Kwame

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Kwame is an Akan masculine given name among the Akan people (such as the Akuapem, Ashanti, Akyem, Bono and Fante) in Ghana which is given to a boy born on Saturday.[1] Traditionally in Ghana, a child would receive their Akan day name during their Outdooring, eight days after birth.[2][3]

GenderMale
Word/nameAkan people
Meaningborn on a Saturday
Region of originAkan people
Quick facts Gender, Origin ...
Kwame
GenderMale
Origin
Word/nameAkan people
Meaningborn on a Saturday
Region of originAkan people
Other names
Related names
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According to Akan tradition, people born on particular days exhibit certain characteristics or attributes.[2][3] Kwame has the appellation "Atoapoma" or "Oteanankannuro" meaning "combat ready".[2][3]

The day naming tradition in Ghana extends to folk characters such as Anansi and deities. Traditional Akan religion states that God created himself on Saturday and is therefore also named "Kwame".[4]

Origin and meaning of Kwame

In the Akan culture, day names are derived from deities.[citation needed] Kwame originated from Koyame and the Akan day name God.[2][5] The name Kwame means extremes in fortune, health and spirituality; versatile, idealistic and intuitive.[6] Males named Kwame are reputed to be talented and good problem solvers.[7]

Male variants of Kwame

Variant spellings include Kwamé, Kouamé, Kwami, Kwamena, and Kwamina, according to the various Akan subgroups.[8][3] It is spelt Kwame by the Akuapem, Akyem, Bono and Ashanti subgroups, while the Fante subgroup spell it as Kwamena or Kwamina.[2][8]

Female version of Kwame

In the Akan culture and other local cultures in Ghana, day names come in pairs for males and females.[2] The variant of the name used for a female child born on Saturday is Ama.[2][3]

Notable people with the name

The most well-known bearer of the name was Kwame Nkrumah, President of Ghana and a founder of Pan-Africanism – mainly due to whom the name spread also to non-Ghanaians.

People with this name include:

References

Fictional character

See also

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