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Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost - Culture (10) - Nairaland

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Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by Teefortee: 4:07pm On Dec 23, 2022
EmekaA125:

Na lie. There's kp in Yoruba lexicon just the way we have it in Igbo. What about kpai(To die or kill), jakpa(travelling out or running out), sakpa(hunger) etc. E be like you don't know ur Yoruba again. Be guided

You're the one that needs that advice, also learn to apply decorum in public especially when you're talking about what you know little about. Google is widely available for all and sundry so, use it often before you display your ignorance in public.
Now, learn this once and for all 'kp' is not a Yoruba alphabet 'p' is all that it is in Yoruba alphabet. It's the Igbos that uses 'kp'.
So all those words you thought you spelt in Yoruba are gibberish, to spell them correctly remove the 'k' you added to the 'p'.

5 Likes

Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by geosegun(m): 5:09pm On Dec 23, 2022
EmekaA125:

You don't know what you are saying. There's Kp and Sh in Yoruba lexicon. They may be outdated but still in use in most aspect. Be guided

I disagree with you 100%. There was nothing like 'Kp' and 'Sh' you only have 'gb' and 'Ȿ' that sounds like (Gb)olahan and Ȿola pronounced (Sh)ola, respectively.

Be informed!

2 Likes

Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by mrfm1: 7:54pm On Dec 23, 2022
duro4chang:

There are many Yorùbá names whose meanings are now lost due to the fact that the words forming their roots are no longer in use.
For instance, ask the young Master Ọlọ́pàádé the meaning of his name and he will probably tell you that his name means “the policeman has come“. Ask Mr. Ọlọ́paádé, his father, and he would probably tell you it means “the owner of the staff has come“. The two of them would be wrong as Ọlọ́pàádé actually means “the Ọpa (re|re) devotee has come“. The same goes for all other Ọpa names like Opadotun. Those names show that the ancestors of the bearers of the names were worshippers or devotees of the Ọpa Cult otherwise called Awo Ọpa, one of the religious cults or secret societies proscribed by the British in colonial days.

Or imagine another scenario: Pastor Ọbáfẹ́mi (re|mi|mi|re), the pastor of a Pentecostal church, is asking Deacon Ògúnyẹmí to change his name because he believes that the name of the deacon is associated with Ògún, an idol (so-called), without realizing that his own name is also idolatrous in its origin.

Even Professor Wọlé Ṣóyínká in his book “The Man Died” gave the meaning of his surname Ṣóyínká to be “surrounded by wizards“. This is far from being the case. Names like Soyinka, Sonuga etc. do not derive from “Oṣó“(wizard) but rather they derive from Òrìṣà-Oko, the Yorùbá deity of agriculture.
The name Ṣóyínká in full is Òrìṣàokoyínká which became shortened by a gradual declension to Ṣóókóyínká, Ṣóyímiká and finally to Ṣóyínká. It is the same for all the other “Ṣóó…” names.
If a whole Professor Ṣóyínká, a master of literature and language can be thus mistaken on the derivation and meaning of his own name, what about we lesser mortals. It is in order to put these various misconceptions right that I am publishing this little work via this medium.

This list is by no means exhaustive and others inputs are welcome so it can be in writing for generations yet unborn so that the knowledge of the meaning of our names will not die out.
Also, if you want to know the meaning of your Yorùbá name, you are welcome to ask.
Àgbà ò ní tán lórílẹ̀ (the elders’ wise counsel will never be scarce in our midst).

The “Okù” (re|do) names like Okusanya, Okusaga etc are not derived from “Òkú” (dò|mí), a dead person. They are derived from “Okù“, the Ijebu deity of wealth which corresponds to “Ajé“, the Ọ̀yọ́ Yorùbá deity of wealth. Thus, Okùsànyà means the deity of wealth has rewarded me for my sufferings and not dead person has rewarded me for my sufferings.

Ọrẹ̀ (re|do)names like Oresanya. They do not derive from Ọ̀rẹ́, (dò|mí), friend, but from Ọrẹ̀, (re|do), a deity. A phrase like “A kìí ọmọ Ọrẹ̀ bọ Ọrẹ̀” (you don’t use the child of Ọrẹ̀ to propitiate Ọrẹ̀) comes to mind.

