44 Unique Akan Baby Names And Their Meanings

The Akan people, who predominantly reside in Ghana, name their people in keeping with ancient traditions, values and heritage. The Akan communities are mostly located along the coastal and central regions of Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Children's names are often picked out based on the day of the week that they were born, and the order in which they were born. Check out our African baby names list to find the perfect name for your baby.

Ghanaian day names and their meanings

Naming a newborn is a pivotal role that parents and the family play, as it’s viewed as a lot more than just a name. Apart from being a key part of the child’s identity, their names are seen as influencers of personality and destiny. Akan “day names” are said to have deeper meanings, connected to the person’s soul. “Day names” are called so, and given so much importance, as most of the Akan people pick out their Akan baby name based on the day on which the baby is born. 

African and Ghanaian naming conventions differ from those of Western societies, where individuals often take on their father's surnames. Ghanaian Akan names don’t follow a set convention and thus can be unpredictable. The determination of an Akan name depends on factors such as the circumstances of the child's birth, making it inherently unpredictable until the actual event occurs.

Another big factor influencing the picking of Akan baby names is the circumstances or context under which the child was born. In this, gender plays a pivotal part. Thereafter, the socio-economic status of the parents, time of birth and social links with others in the community also play roles in the picking of a name. 

Middle names in Akan baby names can be of varied types and may refer to their twin status, birth order or even an ancestor’s middle name.

Ashanti or the Akan people typically tend to have a given name followed by a family name (surname). The family name usually comes after close relatives or friends. In their culture, names are usually given by men. For example, if a couple gives birth to a son as their firstborn, he is often named after the father of the husband. If they have a daughter as their firstborn, she may be named after the mother of the husband.

The Akans, which comprises Ghana's largest ethnic group, are also known to follow the proverb "ne din ne ne honam se," which translates to 'his or her name befits his or her body.' This belief is the reason why many Ghanaians do not have shared surnames. They believe that individuals with the same name are likely to inherently be similar in many ways. 

Akan Baby Boy Names With Meanings

Ghanaian or Akan baby boy names are steeped in tradition, values and culture. Akan baby boy names are picked out with care to reflect personality, and the day of their birth and pay homage to respected elders or ancestors. 

Here is a list of Akan baby boy names with meanings, that is sure to help you in finding the perfect name for your baby:

1. Kwame - A name for a boy born on Saturday, it is also associated with being combat-ready. The name is also linked with bringing large amounts of fortune and contributing to good health. 

2. Kofi - Name for a boy born on Friday, it originates from the deity Kwaofida. Adventurous, wise, deep thinkers and sensitive are virtues associated with the name. 

3. Kwesi - Name for a boy born on Sunday, this has lately become quite a popular Akan baby name. Attributes associated with the name include dependable and grounded. 

4. Kwabena - Name for a boy born on Tuesday, it is linked with the ocean. 

5. Kwaku - Name for a boy born on Wednesday. The name originates from Wukuada, the deity of the day Wednesday.

6. Yaw - Name for a boy born on Thursday, and is linked with the earth. Popular beliefs also state that Nyame – the creator god – had created Earth on a Thursday.

7. Akwasi - Name for a boy born on Sunday, associated with being agile and powerful. 

8. Kwadwo - Name for a boy born on Monday, linked with peace/ 

9. Mensah - Name for a third-born boy, this is also a very common surname in Ghana

10. Adom - Meaning grace, or God’s grace, this name has both Ghanaian and Hebrew origins. 

11. Nana - Meaning King, it is also a respectful way to address royalty. 

12. Kwesi - Name for a boy born on Sunday, this is a popular Akan baby boy name. Characteristics associated with it include humble, grounded and dependable. 

13. Kwame - Name for a boy born on Saturday, it is said this name can bring good fortunes, good health and spiritual greatness. 

14. Ato - Name for a boy born on Monday.

15. Kweku - Name for a boy born on Wednesday, associated with the spider. 

16. Akwetee - Name for a boy born during a festival, it signifies harmony and joy

17. Agyei - Name for a boy born on Thursday, it is also associated with being a “messenger from God”

18. Kobby - Name for a boy born on Tuesday, it is associated with being special 

19. Nii - Meaning King, this name is usually given to pay homage to elders, and comes from forefathers. 

20. Ntim - Name for a boy “born at the right time”

21. Panyin - Name for a firstborn boy

22. Kakra - Younger twin, this name is a short form for Kakraba, which translates to "little" or "younger one".

Akan baby boy names are picked based on family traditions, heritage and social contexts. The day of the week, and the deity of the day are often the root words of the names. 

Akan Baby Girl Names with Meanings

Akan baby girl names are also based on a deep sense of history, values and culture, apart from the common tradition of days affecting the names. Since many of the words are based on old Akan tradition, they can be unisex in nature. 

Akan baby girl names are picked keeping tradition, values and ancient naming conventions in mind. Below is a list of Akan baby girl names with meanings, that detail out meanings and symbolizations of popular Akan baby girl names. 

1. Akosua - Name for a girl born on Sunday, it signifies the sun and fire

2. Adwoa - Name for a girl born on Monday, it is linked to bringing peace

3. Abena - Name for a girl born on Tuesday, it is linked with being curious, inquisitive, and interested in research

4. Akua - Name for a girl born on Wednesday, the name originated in the Ashanti region

5. Yaa - Name for a girl born on Thursday, it's associated with being bold, courageous and brave

6. Afia - Name for a girl born on Friday, it originates from the word Kwaofida, which translates to  "Lord of life's home day"

7. Ama - Name for a girl born on Saturday, linked with being loyal, generous, dependable and sweet

8. Esi - Name for a girl born on Sunday

9. Adjoa - Name for a girl born on Monday, and comes from deity of the day Monday, Koyayuda.

10. Abrafi - Name for a girl born on Tuesday, linked to meaning “out of suffering”

11. Akos - Name for a girl born on Sunday, popular given to “Sunday-born Queens”

12. Ewurama - Name for a girl born on Saturday

13. Adowa - Name for a girl born on Tuesday, associated with peace and harmony.

14. Mansa - Name for a third-born girl, it is also associated with royalty 

15. Araba - Name for a girl born on Tuesday, it is linked to meaning “lady” and associated with femininity. 

16. Adomaa - Meaning “grace” or “All is well”

17. Aku - Name for a girl born on Wednesday

18. Abra - Name for a girl born on Tuesday, it has its origins in Niger-Congo. In Hebrew, the word means “father of many”

19. Adubea - Name for a girl born on Monday, the word originates from ‘Koyayuda’ and also has linked with the Lord of Life Firmament deity of the day Monday.

20. Nana Ama - Name for a girl born on Saturday, the word “nana” also had links with “social eminence”

21. Ajoa - Name for a girl born on Monday, it is spelt differently across different Akan cultures. 

22. Akuma - Name for a girl born on Wednesday