NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Olufemi

An African Yoruba name meaning "God loves me" or "The Lord loves me".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2014. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Olufemi is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Olufemi popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2014 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4632, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1997, with 10 births.

This profile covers 61 England and Wales registrations across 14 recorded years from 1996 to 2014. 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 30% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 60 living people in the UK are called Olufemi. 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 2015 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Olufemi ranked #4632 for boys in England and Wales in 2014, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1997, when 10 boys were registered as Olufemi.
  • About 60 living people in the UK are estimated to have Olufemi as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#4632

2014

Births in 2014

3

Latest year

Peak year

1997

10 births

Estimated living

60

2026

Meaning

What does Olufemi mean?

Olufemi is a Yoruba name of Nigerian origin. The name is derived from the combination of two Yoruba words, "Olu" meaning "owner or lord" and "fe" meaning "love or adore." Thus, Olufemi can be interpreted as "the owner or lord who is loved or adored."

The name has its roots in the traditional Yoruba culture, which dates back several centuries and is centered in the southwestern region of modern-day Nigeria. The Yoruba people have a rich cultural heritage, and their naming traditions often reflect their values, beliefs, and historical events.

While the exact origin of the name Olufemi is difficult to pinpoint, it is likely that it emerged as a name given to individuals who were highly respected or revered within their communities. In Yoruba tradition, names often carry significant meanings and can be seen as a reflection of the hopes, aspirations, and personalities of the individuals who bear them.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Olufemi can be found in the 19th century. Olufemi Taiwo, a prominent Yoruba artist and carver, lived in the late 1800s and was renowned for his intricate wooden sculptures and carvings that depicted various aspects of Yoruba culture and mythology.

Another notable figure with the name Olufemi was Olufemi Oluwo, a Nigerian musician and composer who was born in 1928. He is credited with popularizing the use of traditional Yoruba instruments, such as the talking drum, in contemporary Nigerian music.

In the realm of literature, Olufemi Ogunsanwo, a Nigerian poet and playwright born in 1940, gained recognition for his works that explored themes of identity, culture, and social issues within the context of post-colonial Nigeria.

Olufemi Taiwo, a Nigerian-American philosopher and scholar, has made significant contributions to the fields of political philosophy and critical race theory. Born in 1966, he is currently a professor at Cornell University and has authored several influential works on topics such as globalization, social justice, and the African diaspora.

Olufemi Elmurade, a Nigerian artist and sculptor, has gained international acclaim for his stunning bronze and terracotta artworks that capture the essence of Yoruba culture and traditions. Born in 1958, his works have been exhibited in numerous galleries and museums around the world.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Olufemi over time

The chart below shows babies named Olufemi registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2014. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Olufemi, the clearest high point is 1997. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2014, compared with 10 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Olufemi
035810199620052014

Decades

Olufemi by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Olufemi 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 #4363 17 5
2000s #3280 21 5
1990s #2087 23 4

Related

Names similar to Olufemi

FAQ

Olufemi: questions and answers

How popular is the name Olufemi in the UK right now?

In 2014, Olufemi was ranked #4632 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Olufemi most popular?

The peak year on record was 1997, with 10 babies registered as Olufemi in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Olufemi?

An African Yoruba name meaning "God loves me" or "The Lord loves me".

How many people are called Olufemi in the UK?

A total of 61 babies have been registered as Olufemi across the 14 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.