Find out how popular the first name Ajayi has been for the last 2 years (from 2017 to 2018) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ajayi by gender

Based on the last 2 years of data, Ajayi is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2018, there were 6 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Ajayi.

The history of the first name Ajayi

The name Ajayi originates from the Yoruba language and culture of West Africa, particularly in present-day Nigeria. It dates back several centuries, with roots in the Yoruba words "Aja" meaning "warrior" and "Iyi" meaning "born into." Ajayi is thus interpreted as "born into the lineage of warriors" or "born a warrior."

In ancient Yoruba history, the name Ajayi was often bestowed upon male children born into prominent warrior families or those believed to possess a strong, courageous spirit. It carried a sense of pride, strength, and honor, reflecting the Yoruba's rich tradition of valuing bravery and martial prowess.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ajayi can be found in the Odu Ifa, a sacred collection of oral traditions, proverbs, and stories that form the basis of the Yoruba spiritual system. The name appears in several passages, often associated with tales of heroic deeds and battles.

Throughout the centuries, several notable individuals have carried the name Ajayi. One of the earliest recorded figures was Ajayi Agbonyin (c. 1700-1770), a renowned Yoruba warrior and leader who played a pivotal role in defending his people against invading forces during the 18th century.

Another prominent figure was Ajayi Crowther (1809-1891), a Yoruba linguist, and Anglican missionary. He was one of the first Africans to be ordained as an Anglican bishop and made significant contributions to the translation of religious texts into the Yoruba language.

In the 20th century, Ajayi Ade Akinbiyi (1914-1989) was a prominent Nigerian lawyer and statesman who served as the first civilian governor of the Western Region of Nigeria from 1967 to 1971.

The name Ajayi has also been carried by notable academics and intellectuals, such as Ajayi Funso (1924-2013), a renowned Nigerian historian and scholar who specialized in Yoruba history and culture, and Ajayi Bamgbose (1933-2022), a renowned linguist and expert in language planning and policy in Africa.

Throughout its history, the name Ajayi has maintained its association with strength, courage, and leadership, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people and their traditions.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Ajayi was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ajayi, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!