Yetunde is a traditional name of the Yoruba ethnic group for females which factors into Yoruba religious beliefs, meaning "Mother has returned". This is the name the Yoruba give to a daughter born shortly after the death of a paternal grandmother.Ogunyemi, Chikwenye Okonjo, Africa Wo/Man Palava: "The Nigerian Novel by Women." University of Chicago Press (1996), p. 76, Accessed 31 March 2025 In essence, the baby is regarded in Yoruba society and worldview as the reincarnation of their grandmother.Indiana University. Archives of Languages of the World, "Anthropological Linguistics, Volumes 19-20." Department of Anthropology, Indiana University (1977), p. 59 In similarity, Babatunde (father again come) and Babajide (father wake come) are the male equivalent.
Spelling variations Iyabo, Iyamide, Yetunde, Yedjide, or Yewande, meaning "Mother has returned".
Notable people with the name include Anthonia Yetunde Alabi, Nigerian musician and businesswoman. Pamela Ayo Yetunde, American Buddhist pastoral counselor, hospice worker, writer and educator Yetunde Barnabas, Nigerian actress Yetunde Onanuga, Nigerian politician Yetunde Price, the elder half-sister of tennis players Venus Williams and Serena Williams. Yetide Badaki, American actress Yejide Kilanko, Nigerian-Canadian writer Agnes Yewande Savage, Scottish-Nigerian physician Yewande Osho, British comedian and actress. Yewande Adekoya, Nigerian actress. Yewande Akinola, Nigerian engineer Yewande Olubummo, American scientist Yewande Komolafe, American chef
Notable people with the alternative name form include: Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, daughter of Nigerian former president. Iyabo Anisulowo, Nigerian politician Iyabo Ojo, Nigerian actress. Olufunke Iyabo Osibodu, Nigerian banker Iyabode Ololade Remilekun Wallinkoski, Finnish model. Comfort Iyabo Momoh British-Nigerian nurse/midwife.
See also Babatunde Tunde
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