Culture
Akan day names: what's your Ghanaian name?
Kwame, Ama, Kofi, Akosua — in Ghana, your birthday gives you a name. Find yours in seconds and learn what it means.
Last updated: 24 September 2026
In Akan culture — the Asante, Fante, Akuapem, Akyem, Bono and other Akan-speaking peoples of Ghana — every child receives a day name (kra din, “soul name”) based on the day of the week they were born. It is often the first name a baby is given, and it stays for life. That's why so many Ghanaians share names like Kofi, Kwame, Ama or Akosua.
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The seven Akan day names
Spellings vary between communities and families. The most common forms are shown first.
| Day | Akan day | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Kwasiada | Kwasi, Akwasi, Kwesi | Akosua, Esi |
| Monday | Dwoada | Kwadwo, Kojo, Jojo | Adwoa, Adjoa |
| Tuesday | Benada | Kwabena, Kobby, Ebo | Abena, Araba |
| Wednesday | Wukuada | Kwaku, Kweku | Akua, Ekua |
| Thursday | Yawoada | Yaw, Ekow | Yaa, Aba |
| Friday | Fiada | Kofi, Fiifi | Afua, Afia, Efua |
| Saturday | Memeneda | Kwame, Kwamena, Ato | Ama, Amma |
Names like Esi, Ekua, Araba, Efua, Ebo, Ekow and Kwamena are especially common among the Fante of the Central and Western regions.
Ewe day names
The Ewe of the Volta Region also use day names, with their own spellings:
| Day | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Kosi, Kwasi | Akosua, Kosiwa |
| Monday | Kodzo, Kojo | Adzo, Adzoa |
| Tuesday | Kobla, Kwabla | Abla |
| Wednesday | Koku, Kwaku | Aku, Akuwa |
| Thursday | Yao, Yawo | Yawa |
| Friday | Kofi | Afi, Afiwa |
| Saturday | Komi, Kwami | Ami, Amiwa |
What a day name means
In Akan belief, every person has a kra — a soul that comes from Onyame (God). The day of birth is linked to that soul, so the day name is seen as part of who you are, not just a label. Many communities also associate each day with particular character traits, and some families add an appellation (a praise name) to the day name.
A child usually also receives a family name (often chosen by the father's side to honour a relative) and sometimes a Christian or Muslim name. So a person might be called Kwame by family, Samuel at church and Mensah on their passport — all at once.
Famous Ghanaians and their day names
- Kwame Nkrumah — Ghana's first President (Kwame = Saturday).
- Kofi Annan — 7th Secretary-General of the United Nations (Kofi = Friday).
- Yaa Asantewaa — Queen Mother of Ejisu who led the 1900 War of the Golden Stool (Yaa = Thursday).
- Kwame Anthony Appiah — British-Ghanaian philosopher (Kwame = Saturday).
Frequently asked questions
What is my Ghanaian name if I was born on a Friday?
Boys born on Friday are called Kofi (or Fiifi in Fante). Girls are called Afua, Afia or Efua.
Can non-Ghanaians have an Akan day name?
Yes. Many visitors, friends of Ghana and people of the African diaspora proudly adopt the day name that matches their birthday.
Why do so many Ghanaians share the same first name?
Because the day name comes from the day of the week, roughly one in seven people of each gender shares the same day name. Family names and nicknames help tell people apart.
Is the day name the same as a surname?
No. The day name is a personal name. Ghanaian surnames usually come from a family name given at the naming ceremony, or from a father or ancestor.
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