UK boy's name
Olatunji
Of Yoruba origin meaning "the honor/wealth has returned.".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2015. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Olatunji is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Olatunji popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2015 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4747, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 4 births.
This profile covers 7 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 1998 to 2015. 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 7 living people in the UK are called Olatunji. 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 2016 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Olatunji ranked #4747 for boys in England and Wales in 2015, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1998, when 4 boys were registered as Olatunji.
- • About 7 living people in the UK are estimated to have Olatunji as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4747
2015
Births in 2015
3
Latest year
Peak year
1998
4 births
Estimated living
7
2026
Meaning
What does Olatunji mean?
The name Olatunji originates from the Yoruba language spoken in parts of West Africa, primarily in Nigeria. It is a compound word derived from the elements "Ola" meaning wealth or fortune, and "Tunji" meaning he has returned or revisited.
Historically, the name Olatunji is believed to have been given to children born after the return of a prosperous family member or a successful journey. It signified the return of wealth or good fortune to the household.
One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Olatunji is found in the 16th-century Yoruba epic poem "Ifá Divination Corpus", which chronicles the oral traditions and spiritual practices of the Yoruba people. The name appears as a character in the poem, depicting a wealthy and influential figure.
In the 18th century, Olatunji Olawore was a renowned Yoruba warrior and military leader who played a significant role in the defense of the Oyo Empire against invading forces. His bravery and strategic skills earned him a place in the annals of Yoruba history.
Another notable figure named Olatunji was Olatunji Ayanlaja, a 19th-century Yoruba artist and sculptor known for his intricate woodcarvings and mastery of traditional Yoruba art forms. His works are celebrated for their cultural significance and artistic excellence.
In the 20th century, Olatunji Babatunde Lawal, born in 1923 and died in 2012, was a Nigerian educator and scholar who made significant contributions to the study and preservation of Yoruba culture and traditions. He authored several books and publications on Yoruba art, history, and philosophy.
Olatunji Akinknowo, born in 1927 and died in 2003, was a Nigerian musician and drummer who played a pivotal role in introducing Yoruba music and rhythms to the Western world. He founded the Drums of Passion ensemble and performed at numerous international festivals, helping to popularize African drumming globally.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who carried the name Olatunji, a name deeply rooted in Yoruba culture and tradition, symbolizing the return of wealth and prosperity.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Olatunji over time
The chart below shows babies named Olatunji registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 to 2015. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Olatunji, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2015, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Olatunji by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Olatunji 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 | #4747 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990s | #2419 | 4 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Olatunji
- 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
Olatunji: questions and answers
How popular is the name Olatunji in the UK right now?
In 2015, Olatunji was ranked #4747 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Olatunji most popular?
The peak year on record was 1998, with 4 babies registered as Olatunji in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Olatunji?
Of Yoruba origin meaning "the honor/wealth has returned.".
How many people are called Olatunji in the UK?
A total of 7 babies have been registered as Olatunji across the 2 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.