Folasade
FOH-LAH-SHAH-DEH
Folasade is a Yoruba name from south-western Nigeria, meaning honour bestows a crown or honour has a crown to bestow. The name comes from the words fola meaning honour or prestige, sa meaning to bestow or to give, and ade meaning crown. Together they express the idea that a life lived with honour is itself a form of royalty. The name is best known internationally through the British-Nigerian singer Sade Adu, who was born Folasade Adu. Despite this global exposure, Folasade retains a powerful, culturally specific identity rooted in Yoruba naming traditions.
At a glance
A majestic Yoruba name meaning honour bestows a crown. Known worldwide through singer Sade, it combines cultural depth with quiet elegance.
Etymology & History
Folasade is composed of three Yoruba elements: fola, meaning honour or prestige; sa, meaning to bestow, to give, or to pour out; and ade, meaning crown. Ade is a common element in Yoruba names and often denotes royalty or high status. The full name therefore expresses the concept that honour itself is a form of crowning, a deeply held value in Yoruba culture where names carry spiritual and social meaning.
Cultural Significance
In Yoruba tradition, a child's name is considered a prayer and a statement of identity. Names like Folasade reflect the community's values: honour, dignity, and the rewards of living well. The Yoruba people of south-western Nigeria have one of the richest naming traditions in the world, and multi-syllable compound names are common. Folasade gained enormous international visibility through singer Sade Adu, whose smooth jazz-influenced music brought the name to millions of Western listeners in the 1980s. Today the name is used in Nigerian diaspora communities across the United Kingdom, the United States, and beyond.
Famous people named Folasade
Sade Adu
British-Nigerian singer-songwriter born Folasade Adu in 1959, known for her silky voice and albums including Diamond Life and Soldier of Love, one of the best-selling artists of all time.
Folasade Adesanya
Nigerian academic and public health specialist whose work on maternal health in West Africa has influenced policy across the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Names like Folasade
Adaeze
“King's daughter, princess”
Adaeze combines the Igbo words for 'daughter' and 'king', creating a name that means 'king's daughter' or 'princess', conveying dignity, grace, and high regard.
Aminata
“Trustworthy”
Aminata is a West African elaboration of Amina, an Arabic-origin name meaning trustworthy, faithful, or honest. It is one of the most widely used girls' names across the Sahel and West Africa, particularly in Senegal, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Mali, and The Gambia. The name connects a child to a tradition of Islamic female names rooted in the character of Amina bint Wahb, mother of the Prophet Muhammad. It also honours the memory of Queen Amina of Zaria, a celebrated warrior queen of northern Nigeria. Aminata adds a distinctly African musicality to the classic Amina.
Chisom
“God is with me”
Chisom is a deeply spiritual name rooted in Igbo theology, expressing the belief that God is a constant companion and protector in one's life journey. It reflects the West African tradition of embedding divine relationship and gratitude into a child's name. Parents who choose this name often wish to affirm a covenant of divine presence over their child's life.
Where you'll find Folasade
Folasade shows up in these curated collections across Namekin.