Ayotunde
Meaningjoy has returned · Yoruba
Ayotunde is an African boy name meaning “joy has returned”, with Yoruba roots. Yoruba names often tell a story, such as the circumstances of a child's birth or a family's hopes. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's a longer name that leaves plenty of room for nicknames, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Word funAyotunde doesn't repeat a single letter: 8 letters, all different.
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Ayotunde would score 12 points, thanks largely to the Y (worth 4).
- GenerationAyotunde peaked in 2016, which makes it a Gen Alpha name. The typical Ayotunde you'd meet today is about 9 years old.
- HistoryAyotunde first shows up in US birth records in 2009, the first year at least 5 babies got it. That makes it a fairly new name, younger than many of today's parents.
US births per million boys, 2009–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Ayotunde
Ayotunde is a boy name of African origin meaning “joy has returned”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, and plenty of room for a nickname, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:African names
More African boy names
- Unisex name: Cairo · the victorious
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Zaire · river
- Boy name: Omari · long-lived
- Boy name: Ermias · form of Jeremiah
- Boy name: Jabari · brave, fearless
- Boy name: Paulo · small
- Unisex name: Amani · peace
Questions about the name Ayotunde
What does the name Ayotunde mean?
Ayotunde means “joy has returned” and comes from Yoruba. Names built around “joy” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Winston (“joy stone”), Abby (“father's joy”), Ronen (“song, joy”) and Simcha (“joy”).
What is the origin of the name Ayotunde?
Ayotunde is African in origin, and its meaning traces back to Yoruba. Other African names to consider are Cairo (“the victorious”), Asa (“healer”), Zaire (“river”) and Omari (“long-lived”).
Is Ayotunde a boy or girl name?
Ayotunde is a boy name.
How popular is the name Ayotunde?
Ayotunde is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2017. It peaked at #8,146 in 2016, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Ayotunde?
If you like Ayotunde, you might also like Winston, Abby, Ronen and Simcha.
What should I know before naming my baby Ayotunde?
Ayotunde is an African boy name meaning “joy has returned”, with Yoruba roots. Yoruba names often tell a story, such as the circumstances of a child's birth or a family's hopes. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's a longer name that leaves plenty of room for nicknames, and it pairs well with a short middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.