Kwame

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

Kwame is an Akan masculine given name among the Akan people (such as the Ashanti and Fante) 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. [1] [2]

Contents

According to Akan tradition, people born on particular days exhibit certain characteristics or attributes. [1] [2] Kwame has the appellation "Atoapoma" or "Oteanankannuro" meaning "combat ready". [1] [2]

The day naming tradition in Ghana extends to folk characters such as Anansi and deities. Traditional Akan religion states that God created himself on Saturday and is therefore also named "Kwame". [3]

Origin and meaning of Kwame

In the Akan culture, day names are derived from deities. [4] Kwame originated from Koyame and the Akan day name God. [1] [5] The name Kwame means extremes in fortune, health and spirituality; versatile, idealistic and intuitive. [6] Males named Kwame are reputed to be talented and good problem solvers. [4]

Male variants of Kwame

Variant spellings include Kwamé, Kouamé, Kwami, Kwamena, and Kwamina, according to the various Akan subgroups. [7] [2] It is spelt Kwame by the Akuapem and Ashanti subgroups, while the Fante subgroup spell it as Kwamena or Kwamina. [1] [7]

Female version of Kwame

In the Akan culture and other local cultures in Ghana, day names come in pairs for males and females. [1] The variant of the name used for a female child born on Saturday is Ama. [1] [2]

Notable people with the name

The most well-known bearer of the name was Kwame Nkrumah, President of Ghana and a founder of Pan-Africanism - mainly due to whom the name spread also to non-Ghanaians.

People with this name include:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culture of Ghana</span> Culture of an area

Ghana is a country of 28.21 million people and many native groups, such as:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fante people</span> Ethnic group in Ghana

The Mfantsefo or Fante are an Akan people. The Fante people are mainly located in the Central and Western regions of Ghana, occupying the forest and coastal areas. Their land stretches from the Pra estuary in the west to the Accra borders in the east. The Fante can be broadly categorized into two groups - the Borbor Fante and the non-Borbor Fante. Over the last half century, due to fishing expeditions, Fante communities have been established 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 speak 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, Anyi, Ashanti, Baoulé, Bono, Chakosi, Fante, Kwahu, Sefwi, Wassa, Ahanta, and Nzema, among others. 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.

Kofi is an Akan masculine given name among the Akan people 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.

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.

Articles related to Ghana include:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Akyem</span> Akan ethnic group in Ghana

The Akyem are an Akan people. The term Akyem is used to describe a group of four states: Asante Akyem, Akyem Abuakwa, Akyem Kotoku and Akyem Bosome. These nations are located primarily in the eastern region in south Ghana. The term is also used to describe the general area where the Akyem ethnic group clusters. The Akyem ethnic group make up between 3-4 percent of Ghana's population depending on how one defines the group and are very prominent in all aspects of Ghanaian life. The Akyem are a matrilineal people. The history of this ethnic group is that of brave warriors who managed to create a thriving often influential and relatively independent state within modern-day Ghana. When one talks of Ghanaian history, there is often mention of The Big Six. These were six individuals who played a big role in the independence of Ghana. Of the big six, people of Akyem descent made up the majority.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kwaku</span> Male given name

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".

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.

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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "The Sociolinguistic of Akan Personal Names". ResearchGate. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Kamunya, Mercy (19 October 2018). "Akan names and their meanings". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  3. Arko-Achemfuor, Akwesi (18 October 2018). "Naming of children and meaning of names among the Akan of Ghana: defining identities". Southern African Journal for Folklore Studies. 28 (1): 7. doi:10.25159/1016-8427/4294. S2CID   158371631 . Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  4. 1 2 Last Name, First Name (2020). "Title". doi:10.21303/978-617-7319-30-5. S2CID   242646110.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. "The Akan Day Names and Their Embedded Ancient Symbolism". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  6. "Kwame. What Does My Name Mean? Find Out!". Seven Reflections. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  7. 1 2 "'Day born names' in Dagbani, Ewe and Fante". GhanaWeb. 9 November 2019. Retrieved 6 April 2021.

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