UK boy's name
Adewale
A masculine Yoruba name meaning "the crown has arrived home".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2022. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Adewale is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Adewale popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2022 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4001, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2010, with 5 births.
This profile covers 41 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 1997 to 2022. 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 80% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 41 living people in the UK are called Adewale. 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 2023 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Adewale ranked #4001 for boys in England and Wales in 2022, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2010, when 5 boys were registered as Adewale.
- • About 41 living people in the UK are estimated to have Adewale as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4001
2022
Births in 2022
4
Latest year
Peak year
2010
5 births
Estimated living
41
2026
Meaning
What does Adewale mean?
Adewale is a given name of Yoruba origin from West Africa, particularly Nigeria. It is derived from the words "Ade," meaning "crown" or "royalty," and "wale," meaning "to come home" or "to arrive." Together, the name can be interpreted as "a crown has arrived" or "a crown has come home."
The name has been in use among the Yoruba people for centuries, with its roots tracing back to the ancient Kingdom of Oyo, which flourished from the 14th to the 19th century. During this time, the name was likely bestowed upon children of noble or royal lineage to signify their importance and connection to the ruling class.
While there are no specific references to the name Adewale in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is believed to have been in use during the reign of the powerful Oyo Empire, which dominated much of present-day southwestern Nigeria and parts of Benin and Togo.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Adewale was Adewale Ayotunde Ogunlesi, a Nigerian educator and writer who lived from 1923 to 2003. He was a prominent figure in the field of education and served as the first Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in Nigeria.
Another notable figure was Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, a British actor and former fashion model born in 1967. He is known for his roles in various films and television shows, including "Oz," "Lost," and "Game of Thrones."
Adewale Ologunore, born in 1972, is a Nigerian-American engineer and entrepreneur who co-founded the successful technology company, Ravelry.com, which serves as an online community for knitters and crocheters.
Adewale Ayuba, born in 1973, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who has gained popularity for his unique blend of traditional Yoruba music with contemporary styles. He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the "Fuji" genre in Nigerian music.
Adewale Ogunleye, born in 1977, is a former American football defensive end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for teams such as the Miami Dolphins and Chicago Bears between 2000 and 2010.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have carried the name Adewale, showcasing its long-standing cultural significance and enduring presence across various fields and regions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Adewale over time
The chart below shows babies named Adewale registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2022. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Adewale, the clearest high point is 2010. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2022, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Adewale by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Adewale 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #4001 | 4 | 1 |
| 2010s | #3811 | 17 | 4 |
| 2000s | #3427 | 13 | 4 |
| 1990s | #2642 | 7 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Adewale
- Alfie 86,546
- Alexander 85,525
- Adam 71,855
- Archie 59,965
- Arthur 43,586
- Aaron 36,366
- Alex 32,729
- Andrew 20,169
- Arlo 19,061
- Aidan 16,776
- Albie 16,017
- Albert 15,809
FAQ
Adewale: questions and answers
How popular is the name Adewale in the UK right now?
In 2022, Adewale was ranked #4001 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Adewale most popular?
The peak year on record was 2010, with 5 babies registered as Adewale in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Adewale?
A masculine Yoruba name meaning "the crown has arrived home".
How many people are called Adewale in the UK?
A total of 41 babies have been registered as Adewale across the 11 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.