UK girl's name
Motunrayo
A Yoruba name meaning "God's gift is a source of joy".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Motunrayo is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Motunrayo popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2925, with 8 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2017, with 8 births.
This profile covers 46 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 1996 to 2017. 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.
Motunrayo is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 46 living people in the UK are called Motunrayo. 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 2018 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Motunrayo ranked #2925 for girls in England and Wales in 2017, with 8 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2017, when 8 girls were registered as Motunrayo.
- • About 46 living people in the UK are estimated to have Motunrayo as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2925
2017
Births in 2017
8
Latest year
Peak year
2017
8 births
Estimated living
46
2026
Meaning
What does Motunrayo mean?
The name Motunrayo originates from the Yoruba language spoken in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa. It is a compound word derived from the Yoruba words "ọmọ tún" meaning "another child," and "ìráyò" meaning "has come to make life joyful or prosperous." The name is given to a child born after a difficult or prolonged period of waiting, signifying the joy and prosperity that come with the arrival of this child.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Motunrayo can be traced back to the early 19th century, although its use as a name predates written records. It is believed to have been in use among the Yoruba people for centuries, reflecting their cultural values and belief systems.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Motunrayo. One of the earliest recorded figures was Motunrayo Adejumo (c. 1820-1890), a prominent trader and businesswoman in the city of Ibadan, Nigeria, during the 19th century. She was known for her influence in the local economy and her philanthropic efforts.
Another notable Motunrayo was Motunrayo Ogunranti (1895-1972), a pioneering educator and women's rights activist in Nigeria. She played a significant role in advocating for the education of girls and women in her country.
In the realm of literature, Motunrayo Akande (1928-2001) was a celebrated Nigerian poet and playwright. Her works explored themes of identity, culture, and the experiences of women in African societies.
More recently, Motunrayo Alaka (born 1962) is a renowned Nigerian architect and urban planner. She has made significant contributions to the field of sustainable urban development in Nigeria and beyond.
Motunrayo Olaofe (born 1975) is a Nigerian-American entrepreneur and philanthropist. She is the founder of a successful technology company and has been recognized for her contributions to education and youth empowerment initiatives.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the name Motunrayo throughout history, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and significance of this name in the Yoruba tradition.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Motunrayo over time
The chart below shows babies named Motunrayo registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Motunrayo, the clearest high point is 2017. The latest England and Wales figure is 8 births in 2017, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Motunrayo by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Motunrayo 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 | #4460 | 15 | 3 |
| 2000s | #3873 | 22 | 5 |
| 1990s | #3822 | 9 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Motunrayo
- 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
Motunrayo: questions and answers
How popular is the name Motunrayo in the UK right now?
In 2017, Motunrayo was ranked #2925 for girls in England and Wales, with 8 births registered.
When was Motunrayo most popular?
The peak year on record was 2017, with 8 babies registered as Motunrayo in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Motunrayo?
A Yoruba name meaning "God's gift is a source of joy".
How many people are called Motunrayo in the UK?
A total of 46 babies have been registered as Motunrayo 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.