Know The Meaning Of Your Name: 35 Akan Names And Their Meaning

We know most of you are aware of the Akan names that signify the day you were born but what most of you might not know is that, those are not really names.

In Akan, it is known as “Kradin” which is translated “your soul’s name”. In the Akan tradition, it is believed that every child comes into this World with a name which is part of their soul and so the soul determines the day they want to come into this World and so when one is born on Monday, they become Kwadwo or Kojo for males and Adwoa or Adjoa for females. These names are not determined by the father of the baby but by the day he or she is born. After all that, the father names the child, the name given to the child is what becomes the real name of the child.

For many years, Africa has been branded as backward, but it will surprise you to know that, our naming system is so systematic and well arranged that, it speaks tons on itself. For instance the circumstances that leads to your birth determines the name given to you, the number of children that your parents had, determine your name etc. and all this was done thousands of years ago.

Just by your name, any person who understands will be able to tell the day you were born, the number you fall in among your sibling and even the circumstance that led to your birth. Even if you’re a reincarnated child, it can be determined by your name. This is how well our ancestors were organized, so we decided to do a list on your real Akan names and their meaning, so you get the chance to know the meaning of your name.

1. Odeneho – The independent one
2. Bekoe – Came to fight
3. Katakyie – The strong man
4. Bediako – Came to engage in war
5. Agyeman – Saviour of the nation

6. Osei – Noble man
7. Piesie – First born
8. Manu – Second born
9. Mensah/Mansah – Third born
10. Annan/Anane – Fourth born

11. Anum – Fifth born
12. Nsiah – Sixth born
13. Nson – Seventh born
14. Awotwe – Eighth born
15. Nkrumah – Ninth born

16. Badu – Tenth born
17. Duku – Eleventh born
18. Adunu – Twelve born
19. Adusa – Thirteenth born
20. Adiyiah – Encountered sorrow

21. Abayie – Came well
22. Antobre – Did not experience hardship
23. Abeberese –  Experienced hardship
24. Acheampong – Bearer of Kings and Chiefs.
25. Addae – Morning Sun

26. Addai – Clouds
27. Adekorafo – Treasurer
28. Agyei – Messenger from God
29. Agyenim – Great one from God
30. Ansah – Royal person

31. Donkor – Slave
32. Serwaah –  Noble one
33. Bagyina – Stable Child
34. Sumina – Garbage
35. Agyegyesem – Troublesome or Troublemaker