Ghanian Name Bracelet

There is a West African tradition of giving newborn babies a special name that is based on the day they are born. The Akan people of Ghana often name their children based on the day of the week they were born. These are called “day names,” and they hold meanings regarding the soul of the baby and character traits.

This naming tradition is not only shared throughout West Africa, but the African diaspora as well. Many Ghanaians hold at least one day name, even if they already have a Christian or English name. To help better understand this naming system we must know that the Akan people use the Kwa language, which is used as a form of time keeping. The language is based on a 6 day week, with the 7th day included.

• Sunday-born males and females are named Kwasi or Kwesi and Akosua respectively (meaning ‘associated with the universe’);
• Monday-born are Kwadwo or Kojo, Adjoa or Adwoa (meaning ‘associated with peace’);
• Tuesday-born are Kwabena or Kobi, Abena (meaning ‘associated with the ocean’);
• Wednesday-born Kwaku or Kweku, Akua (meaning ‘associated with spider/Ananse’);
• Thursday-born Yaw, Yaa (meaning ‘associated with the earth’);
• Friday-born Kofi, Afia or Afua (meaning ‘associated with fertility’);
• Saturday-born Kwame, Ama (meaning ‘associated with God’).