Femi
/FEH-mee/
Femi is a Yoruba (Nigeria) girl's name pronounced /FEH-mee/. A short and sweet name meaning love me, often used as a diminutive of Olufemi.
Meaning of Femi
A short and sweet name meaning love me, often used as a diminutive of Olufemi.
Femi is a Yoruba name derived from the verb 'fe,' meaning to love, and 'mi,' meaning me. While it is frequently used as a standalone name, it originated as a diminutive form of longer names like Olufemi, which translates to 'God loves me.'
- Origin
- Yoruba (Nigeria)
- Pronunciation
- /FEH-mee/
Cultural background
In Nigeria, particularly among the Yoruba people, Femi is a versatile unisex name given to express the parents' desire for the child to be loved by God and community. It remains a popular contemporary choice due to its rhythmic simplicity and modern feel.
Variations & nicknames
- Olufemi
- Femy
- Femie
- Jesufemi
- Oluwafemi
Famous people named Femi
Well-known namesakes — celebrities, historical figures and characters.
Femi Kuti
Renowned Afrobeat musician and eldest son of pioneer Fela Kuti.
Music · 1980s-present
Femi Otedola
Prominent Nigerian businessman and philanthropist.
Business · 1990s-present
Femi Taylor
British-Nigerian actress known for her role as Oola in Star Wars.
Film · 1980s-present
Femi Oke
British television presenter and journalist for Al Jazeera and CNN.
Journalism · 1990s-present
Femi Benussi
Italian film actress of the 1960s and 70s.
Film · 1960s-1980s
Frequently asked about Femi
- What does Femi mean?
- Femi is a Yoruba name that translates literally to 'Love me' or 'Marry me' depending on the context, though it is usually a short form of 'God loves me'.
- How do you pronounce Femi?
- It is pronounced FEH-mee, with a short 'e' sound as in 'fed' and a long 'i' sound as in 'meet'.
- Is Femi a boy or girl name?
- Femi is a unisex name. While it is commonly used for boys in Nigeria as a short form of Olufemi, it is also a popular choice for girls both in Nigeria and the diaspora.
- What is the origin of the name Femi?
- The name originates from the Yoruba ethnic group of Southwestern Nigeria and is rooted in the tonal Yoruba language.
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