seun

Seun is a Yoruba given name most commonly used in Nigeria and among Yoruba-speaking communities. It is often a shortened form of Oluwaseun, a compound Yoruba name meaning “God has done this” or “thank God.” The name is typically masculine, though it can appear as a unisex nickname in some families. While primarily a given name, Seun may occasionally be encountered as a surname in informal or family usage.

In contemporary contexts, Seun has gained recognition through several notable Nigerian public figures who use it as a given name. Seun Kuti is a prominent Afrobeat musician and bandleader, known for carrying on the musical legacy of his father, Fela Kuti. Seun Akindele and Seun Ajayi are established Nigerian actors who have appeared in film and television, contributing to the name’s visibility beyond Nigeria’s Yoruba-speaking communities.

The name Seun reflects broader patterns of Yoruba naming, where meaningful phrases linked to gratitude, blessing, and divine providence are common. As Nigerian culture and language spread internationally, Seun remains a recognizable element of Yoruba-origin naming in diverse communities.