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 or
noble title in certain parts of
Nigeria,
Benin and
Togo.
Persons with the name Olu
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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
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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 J ...
, British professional basketball player
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Olu Dara, African-American jazz musician
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Olu Falae, Nigerian politician and traditional nobleman
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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
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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 Ogunledu ...
, Nigerian journalist
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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
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Olu Maintain, Nigerian musician
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Olu O. Fann, African-American rapper
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Olu (Name)
Nigerian culture
Yoruba given names