Igbin names like Onigbinde etc do not derive from ìgbín (do|mi), snail, but rather from Igbin, (re|re), a drum beaten for the Òrìṣàálá or Ọbàtálá worship. The ancestors of people bearing these names were drummers for Òrìṣàálá worshippers.

Ọ̀pẹ̀ (do|do) names like Opetola do not derive from Ọ̀pẹ, (do|re), palm tree, but rather from Ọ̀pẹ̀, (do|do), an Ifá appellation.

Ọnà (re|do) Onasanya; these names are not derived from ọ̀nà (road) but they derive from Ọnà (craft). The name bearers of these names would be people who were craftsmen like sculptors etc in their origin.

Alalade (re|mi|do|do|mi) does not derive from àlá (do|mi), dream, but derives from Àlà (do|do), white, symbol of purity – the insignia of the Òrìṣàálá or Ọbàtálá deity and it means the owner of àlá has come, the Òrìṣàálá devotee has come and not the dreamer has come as many have supposed it means.

Elégbèdé does not derive from egbé (re|mí) – the supposed magical means of teleporting – and is not supposed to be pronounced as Elégbédé (re|mi|mi|mi) as Sunny Ade sang it in one of the records, on the Erelú of Lagos. The name is derived from ègbè (do|do) meaning support. Thus, the name is more properly pronounced as Elégbèédé (re|mi|do|mi|mi) – the defender, the one who will fight or support my cause has come.

Onipede (re|mi|do|mi|mi) does not derive from ìpẹ́ (do|mi) fish scales, but derives from ìpẹ̀ (do|do) – consolation. So, it should not be pronounced as Onípẹ̀dẹ́ (re|mi|do|mi) the owner of scales has come but rather as Onípẹ̀ẹ́dẹ́ (re|mi|do|mi|mi) – the consoler has come.

Baba (re|re) and Ọba (re|re) name such Babasanmi, Babafemi Obasanjo do not derive from father or king. They both derive their roots from Ṣọ̀npọ̀nná, the deity of small-pox, which used to be referred to in reverent tone in olden days as Baba so that he would not kill them. If you will recall, in olden times, the marks left on the faces of anyone who recovered from small-pox attack used to be referred to as Ila-Baba, that is father’s marks.
In Chief Olúṣẹ́gun Ọbásanjọ́’s book, My Watch, he gave us an insight into the origin of the names starting with Ọba. Such names are related to Ọbalúaiyé (also calledṢọ̀npọ̀nná), the deity of smallpox. So the Ọba in Ọbasanjọ́, and Ọbafẹ́mi, is derived from Ọbalúaiyé and not from king.
So, Pastor Ọbafẹ́mi, in the hypothetical case mentioned above would do well to remove the log in his own eyes first by changing his own name first before insisting that Deacon Ògúnyẹmí should change his name.

Oloko (re|mi|do) does not derive from the word ọkọ̀ (re|do) – lorry or canoe and it does not mean the owner of a lorry or the owner of canoe, but it derives from the word ọ̀kọ̀ (do|do) – spear, and it means the owner, master or lord of the spear. It is a war title which has become a name. It is the title borne by the group of warriors whose chosen weapons of warfare is the spare.

Adekogbe (re|mi|do|mi) does not mean the crown rejects excreta as the word ìgbẹ́ (do|mi) in the name does not mean excreta; rather it means a bush or a light forest. The name means the crown rejects the bush, that is to say a prince shouldn’t be involved in manual labour or farming activities. Adékọ̀gbẹ́ is a name much favoured by the Ìjẹ̀bú, as they are of all Yorùbá tribes a tribe that is more averse to farm work or manual labour than any of the other Yorùbá tribes. They prefer to trade instead.

Adé (re|mi) names like Adeboye Adebayo, Adebola are not derived from Adé (crown) but rather they are derived from the verb dé which means to come. Adébóyè means he who came at a time when chieftaincy has just entered into the family. Adébáyọ̀ means he who comes to meet when a thing of joy has just come into the family and Adébọ́lá means he who comes to meet when wealth has just come into the family.

