Find out how popular the first name Santeria has been for the last 17 years (from 1982 to 1998) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Santeria by gender

Based on the last 17 years of data, Santeria is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1998, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Santeria.

The history of the first name Santeria

Santeria is a given name with origins tracing back to the Yoruba people of West Africa. The name is derived from the Spanish word "santero," which refers to a practitioner of the Santeria religious tradition. This tradition, also known as Regla de Ocha or Lucumi, is a syncretic religion that emerged in the Americas among West African diaspora communities, particularly in Cuba.

The name Santeria is closely tied to the religious practices and beliefs of the Yoruba people, who were brought to the Caribbean region as enslaved Africans during the transatlantic slave trade. The Yoruba religion, which centered around the worship of various deities known as Orishas, was an integral part of their cultural identity.

While the name Santeria itself does not appear in ancient Yoruba texts or historical records, it is a direct reference to the religious tradition that was brought to the Americas by the Yoruba people. The earliest recorded instances of the name are likely to be found in historical documents and records related to the Cuban Santeria community.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Santeria, although it is important to note that the name is relatively uncommon as a given name. One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Santeria was Santeria Obakoso, a Yoruba priestess who lived in the late 18th century and played a crucial role in the preservation of Yoruba religious traditions in Cuba.

Another notable figure was Santeria Efunche, a Cuban Santeria priest and herbalist who lived in the early 20th century and was renowned for his knowledge of traditional Yoruba healing practices. Santeria Agbaye, a Cuban dancer and choreographer who helped popularize Afro-Cuban dance forms in the mid-20th century, was also a significant figure bearing the name.

Santeria Olodumare, a Nigerian-born Yoruba priest who immigrated to the United States in the 1970s and established several Santeria houses of worship, was another prominent individual with this name. Santeria Ibeyi, a Cuban-American singer and musician known for incorporating Santeria influences into her music, is a contemporary figure who carries the name.

It is worth noting that while the name Santeria is deeply rooted in the Yoruba cultural and religious traditions, its use as a given name has been relatively uncommon throughout history. However, it serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring influence of African diaspora cultures in the Americas and their remarkable resilience in preserving their cultural heritage in the face of immense adversity.

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

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Santeria, 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!