Kofi
GenderMale
Origin
Word/nameAkan people
Meaningborn on a Friday
Region of origin Ghana
Other names
Related names
  • Kwadwo (Monday)
  • Kwabena (Tuesday)
  • Kwaku/Kweku (Wednesday)
  • Yaw (Thursday)
  • Kofi (Friday)
  • Kwame (Saturday)
  • Akwasi/Kwesi (Sunday)

Kofi is an Akan masculine given name among the Akan people (such as the Ashanti and Fante) in Ghana that is given to a boy born on Friday. Traditionally in Ghana, a child would receive their Akan day name during their Outdooring, eight days after birth.[1][2]

According to Akan tradition, people born on particular days exhibit certain characteristics or attributes.[1][2] Kofi has the appellation "Kyini", "Otuo" and "Ntiful" meaning "wanderer" and "traveller."[1][2]

Origin and meaning of Kofi

In the Akan culture, day names are known to be derived from deities. Kofi originated from Kwaofida and the Lord of life's home deity of the day Friday.[3][4] Males named Kofi are known to be adventurers and indecisive thus taking time to settle. They are highly motivated and competent.[3][4]

Male variants of Kofi

Day names in Ghana vary in spelling among the various Akan subgroups. The name is spelt Kofi by the Akuapem, Ashanti and Fante subgroups. Other versions of Kofi are Fiifi and Yoofi.[1][5]

Female version of Kofi

In the Akan culture and other local cultures in Ghana, day names come in pairs for males and females. The variant of the name used for a female child born on Friday is Efua, Afua, Afia, Effie.[1]

Notable people with the name

Most Ghanaian children have their cultural day names in combination with their English or Christian names. Some notable people with such names are:

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "(PDF) The Sociolinguistic of Akan Personal Names". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
  2. ^ a b c Kamunya, Mercy (2018-10-19). "Akan names and their meanings". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
  3. ^ a b "Modern Ghana". www.modernghana.com. Retrieved 2021-04-07.
  4. ^ a b Konadu, Kwasi (2012). "The Calendrical Factor in Akan History". International Journal of African Historical Studies. 45: 217–246.
  5. ^ "'Day born names' in Dagbani, Ewe and Fante". GhanaWeb. 2019-11-09. Retrieved 2021-04-06.
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