UK boy's name
Olalekan
A masculine Yoruba name of Nigerian origin meaning "wealth or fortune gathers at home".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Olalekan is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Olalekan popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3478, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 5 births.
This profile covers 20 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 1996 to 2016. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 20 living people in the UK are called Olalekan. 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 2017 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Olalekan ranked #3478 for boys in England and Wales in 2016, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 5 boys were registered as Olalekan.
- • About 20 living people in the UK are estimated to have Olalekan as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3478
2016
Births in 2016
5
Latest year
Peak year
1998
5 births
Estimated living
20
2026
Meaning
What does Olalekan mean?
The name Olalekan is of Yoruba origin, an ethnic group predominantly found in southwestern Nigeria. It is derived from the combination of two Yoruba words, "Ola" and "Leke," which together translate to "wealth or fortune comes home." The name's roots can be traced back to the 15th century, when the Yoruba people were a prominent cultural and linguistic group in the region.
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Olalekan can be found in the oral traditions and folklore of the Yoruba people. It was often given to newborn boys as a symbol of hope and prosperity, reflecting the parents' aspirations for their child's future.
The name Olalekan has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the most famous was Olalekan Idowu, a Nigerian playwright and poet who lived from 1932 to 2008. His works, which explored themes of cultural identity and social commentary, were widely acclaimed and contributed significantly to the development of contemporary Nigerian literature.
Another prominent individual with the name Olalekan was Olalekan Adebanjo, a Nigerian businessman and entrepreneur who founded one of the country's largest conglomerates. Born in 1945, he played a crucial role in the growth of the Nigerian economy during the latter half of the 20th century.
In the realm of sports, Olalekan Okunola, a Nigerian professional footballer who played as a striker, made a name for himself in the 1980s and 1990s. He represented Nigeria at the international level and had a successful career in various European leagues.
The name Olalekan also found its way into the academic world with Olalekan Akinrinade, a renowned Nigerian scholar and professor of linguistics. Born in 1938, he made significant contributions to the study of African languages and their preservation.
Lastly, Olalekan Adekugbe, a Nigerian-born British actor and filmmaker, has gained recognition for his work in both theater and cinema. He has appeared in several acclaimed productions and continues to make an impact in the entertainment industry.
While the name Olalekan has maintained its cultural significance among the Yoruba people, it has also gained popularity beyond its place of origin, transcending geographic boundaries and serving as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Olalekan over time
The chart below shows babies named Olalekan registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2016. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Olalekan, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2016, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Olalekan by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Olalekan 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 | #3478 | 5 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3439 | 7 | 2 |
| 1990s | #2469 | 8 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Olalekan
- 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
Olalekan: questions and answers
How popular is the name Olalekan in the UK right now?
In 2016, Olalekan was ranked #3478 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Olalekan most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 5 babies registered as Olalekan in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Olalekan?
A masculine Yoruba name of Nigerian origin meaning "wealth or fortune gathers at home".
How many people are called Olalekan in the UK?
A total of 20 babies have been registered as Olalekan 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.