How would you like to figure out YOUR Ghanaian name?
In Ghana, each child is named by the day of the week - in addition to their first and last name. Astrologically, each day is attributed certain attributes (i.e. stubborn, crafty, calm, always seeking). If you've ever heard of "Kwaku Ananse stories" from Africa or the Carribbean, the main character is considered crafty, in part because he is a Kwaku - a Wednesday-born. In practice, however, the names serve to bond people together, and it is not uncommon for two people to get excited when exchange names and discover they were born on the same day of the week! When we visited Peki, every time we announced who we were (including our Ghanaian names), those who shared our birth day would shout and applaud. In Ghanaian churches, the offering is even given according to the day of the week you were born, using separate plates. You'd be surprised how intense the competition between days can get to raise the most! Spellings and pronounciations vary depending on the spoken language and region you are traveling in, but here are some common ones for the Peki area:
Monday - Kudzo (male) & Adzoa (female)
Tuesday - Kwamla (male) & Abra (female)
Wednesday - Kwaku (male) & Akua (female)
Thursday - Yao (male) & Yawa (female)
Friday - Kofi (male) & Afua (female)
Saturday - Kwami (male) & Amaa (female)
In Ghana, each child is named by the day of the week - in addition to their first and last name. Astrologically, each day is attributed certain attributes (i.e. stubborn, crafty, calm, always seeking). If you've ever heard of "Kwaku Ananse stories" from Africa or the Carribbean, the main character is considered crafty, in part because he is a Kwaku - a Wednesday-born. In practice, however, the names serve to bond people together, and it is not uncommon for two people to get excited when exchange names and discover they were born on the same day of the week! When we visited Peki, every time we announced who we were (including our Ghanaian names), those who shared our birth day would shout and applaud. In Ghanaian churches, the offering is even given according to the day of the week you were born, using separate plates. You'd be surprised how intense the competition between days can get to raise the most! Spellings and pronounciations vary depending on the spoken language and region you are traveling in, but here are some common ones for the Peki area:
Ghanaian Names
(Note: z's are pronounced like j's)
Sunday - Kwasi (male) & Akosua (female)Monday - Kudzo (male) & Adzoa (female)
Tuesday - Kwamla (male) & Abra (female)
Wednesday - Kwaku (male) & Akua (female)
Thursday - Yao (male) & Yawa (female)
Friday - Kofi (male) & Afua (female)
Saturday - Kwami (male) & Amaa (female)
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