If you need the complete list of all local Ghanaian names and their meanings, you landed on the right page. In Ghana, we are very particular about names. Our names carry meanings and therefore form an important part of our culture as a whole.
If you are looking for an amazing name to give your child, you can look through our list to get inspiration.
Structure of Ghanaian Names
- Every Ghana has a day born name (kra da din). For example, Monday born males are called Kwadwo. Every Ghana has a first name, surname and other names.
- Surnames are mostly that of the fathers given to him/her.
- People from royal families are mostly referred to as Nana, Naana, etc.
In Ghana, the day you were born automatically has an assigned name. We call that “day names”. Aside that, there are other local names that carry meaning depending on the circumstances that occurred before, during or after childbirth.
Different tribes have different ways of naming their people. We are going to have a look at the names of the people of most of the tribes in Ghana: Ewes, Akans, Gas, and more.
Things to note
Some names are specific to one gender only whiles others can be given to both genders. It all depends on the tribe and their naming culture.
Ghanaian Names and Their Meanings
| Akan Names | |
| Name | Meaning |
| Abrafi | |
| Osei | |
| Boateng | |
| Akomea | |
| Akese | |
| Akrasi | |
| Boakyewaa | |
| Busia | |
| Darbo | |
| Berko | |
| Bediako | |
| Otumi | |
| Akatayie | |
| Amoah | |
| Attigah | |
| Ababio | |
| Quainoo | |
| Apiesie | |
| Osam | |
| Frimpong | |
| Twum | |
| Yiadom | |
| Adaakwa | |
| Ewe Names | |
| Mawuli | |
| Akuvi | |
| Setsofia | |
| Sesime | |
| Mawunyo | |
| Enyornam | |
| Elorm | |
| Klenam | |
| Amenuveve | Grace |
| Kpodo | |
| Yayra | |
| Deladem | |
| Emefa | |
| Fafali | |
| Dogoli | |
| Agbesi | |
| Dziedzom | |
| Tampo | |
| Dzilla | |
| Mawuko | |
Ghanaian Day Names
| Name | Day born |
| Kwadwo/Adwoa | Monday |
| Kwabena/Abena | Tuesday |
| Kwaku | Wednesday |
| Yaw/Yaa | Thursday |
| Kofi/Afia | Friday |
| Kwame/Ama | Saturday |
| Kwasi | Sunday |
Common English Names (First Name) Given to Ghanaians
- Francis
- Godfred
- Michael
- Divine
- Phanuel
- Emmanuel
- Philip
- Gloria
- Gifty
- Grace
- Nicholas
- William
- Agnes
- Angela
- Princess
- Rockson
- Benjamin
- Bernice
- Bismark
- Lincoln
- Carlos
- Cecilia
- Celestine
- Richard
- Richmond
- Christian
- Joseph
- Elvis
- Priscilla
- Deborah
- Dennis
- Godfred
- Lawrence
- Derrick
- Godwin
Hi. I was wondering if I could get some help finding out the meaning of my name. My father passed in 2015 and I wish I had asked more questions about name meanings etc. He is from Accra Ghana the Ga tribe. My name is Mensa Okwei Nortey. Peace and thanks if can help out