Culture
Names and meanings
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Akan day names and their meanings
Akan day-names (kradin) assign a child a name based on the day of the week of birth. Each day has a distinct male and female form (e.g., Kofi/Afua for Friday).
Country:Ghana
Language:Twi; English
Published:2024-09-12
Audience:General public, parents, students
In Akan culture (Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire), children traditionally receive a day-name (kradin) based on the day of the week on which they were born. Male and female forms differ. The common Akan day-names are:
Sunday (Kwasiada): Kwasi (M) / Akosua (F)
Monday (Dwoada): Kwadwo / Adwoa
Tuesday (Benada): Kwabena / Abenaa
Wednesday (Wukuada): Kwaku / Akua
Thursday (Yawada): Yaw / Yaa
Friday (Fiada): Kofi / Afua
Saturday (Memeneda): Kwame / Ama
Each day-name carries traditional character associations (for example Wednesday-born Kwaku is associated with leadership traits in some traditions). The day-name is normally given alongside a personal/given name and family name.
Keywords
Akan
day names
kradin
Twi
Ghana
culture
naming
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