Apart from the misconstrued names, there are other names whose meanings are now recondite as many people no longer know what the names mean.
Sadare, Sadela etc, these names derive from the Òrìṣàálá otherwise called Ọbàtálá deity. Ṣàdáre is an hyphenated form of Òrìṣàdáre. The word Orisha whenever used alone invariably refers to Ọbàtálá otherwise called Òrìṣànlá. So, those names are names of people named after the Òrìṣàálá deity. Ṣàdáre then would mean Ọbàtálá has vindicated (me). Ṣàdẹ̀kó would mean that an Ọbàtálá worshipper has arrived at Èkó (Lagos). Ṣàdẹ̀là would mean Ọbàtálá has arrived into wealth.
Akeredolu (re|mi|mi|re|mi) means he who reduces himself in order to become a king. He who humbles himself to become a king like the title of that play “She Stoops To Conquer” by Oliver Goldsmith.
Adewuyiì (re|mi|re|do) means the crown grows honour, that is, the crown produces honour.
Olofa (re|mi|do) means the owner of arrows or the master or lord of arrows. It is another war title that has become a name and it is the title given to those whose weapons of war in battle is the bow and arrow, that is archers.

Alokolaro (re|mi|re|mi|do|mi) means he who has a large farm and also has a cooperative society to assist him to do the farm work. Aarọ́ is a cooperative system among the Yorùbá whereby the members agree to work jointly in the farm of each member of the group in turn until they have finished the farm-work of all the members.

Olowe (re|mi|do) means he who has an ọ̀wẹ̀ (do|do) cooperative group. Ọ̀wẹ̀ is another type of cooperative society whereby the members assist each other to work in the farm of each other. Olowe is thus somebody who has a large number of people at his beck and call whom he can call upon to assist him any time in his farm or other work

Apara (re|re|re) is short for Apara-ogun-bí–ẹní-palé (re|re|re|re|re|mi|re|mi|re|mi) implies he who sets war at naught. It means literally somebody who gets ready for war as easily as other people get ready for home affairs.

Okoya (re|mi|re) means the hoe has torn into pieces. It is an Àbíkú name. It implies an imploration to the Àbíkú not to die again as the hoe for burial has torn into pieces.

Ọkọ́ṣẹ́ means the hoe has broken, same as Ọkọ́ya.

Popoola (mi|mi|re|mi) means the avenue of Honour or nobility. Pópó (mi|mi) means a broad street or avenue, Ọlá means honour or nobility.

Adesiyan (re|mi|re|re) means the crown is good.

Adelabu (re|mi|mi) means the crown has passed through the deep (the sea).

Banmeke (mi|re|mi|mi) means hold or sustain the rafter of the house with me. Ẹkẹ (re|re) is the underlying structure upon which the leaves used to roof the house was be placed. It served the purpose now served by the rafter as forming the superstructure of the roof. It thus a very important part of the house or family.

Falade (mi|re|mi) means the god of divination has intermingled with royalty, probably a name given to a child who was born of an Ifá priesthood parent and a royal parent, like the mother of the first

Olowu (re|mi|re) who being a princess married his father’s priest.

Oláníyan (re|mi|mi|re) means nobility has swagger, that is to say noble people have a special way in which they carry themselves.

Adeleke or Délékè (re|mi|mi|do) means he who comes to become a very important part of the house. Eke (the rafter) being the superstructure of the roof. The Adé there is not crown but is from the verb dé meaning to come or arrive.

Oluwusi (re|mi|do|do) means kingship has increased.
Adebosin (re|mi|mi|do) means he that came to meet kingship.
Osinbajo (re|do|mi|do|do) – Ọṣìn-bọ̀-làjò – means the king has returned from a journey. Ọṣìn (re|do) means king. Bọ̀ means to come back from àjò (do|do) which means a journey.
Asaju or Aṣíwájú (re|re|mi|mi) means the leader of the van. It is the war title of the chief of the unit that fights at the head of the army.
Seriki derived from the Hausa word for king Sarkin. He is the head of all the junior war chiefs.
Sarumi (do|do|mi) is another war title given to the head of the Cavalry, that is the unit of the army that fight with horses or on horseback.
Aláásà (re|mi|mi|do) is a war title that has now become a name. It does not refer to aasa tobacco, but to asà (re|do) the shield. Aláásà means the owner or lord of the shield, that is the shield bearer, perhaps of the king.

Sadipe or. Òrìṣàdípẹ̀. The deity (Obatala) has used this one (the newly born baby) to console by using him to replace a loss recently suffered by the family.

