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Deji

Deji (Yoruba: Dèjì) is a masculine of Yoruba origin from southwestern . It is commonly a shortened form of names like Ayọ̀dèjì ("joy becomes two") or Ọládèjì ("wealth becomes two"), typically given to a child born after twins, symbolizing doubled blessings. Deji is also the hereditary title of the paramount ruler (Oba) of the in , . The current holder is Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi (Odundun II), who ascended the throne in 2015. The name is shared by numerous notable individuals across various fields, including athletes, entertainers, and others; see the "Notable people" section below for details.

Name

Etymology

Deji is a of Yoruba origin from , commonly used as a shortened form of longer names such as Adédèjì or Ayọ̀dèjì. It derives from the Yoruba phrase "dè jì," where "dè" or "di" means "to become" and "jì" or "èjì" means "two," literally translating to "become two" or "has doubled." For example, in Adédèjì, "adé" means "" or "," combining to mean "the crown has become two." This etymology often symbolizes growth, duality, or the multiplication of blessings in Yoruba cultural contexts. The name's historical roots lie in Yoruba naming traditions, which emphasize (praise names) and pet names that encapsulate significant life events, family aspirations, or circumstances surrounding a child's birth. In these practices, names like Deji reflect philosophical and circumstantial elements, such as prosperity or familial expansion, rather than arbitrary choices, and are bestowed during the traditional known as Ìsọmọlórúkọ, typically held on the eighth day after birth. Variations in spelling and include Dèjì with diacritical tones to denote the low and high pitches inherent in Yoruba , or Déji with accents in non-tonal scripts. Deji is , though it is more frequently given to boys in contemporary usage, aligning with the fluid application common in many Yoruba names.

Cultural usage

In , prevalent in southwestern , the name Deji serves as a common , bestowed to evoke the idea of blessings multiplying or familial prosperity. This usage reflects the broader Yoruba naming tradition, where names encapsulate life circumstances and aspirations, with Deji often appearing as a standalone name or diminutive for longer variants like Ayodeji or Adedeji. Its prevalence is notable among Yoruba communities, where it underscores themes of growth and continuity in family lineages. Symbolically, Deji embodies duality and balance central to Yoruba philosophy, drawing from the cultural veneration of twins (ibeji) as representations of multiplicity, harmony between , and spiritual abundance. The name's of "becoming two" aligns with Yoruba concepts of and , where doubling signifies not division but enhanced fortune and interconnectedness in the . This symbolic depth extends beyond literal , positioning Deji as an of positive in personal and communal life. Among the Nigerian diaspora in the UK and , Deji maintains relevance within immigrant communities, preserving Yoruba through its adoption in naming practices that bridge generations. It occasionally features in cultural , such as compilations of Yoruba proverbs and name etymologies authored by individuals bearing the name, reinforcing its role in documenting and transmitting oral traditions. While predominantly masculine, Deji exhibits in some usages, and it commonly pairs with other Yoruba names like Olatunji (meaning "wealth overflows") or Akindele ("wealth arrives home") in compound or sequential naming conventions to layer additional aspirations.

Notable people

Athletes

Deji Akindele (born April 2, 1983) is a Nigerian professional basketball center who competed in the and various international leagues. Undrafted out of , Akindele signed short-term contracts with NBA teams like the and Bobcats but primarily built his career abroad and in the G League. In the G League, over three seasons, he appeared in multiple games, averaging 8.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game while contributing as a defensive presence in the paint. Overseas, Akindele played for teams in leagues including Puerto Rico's , where he continued to log solid rebounding numbers; in the 2022-23 international season, he averaged 8.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game across competitions. His career emphasized rim protection and efficiency, with notable blocks during his college years transitioning into professional play. Deji Aliu (born November 22, 1975) is a retired n sprinter specializing in the 100 meters, with significant achievements in international competitions. He represented at the 2000 Olympics, advancing to the semifinals in the 100m with a time of 10.21 seconds before placing sixth in his heat. Aliu returned for the 2004 Olympics, where he anchored the Nigerian 4x100m relay team to a , later upgraded to silver due to a disqualification of the original winners. His personal best in the 100m stands at 9.95 seconds, achieved in 2003, which ranked him among Africa's top sprinters and earned him a spot in the World Championships top eight on two occasions. While less focused on the 200m, Aliu contributed to relay successes, including multiple African Championships medals, highlighting 's sprinting prowess in the early . Deji Karim (born November 18, 1986) is a former who played in the after a standout college career at the (UAB). At UAB from 2005 to 2009, Karim set school records for single-season rushing yards (1,452 in 2009) and career rushing touchdowns (26), earning Offensive Player of the Year honors as a senior. Drafted in the sixth round by the in 2010, he debuted that season with 160 rushing yards on 35 carries (4.6 yards per attempt) over 11 games, serving as a change-of-pace back. In 2011, Karim appeared in 12 games for the Jaguars, adding 130 yards on 63 carries (2.1 yards per attempt), but saw limited action thereafter, finishing his NFL career with 341 total rushing yards and no touchdowns. He briefly played for the in 2013 before transitioning out of professional football. Deji Olatunji participated in a high-profile boxing exhibition against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on November 13, 2022, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, marking a crossover event from his background as a YouTuber. Billed for eight two-minute rounds at a catchweight (Olatunji at 175.2 pounds, Mayweather at 154.3 pounds), the bout was non-title and did not count toward official records. Mayweather dominated with superior footwork and counterpunching, leading to a sixth-round stoppage when referee Kenny Bayless halted the fight after Olatunji showed signs of fatigue during light exchanges. The event drew attention for blending influencer culture with professional boxing, generating significant pay-per-view interest but underscoring the skill gap in such mismatches.

