Many of the most common Yoruba names begin with Oluwa, meaning “Lord” or “God”. They are called orukọ amutọrunwá or praise names in some families, and they turn a prayer, a thanksgiving or a promise into a child’s name. This list gives the meanings of popular Oluwa names, and shows how to build and understand them.
How Oluwa names are built
Most are short sentences. Oluwa (God) is the subject, followed by a verb and an object. For example, Oluwa + seun means God has given victory. Once you see the pattern, you can read many names without a dictionary. For the wider system, read our guide to the types of Yoruba names, structure and short forms.
Popular Oluwa names and meanings
| Name | Meaning | Common short form |
|---|---|---|
| Oluwaseun | God has given victory | Seun |
| Oluwatobi | God is great | Tobi |
| Oluwatosin | God is worthy of worship | Tosin |
| Oluwatoyin | God is worthy of praise | Toyin |
| Oluwafemi | God loves me | Femi |
| Oluwakemi | God take care of me | Kemi |
| Oluwadamilare | God has vindicated me | Damilare, Dami |
| Oluwasegun | God is victorious | Segun |
| Oluwapelumi | God is with me | Pelumi |
| Oluwagbemiga | God lifts me up | Gbemiga |
| Oluwafunmilayo | God gave me joy | Funmi |
| Oluwabukola | God adds to wealth | Bukola |
| Oluwaseyi | God did this | Seyi |
Spellings and tone marks vary by family and region, and some names have more than one accepted meaning. If your family has its own explanation, trust it.
Oluwa names for girls and boys
Many Oluwa names are unisex. Oluwaseun, Oluwatobi and Oluwatosin are given to both boys and girls. Others lean one way, for instance Oluwakemi and Oluwafunmilayo for girls, and Oluwasegun and Oluwagbemiga for boys. Browse the full lists in our guides to Yoruba names for girls and Yoruba names for boys.
Why so many names honour God
A Yoruba child is named on the eighth day, and the name reflects the circumstances of the birth and the hopes of the family. Parents who prayed for a child often name them for thanksgiving, which is why names such as Oluwaseun and Oluwafemi are so common. See how the ceremony works in our guide to the Yoruba naming ceremony, and browse more baby names and meanings.
How to choose an Oluwa name
- Choose the meaning that matches your story, such as thanksgiving, protection or victory.
- Say it aloud with its short form, since most people will use the short form daily.
- Check the tone marks so it is pronounced correctly.
- Ask an elder in your family. They may suggest a name tied to your lineage.
Frequently asked questions
What does Oluwa mean in Yoruba?
Oluwa means Lord or God. It is the first part of many Yoruba names.
What is the most popular Oluwa name?
Oluwaseun, Oluwatobi and Oluwadamilare are among the most widely used.
Can I shorten an Oluwa name?
Yes. Most families use a short form in daily life, such as Seun, Tobi or Femi, and keep the full name for formal and naming occasions.
Want to pronounce them well? Visit our Learn Yoruba hub.
Images: Unsplash photographers (Gracious Adebayo and Gift Habeshaw). Name meanings are commonly cited; verify with your family where possible.
