UK boy's name
Efosa
Yoruba name of Nigerian origin meaning "His gift surpassed others".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Efosa is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Efosa popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3688, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 6 births.
This profile covers 42 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 2006 to 2024. 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 83% 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 Efosa. 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 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Efosa ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2014, when 6 boys were registered as Efosa.
- • About 42 living people in the UK are estimated to have Efosa as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3688
2024
Births in 2024
5
Latest year
Peak year
2014
6 births
Estimated living
42
2026
Meaning
What does Efosa mean?
The name Efosa originates from the Edo language, spoken by the Edo people of southern Nigeria. The Edo people have a rich cultural heritage that dates back several centuries. The name Efosa is believed to have originated during the 16th or 17th century, when the Edo Kingdom was at its peak.
Efosa is derived from two Edo words: "Efe," which means "beauty," and "Osa," which means "wealth." Together, the name Efosa means "beautiful wealth" or "wealthy beauty." This name reflects the Edo people's appreciation for physical beauty and material prosperity.
While there are no known references to the name Efosa in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been a popular name among the Edo people for generations. The earliest recorded instances of the name date back to the 18th century, when it was commonly given to female children born into affluent Edo families.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Efosa. One of the earliest known figures was Efosa Osagie, a wealthy Edo trader who lived in the late 18th century. She was renowned for her successful business ventures and her philanthropic contributions to her community.
Another notable Efosa was Efosa Eghobamien, a celebrated Edo artist who lived in the early 20th century. Her intricate wood carvings and sculptures depicted various aspects of Edo culture and were highly sought after by collectors worldwide.
In the mid-20th century, Efosa Imasuen was a prominent Edo educator who dedicated her life to improving access to education for children, particularly girls, in her community. Her efforts helped to establish several schools and educational programs that continue to benefit Edo children to this day.
Efosa Obayuwana, born in 1948, is a renowned Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist. She has been a vocal advocate for women's rights and has played a significant role in advancing legal reforms in Nigeria.
More recently, Efosa Obadan, born in 1965, is a Nigerian economist and academic. She has held various leadership positions in academic institutions and has contributed extensively to the study of economic development in Africa.
While the name Efosa continues to be popular among the Edo people and other ethnic groups in Nigeria, its rich cultural heritage and historical significance make it a unique and meaningful name with deep roots in the traditions of the Edo people.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Efosa over time
The chart below shows babies named Efosa registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2006 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Efosa, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Efosa by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Efosa 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 | #4362 | 11 | 3 |
| 2010s | #4198 | 19 | 5 |
| 2000s | #3600 | 12 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Efosa
- Ethan 77,394
- Edward 53,212
- Elliot 23,450
- Elijah 22,369
- Ellis 19,358
- Elliott 16,964
- Evan 14,535
- Ezra 11,838
- Ewan 10,685
- Eli 8,126
- Elias 7,049
- Eric 6,654
FAQ
Efosa: questions and answers
How popular is the name Efosa in the UK right now?
In 2024, Efosa was ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Efosa most popular?
The peak year on record was 2014, with 6 babies registered as Efosa in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Efosa?
Yoruba name of Nigerian origin meaning "His gift surpassed others".
How many people are called Efosa in the UK?
A total of 42 babies have been registered as Efosa 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.