Moremi
MOH-REH-MEE
Moremi is a Yoruba name from south-western Nigeria meaning I have found favour. It is most famously associated with Queen Moremi Ajasoro, a legendary Yoruba heroine of the ancient kingdom of Ile-Ife who sacrificed her son to free her people from enslavement. The name carries profound connotations of courage, self-sacrifice, and divine favour.
At a glance
A storied Yoruba name honouring the legendary Queen Moremi Ajasoro, meaning I have found favour and symbolising courage, sacrifice, and divine grace.
Etymology & History
Moremi is a Yoruba name derived from the phrase mo ri emi, which can be interpreted as I have found favour or I have been found by the spirit. The Yoruba language is tonal and richly expressive, and names frequently encode sentences or philosophical statements. The name is intimately tied to the historical and mythological figure of Queen Moremi, who is said to have been guided by the river goddess Esimirin. Over centuries the name has become synonymous with heroic femininity in Yoruba tradition.
Cultural Significance
Moremi holds a unique position in Yoruba culture as both a personal name and a cultural monument. Queen Moremi Ajasoro is revered across Yorubaland and beyond as one of the greatest heroines in West African history. A 42-metre bronze statue in her honour was erected in Ile-Ife in 2018 as one of the tallest statues in Africa. Naming a daughter Moremi is an invocation of that legacy: a wish that she too will find divine favour and demonstrate extraordinary strength. The name has seen renewed interest among the Yoruba diaspora in the UK, the United States, and Canada as families seek names that honour cultural heritage.
Famous people named Moremi
Queen Moremi Ajasoro
Legendary Yoruba queen of the ancient kingdom of Ile-Ife, venerated as a national heroine for sacrificing her own son to free the Yoruba people from the oppression of the Igbo people of Ugbo. She remains a powerful symbol of patriotism and self-sacrifice in Yoruba culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Names like Moremi
Folake
“Placed in God's care”
Folake is a Yoruba name meaning 'placed in God's care,' expressing a parent's trust that their child is divinely protected and watched over from the moment of birth.
Titilayo
“Eternal happiness”
Titilayo is a Yoruba name from Nigeria and Benin, meaning 'eternal happiness' or 'happiness is permanent.' It expresses the wish that a child will experience joy that never fades, making it a deeply aspirational and celebratory name. The name is beloved in Yoruba culture for its uplifting sentiment.
Yetunde
“Mother has returned; mother reincarnated”
Yetunde is a Yoruba reincarnation name from Nigeria meaning 'mother has returned' or 'mother has come back.' It is given to a girl born after the death of her maternal grandmother or another maternal elder, signaling that the departed woman's spirit has been reborn in the newborn. It belongs to the same family as Babatunde (father has returned) and is its female parallel.
Where you'll find Moremi
Moremi shows up in these curated collections across Namekin.