Sonibare (mi|re|mi|mi) – Ṣọ́-ẹni-tí–ò-nbá-ṣe-ọ̀rẹ́ – means be careful in choosing whom you allow to get close to you.

Eesuola (do|mi|mi|re|mi) means the pool that is the reservoir of honour or nobility.

Bangbegbin (mi|re|mi|do) means assist me to carry the Igbin. It is a name borne by drummers for Orisala worship. (Igbin is the drum beaten in the worship of Òrìṣàálá/Ọbàtálá deity).

Tẹ̀là (Tẹ̀llà) (do|do) – Tẹ̀ẹ́-kó-là (do|mi|mi|do) – is a name borne only by Ọ̀yọ́ princes and it means bend or bow in order to become wealthy.

Oladoyinbo (re|mi|do|do|mi) – Ọlá-da-iyì-bòó – means Honour surrounds him.

Olasope (re|mi|re|mi) means honour has emerged completely.

Kotoye (do|mi|mi) is short for Kò-tó-yẹ́-sí (do|mi|mi|mi), which means not worthy of being honoured, a name given to a child believed to be an Àbíkú because the Yorùbá believe that such a child if shown any love or regard by being given sweet and affectionate names would go back to his group of bad children but if shown he is despised and of scant regard and is expected by his parents to die anytime, he would stay; because Abikus have a perverse tendency to do just the opposite of what you expect them to do. For that reason, they are given derogatory names like Kòtóyẹ́sí Ajá (dog) etc.
Bamgbose (mi|re|mi|mi) means assist me in carrying the Oṣe, that is Sango’s wand. It is a name given to children born by Ṣàngó
Copied
Pls wat are the meaning of this names: AKOMOLAFE, AKOMOLEDE
Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by Bosville(m): 8:09pm On Dec 23, 2022
Phamo0:
please what is the meaning of amusan and siyanbola?
Amusan- The one who holds Isán; Isan is sacred icon that's symbolic to every egungun clan. Anyone who bears amusan is a strong member of the egungun/ojẹ́ clan
Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by duro4chang(m): 10:59am On Dec 24, 2022
mrfm1:

Pls wat are the meaning of this names: AKOMOLAFE, AKOMOLEDE
Those two names are not names initially. They are alias that have been turned to names.
Akomolafe us some one who teaches other to be fashionable,to have swagger, to sociable.
Akomolede means someone who teaches people a language
Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by Olu317(m): 4:27pm On Dec 24, 2022
Judolisco:
what about Ikumapayi?
self explanatory. Same as abiku's. Even Bamidele, Durotimi etc are names associated with stillborn or premature death children.

1 Like

Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by Olu317(m): 4:35pm On Dec 24, 2022
Judolisco:
what about Ikumapayi?
Kumuyi(ikú mọ́ iyì-death knows this very one),màlọ́mọ́,ikúdẹ̀hindé etc

1 Like

Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by Olu317(m): 4:52pm On Dec 24, 2022
1Sharon:


Is okun not the sea? As in tokunbo, Adedokun
Wealth or abundance associated with royalty.

Okùn is sea though Okùn also means wealth, abundance. The sea which ancient Yorubas referred is more than what is literary since it is seen as means of livelihood.

Ajé is also wealth in Yoruba tradition. And Ajé is the daughter of Olókùn who is among Yoruba's pantheon same as ajé.

1 Like

Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by Judolisco(m): 4:59pm On Dec 24, 2022
Olu317:
self explanatory. Same as abiku's. Even Bamidele, Durotimi etc are names associated with stillborn or premature death children.
someone can be a philanthropist or a good person loved by all and can be named Ikumapayi.... I get your point though

1 Like

Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by Olu317(m): 5:03pm On Dec 24, 2022
Softmirror:


WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES A PERSON A YORUBA? OR SHOULD I SAY WHAT IS IT THAT QUALIFIES A PERSON TO BE A BELIEVER IN THE YORUBA RELIGIOUS SYSTEM?
All the creteria associated with citizenship is same with Yoruba people from time immemorial. There is no room for general descrimination in Yoruba structure.

Yoruba Religion is all about self belief and fellowship in it. Although, in ifa, it is clearly stated that all mankind should follow Yoruba traditional system and must be initiated.

