Lotoya is of African origin, specifically from the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria and Benin. It means "Mother has returned" or "She has come back." This name is often used by the Yoruba people to express their joy at the birth of a child after a previous loss. Lotoya is also known for its variant spelling, Lola. Despite its African roots, Lotoya has gained global recognition and is used beyond Africa, particularly in countries with diverse populations such as the United States and Canada.
The name Lotoya appears to have been quite popular from the late 1970s to the early 1980s, with a peak of 43 births in 1981. However, its popularity significantly declined afterwards, with fewer than 20 births per year from 1983 onwards, and only 6 births recorded in 1991.