Kayode
Meaninghe brought joy · Yoruba
Kayode is an African boy name meaning “he brought joy”, 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 simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Word funKayode doesn't repeat a single letter: 6 letters, all different.
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Kayode would score 14 points, thanks largely to the K (worth 5).
- GenerationKayode peaked in 1977, which makes it a Gen X name. The typical Kayode you'd meet today is about 48 years old. Now it's back in style, so there's a whole new generation of baby Kayodes too.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Kayode would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 344,828 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryKayode first shows up in US birth records in 1973, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 52 years since.
US births per million boys, 1973–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Kayode
Kayode is a boy name of African origin meaning “he brought joy”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It hit its peak in the 1970s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. 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 Kayode
What does the name Kayode mean?
Kayode means “he brought joy” 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 Kayode?
Kayode 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 Kayode a boy or girl name?
Kayode is a boy name. In 2025, 5 US boys were named Kayode.
How popular is the name Kayode?
Kayode ranked #12,008 for US boys in 2025, given to 5 babies. Its best year was 1977, when it reached #3,606. Over the last five years it has slipped 4,506 places.
What names are similar to Kayode?
If you like Kayode, you might also like Winston, Abby, Ronen and Simcha.
What should I know before naming my baby Kayode?
Kayode is an African boy name meaning “he brought joy”, 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 simple to spell and say, 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.