Yemana as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Yemana

What is the meaning of the name Yemana ?

The baby name Yemana is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced yeh-MAH-nah (IPA: /jɛˈmɑnə/).

Yemana is Yoruba in Origin.

Yemana is a feminine given name with roots in Yoruba-speaking West Africa. It is closely linked to the theonym Yemoja (also rendered Yemaya), the orisha of rivers and, in the diaspora, queen of the ocean. The name’s sense derives from the Yoruba phrase Yeye omo eja, “mother of children who are like fish,” evoking fertility, protection, and the life-giving waters.

In use as a personal name across Nigeria and the African diaspora, Yemana gained visibility in the 20th century through Afro-Atlantic religions and cultural festivals honoring the goddess. Common variants and cognates include Yemoja, Yemaya, Iemanjá, and Yemanjá/Yemanja; Yemana functions as a streamlined modern spelling. The meaning is often glossed as “mother of waters” or “mother of fish.” Parents choose it for its serene, oceanic imagery and its association with maternal care and resilience.

⚙ Yemana is a rare name. Across 4 countries, we found 11 recorded uses of it.