròsù, Fon Lósò. Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ò-lòsũ̀, it has remained consistent across Volta-Niger, with the exception of the variation between /s/, /r/, and /h/, a common occurrence. Perhaps ultimately from a root similar to Proto-Volta-Niger *-lòsù

cog

Urhobo Ùɹ̝̊ùɹ̝̊ù

The fifth principal sign of the Ifa divination system

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

The fifth chapter of the odù Ifá corpus, and one of the major ojú odù

The spirit associated with the Ìrosùn sign, he is believed to have born in the town of Ìdèrè in the Ìbàràpá Yoruba region


Ọwọnrin

/ɔ̀.wɔ̃́.ɾĩ́/

The sixth principal sign of the Ifa divination system

The sixth of the àpólà or sixteen categories in the Odù Ifá, consisting of the sixth principal chapter, (Ọ̀wọ́nrín méjì) and the other fifteen chapters of Ọ̀wọ́nrín

The sixth chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus, and one of the major ojú odù

The spirit associated with the Ọ̀wọ́nrín sign, believed to have been born in the Kétu region.


Ọbara

Cognate across Volta-Niger, the term has remained relatively constant across all the languages in that group, making it potentially possible to reconstruct the root all the way to Proto-Volta-Niger, (see Proto-Volta-Niger *-bàlà). Cognate with Igala Ọ̀bàlà, Itsekiri Ọ̀bàrà, ultimately derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɔ̀-bàlà, see there for more cognates.

The seventh principal sign of the Ifa divination system

The seventh of the àpólà or sixteen categories in the odù Ifá, consisting of the seventh principal chapter, (Ọ̀bàrà méjì) and the other fifteen chapters of Ọ̀bàrà

The seventh chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus, and one of the major ojú odù

The spirit associated with the Ọ̀bàrà sign


Ọkanran

/ɔ̀.kã̀.ɾã̀/

Possibly from ọ̀kàn (“heart, mind, soul”) + ràn (“to help, to aid”), literally “The soul helps”, from a folk etymology. Cognate with Idoma Okana

compound

The eighth principal sign of the Ifa divination system

The eighth of the àpólà or sixteen categories in the odù Ifá, consisting of the eighth principal chapter, (Ọ̀kànràn méjì) and the other fifteen chapters of Ọ̀kànràn

The eighth chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus, and one of the major ojú odù


Ogunda

An ancient term associated with the majority of the Ifa-divination systems of other Volta-Niger groups. Proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ò-gʷṹtã́, where it has a synonymous name Èjítọ́n, used currently in Yoruba only in the Ekiti dialect, but is regarded as this term in other languages. See Igala Ògwútọ, Igbo Ògúte, Nupe Gúta, Ebira Ògútá, Gun Ègúdá, Fon Gùdá, ultimately from a common Volta-Niger root, perhaps Proto-Volta-Niger *-gúta, but the etymology is not known beyond there. Folk etymologies associate with the deity Yoruba Ògún, which could suggest a link to Igala ògwú.

The ninth principal sign of the Ifa divination system

The ninth of the àpólà or sixteen categories in the odù Ifá, consisting of the ninth principal chapter, (Ògúndá méjì) and the other fifteen chapters of Ògúndá

The ninth chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus, and one of the major ojú odù


Ọsa

Compare with Igala Ọ̀rá, Itsekiri Ọ̀sá, proposed to be derived from Proto-Yoruboid *Ɔ̀-sá, see there for cognates across Volta-Niger

The tenth principal sign of the Ifa divination system

The tenth of the àpólà or sixteen categories in the odù Ifá, consisting of the tenth principal chapter, (Ọ̀sá méjì) and the other fifteen chapters of Ọ̀sá

The tenth chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus, and one of the major ojú odù


Ika

Cognate across Volta-Niger, where it the term has remained relatively constant across all the languages, making it potentially possible to reconstruct the root all the way to Proto-Volta-Niger, (see Proto-Volta-Niger *-ká). Cognate with Igala Ẹ̀ká, Itsekiri Ẹ̀ká ultimately derived from Proto-Yoruboid *ɛ̀-ká, see there for more cognates.

The eleventh principal sign of the Ifa divination system

The eleventh of the àpólà or sixteen categories in the odù Ifá, consisting of the eleventh principal chapter, (Ìká méjì) and the other fifteen chapters of Ìká

The eleventh chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus, and one of the major ojú odù


Otuurupọn

/ò.túú.ɾú.k͡pɔ̃̀/

Cognate terms across Volta-Niger, the term has not changed from what could be its original form where, making it potentially possible to reconstruct the root all the way to Proto-Volta-Niger, (see Proto-Volta-Niger *-túrúkpà). Cognate with Igala Àtúnúkpà, Itsekiri Àtúkpà, ultimately derived from Proto-Yoruboid *À-túlúkpɔ̃̀, see there for more cognates.

inh

*À-túlúkpɔ̃̀

The twelfth principal sign of the Ifa divination system

The twelfth of the àpólà or sixteen categories in the Odù Ifá, consisting of the twelfth principal chapter, (Òtúúrúpọ̀n méjì) and the other fifteen chapters of Òtúúrúpọ̀n.

The twelfth chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus, and one of the major ojú odù


Otua

Alternative form of Òtúrá (“The thirteenth principal sign of the Ifa divination system and thirteenth chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus”)


Irẹtẹ

The fourteenth principal sign of the Ifa divination system

The fourteenth of the àpólà or sixteen categories in the Odù Ifá, consisting of the fourteenth principal chapter, (Ìrẹ̀tẹ̀ méjì) and the other fifteen chapters of Ìrẹ̀tẹ̀.

The fourteenth chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus, and one of the major ojú odù

The spirit and divinity associated with the Ìrẹtẹ̀ divination sign.


Ọsẹ

Possibly from ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + sẹ́ (“to snap, to break, to deny”), cognate with Idoma Oche

af

The fifteenth principal sign of the Ifa divination system

The fifteenth of the àpólà or sixteen categories in the Odù Ifá, consisting of the fifteenth principal chapter, (Ọ̀sẹ́ méjì) and the other fifteen chapters of Ọ̀sẹ́.

The fifteenth chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus, and one of the major ojú odù

The spirit and divinity associated with the Ọ̀sẹ́ divination sign


Ofun

Cognate across Volta-Niger, the term has remained relatively constant across all the languages in that group, making it potentially possible to reconstruct the root all the way to Proto-Volta-Niger, (see Proto-Volta-Niger *-fú). Cognate with Igala Òfú, Itsekiri Òfún, ultimately derived from Proto-Yoruboid *Ò-fṹ, see there for more cognates.

The sixteenth principal sign of the Ifa divination system

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

The sixteenth chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus, and the last of the major ojú odù

The spirit and divinity associated with the Òfún divination sign


Ṣabẹẹ

A Yoruba subethnic group whom live in the city of Savè.

A Yoruba dialect spoken by the Ṣábẹ̀ẹ́ people


Ajaṣẹ

Gun: Àjàṣẹ́

/à.d͡ʒà.ʃɛ́/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jà (“to fight”) + ṣẹ́ (“to be victorious”).

a name for several towns in Yorubaland. The towns are often suffixed by a unique identifying term as a way of differentiating them.

Àjàṣẹ́ people, a subgroup of the Yoruba people who live in the town of Porto-Novo and who speak the Àjàṣẹ́ dialect of Yoruba

The dialect of the Yoruba language spoken in the town of Àjàṣẹ́ (Porto-Novo).


Eko

→ Hausa: Ìkko

From Edo Eko (“Lagos”), from Edo eko (“temporary camp”).

A Yoruba dialect spoken in Lagos by the people of Èkó


Abẹokuta

From abẹ́ (“under”) + òkúta (“rock (referring to the Olúmọ rock)”), literally “Under the rock”.


Ọṣun

→ Portuguese: Oxum

→ English: Osun, Oshun

> Lucumí: Oshún (inherited)

From ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣun (“to ooze, to flow from”), literally “The one who water flows from”.

affix

Ìṣẹ́lẹ̀rú àgbo, àgbàrá àgbo, l'Ọ̀ṣún fi ń womọ ọ rẹ̀ kí dókítà ó tóó dé
The freshwater turned into a potion, the drainage water turned into a potion, this is was what Ọ̀ṣun used to cure her children before western doctors arrived

Oshun, an orisha in Yoruba religion, she is regarded as the Yoruba deity of fertility, freshwater, love, beauty, motherhood, healing, and jewelry, and is the spirit of the Osun river.

Ọ̀ṣun Òṣogbo

A grove and shrine of Ọ̀ṣun in the town of Òṣogbo that serves as the center of her worship

Ọ̀ṣún-pípè

A form of chanting used when praising Ọ̀ṣun

Ọ̀ṣúnbùnmi

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ọ̀ṣun gifted me (with a child)"

Ọ̀ṣúndíyà

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ọ̀ṣun compensated for my suffering"

Ọ̀ṣúnfúnkẹ́

A Yoruba female name meaning, "Ọ̀ṣun gave me her to care for"

Ọ̀ṣúngbẹ́kún

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ọ̀ṣun heard my crying"

Ọ̀ṣúngbèmí

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ọ̀ṣun favored me"

Ọ̀ṣúntókun

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ọ̀ṣun is as powerful as the ocean"

Ọ̀ṣúnwẹ̀ẹ̀dé

A Yoruba female name meaning, "Ọ̀ṣun has flowed and arrived"

Ọ̀ṣúnyọmí

A Yoruba name meaning, "Ọ̀ṣun rescued me"


Ọyọ

→ Gun: Ayɔ̀

Folk etymology states it comes from ọ̀- (nominalizing prefix) + yọ́ (“to slide off”), literally “The place that we slide off of (in reference to the slipperiness of the ground)”.

