UK girl's name
Abeni
A feminine name of Yoruba origin meaning "we have requested a child".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2008. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Abeni is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Abeni popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2008 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5545, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2003 to 2008. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Abeni. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2009 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Abeni ranked #5545 for girls in England and Wales in 2008, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2003, when 3 girls were registered as Abeni.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Abeni as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5545
2008
Births in 2008
3
Latest year
Peak year
2003
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Abeni mean?
The name Abeni originates from the Yoruba language of West Africa, spoken primarily in Nigeria and neighboring countries. It is derived from the Yoruba word "abe" meaning "a born child" or "one who brings joy." The name is thought to have been in use since ancient times, though its precise origin is difficult to pinpoint.
Abeni was a popular name among the Yoruba people, who have a rich cultural heritage and a strong tradition of naming children based on circumstances surrounding their birth or personal qualities they are hoped to embody. The name was often given to girls born after a period of difficulty or struggle, signifying the joy and relief that accompanied their arrival.
While there are no known direct references to the name Abeni in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is deeply rooted in the Yoruba tradition and culture, which has a strong oral history. The name's popularity likely spread through West Africa as the Yoruba people migrated and traded with neighboring regions.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Abeni dates back to the 18th century, when it was mentioned in the writings of a European traveler who visited the region. Over the centuries, the name has been borne by several notable individuals, including:
1. Abeni Sangari (c. 1832 - 1910), a Yoruba merchant and influential figure in the city of Abeokuta, Nigeria. 2. Abeni Akinlolu (1896 - 1972), a Nigerian educator and women's rights activist who established one of the first schools for girls in Lagos. 3. Abeni Ogunyemi (1917 - 2002), a Nigerian artist and painter known for her vibrant depictions of Yoruba culture and traditions. 4. Abeni Agbaje (1920 - 1995), a Nigerian writer and playwright whose works explored themes of identity, culture, and social change. 5. Abeni Ozoh (1947 - present), a Nigerian-born British actress and writer, known for her roles in several British television series.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the name Abeni throughout history, reflecting its enduring presence and cultural significance within the Yoruba community and beyond.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Abeni over time
The chart below shows babies named Abeni registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2003 to 2008. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Abeni, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2008, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Abeni by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Abeni was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4959 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Abeni
- Amelia 94,830
- Ava 54,556
- Amy 52,495
- Alice 46,815
- Abigail 45,658
- Amber 31,922
- Anna 27,802
- Alexandra 19,455
- Amelie 18,051
- Abbie 15,971
- Aimee 15,158
- Annabelle 15,120
FAQ
Abeni: questions and answers
How popular is the name Abeni in the UK right now?
In 2008, Abeni was ranked #5545 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Abeni most popular?
The peak year on record was 2003, with 3 babies registered as Abeni in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Abeni?
A feminine name of Yoruba origin meaning "we have requested a child".
How many people are called Abeni in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Abeni across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.