UK boy's name
Kolawole
A masculine Yoruba name meaning "wealth has returned home.".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2011. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Kolawole is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Kolawole popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2011 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4647, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 5 births.
This profile covers 21 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 1997 to 2011. 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 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 21 living people in the UK are called Kolawole. 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 2012 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Kolawole ranked #4647 for boys in England and Wales in 2011, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 5 boys were registered as Kolawole.
- • About 21 living people in the UK are estimated to have Kolawole as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4647
2011
Births in 2011
3
Latest year
Peak year
1999
5 births
Estimated living
21
2026
Meaning
What does Kolawole mean?
Kolawole is a given name that originates from the Yoruba language spoken in southwestern Nigeria and parts of Benin. The name dates back to the 15th century or earlier, during the height of the Oyo Empire in present-day Nigeria.
The name Kolawole is derived from the Yoruba words "kola" meaning "wealth" or "prosperity" and "wole" meaning "to come in" or "to enter." Together, the name can be interpreted as "wealth has entered" or "prosperity has arrived." This name was likely given to children born into wealthy or prominent families as a symbol of good fortune and prosperity.
One of the earliest recorded references to the name Kolawole can be found in the oral traditions and folklore of the Yoruba people. In these stories, Kolawole is often depicted as a wise and respected figure, known for his wealth and generosity.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Kolawole. One such person was Kolawole Bolanta (1892-1972), a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist who played a significant role in the development of the cocoa industry in Nigeria. Another noteworthy figure was Kolawole Emiabata (1918-2001), a Nigerian politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of External Affairs during the 1960s.
In the realm of literature, Kolawole Ogundipe (1919-1989) was a Nigerian poet and playwright who contributed greatly to the development of Yoruba literature. His works often explored themes of cultural identity and the struggles of the Yoruba people during colonial times.
In the field of music, Kolawole Adebanjo (1924-2008) was a renowned Nigerian highlife musician and bandleader. His unique blend of traditional Yoruba rhythms and Western influences earned him widespread acclaim both in Nigeria and internationally.
Another notable figure with the name Kolawole was Kolawole Bamiro (1940-2016), a Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist. He played a pivotal role in the fight against military dictatorships and the promotion of democracy in Nigeria during the late 20th century.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals who have borne the name Kolawole throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria and the Yoruba people.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Kolawole over time
The chart below shows babies named Kolawole registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2011. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Kolawole, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2011, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kolawole by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Kolawole 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4647 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3628 | 10 | 3 |
| 1990s | #2478 | 8 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Kolawole
- Kieran 30,429
- Kyle 28,463
- Kai 24,432
- Kian 17,666
- Kayden 8,305
- Kevin 7,927
- Kane 7,149
- Kaiden 5,762
- Kieron 4,547
- Kacper 4,366
- Kye 4,012
- Kit 3,529
FAQ
Kolawole: questions and answers
How popular is the name Kolawole in the UK right now?
In 2011, Kolawole was ranked #4647 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Kolawole most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 5 babies registered as Kolawole in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Kolawole?
A masculine Yoruba name meaning "wealth has returned home.".
How many people are called Kolawole in the UK?
A total of 21 babies have been registered as Kolawole across the 6 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.