Entertainers

Deji Olatunji, born Oladeji Daniel Olatunji on December 9, 1996, in London and raised in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, is a British YouTuber, content creator, and musician known professionally as ComedyShortsGamer (CSG). The younger brother of fellow YouTuber and musician KSI (Olajide Olatunji), Deji launched his YouTube channel in December 2011, initially focusing on gaming commentary before evolving into a blend of comedic skits, prank videos, family challenges, and vlogs that have garnered a dedicated fanbase called the "Deji Army." His content often features high-energy humor, collaborations with family members, and viral trends, contributing to his channel's growth to over 12.5 million subscribers as of November 2025. Olatunji's entertainment career extends beyond into music, where he has released diss tracks and singles that tie into his online persona and feuds within the YouTube community. Notable releases include the 2017 track "Sidemen Diss Track," a response aimed at the collective, and "Ungrateful," which addressed personal and creative rivalries, both achieving millions of views on and streaming platforms. These songs, produced under his own name, blend beats with comedic elements, reflecting his transition from content to broader media ventures. Olatunji maintains an active presence across , with over 3 million followers on (@deji), nearly 1 million on , and a account (@deji) used for updates and fan engagement. Deji LaRay, born Deji Olasimbo in , , is an American actor, writer, producer, and editor whose career spans over two decades in television and film. Raised in , LaRay began performing as a child through local theater programs like the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, making his Broadway debut at age 13 in the 1980 revival of . He earned a in Film and Television from , after relocating to , where he built a foundation in guest-starring roles on network television shows including (1994), (2002), (2005), (2007), and a recurring role as J.T. in (2002–2005). LaRay's breakthrough in prestige television came with his portrayal of Officer Julius Edgewood, a recurring character, in all seven seasons of Amazon Prime's Bosch (2014–2021) and its spin-off Bosch: Legacy (2023) on Freevee. He also appeared as David Nelson in three episodes of OWN's Greenleaf (2016), showcasing his versatility in drama. As a producer and creator, LaRay developed the comedy-drama series Johnson (2021–present), in which he stars as one of four lifelong friends sharing the surname Johnson, navigating life in Atlanta; the show, executive produced by Cedric the Entertainer, airs on Bounce TV and streams on Hulu, earning praise for its authentic depiction of Black male friendships. His production credits further include writing and directing the thriller Escaping Paradise (2022) and the short film Neighborhood Watch (2007), alongside editing work on music videos that received an MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Editing in 2001 for "Make Me Feel" by 98 Degrees. LaRay's film roles encompass supporting parts in Burning Sands (2017), a drama about college hazing, and The Last Scout (2017), a sci-fi action film.

Other fields

Deji Akinwande is a prominent Nigerian-American academic and researcher in electrical and , serving as the T. Michael Long Endowed Faculty Fellow and professor at the . His work focuses on two-dimensional materials, , and , including pioneering innovations in atomically thin silicon structures and wearable technologies derived from and carbon nanotubes. Akinwande, who earned his PhD from in 2009, has been recognized as a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Engineers (IEEE) since 2020 and the African Academy of Sciences since 2022, with over 200 publications contributing to advancements in and . In the field of and , Deji Adeyanju stands out as a Nigerian and advocate based in , who was called to the in March 2024 after pursuing legal studies motivated by his prior experiences with arrests and trumped-up charges during his career spanning nearly three decades. Adeyanju has championed causes including justice for the oppressed, electoral reforms, and efforts, often representing high-profile clients and facing personal risks such as multiple detentions by authorities. In July 2025, he gained widespread recognition for rewarding top graduates with significant cash prizes to promote excellence in the . Deji Adebusoye exemplifies entrepreneurial leadership in African business development, as a strategist, investor, and advisor focused on empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the continent. Through his platform, Diary of an African Entrepreneur, he provides insights on investment readiness, growth challenges, and scaling operations, drawing from his experience founding ventures in entertainment and beyond. Adebusoye's work addresses key barriers like funding access and market navigation, contributing to economic empowerment in Nigeria and other African nations via mentorship and content that has reached thousands of aspiring business owners. In , Deji Adegunsoye has emerged as a dedicated pulmonologist and researcher, specializing in interstitial lung diseases such as , where he combines clinical practice with investigative work to unravel disease mechanisms and improve patient outcomes. Trained at the , Adegunsoye's career trajectory reflects a commitment to medical excellence, from residency to fellowship, emphasizing personalized care and that bridges diagnostics and therapy. His contributions highlight the global impact of Nigerian-origin professionals in advancing respiratory health.00191-1/abstract) While the name Deji, rooted in , appears frequently in professional spheres due to its commonality in and the , notable figures in business, , , and remain underrepresented compared to more publicized domains, often owing to the emphasis on high-visibility industries in coverage. This underscores opportunities for greater recognition of Deji-named individuals driving in these essential fields.

References

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    Deji YouTube Channel Stats ; 2025-11-09, 12.5M · 4,261,958,082, +126,546, $198.04 - $594.13 ; 2025-11-08, 12.5M · 4,261,831,536, +230,386, $360.55 - $1,081.66.
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    Meaning of Dèjì: Become two. Extended Meaning: This is a common short form of Adédèji, Ọládèji, etc. See "Variants" for more.
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    Meaning of Adédèjì. The crown has become two. Morphology. adé-di-èjì. Gloss. adé - crown, royalty di - become èjì - two, double. Geolocation. Common in:Missing: Adédèji | Show results with:Adédèji
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