Entry № 0023 · Yoruba origin

Adunni Adunni — Meaning, Origin & Baby Name Popularity

/ ah-DOON-nee /
Gender
Girl
Origin
Yoruba
Meaning
"Sweet to know, someone treasured"
Syllables
3
Rank · US 2025
№ 0
First recorded
Ancient (Yoruba)

A name that means "sweet to know, someone treasured".

Adunni (Adúnní) is a Yoruba name composed of a (we, one) and dùn (sweet) and ni (to know, to have) — translating roughly as "one who is sweet to have" or "one whose presence is sweet." It is given to daughters who are particularly treasured, often firstborn or long-awaited.

Adunni is common in Yoruba families in Nigeria and the West African diaspora. The name became known to international readers through Abi Daré's 2020 novel The Girl with the Louding Voice, whose heroine is Adunni. Three syllables, deep meaning.

She is sweet to have. A wish, made into a name.

The name in its native script.

Adúnní
Transliteration
Adúnní
Pronunciation
/ aˈdʊn.ni /
Root
Grammatical form

Where Adunni stands.

Current rank · 2025
№ 0 in the U.S.
All-time peak
№ 0 in 0
Babies named Adunni · last year
124 in the U.S.
First entered SSA top-1000
0
Rank, 1995–2025 Lower = more popular
№25 №75 №150 №250 1995 2005 2015 2020 2025 PEAK · — NOW · —

Adunnis before her.

Real people
Adunni Ade
Nigerian-American actress and model.
born 1986
In fiction
Adunni
Heroine of Abi Daré's The Girl with the Louding Voice.
2020 novel

Names connected to Adunni.

The number behind Adunni.

3

The Communicator

Adunni reduces to three — the number of warmth and natural expression.

Why families chose this name.

"She is sweet to have. The name is the truth."
Folake · Mother of one · Ibadan