FEMi

Femi is a given name of Yoruba origin used primarily among Yoruba-speaking communities in Nigeria and the African diaspora. It is commonly a masculine name but can also be used as a unisex nickname or shortened form for longer Yoruba names such as Olufemi or Ifemi.

The name derives from Yoruba elements fẹ́, meaning “to love,” and mi, meaning “me,” giving Femi a meaning centered on love for the speaker. In longer forms, the same root appears in names that express affection or divine goodwill, such as Olu-femi or Ifemi, depending on regional spelling and pronunciation.

Usage and cultural context vary. Femi is widely used in Nigeria and among Yoruba communities abroad. It is often given to boys, but it can also function as a nickname or shortened form for longer names and may be used for girls in some families, depending on personal or family preference.

Notable people named Femi include Femi Kuti (born 1969), a Nigerian musician and bandleader; Femi Fani-Kayode (born 1960), a Nigerian lawyer and politician; Femi Osofisan (born 1941), a Nigerian playwright and poet; Femi Oke (born 1966), a British-Nigerian journalist and television presenter; and Femi Temowo (born 1979), a British-Nigerian jazz guitarist and producer. The name is thus represented across various fields, reflecting its broad usage in Yoruba-influenced communities.