Ọ̀yọ́mèsì

A senior class of chiefs of the Ọ̀yọ́ empire that served as advisors to the Aláàfin

The Ọ̀yọ́ they were the first Yoruba speaking group to be referred to by the name "Yoruba"

A Yoruba subethnic group who speaks the Ọ̀yọ́ dialect

a dialect of the Yoruba language spoken by the Ọ̀yọ́ people, it serves as the basis for the modern Standard Yoruba koine (Yorùbá Àjùmọ̀lò)

Oyo (a city in Nigeria), the modern city of Ọ̀yọ́ founded after the destruction of Ọ̀yọ́-Ilé

(historical) Old Oyo, the capital of the Ọ̀yọ́ empire until its destruction during the Eleduwe War, (Ogun Elédùwẹ̀) in 1835


Ijẹbu-Ode

From Ìjẹ̀bú (“Ijebu”) + òde (“town”), literally “The town of the Ìjẹ̀bú”


Ifẹ

From Ufẹ̀. Several folk etymologies existed including i- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fẹ̀ + [Term?] (“to widen, to spread”), literally “The Land that widens”
*Possibly from i- (“nominalizing prefix”) + fẹ̀ (“to be prosperous, to be successful”), literally “Land of prosperity”

af

mythological origin place of the Yoruba people

Ife, a subgroup of the Yoruba people, who speak the Ifẹ̀ dialect of Yoruba


Ogbomọṣọ

/ò.ɡ͡bó.mɔ̃̀.ʃɔ́/

Several folk etymologies exist, one of which suggests ògbó (“a type of sword”) + mọ̀ (“to know, to be familiar with”) + ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣọ́ (“to protect”), literally “The ogbo sword knows how to protect”


Ilọrin

A common folk etymology suggests, ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + lọ̀ (“to grind”) + irin (“iron”), literally “The place where iron is processed”

A Yoruba dialect spoken by the Ìlọrin people


Oṣogbo

Folk etymology states it comes from oṣó (“sorcerer”) + igbó (“forest”), literally “Sorcerer of the forest”, however this is unlikely the real etymology


Ileṣa

Original term in the Ijesha dialect is Uléṣà. Several folk etymologies exist, the most prominent being from ulé (“home”) + ṣà (“to choose, to select”), literally “The home that we chose” or ulé (“home”) + òòṣà (“orisha”), literally “Home of the orisha”, compare with Ìjẹ̀ṣà, Ùjẹ̀ṣà

compound

Ilesa (a city in Nigeria), the capital city of the Ijesha people.


Akurẹ

→ English: Akure

→ Edo: Ẹkuẹ

A widely known folk etymology popularized by Akure king Adesida I states it comes from àkún (“royal beads”) + rẹ́ (“to fall, to snap”), literally “The place where the beads snapped”.

A subdialect of the Èkìtì dialect spoken by the people of Àkúrẹ́ and its surrounding towns (sometimes categorized as a distinct dialect of Yoruba)


Ado Ekiti

From a- (“agent prefix”) + dó (“to establish a settlement”), literally “the place we settled”.

af

Ado Ekiti (a city, the state capital of Ekiti State, Nigeria)


Ọwọ

From Ọ̀ghọ̀, ultimately from ọ̀ghọ̀ (“respect”), equivalent to ọ̀wọ̀ (“respect”)

The Ọwọ subethnic group of the Yoruba people


Ondo

Folk etymology says it comes from the phrase èdó è dùdó (literally “the yam stake did not stick”). Also proposed to come from òǹ- (“agent prefix”) + ì (“nominalizing prefix”) + dó (“to settle”), literally “That which is settled”

Ondo Kingdom (a historical kingdom in Nigeria).


Ejigbo

/è.d͡ʒì.ɡ͡bò/

There is some historical significance to the name of this town, it features in a legendary ancient market of Ifẹ̀, Èjìgbòmẹkùn, which features prominently in Yoruba oral history. In addition, several other locations throughout Yorubaland bear an alternate version of the name, Ìjìgbò, which is almost always used interchangeably with Èjìgbò. Èjìgbòmẹkùn in Ifẹ̀ oral tradition is regarded as the first market in Ifẹ̀, is closely associated with many Yoruba divinities, including Ajé, Ọ̀rúnmìlà, and features prominently in many verses of the Odù Ifá. While there is a clear relationship between the name Èjìgbòmẹkùn and the locations known as Èjìgbò or Ìjìgbò, the historical relationship between them are not clear, except that like many Yorùbá towns, most ones named Èjìgbò claim to be descended from Ifẹ̀. The name Ùgbòmẹkùn, an ancient name for the region that is now Ifẹ̀, is also clearly related. Thus, a link between Èjìgbò and the Ùgbò people has also been hypothesized, which is the most common explanation for ancient Ifẹ̀ terms with "gbò," see Ọ̀ṣẹ̀rẹ̀màgbò.


Ẹgbado

/ɛ̀.ɡ͡bá.dò/

ẹ̀ gbá odò (“Wanderers to the river”). Compare Ẹ̀gbá

the Egbado people, a subgroup of the Yoruba

the Ẹ̀gbádò dialect spoken by the Yéwa people


Ifọn

A Yoruba subethnic group whom live in the city of Ifọ́n in Oǹdó state

A Yoruba dialect spoken by the Ifọ́n people of Oǹdó state


Saro

Borrowed from English Sierra Leone. Doublet of Siria Lóònù.

(historical) The Saro people; formerly enslaved returnees from Sierra Leone or Liberia predominantly of Yoruba decent


Ṣango

→ English: Shango

→ Edo: Esago

→ Portuguese: Xangô

→ Spanish: Changó

→ Haitian Creole: Chango

> Lucumí: Changó (inherited)

From a very old borrowing from the 12th century, from Nupe Sòkó, a high ranking deity of the sky and rain, who was also closely associated with lightning. This may be the origin of the stories that associate Ṣàngó with the Nupe people, including stating his mother to be of Nupe origin. Compare with Gbagyi shengo. His worship was possibly absorbed by older Yoruba cults of lightning, thunder, jurisprudence divinities like Jàkúta and Ọ̀ràm̀fẹ̀, merging to become the "modern" Ṣàngó cult.

Shango, (orisha of thunder, vitality, lighting, justice, energy, force, explosions in Yoruba religion), he is also believed to have been the fourth Aláàfin of Ọ̀yọ́, and the husband of Ọ̀ṣun, Ọya, and Ọbà

Ṣàngó-pípè

Invocation and chanting during the worship of Ṣàngó

Ṣàngóbíyìí

A Yoruba name meaning Ṣàngó gave birth to this child

Ṣàngóbùnmi

A Yoruba name meaning Ṣàngó gave me a gift

Ṣàngódáyìíró

A Yoruba name meaning Ṣàngó spared this child

Ṣàngódélé

A Yoruba name meaning Ṣàngó has arrived home

Ṣàngóṣẹ́gun

A Yoruba name meaning Ṣàngó was victorious


Ekiti

From èkìtì (“hills”), which describes the landscape of the Èkìtì homeland. Perhaps from an obsolete plural form, compare with Yoruba òkìtì

A state of Nigeria in the South West geopolitical zone

A historical country in Yorubaland in West Africa

(collectively) Ekiti people, a subgroup of the Yoruba people


Tapa

> Lucumí: Tacuá (inherited)

*Said to refer to a style of scarification/tribal marks traditionally adorned by the Nupe people


Audu

Borrowed from Hausa Audù, ultimately from Arabic عَبْدُ (ʕabdu).

a male given name from Hausa, equivalent to English Abdul


Araba

the title of the highest-ranking Ifa priest in a town or region; chief Ifa priest


Jamani

Germany (a country in Central Europe, formed in 1949 as West Germany, with its provisional capital Bonn until 1990, when it incorporated East Germany)


Oṣumare

→ Portuguese: Oxumaré

→ Spanish: Ochumaré

/ò.ʃù.mà.ɾè/

From the common noun òṣùmàrè (“rainbow”).

The orisha and spirit of the rainbow, he is symbolized by a python (òṣùmàrè).


upole

From ù- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pó + ulé (“home”)

(Ekiti, Ijesha) ancestral homeland, origin location of a town, (especially) if the town has migrated to a different location


Adio

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dì (“to bundle up”) + ró (“to stand erect”), literally “One who is bound to stay erect”, referring to a child who stands strong and tall against enemies, see Àdìsá for another common name with a similar etymology

A male oríkì name, meaning "One who is bound up to stay erect".


Idowu

→ Yoruba: Idowu

a unisex given name, an orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá given to a child born directly after a set of twins


Adebayọ

→ English: Adebayo

Either adé (“crown, royalty”) + bá (“to meet”) + ayọ̀ (“joy”), literally “Royalty meets joy” or a- (“agent prefix”) + dé (“to arrive”) + bá (“to meet”) + ayọ̀ (“joy”), literally “The one who arrives and is met with joy”.

af

a male given name meaning “Royalty meets joy or One who arrives and is met with joy”


Amẹrika

yo:Orílẹ̀-èdè Ìṣọ̀kan àwọn Ìpínlẹ̀ Amẹ́ríkà

United States of America
United States of America#English

United States of America (a country in North America)


Ṣaina

Bí wọn ti ń pè é ni Rọ́ṣíà ní wọn n bèèrè rẹ̀ ní Amẹ́ríkà, àwọn ìjọba Ṣáínà fé bá orílè̟-èdè Bóluwatife ṣe nítorí Ìwàlewà.

2008, Lérè Adèyẹmí, Kò sáyè làáfin, page 2:

Olú-ìlú ìṣòwò orílè-èdè Ṣáínà ní Shanghai ti kìlọ̀ pé ẹnikẹ́ni tí ó bá rú àwọn òfin ìgbélé ààrùn còrónà yóò jẹyán ẹ̀ níṣu.

