The baby name Olu is a Unisex name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced OH-loo (IPA: /ˈoʊlu/).
Olu is Yoruba in Origin.
The baby name Olu is a Unisex name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced OH-loo (IPA: /ˈoʊlu/).
Olu is Yoruba in Origin.
Rooted in Yoruba, Olú is a title meaning "lord" or "chief," and as a given name Olu commonly functions as a short form of theophoric compounds beginning with Olu- or Oluwa- ("the Lord/God"), such as Olufemi, Oluwaseun, Olumide, or Oluwatobi. As a standalone, Olu carries the sense of "lordly," "belonging to the Lord," or "of high rank," reflecting its origin in honorific speech and praise-naming traditions.
In use across southwestern Nigeria and the Yoruba diaspora since the 19th century, Olu has become a unisex call name and nickname. Spelling and tonal variants include Olú and Oluwa-, while related royal usage appears in the Itsekiri title "Olu of Warri." Note that in Igbo, the element olu/ọlụ means "work" and features in names like Oluchi, but this is a separate etymology. Diminutives and pet forms often keep the Olu root, used alone in casual address.
| Olu Jacobs Olu Jacobs is a well-known Nigerian actor, most famous for his roles in films like 'The Dogs of War' and 'Pirates'. Born in 1942, he has had a significant impact on the Nigerian film industry, often referred to as Nollywood. |
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN | 0 | #86 | 1 | 3,857 | |
| QA | 0 | #106 | 1 | 7,011 | |
| BW | Girls | 0 | #151 | 1 | 4,216 |
| HU | Boys | 0 | #174 | 1 | 3,954 |
| AE | 0 | #187 | 1 | 10,220 | |
| NG | 0 | #206 | 59 | 5,926 | |
| GH | 0 | #244 | 5 | 5,396 | |
| JP | Boys | 0 | #303 | 1 | 7,909 |
| SA | 0 | #312 | 1 | 10,560 | |
| NG | Boys | 0 | #320 | 1,421 | 16,906 |
| GH | Boys | 0 | #328 | 18 | 8,138 |
| DK | Boys | 0 | #332 | 1 | 7,401 |
| JO | Girls | 0 | #339 | 1 | 7,570 |
| MY | 0 | #354 | 1 | 12,352 | |
| CN | Girls | 0 | #359 | 1 | 8,829 |
| PL | Girls | 0 | #360 | 5 | 5,096 |
| PT | Boys | 0 | #381 | 1 | 7,951 |
| SD | Boys | 0 | #466 | 1 | 10,523 |
| ZA | 0 | #474 | 1 | 14,421 | |
| CR | Boys | 0 | #510 | 1 | 10,188 |
| RU | Girls | 0 | #519 | 5 | 11,913 |
| NG | Girls | 0 | #531 | 279 | 15,093 |
| LY | 0 | #555 | 5 | 12,703 | |
| KW | Girls | 0 | #558 | 4 | 19,177 |
| CM | Girls | 0 | #560 | 1 | 11,671 |
| CM | Boys | 0 | #569 | 7 | 12,054 |
| BH | 0 | #587 | 1 | 17,937 | |
| LB | 0 | #690 | 1 | 13,263 | |
| CL | Boys | 0 | #700 | 1 | 13,390 |
| SG | Boys | 0 | #739 | 1 | 17,960 |
| QA | Boys | 0 | #742 | 2 | 18,093 |
| KW | Boys | 0 | #803 | 4 | 18,755 |
| CL | Girls | 0 | #915 | 1 | 14,098 |
| OM | Boys | 0 | #918 | 1 | 17,948 |
| EG | Boys | 0 | #925 | 1 | 15,035 |
| PE | Boys | 0 | #926 | 1 | 14,506 |
| BR | Girls | 0 | #992 | 1 | 12,708 |
| PE | Girls | 0 | #1,010 | 1 | 14,861 |
| SA | Girls | 0 | #1,013 | 2 | 25,931 |
| MX | Boys | 0 | #1,032 | 2 | 16,355 |
| MY | Girls | 0 | #1,072 | 1 | 24,821 |
| ZA | Girls | 0 | #1,111 | 31 | 25,928 |
| AE | Boys | 0 | #1,136 | 8 | 22,615 |
| CO | Girls | 0 | #1,149 | 4 | 16,140 |
| ZA | Boys | 0 | #1,149 | 30 | 25,619 |
| MY | Boys | 0 | #1,181 | 2 | 25,439 |
| DZ | 0 | #1,234 | 1 | 20,130 | |
| TR | 0 | #1,248 | 7 | 19,440 | |
| MX | Girls | 0 | #1,266 | 2 | 17,781 |
| IT | Boys | 0 | #1,454 | 18 | 10,046 |
| SA | Boys | 0 | #1,690 | 2 | 28,008 |
Olu is popular in 34 countries — most recent births per country:
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