Akosua

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Akosua
GenderFemale
Origin
Word/name Akan people
Meaningborn on a Sunday
Region of originFlag of Ashanti.svg  Ashanti
Empire of Ashanti
Other names
Related names

Akosua is an Akan given name to a female child born on Sunday (Kwasiada). [1] [2] Although some might believe it is mostly practised by the Ashanti people, it is actually practised by all Akan (i.e Ashanti, Akuapem, Akyem, Fante) people who follow traditional customs. People born on particular days are supposed to exhibit the characteristics or attributes and philosophy, associated with the days. Akosua has the appellation Dampo meaning agility. Thus, females named Akosua are supposed to be agile. [1]

Contents

Origin and meaning

In the Akan culture, day names are known to be derived from deities. Akosua is originated from Koyasi and from the Lord of Life Descent deity of the day Sunday. [3] [4] Females born on Sunday are known to be leaders in society or "clearer of the way" (obue-akwan). They are very inquisitive and tend to be pulled into a thing of interest. [1] [4]

Female variants

Day names in Ghana have varying spellings. This is so because of the various Akan subgroups. Each Akan subgroup has a similar or different spelling for the day name to other Akan subgroups. [3] [2] Akosua is spelt Akosua by the Akuapem and Ashanti subgroups while the Fante subgroup spell it as Esi. [3]

Male version

In the Akan culture and other local cultures in Ghana, day names come in pairs for males and females. The variant of the name used for a male child born on Sunday is Kwasi or Akwasi. [3]

Notable people with the name

Most Ghanaian children have their cultural day names in combination with their English or Christian names. Some notable people with such names are:

See also

Related Research Articles

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Kwasi is an Akan day name given in Ghana to a boy born on a Sunday (Kwasiada). Notable people with this name include:

Akwasi or Kwasí or Kwesi is an Ashanti masculine given name originating from the Ashanti people and their Ashanti day naming system, meaning born on a Sunday. People born on particular days are supposed to exhibit the characteristics or attributes and philosophy, associated with the days. Akwasi has the appellation Bodua or Obueakwan meaning agility. Thus, males named Akwasi are supposed to be agile by nature.

Kwadwo/Kwadjo/Kojo is an Akan masculine given name originating from the Akan people, meaning born on a Monday. As an Akan given name, with the Akans being a large ethnic group consisting of various tribes such as the Fante, Asante, Akuapem among others, Kwadwo/Kwadjo is sometimes written as "Kojo", Kwadwo or Kwadjo and is also used less frequently as a family name. People born on particular days are supposed to exhibit the characteristics or attributes and philosophy, associated with the days. Kwadwo has the appellation Okoto or Asera meaning peace. Thus, males named Kwodwo tend to be peaceful.

Abena is an Indian (Gujarati) surname; the Gujarati અબેના (Abēnā) possibly came from the Arabic name أبين (Abyan). As a given name, it is a girl's name of Ghanaian origin and means born on Tuesday. Day names are a cultural practice of the Akan people of Ghana. Although some might believe it is mostly practised by Ashanti people, it is actually practised by all Akan people who follow traditional customs. People born on particular days are supposed to exhibit the characteristics or attributes and philosophy, associated with the days. Abena has the appellation Kosia or Nimo, meaning friendliness. Thus, females named Abena are supposed to be friendly.

Akua is an Akan female given name among the Akan people in Ghana that means "born on a Wednesday" in Akan language, following their day naming system. People born on particular days are supposed to exhibit the characteristics or attributes and philosophy, associated with the days.

Yaw is a masculine given name originating from the Akan people and their day naming system, meaning "born on a Thursday" in Akan language, following their day naming system. People born on particular days are supposed to exhibit the characteristics or attributes and philosophy, associated with the days. Yaw has the appellation "Preko" or "Opereba" meaning brave.

Yaa is a feminine given name originating from the Akan day naming system, meaning born on a Thursday. Day names are a cultural practice of the Akan people of Ghana. Although some might believe it is mostly practised by Ashanti people, it is actually practised by all Akan people who follow traditional customs. People born on particular days are supposed to exhibit the characteristics or attributes and philosophy, associated with the days. Yaa has the appellation Busuo or Seandze meaning brave. Thus, females named Yaa are supposed to be brave.

Ama is an Akan feminine given name originating from the Akan people following their day naming system, meaning "born on Saturday". Day names are a cultural practice of the Akan people of Ghana. It is practised by all the subgroups of the Akan people who follow traditional customs. People born on particular days are supposed to exhibit the characteristics or attributes and philosophy, associated with the days. Ama has the appellation "Nyamewa" or "Adoma" meaning creation or grace.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Agyekum, Kofi Kofi (January 2006). "(PDF) The Sociolinguistic of Akan Personal Names". ResearchGate. doi:10.53228/njas.v15i2.24 . Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  2. 1 2 Kamunya, Mercy (19 October 2018). "Akan names and their meanings". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "'Day born names' in Dagbani, Ewe and Fante". GhanaWeb. 9 November 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  4. 1 2 Danso, Vanessa. "The Akan Day Names and Their Embedded Ancient Symbolism". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Akosua: Name Meaning, Popularity, and Similar Names". Nameberry. Retrieved 6 April 2021.