UK name, mostly boys
Mayowa
A feminine Yoruba name meaning "one born on Monday".
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.
Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 14 girls.
Mayowa is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Mayowa 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 2006, with 5 births.
This profile covers 55 England and Wales registrations across 15 recorded years from 1998 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 55 living people in the UK are called Mayowa. 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
- • Mayowa ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2006, when 5 boys were registered as Mayowa.
- • Mayowa is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 55 living people in the UK are estimated to have Mayowa as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 79.7% of Mayowa registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3688
2024
Births in 2024
5
Latest year
Peak year
2006
5 births
Estimated living
55
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Mayowa
In England and Wales birth records, Mayowa has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 79.7% of registrations are for boys and 20.3% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Mayowa registered for boys
- Ranked #3,688 in 2024
- 5 boys registered in 2024
- Peak: 2006 (5 births)
Mayowa registered for girls
- Ranked #3,860 in 2008
- 5 girls registered in 2008
- Peak: 2008 (5 births)
Meaning
What does Mayowa mean?
The name Mayowa originated from the Yoruba people of West Africa, a prominent ethnic group in modern-day Nigeria. It dates back several centuries and is believed to have its roots in the ancient Yoruba city-states and kingdoms that flourished during the 15th to 19th centuries.
Mayowa is a compound name derived from the Yoruba words "omo" meaning "child" and "ayo" meaning "joy" or "happiness." Thus, the name Mayowa can be interpreted as "a child that brings joy" or "a joyful child." This positive connotation reflects the Yoruba cultural values of celebrating children as a blessing and source of happiness.
While no specific historical references to the name Mayowa have been found in ancient Yoruba texts or religious scriptures, the name has been in use among the Yoruba people for generations. The earliest recorded examples of individuals bearing the name Mayowa can be traced back to the late 19th century.
One of the earliest notable figures with the name Mayowa was Mayowa Adediran, a renowned Yoruba writer and educator who lived from 1885 to 1959. He authored several books on Yoruba language and culture, contributing significantly to the preservation of Yoruba literary heritage.
Another prominent figure was Mayowa Ogunbiyi, a Nigerian politician and activist born in 1922. She played a crucial role in the women's suffrage movement in Nigeria and was instrumental in advocating for women's rights and political representation.
In the realm of arts and entertainment, Mayowa Balogun, born in 1968, is a celebrated Nigerian actor and filmmaker. He has starred in numerous Nollywood productions and has directed several critically acclaimed films.
Mayowa Olusoji, born in 1975, is a distinguished Nigerian journalist and author. She has worked for various prominent media organizations and has published several books, including a memoir and a collection of essays.
Lastly, Mayowa Adegbile, born in 1980, is a renowned Nigerian fashion designer. Her label, "Mayowa Adegbile Designs," has showcased at numerous international fashion events, and she is celebrated for her innovative and contemporary designs that blend traditional African aesthetics with modern sensibilities.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Mayowa, reflecting its enduring presence and cultural significance within the Yoruba community and beyond.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Mayowa over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Mayowa in England and Wales, from 1996 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 Mayowa, the clearest high point is 2006. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2024, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Mayowa by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Mayowa 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 | #4195 | 12 | 3 |
| 2010s | #4292 | 14 | 4 |
| 2000s | #3628 | 22 | 6 |
| 1990s | #2681 | 7 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Mayowa
- Matthew 80,931
- Mohammed 74,321
- Muhammad 72,235
- Max 59,807
- Michael 47,075
- Mason 38,935
- Mohammad 25,910
- Morgan 15,994
- Muhammed 11,527
- Mark 11,336
- Marcus 11,257
- Maxwell 10,006
FAQ
Mayowa: questions and answers
How popular is the name Mayowa in the UK right now?
In 2024, Mayowa was ranked #3688 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Mayowa most popular?
The peak year on record was 2006, with 5 babies registered as Mayowa in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Mayowa?
A feminine Yoruba name meaning "one born on Monday".
How many people are called Mayowa in the UK?
A total of 55 babies have been registered as Mayowa across the 15 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.