Ghanaian names often evoke thoughts of day names, a traditional naming practice across the country. In this custom, a child’s name is determined by the day of the week they were born. Such day names and notable persons include:
- Adwoa/Adjoa (Adwoa Aboa, Adjoa Andoh), born on a Monday
- Abena (Abena Busia) born on a Tuesday
- Kwaku (Kwaku Fortune) born on a Wednesday
- Yaa (Yaa Asantewaa) born on a Thursday
- Kofi (Kofi Annan) born on a Friday
- Kwame (Kwame Nkrumah), born on a Saturday
- Kwasi (Kwasi Kwarteng), born on a Sunday
Background
There are two theories about the origins of these day names. This summary is with respect to Akan names specifically.
Akan Cosmology: In a cosmological framework similar to those found in various cultures worldwide, the Akan people attribute the seven days of the week to seven planets or gods, each imbued with mythical and historical significance. These days derive their names from the characteristics and traits linked to them, which were traditionally believed to be governed by respective deities. However, as noted by Yaw Sekyi-Baidoo in “Akan Personal Names” (2019), there is no evidence to suggest that these deities were actively worshipped or acknowledged as objects of veneration.
This table below describes planets associated with the days of the week
| Day | Day (Akan) | Planet/Deity |
| Monday | Dwowda | Moon (Osram) |
| Tuesday | Benada | Mars (Bena) |
| Wednesday | Wukuda | Mercury (Eku) |
| Thursday | Yawada | Jupiter (Awo) |
| Friday | Fida | Venus (Afi) |
| Saturday | Memenda | Saturn (Amen) |
| Sunday | Akwasida | Sun (Owia) |
Military Conquests: due to the fact that Akan societies were structured largely by military conquests, it is postulated that the names were based on the various activities and cycles of life at war (Source: Akan Personal Names, Yaw Sekyi-Baidoo, 2019)
| Day | Day (Akan) | Stages of War |
| Monday | Dwowda | Day of calm & tranquility |
| Tuesday | Benada | Day of fear and wailing in anticipation of war |
| Wednesday | Wukuda | Day of fighting, killing, and death |
| Thursday | Yawada | Day of pain |
| Friday | Fida | Day of deliverance |
| Saturday | Memenda | Day of satisfaction and restoration |
| Sunday | Akwasida | Day war ends and planning for the next battle |
Day Names Across Ghanaian Ethnicities
Other Resources
This video is in Twi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkSYSedaY1Y
Ghanaian Names 
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