But as it is, not all mankind follow Yoruba tradition or are initiated though, ifaodu says, there is nowhere Orúnmìlà , who is also called Ẹlà at times because the former is a nickname of his. Orúnmìlà overshadowed his real name which is Ẹlà.

Meanwhile, there is another Ẹlà who is known as Ọmọ oyigi oyigi ọtá omi.
Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by Olu317(m): 5:04pm On Dec 24, 2022
Judolisco:
someone can be a philanthropist or a good person loved by all and can be named Ikumapayi.... I get your point though
Well , people can bear such name as nickname but originally, the name is an Abíkú name.
Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by GreaterFuture(m): 5:26pm On Dec 24, 2022
Doctorgid:
It seems this post is copied from Twitter. I have forgotten the name of the handler self.
It is probably from somebody's book, essay or MSc/PhD work.

We have a Lot Of Unknown unacknowledged talents like that... gems in Open Sight.
And maybe the OP is the original Author posting or reposting it here.


Same way I got the history of names of Lagos Streets here On NL.
One man kept dropping very interesting, thought provoking info here.
Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by Olu317(m): 5:40pm On Dec 24, 2022
CaptainFM1:


When all of us start sending our kids to obodo oyinbo to start learning western culture, we gradually wash away our own roots and tradition. Even our school system and everything we do in Nigeria isn't indigenous anymore. Our preference tilts towards western life, western religion, foreign gods, foreign governance style etc. All these contribute massively to culture eradication.

What is wrong if for example school uniform is made of Ankara or Adire

The very first form of civilization is cultural identity. And I'm sorry to say, we've lost it. All we are doing now is patching up.

Ingenuous obversation. I agree 100% to Ankara or Adire.
I think one day, I may write about this topic on a tabloid or aptly to the authority on it.

Peradventure, you are in a position to do same,then do the write up because this idea of yours in outstanding and needed to be considered.
Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by GreaterFuture(m): 5:40pm On Dec 24, 2022
ycat:
Great job there! Wole Soyinka's version is more like it though, with a name like that his family would have passed the full meaning down to him. Going by other Orisaoko names, it would have been Sayinka or Sakoyinka, he knows the meaning of his name just as the families with these names. Back in the days Oso were consulted as doctors and spiritualists in one, people then name their children after them when they get pregnant through their treatments.
I was about to note that too.
The Soyinka part is probably wrong. I'm sure it would have been made sure of, before writing it out in the Book, Isaara.
Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by k2money(m): 8:36am On Dec 25, 2022
duro4chang:
A prince has come. Ade can be translated as crown or prince. Wale means come home/ arrive
Please i have someone answering kupoluyi. What's the meaning of that name?
Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by k2money(m): 8:41am On Dec 25, 2022
Tunbolity:
Onipede does not mean the consoler, it is "Oni-opele-ti-de", the believer of "opele" divination has come.
Also, Opadotun is associated with people from family of drummers, "Opa" is the stick used in beating the drum hence, Opadotun literally means the stick has been renewed and could be superfluously interpreted that the drummer father is happy that he has a child to leave the trade for when he dies
Tella does not mean "Te-ko-la" as erroneously stated, it is ascribed to Ifa devotees and derived from one of the Ifa corpus which is "Ella", apart from Tella, there's also Ellabanjo, Ellabimpe which are also Ifa names in that category.
In all, we must commend the author of this article which has been circulated across different social media platforms for sometime now but we must also correct a few errors for the sake of those who may not know
Please what is the meaning of kupoluyi. I know of someone who answers that names?
Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by EmekaA125(m): 3:12pm On Dec 25, 2022
geosegun:


I disagree with you 100%. There was nothing like 'Kp' and 'Sh' you only have 'gb' and 'Ȿ' that sounds like (Gb)olahan and Ȿola pronounced (Sh)ola, respectively.

Be informed!
Shut up there. You know nothing in Yoruba. Although Kp is outdated, it is still used in some expression.

NYSC Orientation Camp For Kwara State is located in Yikpata town.

Have you seen the natives write it as Yipata??

Be guided.
Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by EmekaA125(m): 3:15pm On Dec 25, 2022
Teefortee:


This is not a yoruba word as there's no 'kp' in yoruba alphabet.
What about Yikpata in Kwara State, location for NYSC Orientation Camp in the State.
Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by geosegun(m): 4:41pm On Dec 25, 2022
EmekaA125:

Shut up there. You know nothing in Yoruba. Although Kp is outdated, it is still used in some expression.

