UK boy's name
Olakunle
A masculine Yoruba name meaning "one who wakes up with wealth or riches".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Olakunle is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Olakunle popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4991, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 4 births.
This profile covers 13 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 1997 to 2023. 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 13 living people in the UK are called Olakunle. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Olakunle ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 4 boys were registered as Olakunle.
- • About 13 living people in the UK are estimated to have Olakunle as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4991
2023
Births in 2023
3
Latest year
Peak year
2001
4 births
Estimated living
13
2026
Meaning
What does Olakunle mean?
The name Olakunle has its origins in the Yoruba language, spoken primarily in southwestern Nigeria and parts of neighboring countries like Benin and Togo. It is a compound name derived from the Yoruba words "Ola," meaning wealth or riches, and "Kunle," a shortened form of "Okunrin," meaning a male child or son.
The Yoruba people have a rich cultural heritage dating back several centuries, and their naming practices often reflect values, beliefs, and events surrounding a child's birth. Olakunle, with its emphasis on wealth and masculinity, likely originated as a name bestowed upon male children born into affluent or influential families, signifying the parents' hopes and aspirations for their son's future prosperity and success.
While the exact origins of the name Olakunle are difficult to pinpoint, it has been in use among the Yoruba people for generations. However, there are no known historical references or appearances in ancient texts or religious scriptures specific to this particular name.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Olakunle can be traced back to the 19th century, when it was borne by Olakunle Aluko, a prominent Yoruba chief and landowner who lived in the town of Ogbomosho, in present-day Oyo State, Nigeria. Aluko played a significant role in the expansion and development of Ogbomosho during his lifetime.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Olakunle:
1. Olakunle Sijuwade (1928-2015), the late Ooni of Ife, a prominent traditional ruler and spiritual leader of the Yoruba people. 2. Olakunle Akinboboye (1935-2018), a Nigerian politician and lawyer who served as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice in the 1970s. 3. Olakunle Bakare (born 1962), a Nigerian economist and businessman who has held leadership positions in various organizations. 4. Olakunle Churchill (born 1982), a Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist, best known for his relationship with actress Tonto Dikeh. 5. Olakunle Makun (born 1983), a Nigerian comedian, actor, and television host, popularly known as Baba Ijesha.
These individuals, hailing from diverse backgrounds and professions, have contributed to various aspects of Nigerian society, further solidifying the name Olakunle as a respected and recognizable name within the country and among the Yoruba community.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Olakunle over time
The chart below shows babies named Olakunle registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Olakunle, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2023, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Olakunle by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Olakunle 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 | #4991 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3320 | 7 | 2 |
| 1990s | #2859 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Olakunle
- 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
Olakunle: questions and answers
How popular is the name Olakunle in the UK right now?
In 2023, Olakunle was ranked #4991 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Olakunle most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 4 babies registered as Olakunle in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Olakunle?
A masculine Yoruba name meaning "one who wakes up with wealth or riches".
How many people are called Olakunle in the UK?
A total of 13 babies have been registered as Olakunle across the 4 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.