UK girl's name
Modupe
A Yoruba name meaning "I thank God for the child".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2013. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Modupe is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Modupe popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2013 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5742, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 6 births.
This profile covers 22 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 1997 to 2013. 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 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 22 living people in the UK are called Modupe. 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 2014 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Modupe ranked #5742 for girls in England and Wales in 2013, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 6 girls were registered as Modupe.
- • About 22 living people in the UK are estimated to have Modupe as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5742
2013
Births in 2013
3
Latest year
Peak year
2001
6 births
Estimated living
22
2026
Meaning
What does Modupe mean?
Modupe is a given name of Yoruba origin from West Africa, specifically Nigeria. It is a compound name derived from the words "mo" meaning "I" and "dupe" meaning "am waking up" or "am awake." Together, Modupe translates to "I am awake" or "I have become aware." The name likely dates back several centuries, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and spiritual beliefs of the Yoruba people.
In Yoruba tradition, names hold significant meaning and are often chosen to reflect the circumstances surrounding a child's birth or the hopes and aspirations of the parents for their offspring. The name Modupe may have been given to symbolize the idea of awakening to a new life, enlightenment, or a spiritual journey.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Modupe can be found in the 19th century, when it was mentioned in historical accounts of the Yoruba Kingdom of Oyo in present-day southwestern Nigeria. During this period, the name was often associated with individuals of noble or influential status within the Yoruba society.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Modupe. One example is Modupe Williams (1923-2005), a pioneering Nigerian broadcaster and journalist who played a significant role in the development of radio and television in her country. Another is Modupe Alakija (born 1951), a billionaire businesswoman and philanthropist widely regarded as one of the wealthiest women in Africa.
In the realm of literature, Modupe Olaogun (born 1943) is a celebrated Nigerian author and poet known for her works exploring themes of cultural identity and gender dynamics. Additionally, Modupe Ozolua (born 1944) is a prominent Nigerian academic and educator who has made significant contributions to the field of education in West Africa.
Modupe Olufunmilayo Ozukou (1961-2015) was a Nigerian-born British actress and singer who gained recognition for her performances in various stage productions and television shows in the United Kingdom.
These are just a few examples of the many accomplished individuals throughout history who have carried the name Modupe, a name that reflects the rich cultural heritage and spiritual beliefs of the Yoruba people of West Africa.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Modupe over time
The chart below shows babies named Modupe registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2013. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Modupe, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2013, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Modupe by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Modupe 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 | #5742 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4237 | 15 | 4 |
| 1990s | #3174 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Modupe
- Megan 70,884
- Mia 67,204
- Molly 47,734
- Millie 44,390
- Maisie 32,671
- Matilda 29,965
- Maya 26,445
- Madison 18,441
- Maria 17,304
- Mollie 15,914
- Martha 15,116
- Maddison 14,918
FAQ
Modupe: questions and answers
How popular is the name Modupe in the UK right now?
In 2013, Modupe was ranked #5742 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Modupe most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 6 babies registered as Modupe in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Modupe?
A Yoruba name meaning "I thank God for the child".
How many people are called Modupe in the UK?
A total of 22 babies have been registered as Modupe 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.