NYSC Orientation Camp For Kwara State is located in Yikpata town.

Have you seen the natives write it as Yipata??

Be guided.

Can you see how you just nailed yourself due to your ignorance? The said Yikpata Town is located among Nupe (Tapa) region of Kwara State - Nupes are not Yoruba people and the said town belongs to Nupe people, although many understand and speak Yoruba language.

NB: I am actually from Kwara State - Ilorin South to be precise.

Be informed!

3 Likes

Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by 1Sharon(f): 7:42pm On Dec 25, 2022
EmekaA125:

What about Yikpata in Kwara State, location for NYSC Orientation Camp in the State.

People from kwara state are in between. They're not full blooded yorubas.

Go and Google yoruba alphabet because you are arguing blindly.

2 Likes

Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by 1Sharon(f): 7:47pm On Dec 25, 2022
Olu317:
Ingenuous obversation. I agree 100% to Ankara or Adire.
I think one day, I may write about this topic on a tabloid or aptly to the authority on it.

Peradventure, you are in a position to do same,then do the write up because this idea of yours in outstanding and needed to be considered.

How can school uniform be made out of Ankara? Ankara is not sustainable for regular wash and wear.
Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by 1Sharon(f): 7:51pm On Dec 25, 2022
Olu317:
Wealth or abundance associated with royalty.

Okùn is sea though Okùn also means wealth, abundance. The sea which ancient Yorubas referred is more than what is literary since it is seen as means of livelihood.

Ajé is also wealth in Yoruba tradition. And Ajé is the daughter of Olókùn who is among Yoruba's pantheon same as ajé.

Cheers. But why is the 'ola' term for wealth more ubiquitous?

It turns out ola doesn't even mean wealth.
'Oro' means wealth.

So how did alot of yorubas get it wrong?
Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by 1Sharon(f): 7:54pm On Dec 25, 2022
Bosville:
Amusan- The one who holds Isán; Isan is sacred icon that's symbolic to every egungun clan. Anyone who bears amusan is a strong member of the egungun/ojẹ́ clan

Isn't the full name Famusan? I've seen 'Famusan' as a surname.

The full name may actually be 'Ifamusan'
Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by 1Sharon(f): 12:33am On Dec 26, 2022
ejimatic:
Good work indeed! Many people will not appreciate it but it is Obedients ,BAT and Atiku poeple will be fighting one another. I love African culture Today ,our names are dying and are being replaced by Imole, Apoti Eri, Morayo ,Murewa, and other Third world names and Cele names.What about Malaolu? Malaolu means. MU ..(.BRING ...ALA..(WHITE CLOTH )...OLU...( GODS )
MALAOLU BRING WHITE CLOTHE TO GOD. ASA WA O NI PARUN

Could the white sultana worn by celestial members be incorporating paganism into Christianity? because I know Ala is significant to orishanla.

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Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by cayorday89(m): 6:47am On Dec 26, 2022
I would have loved to add my surname but for privacy sake, it's a unique one and it has also changed it's meaning and pronunciation overtime but still retained its spelling to conform with modern realities. It has something to do with 'money' and before it used to be 'honour' just as I heard my dad explaining to some persons long time ago. And as it is in modern times anyone can have it as long as there is money but it still encourages hardwork to get the money.

Op, the one I want to confirm the meaning is OKURIBIDO. But I know it will be related to the dead having a place of rest, anything otherwise, I want to know.
@ duro4chang
Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by cayorday89(m): 6:52am On Dec 26, 2022
Teefortee:


You're the one that needs that advice, also learn to apply decorum in public especially when you're talking about what you know little about. Google is widely available for all and sundry so, use it often before you display your ignorance in public.
Now, learn this once and for all 'kp' is not a Yoruba alphabet 'p' is all that it is in Yoruba alphabet. It's the Igbos that uses 'kp'.
So all those words you thought you spelt in Yoruba are gibberish, to spell them correctly remove the 'k' you added to the 'p'.
Boss, you are not even suppose to indulge that guy, they are talking indigenous cultural names and he is busy making up lists of street slangs that cropped up few years ago.

emekaA125, be guided as those are not even core Yoruba words to start with, they are merely slangs.

