Obafemi
Meaningthe king loves me · Yoruba
Obafemi is an African boy name meaning “the king loves me”, 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 simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name.
Did you know?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Obafemi has the name Emi hiding inside it.
- Word funObafemi doesn't repeat a single letter: 7 letters, all different.
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Obafemi would score 14 points, thanks largely to the F (worth 4).
- GenerationObafemi peaked in 2006, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Obafemi you'd meet today is about 19 years old.
- HistoryObafemi first shows up in US birth records in 2006, 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, 2006–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Obafemi
Obafemi is a boy name of African origin meaning “the king loves me”. With 4 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, 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 Obafemi
What does the name Obafemi mean?
Obafemi means “the king loves me” and comes from Yoruba. Names built around “king” 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 Kinsley (“king's meadow”), Ryan (“little king”), Rory (“red king”) and Kingston (“king's town”).
What is the origin of the name Obafemi?
Obafemi 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 Obafemi a boy or girl name?
Obafemi is a boy name.
How popular is the name Obafemi?
Obafemi 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 #12,055 in 2006, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Obafemi?
If you like Obafemi, you might also like Kinsley, Ryan, Rory and Kingston.
What should I know before naming my baby Obafemi?
Obafemi is an African boy name meaning “the king loves me”, 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 simple to spell and say, 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.