Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

Why Are People Given Names

Why are people given names at birth and where did the tradition begin?

Names are an important part of African culture and that they are of massive importance both to the people who receive names and to the African cultures, which give them but this has not always been the case. The African Folklore Why People are given a name explains where the tradition of giving names at birth started.


Newborn baby in Kenya

African Folklore Story Why Are People Given Names



The Great Soul sends his son to earth to see what is here.

His son's name is Somebody. Somebody goes about doing evil until he is captured by four old women.

People call a meeting to talk the stranger and the village folks decide to put Somebody to death.

A little boy proposes, that, before killing him, they ask him the reason of his misconduct. Somebody answers, "I wish to have every man given a name, and to end the practice of calling me and everybody Somebody then every deed may be attributed to its doer."

The wisdom of this reply gains Somebody his release, and for every man a name given to remember the ancestors.”



Ghana soul name or day name


In Ghana, children are given a name based on the day in the week they were born. These day names have further meanings concerning the soul or character of the person.

Men Ghana soul name or day name
Sunday born males names are Akwasi, Kwasi, Kwesi, Akwesi, Sisi, Kacely, or Kosi
Monday born males names are Kojo, Kwadwo, Jojo, Joojo, or Kujoe
Tuesday born males names are Kwabena, Kobe, Kobi, Ebo, Kabelah, Komla, Kwabela, Kobby, or Kobena
Wednesday born males names are Kwaku, Abeiku, Kuuku, or Kweku
Thursday born males names are Yaw, Ekow, or Yao
Friday born males names are Kofi, Fifi, Fiifi, or Yoofi
Saturday born males names are Kwame, Kwamena, or Kwamina.

Women Ghana soul name or day name
Sunday born female names are Akosua, Akasi, Akos, Esi, or Awesi.
Monday born female names are Adwoa, Adjoa, Adzoa, or Adwoma.
Tuesday born female names are Abena, Araba, or Abenayo.
Wednesday born female names are Akua, Aku, Kukua,or Akuma.
Thursday born female names are Aba, Yaa, Yawa, Baaba, or Awo.
Friday born female names are Afua, Afia, Afi, or Efua.
Saturday born female name is Ama.


What is your Ghanaian soul name or day name

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