UK name, mostly boys
Omotayo
A Yoruba name meaning "a beloved child brings happiness".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 7 girls.
Omotayo is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Omotayo popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4789, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2019, with 4 births.
This profile covers 19 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 2006 to 2021. 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 19 living people in the UK are called Omotayo. 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 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Omotayo ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales in 2021, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2019, when 4 boys were registered as Omotayo.
- • Omotayo is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 19 living people in the UK are estimated to have Omotayo as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 73.1% of Omotayo registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4789
2021
Births in 2021
3
Latest year
Peak year
2019
4 births
Estimated living
19
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Omotayo
In England and Wales birth records, Omotayo has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 73.1% of registrations are for boys and 26.9% 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.
Omotayo registered for boys
- Ranked #4,789 in 2021
- 3 boys registered in 2021
- Peak: 2019 (4 births)
Omotayo registered for girls
- Ranked #3,409 in 2002
- 4 girls registered in 2002
- Peak: 2002 (4 births)
Meaning
What does Omotayo mean?
Omotayo is a given name of Yoruba origin, originating from the southwestern region of Nigeria in West Africa. The name is derived from the combination of two Yoruba words: "Omo" meaning "child," and "Tayo" meaning "one who is worth celebrating or deserving of praises."
The Yoruba people have a rich cultural heritage that dates back to the 8th century AD, and their language is spoken by over 30 million people in Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The name Omotayo is believed to have been used by the Yoruba people for centuries, reflecting their tradition of giving names with deep meanings and cultural significance.
While there are no specific historical references or ancient texts mentioning the name Omotayo, it is deeply rooted in the Yoruba cultural and linguistic traditions. The earliest recorded examples of individuals bearing this name can be traced back to the 19th century, during the era of the Oyo Empire and the Yoruba city-states.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Omotayo. One of the earliest recorded examples is Omotayo Ogunbowale (1865-1940), a prominent Nigerian educator and activist who played a significant role in promoting Western education and women's rights in Nigeria. Another notable figure is Omotayo Oladipupo (1920-1992), a Nigerian politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Education and the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.
In the field of arts and culture, Omotayo Olaoye (1932-2011) was a renowned Nigerian sculptor and painter, known for his intricate woodcarvings and depictions of Yoruba cultural themes. Omotayo Adekunle (1942-2018) was a celebrated Nigerian drummer and percussionist who played a pivotal role in popularizing Yoruba drumming and music on the international stage.
More recently, Omotayo Olalekan (1978-present) is a Nigerian-American computer scientist and entrepreneur, best known for co-founding the software company Delali.io, which focuses on developing innovative solutions for the healthcare industry.
It is important to note that while these individuals have made significant contributions in various fields, their accomplishments are not solely defined by their names but rather by their actions, values, and the impact they have had on their respective communities and societies.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Omotayo over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Omotayo in England and Wales, from 2000 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Omotayo, the clearest high point is 2019. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2021, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Omotayo by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Omotayo 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 | #4789 | 3 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4439 | 10 | 3 |
| 2000s | #4242 | 6 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Omotayo
- 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
Omotayo: questions and answers
How popular is the name Omotayo in the UK right now?
In 2021, Omotayo was ranked #4789 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Omotayo most popular?
The peak year on record was 2019, with 4 babies registered as Omotayo in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Omotayo?
A Yoruba name meaning "a beloved child brings happiness".
How many people are called Omotayo in the UK?
A total of 19 babies have been registered as Omotayo across the 6 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.