Gender | Male |
---|---|
Origin | |
Word/name | Akan people |
Meaning | born on a Friday |
Region of origin | Ghana AKAN |
Other names | |
Related names |
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Kofi is an Akan masculine given name among the Akan people (such as the Ashanti and Fante) in Ghana that is given to a boy born on Friday. Traditionally in Ghana, a child would receive their Akan day name during their Outdooring, eight days after birth. [1] [2]
According to Akan tradition, people born on particular days exhibit certain characteristics or attributes. [1] [2] Kofi has the appellation "Kyini", "Otuo" and "Ntiful" meaning "wanderer" and "traveller." [1] [2]
In the Akan culture, day names are known to be derived from deities. Kofi originated from Kwaofida and the Lord of life's home deity of the day Friday. [3] [4] Males named Kofi are known to be adventurers and indecisive thus taking time to settle. They are highly motivated and competent. [3] [4]
Day names in Ghana vary in spelling among the various Akan subgroups. The name is spelt Kofi by the Akuapem, Ashanti and Fante subgroups. Other versions of Kofi are Fiifi and Yoofi. [1] [5]
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 female child born on Friday is Efua, Afua, Afia, Effie. [1]
Most Ghanaian children have their cultural day names in combination with their English or Christian names. Some notable people with such names are:
Kwame is an Akan masculine given name among the Akan people in Ghana which is given to a boy born on Saturday. Traditionally in Ghana, a child would receive their Akan day name during their Outdooring, eight days after birth.
Ghana is a country of 28.21 million people and many native groups, such as:
The Mfantsefo or Fante are an Akan people. The Fante people are mainly located in the Central and Western coastal regions of Ghana. Over the last half century, due to fishing expeditions, Fante communities are found as far as Gambia, Liberia and even Angola. Major Fante cities in modern Ghana include Kasoa, Winneba, Agona Swedru, Tarkwa, Oguaa, Edina (Elmina), Mankessim, Sekondi and Takoradi.
The Akan people are a kwa group living primarily in present-day Ghana and in parts of Ivory Coast and Togo in West Africa. The Akan language are a group of dialects within the Central Tano branch of the Potou–Tano subfamily of the Niger–Congo family. Subgroups of the Akan people include: the Agona, Akuapem, Akwamu, Akyem, Ashanti, Bono, Fante, Kwahu, Wassa, and Ahanta. The Akan subgroups all have cultural attributes in common; most notably the tracing of matrilineal descent in the inheritance of property, and for succession to high political office.
The Akan people of Ghana frequently name 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. Middle names have considerably more variety and can refer to their birth order, twin status, or an ancestor's middle name.
Adwoa is a given name used for women born on Monday in Western Africa, particularly Ghana and some parts of Togo, southern Benin and Ivory Coast. Day names are a cultural practice of the Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Although some might believe it is mostly practiced by Ashanti people, it is actually practiced 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. Adwoa has the appellation Badwo or Akoto meaning peace. Thus, females named Adwoa are supposed to be peaceful.
Kwaku, is an Akan given name for male children born on Wednesday to the Akan and Ewe ethnic groups. Akan birthday names are associated with appellations that give an indication of the character of people born on such days. Typical appellations for Kwaku are Atobi, Daaku or Bonsam meaning evil.
Kwabena is an Akan masculine given name among the Akan people in Ghana that means "born on a Tuesday" 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. Kwabena has the appellation Ogyam or Ebo meaning friendliness. Thus, males named Kwabena are supposed to be friendly.
Afia is an Akan female given name among the Akan people in Ghana that means "born on Friday" 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. Afia has the appellation ''Baafi'', ''Nkosuo'', which means "wanderer" or "traveller".
Kofi is a masculine given name of the Akan people of Ghana.
Mensah is a Ghanaian surname. It is the most common surname in Ghana, with one in 55 people having this name. There is a Mensah in every tribe in Ghana. Notable people with the surname 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. Akua has the appellation ''Obirisuo'', ''Obisi'' or ''Odaakuo'' meaning evil.
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.
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.