Dayo
Meaningjoy has arrived · Yoruba
Dayo is an African boy name meaning “joy has arrived”, 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 soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationDayo peaked in 2019, which makes it a Gen Alpha name. The typical Dayo you'd meet today is about 6 years old.
- HistoryDayo first shows up in US birth records in 1974, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 51 years since.
US births per million boys, 2014–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Dayo
Dayo is a boy name of African origin meaning “joy has arrived”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. 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 Dayo
What does the name Dayo mean?
Dayo means “joy has arrived” 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 Dayo?
Dayo 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 Dayo a boy or girl name?
Dayo is a boy name.
How popular is the name Dayo?
Dayo is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2024. It peaked at #10,803 in 2019, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Dayo?
If you like Dayo, you might also like Winston, Abby, Ronen and Simcha.
What should I know before naming my baby Dayo?
Dayo is an African boy name meaning “joy has arrived”, 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 soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.