Adebayo

Adebayo is a Yoruba name used as both a given name and a surname among the Yoruba people of Nigeria and their diaspora. The name is formed from two elements: Ade, meaning crown or royalty, and bayo, generally interpreted as joy, happiness, or a return of joy. The combination is commonly translated as “the crown brings joy” or “the crown has brought joy,” reflecting traditional Yoruba naming practices that link personal identity to royal imagery and auspicious meanings.

In usage, Adebayo appears across Nigeria and among Nigerian communities abroad, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. It is encountered in both given-name and surname positions, and variations in spelling or anglicization can occur due to transliteration from Yoruba or personal preference. The name is associated with Yoruba heritage and is part of a broader set of names that use the Ade prefix.

Notable individuals with the name include Adebayo Ogunlesi (born 1953), a Nigerian-born American financier and the CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners. The name also appears among various public figures in business, politics, and the arts, reflecting its widespread use in Nigerian society and the diaspora.

Adebayo belongs to a broader family of Yoruba names that begin with Ade and convey auspicious meanings. Related given names and surnames include Adekunle, Adeyemi, Adedayo, and other forms that illustrate how Yoruba naming often expresses lineage, aspirations, or important circumstances surrounding birth.