How To Make Your Own Ghanaian Akan Name | Indigenous Foreigner Show
Ghana has over seventy ethnic groups of which the Akan people comprise roughly 49%. In this video we discuss how Akan people are named and what those names mean. Akan children are named in a ceremony that’s called an “outdooring.” The video details some of the customs and rituals that take place in the outdooring.
Want to make your own Akan name? Watch the video and check out the lists below to help you figure that out!
Day Names
| Day | Female | Male |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Akosua or Esi | Kwesi or Kwasi |
| Monday | Adwoa or Adjoa | Kojo or Kwadwo |
| Tuesday | Abena or Araba | Kobina or Kwabena |
| Wednesday | Ekua or Akua | Kweku or Kwaku |
| Thursday | Yaa or Aba | Yaw or Ekow |
| Friday | Efua, Afua or Afia | Kofi |
| Saturday | Ama | Ato Kwamena or Kwame |
Birth Order Names
| Order | Name |
|---|---|
| Eldest Girl | Akyere (f) |
| Eldest Child | Piesie |
| 2nd | Manu (m) |
| 3rd | Mensa (m) or Mansa (f) |
| 4th | Annan (m) Maanan (f) |
| 5th | Anum |
| 6th | Nsiah |
| 7th | Esuón |
| 8th | Awotwe or Botwe |
| 9th | Nkrumah |
| 10th | Badu (m) or Baduwa (f) |
| 11th | Duku |
| 12th | Adunu |
| 13th | Adusa |
| Last born | Kaakyire |
Circumstance and Virtue Names
| Name | Circumstance | |
|---|---|---|
| Ababio | A child that keeps coming | |
| Abayie | Has come well | |
| Aboagye (m) Aboagyewa (f) | Powerful | |
| Acheampong (m) Acheampoma (f) | Bearer of kings | |
| Addai | Morning sun | |
| Adofo | One who loves | |
| Adom | Help from God | |
| Adwen | Creative | |
| Afriyie | Has appeared well | |
| Afum (m) Afumwaa (f) | Born on the field | |
| Agyei | Messenger from God | |
| Agyeman | Savior of the nation | |
| Agymah (m) | One who has left his community | |
| Antobam | Posthumous child; parent(s) passed away | |
| Asaaseasa | The land is finished; no land left for burial | |
| Asamoah | Apostle | |
| Aseda | Praise | |
| Atta | Twin | |
| Bediako | Born during war time | |
| Boahen (m) Boahenmaa (f) | One who has left her community | |
| Bronya | Born during the Christmas festive period | |
| Danquah | Everlasting | |
| Danso (m) Dansoman (f) | Reliable | |
| Duah | Tree | |
| Kaedabi | Remember the past | |
| Kafui | Praise him | |
| Katakyie (m) | Strong man | |
| Kumi | Forcefulness | |
| Mawuli | There is a God | |
| Nyamekye | God’s gift | |
| Okwan | Born on the road | |
| Serwa (f) | Noblewoman | |
| Tawiah | Born after twins |
Other common names include those from namesake, foreign influences, tradition, and more. For a deep dive on these names, check out this journal article. Follow us on our social platforms and share your Akan name with us.
Thank you to @footprintstraveltours for presenting this video and teaching us about the naming system among Akan people.
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