2022 April 13, Eyitayọ Fauziat Oyetunji, “Shanghai pinnu láti fìyà jẹ ẹnikẹ́ni tó bá tàpá sófin ìgbélé ààrùn còrónà [Shanghai promises punishment for COVID-19 lockdown violators]”, in Ilé Akéde Nàìjíríà (Voice of Nigeria), archived from the original on 2024-01-16:

The Chinese commercial capital of Shanghai warned that anyone who violates COVID-19 lockdown rules will be dealt with strictly.

yo:Orílẹ̀-èdè Olómìnira àwọn Ará ilẹ̀ Ṣáínà


Faranse

Faran̄sé (canonical)
Faransé (canonical)


Ogboni

English: Ogboni

/ò.ɡ͡bó.nĩ̄/

From ògbóni, from ò- (“nominalizing prefix”) + gbó (“matured, experienced”) + ẹni (“people”), literally “The wise ones”.

They consisted of three classes of chiefs, the Ògbóni in charge of administration, Pàràkòyì in charge of trade and commerce, and the Ológun, in charge of security and war, and their leaders were the Ìwàrẹ́fà.

(Ìjẹ̀bú)

(historical) In precolonial Yorubaland, a male secret society of chiefs that performed religious, judicial, and legislative functions, including the advising and checking of a monarch. They were also the main worshippers of the orisha Ẹdan, and in some towns, they were also the cult of the orisha Orò.


Abiọdun

Blend of a- (“agent prefix”) + bí (“to be born”) + ní (“on”) + ọdún (“festival, holiday”), literally “One who was born on a festival”

blend

a unisex given name meaning “Born a festival”


Iṣẹṣe

From ìṣẹ̀ṣe, ultimately from ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣẹ̀ (“to originate”) + ìṣe (“tradition”), literally “The source of our traditions”.

af

Ìṣẹ̀ṣe làgbà

Isese is the most senior of the Yoruba institutions

The Yoruba religion, the combination of the religious practices and traditions associated with the worship of the orisa and Ifa divination.


Ọsanyin

Ọ̀sanyìn (canonical)
Ọ̀sányìn (canonical)

/ɔ̀.sã̄.jĩ̀/

/ɔ̀.sã́.jĩ̀/

From ọ̀san + yìn, of unclear origin. A few etymological theories exist:
* An origin myth of Ọ̀sanyìn attributes it from the phrase ẹ̀san ẹyìn (“the reward for palm nuts”). A similar myth is repeated in the Odù Ifá chapter Ọ̀sẹ́ Ọ̀wọ́nrín (#232), where the name is said to come from the phrase ẹ̀sán ẹyìn (“the 9 palm nuts”). Both these myths identify the name as being associated Ọ̀rúnmìlà's role in his birth, with the second myth attributing Ọ̀sanyìn as his younger brother.

Ọsanyìn (god of plants, herbs, healing, medicine, and magic). He is closely associated with divination and the orisha Ọ̀rúnmìlà.

Ọ̀sanyíndọlá

A Yoruba name meaning Ọ̀sanyìn has become honorable

Ọ̀sanyíndọrọ̀

A Yoruba name meaning Ọ̀sanyìn has become wealth

Ọ̀sanyíngbèmí

A Yoruba name meaning Ọ̀sanyìn supports me

Ọ̀sanyínladé

A Yoruba name meaning Ọ̀sanyìn is the crown

Ọ̀sanyínlókun

A Yoruba name meaning the worshipper of Ọ̀sanyìn has strength

Ọ̀sanyínlúsì

A Yoruba name meaning Ọ̀sanyìn is honorable

Ọ̀sanyínmúkò

A Yoruba name meaning Ọ̀sanyìn gave (him) to me

Ọ̀sanyínró

A Yoruba name meaning Ọ̀sanyìn stands strong

Ọ̀sanyínrótìmí

A Yoruba name meaning Ọ̀sanyìn stays with me

Ọ̀sanyínṣawo

A Yoruba name meaning Ọ̀sanyìn worships Ifa

Ọ̀sanyíntilé

A Yoruba name meaning Ọ̀sanyìn stands with the house

Ọ̀sanyíntọba

A Yoruba name meaning Ọ̀sanyìn is enough for a king

Ọ̀sanyíntọ́lá

A Yoruba name meaning Ọ̀sanyìn is worthy of honor

Ọ̀sanyíntádé

A Yoruba name meaning Ọ̀sanyìn is worthy of a crown

Ọ̀sanyíntólú

A Yoruba name meaning Ọ̀sanyìn is worthy of becoming a leader

Ọ̀sanyíntúyì

A Yoruba name meaning Ọ̀sanyìn is worthy of praise, honor


Intanẹẹti

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Íntánẹ́ẹ̀tì or Íńtánẹ́ẹ̀tì

Íntánẹ́ẹ̀tì (canonical)
Íńtánẹ́ẹ̀tì (canonical)

/ĩ́.tá.nɛ́ɛ̀.tì/

/í.ŋ́.tá.nɛ́ɛ̀.tì/


Iku

Death (the personified warrior spirit (Ajogun) of death)


Jameika

Ọ̀rẹ́ mi ń gbé n'ílú Jàméíkà.

Jamaica (an island and country in the Caribbean)


Abọsẹde

→ English: Abosede

From a- (“agent prefix”) + bá (“to join”) + ọ̀sẹ̀ (“week”) + dé (“to arrive”), "One born at the start of a new week", usually given to children born on a Sunday.


Kọjọda

/kɔ́.d͡ʒɔ́.dā/

From kí (“may”) + ọjọ́ (“day”) + da (“to be clear”), literally “May the day be clear”.

compound

The Yoruba calendar, originally used among the Ìjẹ̀bú people. It originally was a lunar calendar consisting of 4 days, 91 weeks, and 13 months with 7 weeks in each month. The first month is Òkúdù (“June”). It was later modernized to be consistent with the Gregorian calendar


Ṣikago

Chicago (a large city in Illinois, United States)


Aguala

Àgùàlà ń bá òṣùpá rìn, wọ́n ní ajá ẹ̀ ló ń ṣe.

Venus and the moon can often be sighted together. (literally, “Venus walks with the moon, they say it's being its dog.”)

(astronomy) Venus; the second planet in the solar system. Symbol: ♀.


Abimbọla

From a (“we”) + bí (“to give birth to”) + mi (“me”) + bí (“with”) + ọlá (“wealth”), "I was born with wealth".


Ilẹ kaaarọ-oojiire

/ī.lɛ̀ káàá.ɾɔ̀.ōò.d͡ʒíī.ɾē/

From ilẹ̀ (“land”) + káàárọ̀ (“Good morning (Greeting)”) + o (“you”) + ò (“nominalizer, the act of”) + jí (“to wake, to awake”) + ire (“goodness, blessing”). Literally, "Land of the people that greet you good morning, did you wake up well?".


Ilara-Mọkin

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Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín

Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín

yo-pos

Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín

Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín

yo-prop

Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín

Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín

/ì.lá.ɾá.mɔ̃̀.kĩ́/

From Ìlárá + mọ̀kị́n, ultimately from ì- (“nominalizing prefixi”) + ní (“to have”) + ará (“relative, family”) + mọ̀ (“to know”) + ọ̀kị́n (“African paradise flycatcher”), literally “The ones who possess many relatives are as honorable as the ọ̀kín bird”.

compound

Ìlárá + mọ̀kị́n

af

Ilara-Mokin (an Ekiti Yoruba town in Ifedore, Ondo, Nigeria)

African paradise flycatcher
yo:Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín


Igbomina

→ Portuguese: Ibomina

/ì.ɡ͡bó.mĩ̀.nã̀/

From ògbó (“a type of sword”) + mi (“mine, my”) + mọ̀ (“to knows”) + ọ̀nà (“the path, the way”), literally “My sword knows the way”.

compound

Igbomina people, a subgroup of the Yoruba people

A dialect of the Yoruba language spoken by the Ìgbómìnà


Ifadọrọlemi

/ɪ̄.fá.dɔ́.ɾɔ̀.lé.mĩ̄/

From Ifá (“Ifá, the deity Ọ̀rúnmìlà”) + dá (“to bestow”) + ọrọ̀ (“wealth, honor”) + lé (“on”) + mi (“me”), literally “Ifá bestowed me with wealth”.

(Ekiti, rare) a male given name meaning “The deity Ifa bestowed me with wealth”


Abikẹ

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bí (“to give birth, to be born”) + kẹ́ (“to cherish, to care for”), literally “One who is born to be cared for”

affix

A female oríkì name, meaning "One who is born to be cared for".


Ibidunmoye

From ìbí (“birth”) + dùn (“to be sweet, to be enjoyable”) + mọ́ (“with, in combination with”) + oyè (“chieftancy title, honor”), "Birth is good with honor.".

com

a male or female given name meaning, "Birth is good with honor".


Ṣoyinka

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Ṣóyínká or Ṣóyín̄ká

Ṣóyínká (canonical)
Ṣóyín̄ká (canonical)

Blend of oṣó (“sorcerer, a symbol of the deity Òrìṣàokó”) + yíká (“to surround”) + mi (“me”), literally “The sorcerer surrounded me; the deity Òrìṣàokó surrounds me”

blend

a male given name meaning “the sorcerer surrounded me; Òrìṣàokó surrounds me”


Fagunwa

From Clipping of Ifágúnwà, ultimately from Blend of Ifá (“the deity Ifa”) + gún (“to climb”) + ùwà (“throne, palace”), literally “Ifá sits on the throne”.

