How do Ghanaians name their children?

Day-born names Even before parents select a western or religious name for their child, the baby already has a name. Among some Ghanaian ethnic groups like the Akan, Ga, Ewe and Nzema, a name is automatically assigned based on the day the child is born.

How do Ghanaians name their babies?

Ghanaian names (or personal names in Ghana) consist of several given names and surnames based on the language of ethnic groups in Ghana: including Akan, Dagomba, Ga, Ewe and Nzema. Frequently, children are given a "day name" which corresponds to the day in the week when they were born.

Whose surname does a child take in Ghana?

Family Names

Although the westernised trend is for children to take the surnames of their fathers, every Akan child is given his/her own proper or surname (dinpa) at the ceremony called dinto.

What is the traditional naming ceremony in Ghana?

In Ghana, an Outdooring (Ga: kpodziemo; Akan: abadinto, Ewe language “vihehedego”) is the traditional naming ceremony for infants. Traditionally this ceremony occurs eight days after the child is born where parents bring their newborn "outdoors" and give the child a name.

How do Ghanaian last names work?

"The surnames consisting of two or more proper names often connected by a hyphen, conjunc- tion or preposition" are called compound sur- names. Some individuals [3] in Ghana have two-worded names, each of which is a common surname. Examples: Osei Mensah. Baah Achamfour.

Ghanaian names according to the days of the week🇬🇭🇬🇭

Why is naming a child important in Ghana?

The naming of children is of great importance in all Akan societies, as it is believed that the name given to a child can affect his behaviour and destiny. Besides, the family name that is given to the child the day the child is born is very significant as it actually becomes the first name of the person.

What does kofi mean in Ghana?

Kofi is a boy's name of Ghanian origin. This name translates from the Akan language to “born on Friday”, which clues you in on its origins. It is traditionally a name popular among the Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast.

What is the procedure for naming a child in Akan?

The child, the mother, and the godparent(s) face the crowd. If it is a male child, the godfather performs the ceremony. if it is a female child, the godmother performs the ceremony. Certain sacred beads are put on the child, and clay marks specific to this ceremony are put on the child and mother.

Who is responsible for naming a child?

Both parents usually have equal rights to name or change their child's name, but if they disagree, state laws and courts may decide.

What are the traditions of babies in Ghana?

In Ghanaian culture, newborns are traditionally kept indoors for the first seven days of life. This period, known as the “outdooring” tradition, allows time for the baby to be observed for good health and strengthens the spiritual bond with the family.

What are Akan surnames in Ghana?

Akan-Language Surnames - Abebrese, Abeyie, Aboagye, Aboah, Aborah, Acheampong, Acquah, Addai (Surname), Addo (Surname), Adiyiah, Adomah, Adu (S (Paperback)

Can a child use father's surname?

Republic Act No. 9255 (R.A. 9255)—also known as “An Act Allowing Illegitimate Children to Use the Surname of Their Father”—significantly changed the legal landscape. Under this law, an illegitimate child may use the father's surname if: The father expressly recognizes the child.

Who has the right to name a child in Ghana?

Acknowledgement of paternity implies a duty on the father to name the child. The right of the child to bear its biological father's name is guaranteed by the Children's Act which states that no person shall deprive a child of the right from birth to a name.

What does naa mean in Ghana?

Naa in Ghanaian means Queen and Cromo means Grace.

What does Akua mean in Ghana?

Akua is an Akan female given name among the Akan people (i.e. Ashanti, Akuapem, Bono, Akwamu, Akyem,Fante) in Ghana that means "born on a Wednesday" in Akan language, following their day naming system.

What does "juju" mean in Ghana?

Juju is a word of West African origin, derived from the French joujou ('toy') and its connection to the spiritual realm and ghosts means that 19th-century Europeans regarded it as a type of witchcraft or 'black magic'.

What does susu mean in Ghana?

🇬🇭 Ghana to the World 🌎 The term "susu" has its roots in West African culture, particularly in Ghana 🇬🇭 where it refers to a traditional system of informal savings and loans. In the Akan language susu means "plan". In this system, individuals contribute money into a pool, which is then given to each member in rotation.

What is my love called in Ghana?

Taken from the Ghanaian twi dialect, Me dɔ means my love.

How do names work in Ghana?

Children in Ghana are given names depending on several elements, such as the day of the week they were born, the circumstances of their birth, their gender, and the preferences of their parents.

What does abena mean in Ghana?

Abena as a given name, it is a girl's name of Ghanaian origin and means born on Tuesday. Day names are a cultural practice of the Akan people of Ghana.

What does akosua mean?

Akosua is a girl's name of Ghanaian origin, meaning “born on a Sunday” in the Akan language. The Akan and Ewe people often name their children after the day of the week on which they were born.

What are two taboos in Ghana?

What is a Saturday born called in Ghana?

Kwame is a masculine name of Ghanaian origin, meaning “born on Saturday.” A beloved name in Akan communities, Kwame is part of the tradition of naming children by the day of the week they were born. The feminine name for a little one born on Saturday is Amma.

What does kwadwo mean?

Origin:Ghanaian. Meaning:Born on Monday. Kwadwo is a masculine name of Ghanaian origin. Following the Akan naming traditions, it translates to “born on Monday.” If baby joins your family on a Monday and you want to commemorate it for years to come, Kwadwo can make for a meaningful choice.