Motọ́lání is a Yoruba name about honour, success and the dignity of being someone of worth. Like many Yoruba names it can be read in more than one way. Below you will find its meaning, morphology, pronunciation, cultural background and related names.
Meaning of Motọ́lání
1. I’m great enough to have nobility/success/honour.
2. I have honour/success/nobility anew.
Morphology
mo-tó-ọlá-ní, mo-tún-ọlá-ní
Gloss
| Part | Meaning |
|---|---|
| mo | I |
| tó | sufficient enough for |
| ọlá | wealth |
| ní | have |
| tún | again, afresh, anew |
How to pronounce Motọ́lání
Say four syllables: mo-tọ́-lá-ní, roughly “moh-TAW-LAH-NEE.” The letter ọ sounds like the “o” in “thought,” and the name has a run of high tones that gives it a bright, rising rhythm.
Cultural significance
The word ọlá covers wealth, honour and high standing, and it appears in countless Yoruba names. Motọ́lání has two readings, as the table above shows: one affirms that the child is great enough to hold honour, and the other, from the shortened form of tún (again), celebrates honour gained anew, which many families use to mark a fresh start or a blessing after hardship. It is a name of aspiration and thanksgiving.
Variants and short forms
Tọ́lání is the listed short form, and many people also shorten it informally to Lani.
Similar Yoruba names
- Olamide: my wealth has arrived.
- Abimbola: born into wealth.
- Damilola: God has made me wealthy.
Frequently asked questions
What does Motọ́lání mean? It can mean “I’m great enough to have nobility, success or honour” or “I have honour, success or nobility anew.”
Why does it have two meanings? Because two different Yoruba phrases (mo-tó-ọlá-ní and mo-tún-ọlá-ní) can contract into the same spoken name.
Where can I find more names? Browse our list of Yoruba baby names and our guide to the naming ceremony.