(Ondo) a male given name meaning “The deity Ifa sits on the throne”

(Ondo) a surname, from the given name Fágúnwà


Ọmọbọsẹde

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Ọmọ́bọ́sẹ̀dé

Ọmọ́bọ́sẹ̀dé

yo-pos

Ọmọ́bọ́sẹ̀dé

Ọmọ́bọ́sẹ̀dé

/ɔ̄.mɔ̃́.bɔ́.sɛ̀.dé/

From ọmọ + bá + ọsẹ̀ + dé, "The child born at the start of a new week", usually given to children born on a Sunday.

compound

ọmọ + bá + ọsẹ̀ + dé


Bọsẹde

A Clipping of Abọ́sẹ̀dé and Clipping of Ọmọ́bọ́sẹ̀dé, or other form, ultimately from bá + ọsẹ̀ + dé, literally “Come with the start of a new week”, given to children born at the start of the week (traditionally Sunday)

clipping

Ọmọ́bọ́sẹ̀dé

compound

a female given name meaning “[One who] comes with the start of a new week”

(rare) a male given name, with the same meaning as the female name Bọ́sẹ̀dé

A nickname or root for names with longer meanings, see Abọ́sẹ̀dé, Ọmọ́bọ́sẹ̀dé.


Isiaka

bor

Arabic إِسْحَاق (ʔisḥāq)

a male given name from Arabic, equivalent to English Isaac


Ilẹ Adulawọ

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Ilẹ̀ Adúláwọ̀

Ilẹ̀ Adúláwọ̀

yo-pos

Ilẹ̀ Adúláwọ̀

Ilẹ̀ Adúláwọ̀

ilẹ̀ (“land”) + a (“one who”) + dú (“to be black”) + ní (“in”) + àwọ̀ (“skin”), "Land of the people with Black skin."


Mọdakẹkẹ

Onomatopoeic, From the sounds and calls of herons living in the area.


Rọṣia

Russia (A transcontinental country in Eastern Europe and North Asia)


Ọlọfin

/ɔ̄.lɔ́.ꜜfĩ̄/

From oní- (“owner of”) + ọ̀fin (“palace”), literally “Owner of the palace”, compare with Aláàfin

affix

the title of a king or ruler; equivalent to the title Aláàfin, most commonly used as in reference to Odùduwà when he was the Ọ̀ọ̀ni of Ile-Ife, also known as Ọlọ́fin Àdìmúlà

The title of several legendary founders of many Eastern Yoruba towns, such as Ìdànrè whom were later deified as local orisha.

(Idanre) a unisex given name, used by worshippers of the deity Ọlọ́fin. It also serves as a prefix for or shortening for longer given names


Ifabunmi

From Ifá (“Ifá, the deity Ọ̀rúnmìlà”) + bùn (“to give, to bless with”) + mi (“me”), "Ifá blessed me with this (child).".

compound

a male given name, meaning "The deity Ifa blessed me with this child"


Ifalọọrọ

/ī.fá.lɔ̀ɔ́.ɾɔ̀/

(Ekiti) a female given name, Alternative form of Ịfálọ̀ụ́rọ̀


Ifalaye

From Ifá (“Ifa, Yoruba god of prophecy, divination”) + à (“negation prefix”) + ní (“to have”) + ayè (“lie”), literally “Ifa does not harbour lies”

(Ekiti) a male given name meaning “Ifa does not harbour lies”

(Ekiti) a surname, from the given name Ifáláyè


Yemọja

→ Portuguese: Yemanjá, Iemanjá, Iemenjá

→ Spanish: Yemayá, Yemallá

→ English: Yemoja

Lucumí: Yemayá

/jē.mɔ̃̄.d͡ʒā/

From iye (“Mother”) + ọmọ (“child”) + ẹja (“fish”), literally “Mother of the fishes”, this etymology is also said to be a metaphor relating to the fact that Yemọja is a mother to children as numerous as all the fish of the oceans.

A powerful river orisha of creation, water, fertility, motherhood, sometimes regarded as the adoptive mother of all the orisha. She is believed to be the spirit of the Ògùn river.


Ọbaluaye

From ọba (“King, ruler”) + olú (“the prominent one, leader”) + ayé (“world”), literally “The King and leader of the World”.

af

Babalú-Ayé (god of disease, smallpox, healing, and health)


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


Ajalemogun

Many folk etymologies attempt to explain the origin of the name, such as Blend of ajá (“dog”) + ni (“is”) + mọ̀ (“to know”) + Ògún (“Ogun”), literally “It is the dog that knows Ògún”. Compare with Ìrèmògún, Ẹkímògún

blend

(Ekiti) an Earth spirit (imọlẹ̀) or orisha. He is the guardian spirit of the town of Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín and other Èkìtì towns

(by extension) a festival held in honor of Àjàlémògún.


Igbara-oke

/ì.ɡ͡bà.ɾà.ò.kè/

Local folk etymology states it originates from Àìgbàrà (“Aigbara forest”) + òkè (“mountain, north”), literally “The northern part of the Aigbara forest”, compare with Ìgbàrà-Odò, sister town of Igbara-Oke

compound

Ilara-Mokin (an Ekiti Yoruba town in Ifedore, Ondo, Nigeria)


Joṣua

a male given name originating from the Bible


Isobo

Ùsòbò

Ìkálẹ̀, Oǹdó


Ajari

à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jà (“to fight”) + rí (“to see”), literally “One who fought to be seen”, compare with Àjàyí

af

(Ekiti) a unisex given name given to children born facing downwards

(Ekiti) A unisex oríkì name given to children born facing downwards


Ajewọle

Ajé (“the deity of wealth and economic enterprise”) + wọlé (“to enter”), literally “The deity Ajé has entered the house”

compound

a male given name, meaning The deity Ajé has entered the household.


Aje

The orisha of wealth, economic enterprise, business, economic success in the Yoruba religion, believed to be a daughter of Olókun.

Ajédọlá

Yoruba name, meaning "Ajé has become honor

Ajéwọlé

Yoruba name, meaning "Ajé has entered the household


Ọlamiọbọ

/ɔ.lá.mɪ̃́.ɔ̀.bɔ́/

From Blend of ọlá (“honor, prestige”) + mí (“my”) + ọ̀ (“negation prefix”) + bọ́ (“to fall, to drop, to leave”), literally “My honor did not fall off”.

blend

(Ekiti) a female given name meaning “My honor did not fall away, My honor did not leave me”


Taiwo

From tọ́ (“to taste”) + ayé (“the world, life”) + wò (“to try”), literally “To taste life first”
*This comes from a Yoruba story in which it is believed the first twin is sent to the world first by its older sibling (Kẹ́hìndé) to see if the world is good to enter.

compound

a unisex given name, an orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá given to the first child in a set of twins or triplet


Ulaa

Contraction of Ùlárá, from ulé (“home”) + ará (“Ará people, family”).

(Ekiti) Ilara-Mọkin, (a Yoruba town in Nigeria).


Epo

(historical) the southwest division of the old Ọ̀yọ́ empire consisting of the Ẹ̀gbá people and the towns Ìbàdàn and Ìjàyè


Jepaani

/d͡ʒè.k͡páà.nĩ̀/


Aburahamu

a male given name, equivalent to English Abraham


Ọwọrin

/ɔ̀.wɔ́.ɾĩ́/

Alternative form of Ọ̀wọ́nrín (“The sixth chapter of the odù Ifá”)


Alaba

Possibly from à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + là (“to be wealthy, rich”) + bá (“to meet, to come with, to fit”), literally “That who is wealthy has met the rest of the children” or à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + là (“to overtake”) + bá (“to meet, to come with, to fit”), literally “Someone who is overtaken or overtakes after some pursuit”. Both of these refer to the fact that Àlàbá is the second child after a set of twins.

af

a unisex given name, an orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá given to the second child born after twins, born after a child named Ìdòwú


Sitefanu

Borrowed from English Stephen and English Steven.


Eṣu

→ English: Eshu

→ Portuguese: Exu

→ Portuguese: exu

→ Krio: eshu

Etymology is unclear, some propose it may come from è- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣù (“to bring together, to harmonize”), literally “The one who allows for coexistence”, though this may simply be a folk etymology.
* This is said to refer to the role of Èṣù as an intermediary between the evil and good forces of the universe.
Compare with Edo Èsù, Ede Idaca Èchù, Itsekiri Èṣù

Èṣúbíyìí

Yoruba name meaning, Èṣù gave birth to this child

Èṣù Láàlú, Èṣù Ọdàrà, Èṣù elépolẹ́nu; Èṣù Láàlú, Ògiri-òkò! ― Eshu Láàlú, Èṣù Ọdàrà, Èṣù who has red oil on his mouth; Èṣù Láàlú, the stone wall! (oríkì Èṣù)

The orisha and primordial divinity (irúnmọlẹ̀) of judgement, trickery, crossroads, and the messenger of Olódùmarè in the Yoruba religion. He is believed to epitomize the duality of goodness and malevolence, and is the intermediary between humanity and the evil forces, the Ajogun.


Ihinrere

/ì.hĩ̀.ɾē.ɾē/

ìhìn (“news”) + rere (“good”), "Good news."


Igala

èdè Igálà


Irekọja

/ì.ɾé.kɔ̄.d͡ʒá/

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ré kọjá (“to pass over”), literally “The act of passing over”, from Calque of English Passover


Ogunbiyi

a male given name meaning “Ogun gave birth to this child”, Alternative form of Ògúnbíyìí


Aragberi

/à.ɾá.ɡ͡bē.ɾí/

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

compound

(Ekiti) a surname, from the chieftaincy title Àrágberí

The title of the traditional ruler of the town of Ìrágberí

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.


Agbọnniregun

/à.ɡ͡bɔ̃̄.nĩ̀.ɾè.ɡṹ/

Several stories from the Odù Ifá attempt to give a folk etymology for this name.
* One states it comes from àgbọn (“coconut”) + ni (“to be”) + ìrègún (“a direct request built on a previous favor one has granted”)
* Another one states it comes from àgbọn (“coconut”) + ni (“to be”) + ire (“blessing, gift, reward”) + Ògún (“the deity Ogun”), literally “The coconut is the blessing of Ogun”

A praise name (oríkì) or nickname for the orisha Ọ̀rúnmìlà and Ifa


Apekẹ

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + pè (“to call”) + kẹ́ (“to care for, to cherish”), literally “One who is called to be cared for”

af

A female oríkì name, meaning "one who is called to be cared for".


