Abíkú Names in Yorùbá and Their Meanings

1. Banjoko

Yoruba: Banjọ́kò — “Stay and sit with us.”
English: A plea telling the child to remain alive.

2. Durosimi

Yoruba: Dúró sí mi — “Stay with me.”
English: Asking the child not to die but stay with the parents.

3. Durojaiye

Yoruba: Dúró jàiyè — “Stay and enjoy life.”
English: A request for the child to live long.

4. Matanmi

Yoruba: Má tan mí — “Don’t deceive me.”
English: Telling the child not to die again after previous losses.

5. Ekunsumi

Yoruba: Èkún sùn mí — “I am tired of crying.”
English: Parents are tired of losing children.

6. Kosoko

Yoruba: Kò s’ókò — “There is no hoe (to dig a grave).”
English: A statement rejecting death.

7. Kukoyi

Yoruba: Kú kò yìí — “Death is not appropriate here.”
English: Rejecting the spirit of death.

8. Ariori

Yoruba: Arí orí — “We have found (kept) this destiny.”
English: Claiming the child’s destiny for life.

9. Anndu / Andu

Yoruba: Án dú — “We pleaded (for you).”
English: The child is begged to stay alive.

10. Kokumo

Yoruba: Kò kú mó — “He/She will not die again.”
English: Declaring the end of childhood deaths.

11. Bamitale

Yoruba: Bà mí t’álé — “Stay with me till evening.”
English: A wish for life and longevity.

12. Kaleyaiye

Yoruba: Kále yàiyé — “Let tomorrow meet you alive.”
English: Praying for the child to survive day after day.

13. Durotimi

Yoruba: Dúró tì mí — “Stay by my side.”
English: A plea for survival.

14. Biobaku

Yoruba: Bí ọ bá kú — “If you die…” (unfinished, implying a threat or strong warning)
English: Used to discourage the child spirit from returning to the spiritual realm.

15. Beyioku

Yoruba: Bẹ́ yìí ó kú — “If this one dies…”
English: A warning name used in Abiku situations.

16. Kasimawo

Yoruba: Kà sí mọ̀ wò — “Let’s wait and see.”
English: Parents aren’t fully confident the child will stay.

17. Malomo

Yoruba: Má lọ mọ́ — “Don’t go again.”
English: A command telling the child not to die again.

18. Kumapayi

Yoruba: Kú má pa yìí — “Death must not take this one.”
English: A declaration rejecting death completely.