The Akan people of Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Togo have a unique tradition of naming their children after the day of the week they were born and the order in which they were born. These "day names" have further meanings concerning the soul and character of the person. This naming tradition is shared throughout West Africa and the African diaspora.
Most Ghanaians have at least one name from this system, even if they also have an English or Christian name.
In Twi, the days of the week carry more meaning than just marking time. They are deeply rooted in history, culture, and even personal identity. Every Ghanaian name has a story, which often starts with the day you were born.
Traditionally, children are given a "kradin" (soul name) based on the day they are born. This name is believed to shape their personality and destiny.
For Ghanaians living outside of Ghana, understanding and embracing these naming traditions fosters a connection to their roots. Teaching children their Akan names and the days of the week in Twi strengthens cultural pride and preserves linguistic heritage.
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When we think of linguistic diversity, few places paint as vibrant and intricate a picture as Ghana.
In West Africa, newborns are given special names depending on the day they are born. Diverse ethnicities have variants and meanings as a symbol of cultural integrity and ancestral affiliation.
Aside the fact that day names are a simple means for commonality, they are easy conversation starters and icebreakers.
Here’s your need-to-know guide about the Ghanaian language history of names.
The naming system of the Akan people is as distinct as that which elders in Togo (the Ewe people), the Ga people, Benin (the Fon people), and the African diaspora pass on to toddlers.
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Other forms of traditional naming include middle names, which can refer to order of birth as part of the caste of siblings, twin status, or could be an inherited maiden name.
The Akan people use the Kwa language group’s system of timekeeping, which is based on a six-day week (‘nnanson‘), with the seventh day inclusive.
In Ashanti homes, Sunday-born males and females are named Kwasi or Kwesi and Akosua respectively (meaning ‘associated with the universe’); Monday-born are Kwadwo or Kojo, Adjoa or Adwoa (meaning ‘associated with peace’); Tuesday-born are Kwabena or Kobi, Abena (meaning ‘associated with the ocean’); Wednesday-born Kwaku or Kweku, Akua (meaning ‘associated with spider/Ananse’); Thursday-born Yaw, Yaa ( meaning ‘associated with the earth’); Friday-born Kofi, Afia or Afua (meaning ‘associated with fertility’); and Saturday-born Kwame, Ama (meaning ‘associated with God’).
Fanti boys and girls, on the other hand, are given the day names: Monday - Cudjoe, Kojo, Quajo, Adjoa, Ajuba, Juba; Tuesday - Quabena, Abena, Bena; Wednesday - Quaco, Aqua, Acooba, Cooba; Thursday - Quaw, Aba, Yaaba; Friday - Cuffy, Afiba, Fiba; Saturday - Quame, Quamina, Ama; and Sunday - Quashie, Quasheba.
Slaves from the Gold Coast taken to the Caribbean during the 18th and 19th centuries were referred to as Coromantees. As such, the Ndyuka people and parents in Jamaica give their children the following day names: Monday - Cudjoe, Kodyo, Adyuba; Tuesday - Cubbenah, Abeni; Wednesday - Quaco, Kwaku, Akuba; Thursday - Quao, Yaw, Yaba; Friday - Cuffee, Kofi, Afiba; Saturday - Quamin, Kwami, Amba; and Sunday - Quashee, Kwasi, Kwasiba.
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Names of Renown
Most Ghanaians have at least one name from this system. Ghana‘s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, was born on a Saturday, while the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Atta Annan, was so named for being born on a Friday. The 25-year-old popular Ghanaian-British fashion model Adwoa Caitlin Maria Aboah is Monday-born.
Examples include: Sunday - Akwasi, Kwasi, Kwesi, Akwesi, Sisi, Kacely, Kosi; Monday - Kojo, Kwadwo, Jojo, Joojo, Kujoe; Tuesday - Kwabena, Kobe, Kobi, Ebo, Kabelah, Komla, Kwabela; Wednesday - Kwaku, Abeiku, Kuuku, Kweku; Thursday - Yaw, Ekow; Friday - Kofi, Fifi, Fiifi, Yoofi; and Saturday - Kwame, Kwamena, Kwamina.
The extensions and variants result from differences in ethnicities or bending of monikers to make them sound a certain way.
In Ghana, naming is a significant cultural process that is seen as a sacred obligation that calls for thorough deliberation and thinking. A prominent cultural tradition in Ghana is giving children their names according to the day they were born. It is said that a child's name may have a big influence on their life because each day of the week has a special name and significance linked with it.
Here are some names given to newborns in Ghana along with their meanings:
- Kojo ( a male) or Adjoa (a female) for Monday Both mean "born on Monday”. In Ghanaian tradition, Monday is regarded as the day of the moon, and people born on this day are seen as being emotionally stable, peaceful, and nurturing.
- Tuesday: Abena or Kwabena, depending on gender. Meaning "born on Tuesday". The day of Mars is said to be Tuesday, and persons born on this day are regarded as forceful, brave, and bold.
- Kwaku (a man) or Akua (a female) for Wednesday Both mean "born on Wednesday”. The day of Mercury, Wednesday is regarded as being associated with adaptability, communication, and intelligence.
- Thursday: Yaw or Yaa, depending on gender. Meaning "born on Thursday".
Ghana's complex and significant cultural practice of naming illustrates the nation's rich history and diversified cultural heritage. Ghanaian names have profound meaning and importance, regardless of the day of the week, the circumstances surrounding the child's birth, or individual preferences. They are valued by both parents and kids since they are a significant part of Ghanaian identity.
Twi Names for Days of the Week
In this lesson, we explore the Twi names for the days of the week.
Below, I list the days of the week in Twi, along with the respective male and female soul names given to persons born on each day.
Akan Soul Names (Kradin)
| Days (Twi) | Days (English) | Male Names | Female Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ɛdwoada | Monday | Kwadwo | Adwoa |
| Ɛbenada | Tuesday | Kwabena | Abena |
| Wukuada | Wednesday | Kwaku | Akua |
| Yawoada | Thursday | Yaw | Yaa |
| Efiada | Friday | Kofi | Afia |
| Memeneda | Saturday | Kwame | Ama |
| Kwasiada | Sunday | Kwasi | Akosua |
But what if several siblings are born on the same day of the week? "Anan Kwame", for example, would be the fourth son born on a Saturday. By the way, you can recognize a firstborn by the first name "Piesie". And if they are twins? Also for this the name logic knows a solution: In this case, the first name "At(t)a" is simply added.
In addition, it is not uncommon to put another name in front of the weekday name: This then denotes the situation in which a child was born. For example, if a couple has a desired child after a long time, the name "Nhyira", which means "God's blessing", is not unusual. But that is not all. Thus, at least the first names are complete. So with this knowledge it is easy to find out your personal Ghanaian name. If you use the above overview as guide, you can come up with your Ghanaian name very precisely (except for situational cases). If you feel like sharing it with us, we would love to hear from you!
And should you be white or light-skinned, it is quite possible that - despite having your Ghanaian name - you will simply be called "Kwasibroni" when in Ghana. This is a combination of the words "Kwasi" and "Obroni". "Kwasi" is a male born on Sunday and "Obroni" means white in twi (Ghanaian dialect).
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