Gender | Female |
---|---|
Origin | |
Word/name | Akan people |
Meaning | born on a Saturday |
Region of origin | Akan people |
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, Akwamu, Akuapem, Bono, Akyem, Fante) who follow traditional customs. [4] [5] 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. [6]
In the Akan culture, day names are known to be derived from deities. Ama is originated from Koyame the Akan Day name of God. [6] [7] Females born on Saturday tend to be talented, wise and problem solvers. [6] [7]
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. [8]
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] [6] [7]
Most Ghanaian children have their cultural day names in combination with their English or Christian names. Some notable people with such names are: