Ayodele
Primarily a boy's name of Yoruba origin with 256 recorded births. Also given to 98 girls.
Meaning & Origin
When Ayodele hit its peak of 14 births in 1988, American naming was shifting away from mid-century classics toward more individualistic, expressive choices.
Today, Ayodele reads as a name tied to a specific era — which is exactly what draws some parents to it.
Ayodele is not in the current top 1,000 boy names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Ayodele is a boy's and girl's baby name of Yoruba origin, meaning 'joy has come home' — a sentence name from the Yoruba language of Nigeria, composed of ayo (joy), de (to come/arrive), and ile (home, house). In Yoruba naming tradition, a child's name often reflects the circumstances or feelings surrounding their birth.
Ayodele announces itself as a celebration — a name that tells the story of the joy a child brought to their family from the very first moment of arrival.
EtymologyShow more
Ayodele is built from 7 letters and three syllables — a mid-length form that balances memorability with distinctiveness. Within the Yoruba naming tradition, this length is typical of names that preserve their full historical form, carrying their etymology on the surface.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Ayodele creates its characteristic open, approachable quality. Multi-syllable names often carry remnants of compound constructions — two or more meaningful elements fused together — even when the original components are no longer transparent to modern speakers.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Ayodele has 35+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1973.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 20 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 26 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 44 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 74 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 62 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 30 | — |
The Story of Ayodele
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1988, Ayodele is a Millennial-era classic. Boys named Ayodele are most likely born between 1978 and 1998.
How rare is Ayodele?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Ayodele is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1973, peaked in the 1990s with 74 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Ayodele by the numbers
- Would fill 5 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(35 years, 1973–2022)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 6 | #11016 |
| 2021 | 7 | #9827 |
| 2020 | 7 | #9663 |
| 2015 | 5 | #12272 |
| 2014 | 6 | #10850 |
| 2012 | 8 | #8948 |
| 2010 | 7 | #9789 |
| 2007 | 8 | #8995 |
| 2006 | 12 | #6498 |
| 2005 | 6 | #10253 |
| 2004 | 6 | #10073 |
| 2002 | 7 | #8535 |
| 2001 | 5 | #10723 |
| 1999 | 8 | #7211 |
| 1998 | 10 | #5871 |
| 1997 | 7 | #7349 |
| 1996 | 7 | #7210 |
| 1995 | 10 | #5533 |
| 1994 | 6 | #7863 |
| 1993 | 6 | #7715 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Ayodele as a Girl's Name
Though more common for boys, Ayodele has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 98 births since 1971.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ayodele a boy's or girl's name?
When was Ayodele most popular?
How popular is the name Ayodele?
Can Ayodele be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1973–2022