UK name, mostly girls
Olayinka
A feminine Yoruba name meaning "wealth is worth more than money".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a boys' name in the UK, with 15 boys.
Olayinka is mostly registered for girls in the UK records. People looking for Olayinka popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5891, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2001, with 4 births.
This profile covers 43 England and Wales registrations across 13 recorded years from 1998 to 2024. 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 43 living people in the UK are called Olayinka. 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 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Olayinka ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2001, when 4 girls were registered as Olayinka.
- • Olayinka is also recorded for boys, but the girls side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 43 living people in the UK are estimated to have Olayinka as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 74.1% of Olayinka registrations are for girls.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5891
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
2001
4 births
Estimated living
43
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Olayinka
In England and Wales birth records, Olayinka has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 25.9% of registrations are for boys and 74.1% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Olayinka registered for boys
- Ranked #4,632 in 2014
- 3 boys registered in 2014
- Peak: 2009 (5 births)
Olayinka registered for girls
- Ranked #5,891 in 2024
- 3 girls registered in 2024
- Peak: 2001 (4 births)
Meaning
What does Olayinka mean?
Olayinka is a Yoruba name originating from southwestern Nigeria. It is a combination of two words from the Yoruba language: "ola" meaning wealth or fortune, and "yinka" meaning to walk with or follow. Thus, the literal meaning of Olayinka is "wealth follows" or "wealth walks with."
The name can be traced back to the Yoruba people of West Africa, an ethnic group known for their rich cultural heritage and traditions. The Yoruba language is one of the most widely spoken languages in Nigeria and has influenced many aspects of Nigerian culture, including naming practices.
While the exact origin of the name Olayinka is difficult to pinpoint, it is believed to have been in use for several centuries. Some historical records suggest that the name was popular among the Yoruba people during the height of the Oyo Empire, which ruled over a significant portion of present-day southwestern Nigeria from the 16th to the 19th century.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Olayinka can be found in the writings of Samuel Ajayi Crowther, a Yoruba linguist and the first African Anglican bishop in Nigeria. Crowther, who lived from 1809 to 1891, played a significant role in promoting Yoruba language and culture.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Olayinka. One such person was Olayinka Oluwole Adeosun (1906-1992), a Nigerian lawyer and politician who served as the Minister of Natural Resources and Social Services in the First Republic of Nigeria.
Another prominent figure was Olayinka Elebuibon (born 1949), a renowned Nigerian chief and traditional priest who has played a crucial role in preserving and promoting Yoruba culture and traditions.
In the realm of literature, Olayinka Tunji Akinshiju (born 1939) is a renowned Nigerian poet and playwright whose works have been widely acclaimed for their exploration of Yoruba culture and themes.
The name Olayinka has also gained recognition in the world of sports. Olayinka Sanni (born 1974) is a retired Nigerian basketball player who represented Nigeria in several international competitions, including the Olympic Games.
Another notable bearer of the name is Olayinka Omigbodun (born 1952), a Nigerian academic and psychiatrist who has made significant contributions to the field of child and adolescent mental health in Africa.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Olayinka throughout history, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and significance of this name within the Yoruba community and beyond.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Olayinka over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Olayinka in England and Wales, from 1998 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Olayinka, the clearest high point is 2001. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Olayinka by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Olayinka 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 | #5789 | 6 | 2 |
| 2010s | #5308 | 7 | 2 |
| 2000s | #4561 | 24 | 7 |
| 1990s | #3874 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Olayinka
- Olivia 123,111
- Orla 10,799
- Olive 6,815
- Ophelia 4,939
- Ottilie 4,407
- Oliwia 2,608
- Ocean 1,811
- Orlaith 1,357
- Olivia-Rose 1,250
- Octavia 1,243
- Olivia-Grace 618
- Orlagh 608
FAQ
Olayinka: questions and answers
How popular is the name Olayinka in the UK right now?
In 2024, Olayinka was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Olayinka most popular?
The peak year on record was 2001, with 4 babies registered as Olayinka in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Olayinka?
A feminine Yoruba name meaning "wealth is worth more than money".
How many people are called Olayinka in the UK?
A total of 43 babies have been registered as Olayinka across the 13 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.