Femi Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: FEH-mee /ˈfɛmi/
Origin: Yoruba; African
Meaning: Yoruba: love me; African: a form of affection
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Femi has its roots in the Yoruba language, which is spoken predominantly in Nigeria. In Yoruba, Femi is derived from the phrase "fẹ́ mi," meaning "love me." This etymology reflects the cultural significance of affection and familial bonds within Yoruba society.
The name is often used as a diminutive or variant of longer names such as Olufemi, which translates to "God loves me," further emphasizing the themes of love and divine favor in its meaning. Historically, the Yoruba people have a rich cultural heritage, with their language and names often carrying deep spiritual and social significance.
The use of names like Femi can be traced back to the pre-colonial era in West Africa, where names were not merely identifiers but also conveyed personal and familial aspirations. The spread of Yoruba culture and language, particularly during the 19th century, facilitated the adoption of names like Femi among various communities, both within and outside Nigeria.
Culturally, Femi resonates with themes of love, community, and identity, making it a cherished choice among Yoruba speakers. The name is often associated with positive attributes and is frequently given to girls, symbolizing the affection parents have for their children.
Additionally, the name's melodic quality and meaningful connotation contribute to its enduring presence in Yoruba culture. While Femi may not have widespread recognition outside of its cultural context, its significance within Yoruba tradition remains strong, embodying values of love and connection.
Famous people named Femi
In this section, you will find notable people named Femi. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Femi who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Femi who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Femi Kuti is a musician best known for his albums Afrobeat Music, Live in Amsterdam, and No Place for My Dream.
Femi Otedola is a businessman best known for his work in the oil and gas industry and as the founder of Forte Oil.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Femi, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Femi. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Femi was first seen in the United States in 1977.
Femi has ranked as high as #14132 nationally, which occurred in 2020, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Femi has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Femi is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Femi was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Femi.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2023 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 2020 | 12 | 5 | 7 |
| 2019 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2016 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2011 | 11 | 5 | 6 |
| 2007 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2005 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1995 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1985 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1979 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1977 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
Top States for Femi
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
No state data available for this year.