UK boy's name
Obafemi
A masculine Yoruba name meaning "the king loves me".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2019. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Obafemi is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Obafemi popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2019 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4702, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2013, with 5 births.
This profile covers 19 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2009 to 2019. 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 19 living people in the UK are called Obafemi. 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 2020 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Obafemi ranked #4702 for boys in England and Wales in 2019, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2013, when 5 boys were registered as Obafemi.
- • About 19 living people in the UK are estimated to have Obafemi as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4702
2019
Births in 2019
3
Latest year
Peak year
2013
5 births
Estimated living
19
2026
Meaning
What does Obafemi mean?
The name Obafemi originates from the Yoruba language spoken in southwestern Nigeria and parts of Benin. It is a combination of two Yoruba words: "Oba" meaning king or ruler, and "Femi" meaning loves or cherishes. Together, Obafemi translates to "the king loves me" or "the king cherishes me."
The Yoruba people have a rich cultural heritage that dates back several centuries, and their naming traditions often reflect important values, beliefs, and events. The name Obafemi likely emerged during the time when the Yoruba kingdom was a prominent political and cultural force in the region.
While the exact origin of the name Obafemi is not documented in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is believed to have been used by the Yoruba people for generations. Some of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in historical records from the 19th century.
One of the most notable historical figures with the name Obafemi is Obafemi Awolowo, a Nigerian nationalist and statesman who played a significant role in Nigeria's independence movement. He was born in 1909 and served as the Premier of the Western Region of Nigeria from 1954 to 1959.
Another prominent figure with the name Obafemi is Obafemi Martins, a Nigerian professional footballer who has played for various clubs around the world, including Newcastle United and Inter Milan. He was born in 1984 and has represented Nigeria at several international tournaments.
Obafemi Olopade, a Nigerian-American oncologist and professor at the University of Chicago, is another notable individual with the name. He was born in 1954 and has made significant contributions to the field of cancer research and treatment.
In the world of literature, Obafemi Awolowo's autobiography, "Awo: The Autobiography of Chief Obafemi Awolowo," published in 1960, is a notable work that provides insights into his life and the struggle for Nigerian independence.
Obafemi Kale, a Nigerian artist and sculptor, has also made a name for himself with his unique works that blend traditional Yoruba art with contemporary styles. He was born in 1955 and his creations have been exhibited in galleries around the world.
The name Obafemi continues to be a popular choice among the Yoruba people and is cherished for its cultural significance and connection to the rich heritage of the Yoruba kingdom.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Obafemi over time
The chart below shows babies named Obafemi registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2009 to 2019. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Obafemi, the clearest high point is 2013. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2019, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Obafemi by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Obafemi 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 | #4014 | 16 | 4 |
| 2000s | #4527 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Obafemi
- Oliver 157,197
- Oscar 67,495
- Owen 33,517
- Ollie 13,193
- Oakley 9,838
- Omar 6,823
- Otis 6,395
- Oskar 4,827
- Olly 4,403
- Otto 3,839
- Osian 3,145
- Owain 2,310
FAQ
Obafemi: questions and answers
How popular is the name Obafemi in the UK right now?
In 2019, Obafemi was ranked #4702 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Obafemi most popular?
The peak year on record was 2013, with 5 babies registered as Obafemi in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Obafemi?
A masculine Yoruba name meaning "the king loves me".
How many people are called Obafemi in the UK?
A total of 19 babies have been registered as Obafemi across the 5 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.