ORIKI (Cognomen or Pet names)
These is an attributive name, expressing what the child is or what he or she is hoped to become. If a male, it is always expressive of something heroic, brave or strong. If female, it is a term of endearment or of praise. In either case it is intended to have a stimulating effect on the individual.

Yoruba Male oriki
Ajamu - one who seizes after a fight
Ajagbe - carries off after a contest
Akunyun - buzzes to and fro
Ajani - possesses after a struggle
Alawo - divides and smashes up
Akande or Akanbi - conceived after a single touch
Alabi or Alade - male born after several females

Yoruba Female oriki
Amoke - whom to know is to pet
Ayoka - causes joy all around
Abebi - born after supplication
Apinke - to be petted from hand to hand
Asabi - of select birth
Awero - to be washed and dressed up
Alake - to be petted if she survives

As a rule only children are addressed by their orikis by their elders, especially when they wish to express a feeling of enderament for the child.

It is considered impertinent for a younger person to call an elder by his oriki

Source: The history of the Yoruba by S. Johnson (1921) pg 85