UK girl's name
Atinuke
A feminine Yoruba name meaning "gift of joy" or "gift of happiness".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Atinuke is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Atinuke popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4709, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2013, with 5 births.
This profile covers 42 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 1997 to 2023. 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 42 living people in the UK are called Atinuke. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Atinuke ranked #4709 for girls in England and Wales in 2023, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2013, when 5 girls were registered as Atinuke.
- • About 42 living people in the UK are estimated to have Atinuke as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4709
2023
Births in 2023
4
Latest year
Peak year
2013
5 births
Estimated living
42
2026
Meaning
What does Atinuke mean?
The name Atinuke is of Yoruba origin, a language spoken by the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria and the surrounding region. The Yoruba people have a rich cultural heritage dating back several centuries.
Atinuke is derived from the Yoruba words "Ati" meaning "we follow" and "Inu" meaning "inside" or "within". Together, the name can be interpreted to mean "we follow within" or "we follow the path within". This suggests a spiritual or philosophical meaning, encouraging introspection and following one's inner guidance.
While there are no known historical references to the name Atinuke in ancient texts or religious scriptures, the name's roots in the Yoruba language and culture can be traced back several centuries. The earliest recorded examples of the name are likely from the 19th century or earlier, as it gained popularity among the Yoruba people.
One of the earliest known individuals with the name Atinuke was Atinuke Oyelowo, a Nigerian educator and activist who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was known for her work in promoting education and empowerment for women in Nigeria.
Another notable figure with the name Atinuke was Atinuke Abiola, the wife of the late Nigerian politician and businessman Moshood Abiola. She played a significant role in supporting her husband's pro-democracy efforts in the early 1990s.
In more recent history, Atinuke is the pen name of a British novelist and storyteller of Nigerian descent. Born in 1962, she has written several children's books and folktales inspired by her Yoruba heritage, including the popular "Anna Hibiscus" series.
Atinuke Adeleke, born in 1985, is a Nigerian fashion designer and entrepreneur. She is known for her vibrant and colorful designs that blend traditional African influences with modern styles.
Another individual with the name Atinuke is Atinuke Aina, a Nigerian-American actress and singer. Born in 1988, she has appeared in various television shows and films, showcasing her talents in both acting and music.
While the name Atinuke may not be as widely known globally as some other names, its cultural significance and rich history within the Yoruba community of Nigeria make it a unique and meaningful name with deep roots.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Atinuke over time
The chart below shows babies named Atinuke registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Atinuke, the clearest high point is 2013. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2023, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Atinuke by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Atinuke 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 | #5145 | 7 | 2 |
| 2010s | #5214 | 18 | 5 |
| 2000s | #3911 | 14 | 4 |
| 1990s | #3824 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Atinuke
- 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
Atinuke: questions and answers
How popular is the name Atinuke in the UK right now?
In 2023, Atinuke was ranked #4709 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Atinuke most popular?
The peak year on record was 2013, with 5 babies registered as Atinuke in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Atinuke?
A feminine Yoruba name meaning "gift of joy" or "gift of happiness".
How many people are called Atinuke in the UK?
A total of 42 babies have been registered as Atinuke across the 12 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.