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Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by cayorday89(m): 6:54am On Dec 26, 2022
Olu317:
self explanatory. Same as abiku's. Even Bamidele, Durotimi etc are names associated with stillborn or premature death children.
Hmmm, nice one, now I can tell what 'Ikukoyi' means.
Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by ejimatic: 7:51am On Dec 26, 2022
1Sharon:


Could the white sultana worn by celestial members be incorporating paganism into Christianity? because I know Ala is significant to orishanla.
I never said Malaolu is a Celestial name. I only said religious names are taking over our Yoruba names! We can of course retain our traditional names while we still have religious names.
Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by EmekaA125(m): 8:26am On Dec 26, 2022
1Sharon:


People from kwara state are in between. They're not full blooded yorubas.

Go and Google yoruba alphabet because you are arguing blindly.
Kosi wahala gbogbo
Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by Babinski: 9:02am On Dec 26, 2022
Olu317:
Ofcourse yes, you are right. The problem being encountered is the derogatory interpretation of Yoruba names and lack of us not knowing our names are associated with Orisa.

The Christians misinformation on naming is a major setback and from Islamic angle even to an extent Yoruba Muslims bear Islamic name which ends up as prefix slavish name which is a taboo fromYoruba traditional doctrine but are often accepted by muslims. You hear people attached Abdul as a prefix before other names with joy but the meaning is Slave or servitude or one who is owned and in total submission to his owner.

In Yoruba religious perspective or system, Yorubas are all sons and daughters to Orúnmìílà/Ẹlà,,who is also known as Olúwa etc (ibikéjì Elédùmárè-the other face of Elédùmárè).

On the angle of not having firm grip on Yoruba names and its meaning, then it will always be orientation and reorientation for people to have grip on their history and original meaning of their names without watery translation.

While I agree with your point on the need for reorientation for people to have a grip of their history, I beg to differ on some of your other points.

1. The mistranslation of names is understandable because a person cannot translate beyond his vocabulary and such translations are not necessarily derogatory. The names of most of the dieties are missing in modern Yoruba vocabulary of most people and so it is only natural they seek meaning through other similar words. For example when the only "Igbe" in your vocab is associated with excreta and doesn't include bush, then how do you translate "Adekogbe" correctly?

2. Your statement on Christian misinformation on naming is wrong and misleading. If there is any misinformation on naming, it is from the people who do not have a thorough grasp of their historical heritage and not any particular religion.

3. Religion is a way of life for some people beyond mere observances and it encompasses what they eat, wear and even how they name themselves and that is seen in the Yoruba people and even Arabians. When religion changes for some people, lifestyles and naming may also need to change. Abdulah and its various forms mean slave or servant of Allah and essentially all Muslims whether bearing that name or not are sales of Allah. So a Yoruba Muslim understably should have no qualms bearing Abdul even when he knows the full meaning.

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Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by duro4chang(m): 1:06pm On Dec 26, 2022
cayorday89:
I would have loved to add my surname but for privacy sake, it's a unique one and it has also changed it's meaning and pronunciation overtime but still retained its spelling to conform with modern realities. It has something to do with 'money' and before it used to be 'honour' just as I heard my dad explaining to some persons long time ago. And as it is in modern times anyone can have it as long as there is money but it still encourages hardwork to get the money.

Op, the one I want to confirm the meaning is OKURIBIDO. But I know it will be related to the dead having a place of rest, anything otherwise, I want to know.
@ duro4chang
I have no time to read your crap. Tinubu is the next president of Nigeria. The best man for the job.

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Re: Yoruba Names Whose Meanings Are Now Lost by Bosville(m): 1:57pm On Dec 26, 2022
1Sharon:


Isn't the full name Famusan? I've seen 'Famusan' as a surname.

The full name may actually be 'Ifamusan'
Amusan has it's own independent meaning. Ifamusan - Ifa has chosen him/her to become a bearer of Isán. With or without the prefix the name is still pointing in the same direction.
It's just like Amosun- The one who holds Oṣùn(Oṣùn ìs a god represented in form of an iron staff ) not to be mistaken with Osun the river goddess. We also have Ifamosun- Ifá has chosen Oṣùn, more like, Ifá has chosen him/her to be a bearer of Oṣùn.
So it's all the same.

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