Awujalẹ

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

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


Aderonkẹ

/ā.dé.ɾó.ŋ̄.kɛ́/

From Blend of adé (“crown, royalty”) + rí (“to see”) + ohun (“something”) + kẹ́ (“to care for, to cherish”).

blend

a female given name meaning “The crown has seen something (a child) to take care of”


Ifamugbẹẹ

/ī.fá.mũ̀.ɡ͡bà.ɛ́/

From Blend of Ifá (“Ifá, the deity Ọ̀rúnmìlà”) + mọ̀ (“knows”) + ùgbẹ̀ (“time”) + ẹ (“second person singular pronoun”), literally “Ifá knows your time”.

(Ekiti) a female given name meaning “The deity Ifa knows your time”


Ajaja

/à.d͡ʒà.d͡ʒá/

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jà (“to fight”) + já (“to snap, to break off”), literally “One who fights and breaks free”.

af

(Ekiti) A male oríkì name, meaning "One who fights and breaks free".


Arikẹ

à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + rí (“to see”) + kẹ́ (“to care for, to cherish”), literally “One who is seen and cared for”

A female oríkì name, meaning "one who is seen and cared for".


Ajala

à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jà (“to fight”) + lá (“to survive”), literally “One who has fights to survive” or à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jà (“to fight”) + lá (“to lick”), literally “One who fights to lick”

A male oríkì name, meaning "One who fights to survive". or "one who fights to lick."

Àjàlá ni alámọ̀ tí ń mọ orí fún gbogbo ènìyàn

Ajala is the potter that molds the heads of all humans

an orisha identified as a potter who molds the heads (orí) and forms the consciousness and soul of a human being before birth; he works closely with Ọbàtálá


Anikẹ

à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ní (“to have”) + kẹ́ (“to care for, to cherish”), literally “One you have and care for”

A female oríkì name, meaning "One you have and care for".


Ajikẹ

/à.d͡ʒí.kɛ́/

à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jí (“to wake up”) + kẹ́ (“to care for, to cherish”), literally “One wakes up to be cherished”

affix

A female oríkì name, meaning "One who wakes up to be cherished".


Atanda

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + tàn (“to brighten”) + dá (“to create”), literally “One who was created to brighten (the world)”

af

A unisex oríkì name, meaning "One who was created to brighten (the world)".


Adubi

à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dù (“to fight, to struggle”) + bí (“to give birth to”), literally “One we struggled to give birth to”

A female oríkì name, meaning "One we struggled to give birth to".

A unisex oríkì name., given to children named Ìgè


Ajọkẹ

/à.d͡ʒɔ̄.kɛ́/

à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jọ (“together”) + kẹ́ (“to care for, to cherish”), literally “One who we jointly care for”

affix

A female oríkì name, meaning "One who we jointly care for".


Ayanfẹ

à (“one who”) + yàn (“to choose, to select”) + fẹ́ (“to love”), "One that we specifically chose to love."

compound

A unisex oríkì name, meaning "One that we specifically chose to love".


Aṣakẹ

à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣà (“to choose”) + kẹ́ (“to care for, to cherish”), literally “One chosen to be cared for”

af

A female oríkì name, meaning "One chosen to be cared for".


Iṣọla

Blend of ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣe (“to do, to make”) + ọlá (“honor”), literally “He who creates honor”

blend

A male oríkì name, meaning "He who creates honor".


Adunni

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + dùn (“to be sweet, to be pleasant”) + ní (“to have”), literally “"One that is pleasant to have" or "a sweet one that is mine"”

af

A unisex oríkì name, meaning "One that is pleasant to have".


Atinukẹ

a (“one who”) + ti (“from”) + inú (“inside, womb”) + kẹ́ (“to care for, to cherish”), "One who is cherished from the womb."

compound

A female oríkì name, meaning "One who is cherished from the womb".


Aṣamu

à (“one who”) + ṣà (“to select, to choose”) + mú (“to pick”), "The one we specially chose."

A unisex oríkì name, meaning "The one we specially chose".


Kẹhinde

a unisex given name, an orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá given to the second child in a set of twins or triplet


Abẹni

From à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + bẹ̀ (“to beg”) + ní (“to have”), literally “One who is pleaded for to have”

af

A female oríkì name, meaning "One who is pleaded for to have".


Oberemoye

From Òbèrè + mọ́ (“among, onto”) + oyè (“honor”)

compound

(Àkúrẹ́) a festival or rite in several Àkúrẹ́ towns, often during the larger new yam festival. It usually consists of the reigning monarch coming from his home to greet the people and offer prayers, while young men begin engaging in whipping contests


Ẹla

ẹ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + là (“to split”)

affix

A primordial ìmọlẹ̀ or energy force of the Yoruba religion, associated with the deity Orunmila and divination, said to be the energy responsible for the creation of the universe, he is associated with the orisha Olúorogbo


Ogundabẹdẹ

head

Ògúndábẹ̀dẹ́

Ògúndábẹ̀dẹ́

yo-pos

Ògúndábẹ̀dẹ́

Ògúndábẹ̀dẹ́

yo-prop

Ògúndábẹ̀dẹ́

Ògúndábẹ̀dẹ́

The one-hundred thirty seventh chapter of the odù Ifá corpus, one of the amulu of the odù Ifá.


Ogbewori

/ō.ɡ͡bè.wò.ɾì/

The eighteenth sign of the Ifa divination system, it is second of the signs of the ọmọ odù; the 240 minor signs.

The eighteenth chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus. It is one of the sixteen chapters in the Ogbè category (àpólà) and the second of the 240 minor chapters, or àmúlù of the Odù Ifá.


Ogbedi

The nineteenth sign of the Ifa divination system, it is one of the signs of the ọmọ odù; the 240 minor signs

The ninteenth chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus. It is one of the sixteen chapters in the Ogbè category (àpólà) and third chapter of the 240 minor chapters, or àmúlù of the Odù Ifá.


Ogberosun

/ō.ɡ͡bè.ɾō.sũ̀/

The twentieth sign of the Ifa divination system, it is one of the signs of the ọmọ odù; the 240 minor signs

The twentieth chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus. It is one of the sixteen chapters in the Ogbè category (àpólà) and one of the 240 minor chapters, or àmúlù of the Odù Ifá.


Ogbewọnrin

/ō.ɡ͡bè.wɔ̃́.ɾĩ́/

The twenty-first sign of the Ifa divination system, it is one of the signs of the ọmọ odù; the 240 minor signs

The twenty-first chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus. It is one of the sixteen chapters in the Ogbè category (àpólà) and one of the 240 minor chapters, or àmúlù of the Odù Ifá.


Ogbebara

/ō.ɡ͡bè.bà.ɾà/

The twenty-second sign of the Ifa divination system, it is one of the signs of the ọmọ odù; the 240 minor signs

The twenty-second chapter of the Odù Ifá corpus. It is one of the sixteen chapters in the Ogbè category (àpólà) and one of the 240 minor chapters, or àmúlù of the Odù Ifá.


Oṣemawe

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

a female chieftaincy title in Ìjàrẹ́ and Ijù


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


Ọdẹmọ

/ɔ̄.dɛ̄.mɔ̃̄/

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


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


Ọkẹrẹ

/ɔ̀.kɛ̀.ɾɛ̀/

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


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


Ọrangun

From ọ̀rọ̀ (“plan, words, actions”) + mí (“my”) + gún (“to be straight, to be aligned”), literally “My life plans are straight”.

compound

the title of the traditional rulers of the towns of Ìlá Ọ̀ràngún and Òkè-Ìlá Ọ̀ràngún in Ọ̀ṣun State of Nigeria, and the head of the Ìgbómìnà people


Ọrangun

The sixteenth principal sign of the Ifa divination system

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.

The sixteenth chapter of the odù Ifá corpus, and the last of the major ojú odù


Oore

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


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


Olubadan

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

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


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


Sabiganna

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


Ajero

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


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


Olukarẹ

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

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


Ogoga

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


Akire

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

af

The traditional ruler of Ìkirè town in Ọ̀ṣun 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


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

That whom speaks 􂀿and it goes into existence􂁀

The title of the traditional ruler of the town of Ado Ekiti

(historical) the historic ruler of the Adó Kingdom


Ayangburẹn

/à.jã́.ɡ͡bù.ɾɛ̃̀/

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


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


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

The official title of the ruler of the town of Irè, (also known as Irè-Èkìtì), a holy city of the deity Ògún

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


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.


Ikalẹ

From ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ká (“to surround, to spread out”) + ilẹ̀ (“land”), literally “That whom spread out across the land”.

Okitipupa, a subgroup of the Yoruba people, who speak the Ìkálẹ̀ language.


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


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


Idaaṣa

French: Dassa-Zoumé

Fon: Dassa-Zoumé

English: Dassa

From Ede Idaca Idaacha (“Ìdàáchà”). A local folk etymology suggests it comes from ìda (“princess”) + Ìṣà (“the town of Ìṣà, the Ìṣà people”), literally “Princess from Ìṣà”

Igbó Idàáṣà

capital city and traditional homeland of the Idàáṣà people and the historical Idàáṣà kingdom

Idaasha people, a subgroup of the Yoruba people in the country of Benin

A dialect of the Yoruba language spoken by the Idàáṣà people, some sources identify it as a language separate from the Yoruba dialectal continuum.


Ijẹbu

/ì.d͡ʒɛ̀.bú/

ì- (“nominalizing prefix”) + jẹ (“to rove, to swim”) + ní (“in”) + ubú (“ocean, deep sea”), literally “The ones who swim in the deep sea”

Ìjẹ̀bú-Òde

The principal and capital city of the Ìjẹ̀bú people

Ijebu people, a subgroup of Yoruba people who speak the Ìjẹ̀bú spoken variety in the Ede-Yoruba-Itsekiri continuum.

