Olu is a popular name amongst people of the

Yoruba The Yoruba people (, , ) are a West African ethnic group that mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The areas of these countries primarily inhabited by Yoruba are often collectively referred to as Yorubaland. The Yoruba constitute ...

ethnic group. It is usually the first three letters of the full name. "Olu" is a diminutive of " Oluwa" in the Yoruba language and it can mean God, deity or lord, so the name 'Oluwale' could mean "My God has come home". Since the name is applied to people, however, god in the sense of deity or lord is what is usually accepted, with the word even being used as a

royal Royal may refer to: People * Royal (name), a list of people with either the surname or given name * A member of a royal family Places United States * Royal, Arkansas, an unincorporated community * Royal, Illinois, a village * Royal, Iowa, a cit ...

noble A noble is a member of the nobility. Noble may also refer to: Places Antarctica * Noble Glacier, King George Island * Noble Nunatak, Marie Byrd Land * Noble Peak, Wiencke Island * Noble Rocks, Graham Land Australia * Noble Island, Great B ...

title in certain parts of

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

Benin Benin ( , ; french: Bénin , ff, Benen), officially the Republic of Benin (french: République du Bénin), and formerly Dahomey, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the north ...

and

Togo Togo (), officially the Togolese Republic (french: République togolaise), is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, where its c ...

Persons with the name Olu

Olubowale Victor Akintimehin Olubowale Victor Akintimehin (born September 21, 1984), better known by his stage name Wale ( ), is an American rapper. He first gained recognition in 2006, when his song "Dig Dug (Shake It)" became popular in his hometown, leading Wale to becam ...

, Nigerian American rapper *

Olu Babalola Olu Babalola (born 10 September 1981) is a British professional basketball player who plays for the Leeds Force in the British Basketball League. Born in London, England, Babalola played for St. Augustine Preparatory School in Richland, New ...

, British professional basketball player *

Olu Dara Olu Dara Jones (born Charles Jones III, January 12, 1941) is an American cornetist, guitarist, and singer. He is the father of rapper Nas. Early life Olu Dara was born Charles Jones III on January 12, 1941 in Natchez, Mississippi. His mother, E ...

, African-American jazz musician *

Olu Falae Chief Samuel Oluyemisi Falae (born 21 September 1938), is a Nigerian banker, administrator and politician, he was secretary to the military government of Ibrahim Babangida from January 1986 to December 1990, and was briefly the Finance Minister ...

, Nigerian politician and traditional nobleman *

Olu Oguibe Olu Oguibe (born 14 October 1964) is a Nigerian-born American artist and academic.Olu Oguibe
Retrieve ...

, Nigerian-American art historian and artist *

Olu Oyesanya Chief Olu Oyesanya (26 April 1923 – 24 October 1999) was a Nigerian journalist and diplomat. Early life and education Oyesanya was born on Lagos Island, Lagos State to Simeon Oyesanya Ogunledun of Sagamu, Ogun State and Eunice Irebowale Ogunledun ...

, Nigerian journalist *

Olu Jacobs Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, (born 11 July 1942), known professionally as Olu Jacobs, is a Nigerian actor and film executive. He has starred in several British television series and international films. Olu Jacobs has been hailed by many as one ...

, Nigerian actor *

Olu Maintain Olumide Edwards Adegbulu (born September 1976), known by his stage name Olu Maintain (sometimes called Mr. Yahooze), is a Nigerian singer. He co-founded the musical group known as Maintain with his cousin, Tolu Ogunniyi. Adeboye Bammeke, popul ...

, Nigerian musician * Olu O. Fann, African-American rapper

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Olu (Name) Nigerian culture Yoruba given names