"Akwaaba - Welcome" Ghana by Aafia

Ghana Travel Guide: 1,474 reviews and 4,034 photos

What is your African name?

Shortly after I arrived in Ghana to teach for two years, I was given my Ghanaian name of Afia, the name given to a Friday born girl. I loved my new name from the start and it gave me an instant bond to other Ghanaians born on the same day. I learned that many Ghanaians name their children after the days of the week.

Wonder what your African name is?

Day born--------------- Male---------------- Female

Monday---------------- Kojo----------------- Adjua
Tuesday-----------------Kwabena -----------Abena
Wednesday------------ Kwaku--------------- Akuya
Thursday -------------Yao -------------------Yaa
Friday------------------ Kofi------------------- Afia
Saturday----------------- Kwame --------------Amma
Sunday --------------------Kwasi ----------------Akosua

Other names are based on order of birth.

Birth Order--------------- Name

First----------------------- Berko
Second------------------- Manu
Third----------------------Mensa/Mansa
Fourth--------------------- Annan
Fifth------------------------ Anum
Sixth----------------------- Nsia
Seventh------------------- Ansong
Eighth--------------------- Awotwie
Ninth---------------------- Nkrumah
Tenth---------------------- Badu
Last------------------------ Kaakyire
Twin----------------------- (1st) Atta
------------------------------ (2nd) Atsu
Born after twins---------- Tawia

Of course, there are many variations on these names. These were the ones used in the region where I lived.

Last visit to Ghana: Dec 1978
Intro Updated May 20, 2006
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Odinnthor Jun 16, 2010 at 10:57 AM

Hi Afia! Thanks for the touch. My Ghanaian name is Kwabena, given to me by a village family a ways out of Accra. It is a special place to me. Lovely work on Guyana. One of two countries in S.A. I have yet to visit. Really good stuff!......Ciao.....Erik