A spoken variety closely related to that of the Yoruba language


apẹẹrẹ

/à.k͡pɛ̄ɛ̄.ɾɛ̄/


Awolọwọ

From awo (“the Ifa oracle, babalawo”) + ni (“has”) + ọ̀wọ̀ (“respect, honor”), literally “The oracle has honor, the Babalawo has honor”

a male given name, meaning "The oracle of Ifa has honor" or "the babalawo has honor."

a surname, from the given name Awólọ́wọ̀


Ikẹnnẹ

/ì.kɛ̃́.nɛ́/

A Yoruba town in Ogun State, Nigeria, populated by the Rẹ́mọ subgroup of the Ìjẹ̀bú people


Iwarẹfa

From Ìwàrẹ (“a high ranking chief of a town”) + ẹ̀fà (“six”), cognate with Edo Igharẹfa.

The chiefs of the Ìwàrẹ̀fà a range of political and religious functions and serve as trusted advisors to the monarch, and are the leaders of the Ògbóní societies in their respective towns. They are often the most powerful members of their community, and exist in all Yoruba polities.

A traditional council consisting of the six highest ranking chieftains (Ìwàrẹ) of a Yoruba town, the highest class of chieftains.

Ìwàrẹ̀fà Ọ̀yọ́

The Iwarefa council of Ọ̀yọ́, the Oyomesi


Ịarẹfa

/ɪ̀.à.ɾɛ̀.fà/

From Ị̀àrẹ (“highest ranking chiefs”) + ẹ̀fà (“six”).

(Ekiti) high-ranking council of chiefs that advise the monarch


Idogbe

a unisex given name, an orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá given to the third child born after twins, born after a child named Àlàbá


Idoha

a unisex given name, an orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá given to the fourth child born after twins, born after a child named Ìdògbé


Ijẹṣa

/ì.d͡ʒɛ̀.ʃà/

Originally from Ùjẹ̀ṣà, the term in the Ijesha dialect

Ijesha people, a subgroup of the Yoruba people, who speak the Ìjẹ̀ṣà dialect and whose capital city is the town Iléṣà


Ọlụa

From ọlụ́a (“lord, leader, prominent one”), compare with Yoruba Olúwa and Yoruba olúwa

(Ekiti) A high-ranking divinity (ụmọlẹ̀) of many Èkìtì Yoruba towns, regarded as the supreme deity of the hill and the sky. In some traditions Ọlụ́a is regarded as the supreme being, equivalent to Olódùmarè and Àbarị̀ṣà. This deity's who worshipped is characterized by the performance of ẹ̀fẹ̀ and ùjàamẹ̀ṣẹ̀ poetry.

(Ekiti, Christianity) Alternative form of Olúwa (“God”)


Ṣanpọnna

Fon: Sakpata

/ʃã̀.k͡pɔ̃̀.nã́/

a widely feared deity associated with smallpox and other infectious diseases, pandemics, but he is regarded as the bringer of the dry season, sunlight, and in some traditions, of healing, biomedicine. He is known euphemistically as Ọbalúayé


Awori

Folk etymology started it comes from àwo (“plate”) + ti (“has”) + rì (“sink”), literally “The plate has sunk”.

Awori tribe, a subgroup of the Yoruba people, the original inhabitants of Lagos, and who speak the Àwórì dialect


Oṣu Belu

November, the sixth month in the Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá


Oduduwa

Possibly from odù dú ì wà (“The source of existence”)

(historical) The legendary ruler (Ọọ̀ni) of Ifẹ̀, he waged a war with Ọbàtálá and gained control of Ifẹ̀, where he became Ọọ̀ni. Because of this and his many descendants who founded modern Yoruba settlements, he is regarded as the father of the Yorùbá people

an ancestral deity associated with creation


Oṣu Ọpẹ

Oṣù Ọ̀pẹ (canonical)
Oṣù Ọ̀pẹ̀ (canonical)

/ō.ʃù ɔ̀.k͡pɛ̄/

/ō.ʃù ɔ̀.k͡pɛ̀/

From oṣù (“month”) + ọ̀pẹ (“palm tree”). Both ọ̀pẹ and ọ̀pẹ̀ are synonymous terms for the palm tree.

December, the seventh month in the traditional Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá


Oṣu Ṣẹrẹ

/ō.ʃù ʃɛ̀.ɾɛ́/

January, the eighth month in the traditional Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá


Oṣu Erele

/ō.ʃù è.ɾè.lé/

February, the ninth month in the traditional Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá


Oṣu Ẹrẹna

/ō.ʃù ɛ̀.ɾɛ̀.nã̀/

March, the tenth month in the Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá


Oṣu Igbe

Oṣù Igbe (canonical)
Oṣù Ìgbé (canonical)

/ō.ʃù ī.ɡ͡bē/

/ō.ʃù ì.ɡ͡bé/

Possibly from oṣù (“month”) + igbe (“scream, shout”), literally “Month of celebration”

April, the eleventh month in the Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá


Oṣu Ẹbibi

/ō.ʃù ɛ̀.bì.bì/

From oṣù (“month”) + Ẹ̀bìbì (“Ẹ̀bìbì festival”).

May, the twelfth and last month in the Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá


Oṣu Okudu

June, the first month of the traditional Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá


Oṣu Agẹmọ

/ō.ʃù ā.ɡɛ̄.mɔ̃̄/

From oṣù (“month”) + Agẹmọ (“the orisha Agẹmọ”), literally “Month of Agẹmọ”.

July, the second month in the traditional Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá, during which the eponymous Agemo festival is held


Oṣu Ogun

From oṣù (“month”) + Ògún (“the Yoruba deity Ogun”), literally “Month of Ogun”.

August, the third month in the traditional Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá


Oṣu Owewe

September, the fourth month in the traditional Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá


Oṣu Ọwara

/ō.ʃù ɔ̀.wà.ɾà/

From oṣù (“month”) + ọ̀wààrà (“rain showers”), literally “Month of rain showers, Month of precipitation”.

October, the fifth month in the traditional Yoruba calendar, the Kọ́jọ́dá


Kamẹruunu

/kā.mɛ̄.ɾúù.nũ̀/


Ayangalu

From Àyàn (“Yoruba orisha of drumming, drummer”) + Àgalú (“a nickname, "one who is tall with a mix."”).

A praise name of the Yoruba orisha of drumming Àyàn, traditionally believed to have been the first drummer.


Madagasika

Madagascar (a country and island off the coast of East Africa)


Mọgba

Possibly from mọ (“I”) + gbà (“accept”), literally “I accept”

the title of the chief priest of the orisha Ṣàngó and leader of the worship of Ṣàngó and the oníṣàngó of a town.


Jimọ

a male given name, given to a child born on Friday


Jimọh

a male given name, a Nonstandard spelling of Jímọ̀.


Erinlẹ

erin (“elephant”) + ilẹ̀ (“ground, land”), literally “The mighty one of the land”

(Ekiti) a divinity and spirit of the Earth worshipped mainly by the Ekiti people, possibly an earlier form of the orisha worshipped in Ìlóbùú. For a similar concept, see Ẹ̀mìlalẹ̀

An orisha in the Yoruba religion, worshipped in the town where he was from and later deified, Ìlóbùú, he is the spirit of the Erinlẹ̀ river and is the an orisha of hunting and the Earth.


Ọba

→ Portuguese: Obá

An orisha and river divinity, believed to be the spirit of the Ọbà river, and was the senior wife of Ṣàngó.


Ọṣọọsi

→ Portuguese: Oxóssi

/ɔ̀.ʃɔ́ɔ̀.sì/

Folk etymology states it comes from a Contraction of Ọ̀ṣọ́wùsì, ultimately from ọ̀- (“nominalizing prefix”) + ṣọ́ (“to guard, to watch”) + wùsì (“to grow in prominence or influence”), literally “The warrior that grows in prominence”

af

Oshosi, the orisha of hunting, warriors, and strategy. He is regarded as an assistant and brother of the deity Ògún. As a primordial deity, (irúnmọlẹ̀), he is known as Ogídò

ọlọ́dẹ

a worshipper of Ọdẹ (synonymous with Ọ̀ṣọ́ọ̀sì)


Ọbatala

It likely originated as a title for the leader of the Mega-House Ìdèta, a polity of the ancient town of Ufẹ̀ during the 9th-11th centuries AD. One of these leaders during the 11th century AD later rose as the head of all the mega-houses in Ufẹ̀ and established the Ufẹ̀ confederacy, a precursor to the Ife kingdom, and served as the chief priest of the deity Ọ̀ràm̀fẹ̀. It was this specific "Ọbàtálá" that became deified as the divinity Òrìṣà (Òrìṣàńlá). The term matches similar structures with titles of chiefs and legendary figures who likely lived as fellow Mega-house leaders and chiefs during that period, such as Ọbalálẹ̀, the head of the Ìlálẹ̀ house, Ọbalésùn, the head of the Ìlésùn house, and Ọbalíá, the head of the Ìlià house. They served as chiefs under the political leadership of the Ọbàtálá, the ruler of the Ìdèta house that encompassed these three minor houses.
* Also see other titles used at the time, Ọbàlùfọ̀n, Ọbalúfẹ̀, Ọbadìo, and Ọbalọọran.
The first part of the term comes from ọba (“king, father”), and the concluding syllable likely coming from lá (“to be big”), thus likely originating from may come from the phrase ọba Ìdèta lá (“The mighty king of Ìdèta”)

the title of the leader of the ancient Ufẹ̀ mega-house polity, Ìdèta. One of these leaders was later made king of the Ufẹ̀ confederacy of houses and deified as the deity Ọbàtálá

the legendary leader of ancient Ufẹ̀ between the 9th-11th centuries AD, deified as an orisha

He is often associated with purity, relating to the symbols of ẹfun (“white chalk”) and àlà (“white cloth”).

