Find Your Ghanaian Akan Day Name
Discover the traditional Akan name connected to the day of the week you were born.
Discover Ghanaian Akan Naming Traditions
Browse traditional male and female day names, explore their meanings, and learn more about Ghanaian Akan naming history and culture.
Ghanaian Day Names
Explore the traditional male and female names connected to every day of the week.
Male Akan Names
Discover traditional names including Kofi, Kwame, Kwaku, Yaw and Kwabena.
Female Akan Names
Explore names such as Ama, Yaa, Akosua, Abena, Akua and Afia.
Names & Meanings
Understand the day associations and cultural significance behind Akan names.
Naming History
Learn how Akan naming traditions have been passed through generations.
Culture & Tradition
Explore how day names connect identity, family, ancestry and Ghanaian heritage.
Explore Akan Names
Find Your Traditional Akan Day Name
Enter your birth information below and discover the traditional Ghanaian Akan name connected to the day of the week you were born.
Discover Your Akan Name
Create Your Akan Name Certificate
After discovering your Akan day name, choose a certificate design and create a personalized keepsake to save, print, or share.
Akan Name Certificate Designs
Choose from our collection of Ghanaian Akan name certificate designs. After finding your Akan day name, you can create a personalized certificate to print, save, or share with family and friends.
Ghanaian Akan Day Names
Traditional Akan day names are connected to the day of the week a person is born. Select a day below to explore its male and female names, spelling variations, cultural context, and traditional associations.
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Determine the day of the week you were born, then match that day with its traditional male or female Akan name. You can also use the calculator above to determine your birth day automatically.
Akan Day Names by Day of the Week
Akan day names are traditionally connected to the day of the week on which a person is born. The names vary between male and female forms, and different spellings and regional variations may be used across Akan-speaking communities.
For example, Kofi is traditionally associated with males born on Friday, while Afia is a traditional female name associated with Friday. Kwame is associated with Saturday-born males, while Ama is associated with Saturday-born females.
Akan Names in Ghanaian History & Culture
Akan day names continue to appear throughout Ghanaian public life, history, literature, music and cultural identity.
Kofi
The former United Nations Secretary-General carried Kofi, the traditional Akan male name associated with Friday.
Kwame
Ghana's first Prime Minister and first President carried the traditional Saturday-born name Kwame.
Yaa
The Ashanti queen mother and warrior carried Yaa, the traditional Akan female name associated with Thursday.
Kojo
The Ghanaian musician carries Kojo, a traditional male Akan name associated with Monday.
Ama
The Ghanaian author, poet and playwright carried Ama, the traditional female Akan name associated with Saturday.
A Tradition Passed Through Generations
Akan naming traditions connect names with family history, circumstances of birth, cultural identity and the day a person was born. These customs have been passed from generation to generation among Akan communities in Ghana.
Male and female names are traditionally associated with each day of the week.
Day names remain a recognizable part of Ghanaian and Akan identity.
Akan names are also used by Ghanaian communities and families around the world.
What Are Ghanaian Day Names?
Ghanaian day names are traditional names given to children based on the day of the week they are born. This naming system is especially common among the Akan people of Ghana and has been practiced for generations. Each day of the week has specific male and female names that carry cultural significance and represent a person's connection to Ghanaian heritage.
Unlike many modern naming systems that focus only on family names or personal preferences, Akan day names connect an individual to the exact day they entered the world. The tradition reflects the importance of identity, history, family, and cultural preservation in Ghanaian society.
How Does the Akan Day Name System Work?
The Akan naming system assigns names according to seven days of the week: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Each day has a male name and a female name.
For example, a child born on Friday may receive the male name Kofi or the female name Afia. A child born on Saturday may receive the male name Kwame or the female name Ama.
Using our Ghanaian Akan Day Name Calculator, you can enter your birthday, select your gender, and instantly discover your traditional Akan name.
Why Are Ghanaian Day Names Important?
Akan day names are important because they preserve Ghanaian culture and connect people to their ancestry. For many Ghanaians, a day name represents more than just a name; it represents belonging, history, and cultural identity.
Many people in Ghana use their traditional day names alongside their official names. For example, someone named Kofi may also have an English or family name used in schools, business, and official documents.
Male Akan Day Names
Traditional male Akan day names include:
- Sunday: Kwasi, Akwasi, Kwesi
- Monday: Kwadwo, Kojo
- Tuesday: Kwabena
- Wednesday: Kwaku, Kweku
- Thursday: Yaw
- Friday: Kofi
- Saturday: Kwame
Female Akan Day Names
Traditional female Akan day names include:
- Sunday: Akosua
- Monday: Adwoa
- Tuesday: Abena
- Wednesday: Akua
- Thursday: Yaa
- Friday: Afia
- Saturday: Ama
Popular Ghanaian Akan Day Names and Their Meanings
Akan day names are traditionally connected to the day of the week on which a person is born. Some names have become especially well known in Ghana and around the world.
