Ama (given name)

Last updated

Ama
GenderFemale
Origin
Word/name Ashanti people
Meaningborn on a Saturday
Region of originFlag of Ashanti.svg  Ashanti
Empire of Ashanti
Other names
Related names Kwame

Ama is an Akan feminine given name originating from the Akan people following their day naming system, meaning "born on Saturday". [1] [2] [3] Day names are a cultural practice of the Akan people of Ghana. It is practised by all the subgroups of the Akan people (i.e. Ashanti, Akuapem, Akyem, Fante) who follow traditional customs. [4] 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. [5]

Contents

Origin and meaning of Ama

In the Akan culture, day names are known to be derived from deities. Ama is originated from Koyame the Akan Day name of God. [5] [6] Females born on Saturday tend to be talented, wise and problem solvers. [5] [6]

Female variants of Ama

The Akan people in Ghana have so many ways of calling or naming their female child born on Saturday. For instance, the Fantes call a female child born on Saturday Ewurama, Ama or Amba. [7]

Male version of Ama

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 Saturday is Kwame. [4] [5] [6]

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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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghanaians</span> Citizens or native-born people of Ghana

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Abena 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. Another name is also called Abena, in the indian culture. Abena is an Indian (Gujarati) surname; the Gujarati અબેના (Abēnā) possibly came from the Arabic name أبين (Abyan).

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.

Akosua is an Akan given name to a female child born on Sunday (Kwasiada). Although some might believe it is mostly practised by the 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. Akosua has the appellation Dampo meaning agility. Thus, females named Akosua are supposed to be agile.

References

  1. Aidoo, Kwame. "Everything You Need to Know About the Ghanaian Tradition of Day Names". Culture Trip. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  2. Jelka. "Ama". CharliesNames. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  3. "Ama". SheKnows. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  4. 1 2 "The Sociolinguistic of Akan Personal Names". ResearchGate. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "The Akan Day Names and Their Embedded Ancient Symbolism". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 Konadu, Kwasi (2012). "The Calendrical Factor in Akan History". International Journal of African Historical Studies. 45: 217–246.
  7. "'Day born names' in Dagbani, Ewe and Fante". GhanaWeb. 9 November 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2021.