Ọbatala, a powerful irúnmọlẹ̀ and divinity of creation, the sky, heaven, purity, the creator of the Earth (beginning with the town of Ufẹ̀). He is the oldest of the orisha, with the term orisha originally referring to him. He is the husband of the orisha Yemòwó (Mawu in other West African religions).


Olokun

From oní (“one who has”) + òkun (“ocean, sea”), literally “Owner of the Sea”, compare with Edo Ólókú

affix

A primordial imọlẹ̀ of the Yoruba religion, they are an androgynous divinity of the ocean and the seas, and said to embody the Atlantic Ocean. They are the parent of the deities, Ọlọ́sà and Ajé, and is also a deified orisha of the same name, as a human, she said to be the wife of Odùduwà


Ọyọmesi

From the phrase Ọ̀yọ́ mọ èsì (“Ọ̀yọ́ knows how to respond”).

They are advisors of the Aláàfin and also served as checks and balances, and if necessary, could depose the king. They also served as Afọbajẹ, chiefs that elected the new monarch.

A senior council of seven of the highest ranking chiefs in the Ọ̀yọ́ empire, consisting of the Baṣọ̀run, Aṣípa, Àgbàakin, Alápinni, Lágùnnà, Sàmù, and Akíníkù.


Ibunu

a Yoruba sub-ethnic group in Kogi State, Nigeria

A Yoruba dialect spoken by the Ìbùnú people in the Okun dialectal cluster


Gbẹdẹ

A Yoruba sub-ethnic group in Kogi State, Nigeria

A Yoruba dialect spoken by the Gbẹdẹ people, in the Okun dialectal cluster


Iyagba

A Yoruba dialect spoken by the Ìyàgbà people, and is in the Okun dialectal cluster


Ijumu

A Yoruba dialect spoken by the Ìjùmú people in the Okun dialectal cluster


Owe

A Yoruba subethnic group in Kogi State, Nigeria, specifically in the Yoruba town of Kàbbá

A Yoruba dialect spoken by the Owé people, in the Okun dialectal cluster


Ọmọewi

/ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄.è.wí/

From ọmọ Èwí (“Child of Èwí (ruler and founder of Ado Ekiti)”).

A nickname given to people from the town of Ado Ekiti, from the oríkì of the town

A female oríkì name., given to someone from the town of Ado or who's lineage comes from Ado


Ọdẹgbami

/ɔ̄.dɛ́.ɡ͡bà.mĩ́/

Blend of ọdẹ (“hunter”) + gbà (“to save”) + mí (“me”), literally “The hunter saved me”

blend

a male given name meaning “The hunter saved me”

a surname, from the given name Ọdẹ́gbàmí


Ọlọfịnmẹyẹ

head

Ọlọ́fịnmẹ̀yẹ

Ọlọ́fịnmẹ̀yẹ

yo-pos

Ọlọ́fịnmẹ̀yẹ

Ọlọ́fịnmẹ̀yẹ

yo-prop

Ọlọ́fịnmẹ̀yẹ

Ọlọ́fịnmẹ̀yẹ

head

Ọlọ́fị́nmẹ̀yẹ

Ọlọ́fị́nmẹ̀yẹ

yo-pos

Ọlọ́fị́nmẹ̀yẹ

Ọlọ́fị́nmẹ̀yẹ

yo-prop

Ọlọ́fị́nmẹ̀yẹ

Ọlọ́fị́nmẹ̀yẹ

Ọlọ́fịnmẹ̀yẹ (canonical)
Ọlọ́fị́nmẹ̀yẹ (canonical)

/ɔ̄.lɔ́.fɪ̃̄.mɛ̀.jɛ̄/

/ɔ̄.lɔ́.fɪ̃́.mɛ̀.jɛ̄/

From Blend of Ọlọ́fịn (“the deity Ọlọ́fin”) + mọ̀ (“to know”) + ẹ̀yẹ (“honor, dignity”), literally “Ọlọ́fin knows honor”.

blend

(Ekiti) (Àkúrẹ́) a unisex given name meaning “Ọlọ́fin knows honor”


Akamara

(Ìṣẹ̀ṣe) He is the energy and creator of the universe, the beginning of the Big Bang, regarded as the most superior and powerful being in the universe


Ọsagunda

compound

Ọ̀sá + Ògúndá

The one-hundred and sixtieth chapter of the odù Ifá corpus, one of the amulu of the odù Ifá, it details the creation of the universe.


aja oṣupa

/ā.d͡ʒá ò.ʃù.k͡pá/

From ajá (“dog”) + òṣùpá (“moon”), literally “the dog of the moon”, because Venus appears to follow the moon in the night sky like a dog following its owner.


Ogunbiyii

Blend of Ògún (“Ogun, the Yoruba god of iron”) + bí (“to give birth to”) + èyí (“this”), literally “Ògún gave birth to this one”

blend

a male given name meaning “the deity Ògún gave birth to this child”

a surname, from the given name Ògúnbíyìí


Kẹyinde

From Clipping of Ọmọ́kẹ́yìndé, ultimately from ọmọ (“child”) + kẹ́yìn (“to come from behind, to come last”) + dé (“to arrive”), literally “The child who comes from behind, the one who comes second”.

clipping

Ọmọ́kẹ́yìndé

compound

a unisex given name, an orúkọ àmútọ̀runwá given to the second child in a set of twins or triplet


ulooyinbo

From ùlú (“city, country”) + òyìnbó (“White people”).

(Ikalẹ) Ikalẹ form of ìlú òyìnbó (“western world”)


Idanre

Idanre (a historical kingdom in Nigeria)

Idanre (a Local Government Area in Nigeria)


Ilajẹ

/ì.là.d͡ʒɛ̄/

Ilaje people, a subgroup of the Yoruba people that speak the Ilaje dialect

A coastal dialect of the Yoruba language

Ilaje (a Local Government Area in Ondo State in Nigeria)


Yewa

From Etymology 2, probably from iye (“mother”) + wa (“our”), literally “Our mother”

The current name for the Ẹ̀gbádò, a Yoruba subethnic group in Ogun State, Nigeria

A Yoruba dialect spoken by the Yewa people


Ibarapa

A Yoruba sub-ethnic group in southwestern Oyo State

A Yoruba dialect spoken by the Ìbàràpá people


Aṣẹṣe

Alternative form of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe (“Yoruba religion”)


Uṣẹṣe

(Ekiti) Alternative form of Ìṣẹ̀ṣe (“Yoruba religion”)


Aoolaye

From Blend of ao (“oracle, occult, Ifa”) + ò (“negation prefix”) + ní (“to have”) + ayè (“lies”), literally “The Ifa oracle does not lie”.

blend

(Ekiti) a male given name meaning “The Ifa oracle does not harbour lies”


Ifayẹmi

Blend of Ifá (“Ifa”) + yẹ (“to befit”) + mi (“me”), literally “Ifa befits me”

a male given name, meaning, Ifa befits me.


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.


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


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 senior traditional chieftaincy title in Ọ̀yọ́, a member of the Ọ̀yọ́mèsì

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


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


Agbaakin

/à.ɡ͡bàā.kĩ̄/

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

compound

A senior traditional chieftaincy title in Ọ̀yọ́, a member of the Ọ̀yọ́mèsì, and the high priest of the worship of the Oyo ancestor and orisha Ọ̀rànmíyàn

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


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


Ọranmiyan

/ɔ̀.ɾã̀.mĩ́.jã̀/

Blend of ọ̀ràn (“issue, matter, case”) + mí (“my”) + yàn (“to be resolved, to be sorted out”), literally “My case has been resolved, My issue has been sorted”

blend

A semi-historical Yoruba figure, believed to be a son or grandson of Odùduwà, he is regarded as the founder of the Ọ̀yọ́ empire, the first Aláàfin, and later an Ọọ̀ni of Ife. He was the father of Ṣàngó and Àjàká. He was deified as an orisha after his death and is worshipped in Ilé-Ifẹ̀.

a male given name, meaning "my issue has been resolved."


Aganju

/ā.ɡã̄.d͡ʒú/

Clipping of Aganjúṣọlá, ultimately from Blend of a- (“agent prefix”) + gan (“to be stiff”) + ojú (“face”) + ṣe (“to make”) + ọlá (“honor”), literally “The one with the stiff face makes honor”

A former Aláàfin, believed to be the son of Àjàká and grandson of Ọ̀rànmíyàn, he was deified as an orisha upon his death

The orisha of volcanoes, the wilderness, and the desert

(rare) a male given name meaning “The one with the stiff face”


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”) + Ẹ̀fọ̀n (“Efon town”), literally “The king at Ẹ̀fọ̀n”. 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. Ọbànìfọ̀n is closely associated with the Yoruba town of Ẹ̀fọ̀n-Alààyè
Often confused with the deity Olúfọ́n, who is associated with Ọbàtálá

compound

(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.


Kuti

Clipping of Ikútì, from Blend of ikú (“death”) + tì (“not so, not at all”), literally “Death is not so”

blend

a male given name, meaning "Death is of no avail."


Ondo ajaja

/ō.ŋ̀.dó ā.d͡ʒā.d͡ʒá/

From Oǹdó (“Ondo”) + a- (“agent prefix”) + jẹ (“to eat”) + ajá (“dog”), literally “Ondo dog-eaters”. Despite Oǹdó people seldom consuming dog nowadays, the term came about due to the fact that the Oǹdó people historically did not regard dogs as pets and frequently sacrificed dog meat (lókílì) to appease Ògún who is widely believed to like sacrifices (ẹbọ) of dog meat.

af

(may be mildly offensive) epithet used in teasing for Oǹdó people.