Kofi — Friday-Born Male Name
Kofi is a traditional Akan male name associated with a person born on Friday. It is one of the best-known Ghanaian day names and is widely used in Ghana and among Ghanaian communities around the world.
Afia — Friday-Born Female Name
Afia is a traditional Akan female name associated with Friday-born children. The name is commonly found in Ghanaian communities and reflects the Akan tradition of connecting names with the day of birth.
Kwame — Saturday-Born Male Name
Kwame is a traditional Akan male name associated with a person born on Saturday. It is one of the most recognizable Ghanaian names and is strongly connected with Ghanaian cultural identity.
Ama — Saturday-Born Female Name
Ama is a traditional Akan female name associated with Saturday-born children. It remains a widely recognized Ghanaian name and is used by people in Ghana and throughout the diaspora.
Yaw — Thursday-Born Male Name
Yaw is a traditional Akan male name associated with Thursday-born children. It is commonly used among Akan-speaking communities.
Yaa — Thursday-Born Female Name
Yaa is a traditional Akan female name associated with Thursday-born children. The name is particularly well known through historical figures such as Yaa Asantewaa.
Kwaku — Wednesday-Born Male Name
Kwaku is a traditional Akan male name associated with Wednesday-born children. Kweku is another commonly encountered spelling or regional form.
Akua — Wednesday-Born Female Name
Akua is a traditional Akan female name associated with Wednesday-born children. It is one of the commonly recognized female Akan day names.
Kwabena — Tuesday-Born Male Name
Kwabena is a traditional Akan male name associated with Tuesday-born children.
Abena — Tuesday-Born Female Name
Abena is a traditional Akan female name associated with Tuesday-born children.
Kwadwo and Kojo — Monday-Born Male Names
Kwadwo and Kojo are traditional Akan male names associated with Monday-born children. Kojo is a widely recognized spelling used in Ghanaian communities.
Adwoa — Monday-Born Female Name
Adwoa is a traditional Akan female name associated with Monday-born children.
Kwesi and Akwasi — Sunday-Born Male Names
Kwesi and Akwasi are traditional Akan male names associated with Sunday-born children. Spelling and pronunciation can vary by region and Akan community.
Akosua — Sunday-Born Female Name
Akosua is a traditional Akan female name associated with Sunday-born children. It is one of the most recognizable female Akan day names.
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View Culture GuideQuestions About Ghanaian Akan Day Names
Learn how Akan day names work, how to use the calculator, and what traditional names are associated with each day of the week.
How do I find my Akan name?
Enter your date of birth, select your gender, and use the Ghanaian Akan Day Name Calculator. The calculator determines the day of the week you were born and provides the corresponding traditional Akan day name.
How are Ghanaian day names determined?
Akan day names are traditionally determined by the day of the week a person is born. Male and female names are associated with each day from Sunday through Saturday.
What is the meaning of Kofi?
Kofi is a traditional Akan male name associated with a person born on Friday.
Explore the Kofi name guide →What does Kwame mean?
Kwame is a traditional Akan male name associated with a person born on Saturday.
Explore the Kwame name guide →What are the female Akan day names?
Traditional female Akan day names include Akosua for Sunday, Adwoa for Monday, Abena for Tuesday, Akua for Wednesday, Yaa for Thursday, Afia for Friday, and Ama for Saturday.
Explore female Akan names →What are the male Akan day names?
Traditional male Akan day names include Kwasi or Akwasi for Sunday, Kwadwo or Kojo for Monday, Kwabena for Tuesday, Kwaku for Wednesday, Yaw for Thursday, Kofi for Friday, and Kwame for Saturday.
Kwesi is also used as a Sunday spelling variation, while Kweku is a variation of the Wednesday name Kwaku.
Explore male Akan names →Do all Ghanaian ethnic groups use Akan day names?
Akan day names are especially associated with Akan communities in Ghana. Other Ghanaian cultural groups have their own languages, naming traditions, and naming systems.
What is the history of Akan names?
Akan naming traditions have been passed through generations and can reflect the day of birth, family identity, circumstances surrounding birth, and cultural tradition.
Explore Akan naming history →Can I print my Akan name certificate?
Yes. After discovering your Akan day name, you can generate a personalized certificate using one of the available designs and save or print it.
Create your certificate →Is the Akan Day Name Calculator free?
Yes. The Ghanaian Akan Day Name Calculator is free to use and does not require registration to discover your traditional Akan day name.
What if I know my birth date but not the day of the week?
That is exactly what the calculator is designed for. Enter your full birth date and it will determine the day of the week automatically.