Soyinka (surname)

Soyinka
Gender	Male
Language(s)	Yoruba
Origin
Word/name	Nigeria
Meaning	I am surrounded or protected by sorcerers
Region of origin	South West, Nigeria
Other names
Derivative(s)	Shoyinka, Osoyimika, Oshoyimika

Last updated September 10, 2025

Soyinka is a Nigerian surname. It is a male name and of Yoruba origin, which means "I am surrounded or protected by sorcerers".^[1] Soyinka (Shoyinka) is a powerful name with depth and profound meaning. The diminutive form can be Osoyimika or Oshoyimika, same meaning but in full form.

Notable individuals with the name

Grace Eniola Soyinka (1908–1983), Nigerian shopkeeper, activist, member of the aristocratic Ransome-Kuti family and mother of Wole Soyinka
Kayode Soyinka (born 1957), Nigerian journalist, publisher, author
Olaokun Soyinka (born 1958), Nigerian physician and son of Wole Soyinka
Susan Soyinka (born 1945), social historian, researcher, author and wife of Kayode Soyinka (born 1944), younger brother of Wole Soyinka
Wole Soyinka (born 1934), Nigerian playwright, essayist and Nobel laureate

References

↑ "Shoyinka - Name Meaning and Pronunciation". 2024-06-23. Retrieved 2024-10-10.

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[1] "Shoyinka - Name Meaning and Pronunciation". 2024-06-23. Retrieved 2024-10-10.

[1]

Soyinka (surname)

Contents

Notable individuals with the name

See also

References