Find out how popular the first name Jaja has been for the last 19 years (from 1974 to 1992) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jaja by gender

Based on the last 19 years of data, Jaja is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1992, there were 9 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Jaja.

The history of the first name Jaja

The given name Jaja has its roots in the Yoruba language, spoken by the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria and parts of Benin and Togo. The name is believed to have originated during the 15th century or earlier, when the Yoruba kingdoms were at their height.

In the Yoruba language, the name Jaja is thought to be derived from the word "aja," which means "bush" or "wilderness." It may have been given to children born in remote or rural areas, or perhaps to those who exhibited a connection with nature or the outdoors.

The earliest known historical reference to the name Jaja comes from the 16th century, when it was borne by a prominent Yoruba ruler and military leader known as Jaja of Opobo. He was born in the late 16th century and ruled over the Opobo Kingdom, which was a major trading center along the Niger Delta region of present-day Nigeria.

Another notable figure with the name Jaja was a 19th-century Kalabari warrior and prince from the Niger Delta region. He was born around 1821 and later became the King of Opobo, leading his people in resistance against British colonial rule. His defiance and military prowess earned him the nickname "the Leopard of the Niger Delta."

In the 20th century, Jaja Wachuku was a Nigerian lawyer, diplomat, and politician who served as the first indigenous Speaker of the Nigerian Parliament from 1959 to 1960. He was born in 1918 and played a significant role in Nigeria's transition to independence.

Another individual with the name Jaja was Jaja Nwachukwu, a Nigerian footballer who played as a striker for various clubs in Nigeria and abroad during the 1970s and 1980s. He was born in 1957 and represented Nigeria at the 1980 African Cup of Nations.

More recently, Jaja Anucha Browne was a prominent Jamaican storyteller, actress, and cultural ambassador. She was born in 1945 and dedicated her life to preserving and promoting the oral tradition and folklore of Jamaica.

While the name Jaja may have originated in the Yoruba culture, it has since spread to other parts of West Africa and beyond, carried by individuals of Yoruba descent or those who have embraced the name for its unique and meaningful origins.

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 Jaja was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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