Ekiti-Parapọ

From Èkìtì (“Ekiti people”) + parapọ̀ (“to unite”), literally “Ekiti Unite”.

compound

A union between the Yoruba sub-ethnic groups Èkìtì, Ìjẹ̀ṣà, Ìjẹ̀bú, Ìgbómìnà in the late 1870s formed to fight against the Ìbàdàn forces in the Kiriji War (Ogun Kírìjí)


Ịfalọụrọ

/ɪ̄.fá.lɔ̀.ʊ́.ɾɔ̀/

From Ifá (“Ifá, the deity Ọ̀rúnmìlà”) + li (“is”) + ọ̀ụ́rọ̀ (“the morning, beginning, origin”), literally “Ifá is the origin”.

(Ekiti) a female given name, meaning "The deity Ifa is the origin."


Alara

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

af

an ancient title of a legendary king mentioned in the, Odù Ifá and closely associated with 2 other rulers, Ajerò and Ọ̀ràngún.

Title of the traditional monarch of the town of Ìlárá-Mọ̀kín

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


Alaye

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


Alepata

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


Asẹyin

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


Alaaye

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


Dagbure

/dá.ɡ͡bū.ɾē/

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


Elegosi

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

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


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


Elemure

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

The title of the traditional ruler of Emùré-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


Ọmọ-ewi

/ɔ̄.mɔ̃̄.è.wí/

A female oríkì name. Alternative form of Ọmọèwí


Jẹbutu

(Ekiti) a unisex given name; a nickname, usually given to a chubby child or person


Adedire

From Blend of adé (“crown, royalty”) + di (“to become”) + ire (“goodness, good fortune”), literally “Royalty has become good fortune”.

blend

a unisex given name meaning “Royalty has become good fortune”


Adedure

From Blend of adé (“crown, royalty”) + di (“to become”) + ure (“goodness, good fortune”), literally “Royalty has become good fortune”.

(Ekiti) a unisex given name meaning “Royalty has become good fortune”


Ogunyọlade

Blend of Ògún (“Ogun”) + yọ̀ (“to rejoice”) + lé (“onto, upon”) + adé (“crown, royalty”), literally “Ogun rejoices on top royalty”

(Ekiti) a male given name meaning “Ogun rejoices on top of royalty”

(Ekiti) a surname, from the given name Ògúnyọ̀ládé


Mọmọdu

/mɔ̃́.mɔ̃́.dù/

a male given name from Arabic, equivalent to English Muhammad


Ọbasanya

*Clipping of Ọbalúayésànyà, ultimately from Blend of Ọbalúayé (“Ọbaluaye”) + san (“to pay”) + ìyà (“suffering”), literally “Ọbaluaye repaid me for my suffering”
*Blend of Ọba (“King”) + san (“to pay”) + ìyà (“suffering”), literally “The King repaid me for my suffering”

a male given name meaning “The King repaid me for my suffering or Ọbaluaye repaid me for my suffering”


Ọbaluayesanya

From Blend of Ọbalúayé (“Ọbaluaye”) + san (“to pay”) + ìyà (“suffering”), literally “Ọbaluaye repaid me for my suffering”.

a male given name meaning “Ọbaluaye repaid me for my suffering”


Olubọde

*From Blend of olú (“warrior, prominent one”) + bọ̀ (“to come”) + dé (“to arrive”), literally “The warrior has come”
*Clipping of Olúwabọ̀dé (literally “The Lord has come”)

clipping

a unisex given name meaning “The warrior has come or the Lord has come”


Fadọrọlemi

head

Fádọ́rọ̀lémi

Fádọ́rọ̀lémi

yo-pos

Fádọ́rọ̀lémi

Fádọ́rọ̀lémi

yo-prop

Fádọ́rọ̀lémi

Fádọ́rọ̀lémi

(Ekiti) a male given name meaning “The deity Ifa bestowed me with wealth”

(Ekiti) a surname, from the given name Fádọ́rọ̀lémi


Akọsẹjaye

It consists of three parts, a ceremony to aid a couple who is struggling to have children, then a ceremony performed while a woman is pregnant to determine if a child is a reincarnated ancestor, and to determine if the child may be an abíkú. Finally, the main part of the ceremony is performed for a child within the first week of their birth. It consists of the consulting of Ifá by a babalawo to determine a child's destiny (àyànmọ́), future, and also to determine if the child has certain taboos (èèwọ̀). This is said to be done by measuring a child's ògo and ìràwọ̀, how glorious and bright a child's destiny is.

(Ìṣẹ̀ṣe) An important Yoruba religious process and ceremony performed for a newborn child.


Ẹdo

Benin Kingdom (a historical kingdom in Nigeria).


Ajogun

/ā.d͡ʒō.ɡũ̄/

From a- (“agent prefix”) + jẹ (“to eat, consme”) + ogun (“war”), literally “The ones that feed on war”.

af

In the Yoruba mythology, the personification of malevolent forces as six hundred and one warriors that wage war against humanity. The eight leaders of these forces include Ikú (“personification of death”), Àrùn (“personification of disease”), Ẹ̀gbà (“personification of paralysis”), Èpè (“personification of curses”), Òfò (“personification of loss”), Ẹ̀wọ̀n (“personification of imprisonment”), Ọ̀ràn (“personification of trouble, problems”), and Èṣe (“personification of affliction”).


Anlugbua

/ā.ŋ́.lù.ɡ͡bū.à/

(Òwu) An orisha worshipped among the Òwu people, deified from three important figures among the Òwu whom all bore the nickname Ańlùgbuà. These are the legendary warrior Akíndélé, a grandson or great-grandson of Odùduwà, who founded the town of Òwu-Kúta, his foster father, who was an ancient hero of the Òwu, and his real father, Ajíbọ́sìn, who served as the first Olówu. All Owu settlements claim that Ańlùgbuà died and descended into the ground in their respective towns, and have yearly festivals honoring him.


Akoko

A folk etymology states, à- (“nominalizing prefix”) + kókó (“reduplication of kó "to kidnap"”), literally “The ones who were kidnapped”; This is said to come from the fact that many Àkókó settlements were raided and the people kidnapped and sold into slavery during the warring periods of the 1700s and 1800s.

compound

The Akoko dialects of Yoruba, comprising of the western and eastern Akoko dialects and the Ào dialect.


Bẹnẹ

From French Bénin
* The country derives its name from the Benin Empire, in Portuguese Benim, from Yoruba Ìbìní the exonym for the empire which according to folklore was derived from the name Ilẹ̀ Ìbínú (“Land of vexation”).


Ọtin

An orisha in the Yoruba religion, she is worshipped in the town, Ìníṣà, where she is believed to be their main protector. She is the main spirit of the Ọ̀tìn river


Oriṣa-nla

→ Portuguese: Oxalá

/ò.ɾì.ʃà.ŋ́.lá/

From òrìṣà (“orisha”) + ńlá (“big, mighty”), literally “The Great Orisha”.

A nickname or oríkì name for the divinity Ọbàtálá


Oriṣanla

/ò.ɾì.ʃà.ŋ́.lá/

Alternative form of Òrìṣà-ńlá (“A nickname or oríkì name for the orisha Ọbàtálá”)


Oriṣaala

/ò.ɾì.ʃàá.lá/


Ooṣanla

/òò.ʃà.ŋ́.lá/

From òòṣà (“orisha”) + ńlá (“big, mighty”), literally “The Great Orisha”.


Ooṣa-nla

/òò.ʃà.ŋ́.lá/


Ọṣọsi

Ọ̀ṣọ́ọ̀sì Ọṣọọsi#Yoruba

Alternative form of Ọ̀ṣọ́ọ̀sì (“Oshosi, orisha of hunting”)


Oriṣaoko

/ò.ɾì.ʃà.ō.kō/

From òrìṣà (“orisha”) + oko (“agriculture, farm”), literally “Orisha of agriculture”.

Oko (orisha), the orisha of farming and agriculture, in his male form, he is regarded as a sorcerer and hunter. The prefix oṣó (“sorcerer”) in many names among the Ẹ̀gbá and Ìjẹ̀bú refers to worshippers of Òrìṣàoko, as well as the prefix ọ̀pá (“staff”)


Oriṣa-oko

/ò.ɾì.ʃà.ō.kō/

Alternative form of Òrìṣàoko (“Oko (orisha), the orisha of farming and agriculture”)


Aganjuṣọla

/ā.ɡã̄.d͡ʒú.ʃɔ̄.lá/

Blend of a- (“agent prefix”) + gan (“to be stiff”) + ojú (“face”) + ṣe (“to make”) + ọlá (“honor”), literally “The one with the stiff face makes honor”

blend

a male given name meaning “The one with the stiff face”


Oku

(Yorùbá) Contextually, the word may imply ancestors, in relation to the ancestor worship practices of the Yorùbá people.

(Ijebu) The orisha of wealth specifically among the Ijebu people, equivalent to Ajé, Yoruba names with the prefix Okú, like Òkúsànyà, refer to this orisha.


Korikoto

From kórìkóto (“A type of toy or shrine used by children”).

ìbọkúbọ ni ọmọdé ń bọ Kórìkóto; ìgbàkúgbà níí gbà á

proverb on the consequences of improper handling of what is important

If a child offers a sacrifice to orisha Korikoto anyhow, the small divinity accepts it anyhow

Kórì

Synonym of Kórì (“A female orisha of fertility and children”)


Ayelala

Said to be from the phrase ayé yìí mà lá ò (“This word is truly a large problem”), ultimately from ayé (“world”) + lá (“to be big, large”)
* This is believed to come from a phrase Ayélála uttered while on Earth before being executed

A female orisha of justice and prosecution widely feared for her harsh punishments for those who commit criminal offences. She is believed to have originally been a slave from the town of Ìlàjẹ and was executed for a crime she did not commit, and soon was deified as an orisha upon the discovery of her innocence. Her role as a punisher of criminals is comparable to the role of Orò among the Ẹ̀gbá.


Bilisi

Hausa ìblîs, ultimately from Arabic إِبْلِيس (ʔiblīs)