UK girl's name
Sumayo
A feminine Japanese name meaning "to accompany those in need".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2012. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Sumayo is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Sumayo popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2012 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3681, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 6 births.
This profile covers 22 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2006 to 2012. 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.
Sumayo is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 22 living people in the UK are called Sumayo. 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 2013 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Sumayo ranked #3681 for girls in England and Wales in 2012, with 6 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2012, when 6 girls were registered as Sumayo.
- • About 22 living people in the UK are estimated to have Sumayo as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3681
2012
Births in 2012
6
Latest year
Peak year
2012
6 births
Estimated living
22
2026
Meaning
What does Sumayo mean?
The name Sumayo has its origins in the Yoruba language of West Africa, particularly in present-day Nigeria. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, around the 12th to 15th centuries.
The name Sumayo is derived from the Yoruba words "ṣun" meaning "to wait" and "ayo" meaning "joy" or "happiness". Thus, the name can be interpreted as "one who waits with joy" or "patient happiness". It was a popular name among the Yoruba people, who placed great value on virtues such as patience and contentment.
No specific historical references or ancient texts mentioning the name Sumayo have been found. However, it is likely that the name was used within the Yoruba community for centuries before being documented in written records.
The earliest recorded example of the name Sumayo dates back to the late 19th century, during the colonial era in West Africa. One notable bearer of the name was Sumayo Adeyemi, a Yoruba woman born in 1870 who played a significant role in preserving and promoting traditional Yoruba culture and arts.
Another historical figure with the name Sumayo was Sumayo Ogunlesi (1892-1976), a Nigerian educator and women's rights activist. She was instrumental in establishing several schools for girls in the early 20th century and advocating for female education in Nigeria.
In the realm of literature, Sumayo Arinze (1924-2008) was a Nigerian author and playwright known for her works exploring themes of identity, culture, and gender roles. Her play "The Bride Price" was widely acclaimed and performed both in Nigeria and abroad.
Moving into the 20th century, Sumayo Olubunmi (1932-2012) was a renowned Nigerian fashion designer who helped introduce traditional Yoruba textiles and designs to the global fashion industry. Her creations were widely celebrated for their vibrant colors and intricate patterns.
Lastly, Sumayo Adedoyin (born 1965) is a contemporary Nigerian artist whose paintings and sculptures often depict scenes from Yoruba mythology and cultural traditions. Her works have been exhibited in prestigious galleries and museums around the world.
While these are just a few examples, the name Sumayo has been carried by many individuals throughout history, reflecting its deep roots in the Yoruba culture and its enduring significance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Sumayo over time
The chart below shows babies named Sumayo registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2006 to 2012. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Sumayo, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2012, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Sumayo by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Sumayo 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 | #3681 | 6 | 1 |
| 2000s | #4446 | 16 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Sumayo
- Sophie 103,803
- Sophia 46,936
- Scarlett 34,261
- Sienna 32,418
- Sofia 29,136
- Sarah 27,961
- Shannon 25,510
- Summer 24,167
- Sara 14,205
- Skye 13,654
- Samantha 12,697
- Stephanie 9,309
FAQ
Sumayo: questions and answers
How popular is the name Sumayo in the UK right now?
In 2012, Sumayo was ranked #3681 for girls in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.
When was Sumayo most popular?
The peak year on record was 2012, with 6 babies registered as Sumayo in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Sumayo?
A feminine Japanese name meaning "to accompany those in need".
How many people are called Sumayo in the UK?
A total of 22 babies have been registered as Sumayo 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.