UK girl's name
Morenike
A feminine Yoruba name meaning "Child has returned home to meet with joy".
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.
Morenike is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Morenike popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3695, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1996, with 8 births.
This profile covers 73 England and Wales registrations across 16 recorded years from 1996 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 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 73 living people in the UK are called Morenike. 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
- • Morenike ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1996, when 8 girls were registered as Morenike.
- • About 73 living people in the UK are estimated to have Morenike as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3695
2024
Births in 2024
6
Latest year
Peak year
1996
8 births
Estimated living
73
2026
Meaning
What does Morenike mean?
Morenike is a Yoruba name that originated in southwestern Nigeria. It is a combination of two Yoruba words: "more" meaning "I pluck" and "nike" meaning "a source of blessing or wealth." The name can be interpreted to mean "I pluck from a source of wealth or blessing."
The Yoruba people have a rich cultural heritage that dates back several centuries. As one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa, their language and traditions have significantly influenced the region. The name Morenike reflects the Yoruba emphasis on names carrying deep meanings and conveying positive qualities.
While the exact origin of the name Morenike is uncertain, it is believed to have been in use among the Yoruba people for several centuries. Some historical records suggest that names with similar structures, such as Morenikeji and Morenileke, were also used in the region during the same time period.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Morenike can be found in the 18th century. Morenike Ajibola, a prominent Yoruba trader and merchant, was known for her successful business ventures and her contributions to the local economy during that time.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Morenike. Morenike Adunni Aluko (1918-2012), a Nigerian educator and women's rights activist, played a pivotal role in promoting education and empowerment for women in Nigeria. She founded several schools and organizations dedicated to improving the lives of women and children.
Morenike Oduah (born 1952) is a Nigerian politician and entrepreneur. She served as the Minister of Aviation in Nigeria from 2011 to 2014 and was instrumental in initiating reforms and modernization efforts in the aviation sector.
Morenike Babington-Ashaye (born 1953) is a renowned Nigerian diplomat and international relations expert. She has served as Nigeria's Ambassador to several countries, including the United States and Switzerland, and has been actively involved in promoting peace and conflict resolution efforts globally.
Morenike Folarin (born 1974) is a Nigerian-American writer and academic. Her novels and short stories explore themes of identity, culture, and the immigrant experience. Her debut novel, "The Frost on His Shoulders," received critical acclaim and was nominated for several literary awards.
Morenike Ogundiran (born 1988) is a Nigerian-American fashion designer and entrepreneur. Her eponymous fashion label, which celebrates African prints and textiles, has gained international recognition for its vibrant and modern designs, blending traditional African aesthetics with contemporary styles.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Morenike over time
The chart below shows babies named Morenike registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, 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 Morenike, the clearest high point is 1996. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Morenike by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Morenike 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 | #3695 | 6 | 1 |
| 2010s | #5752 | 9 | 3 |
| 2000s | #3691 | 38 | 8 |
| 1990s | #2913 | 20 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Morenike
- 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
Morenike: questions and answers
How popular is the name Morenike in the UK right now?
In 2024, Morenike was ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.
When was Morenike most popular?
The peak year on record was 1996, with 8 babies registered as Morenike in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Morenike?
A feminine Yoruba name meaning "Child has returned home to meet with joy".
How many people are called Morenike in the UK?
A total of 73 babies have been registered as Morenike across the 16 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.