Ama (given name)

Ama is an Akan feminine given name originating from the Akan people following their day naming system, meaning "born on Saturday".[1][2][3] Day names are a cultural practice of the Akan people of Ghana. It is practised by all the subgroups of the Akan people (i.e. Ashanti, Akuapem, Akyem, Fante) who follow traditional customs.[4] People born on particular days are supposed to exhibit the characteristics or attributes and philosophy, associated with the days. Ama has the appellation "Nyamewa" or "Adoma" meaning creation or grace.[5]

Ama
GenderFemale
Origin
Word/nameAshanti people
Meaningborn on a Saturday
Region of origin Ashanti
Empire of Ashanti
Other names
Related namesKwame

Origin and meaning of Ama

In the Akan culture, day names are known to be derived from deities. Ama is originated from Koyame the Akan Day name of God.[5][6] Females born on Saturday tend to be talented, wise and problem solvers.[5][6]

Female variants of Ama

The Akan people in Ghana have so many ways of calling or naming their female child born on Saturday. For instance, the Fantes call a female child born on Saturday Ewurama, Ama or Amba.[7]

Male version of Ama

In the Akan culture and other local cultures in Ghana, day names come in pairs for males and females. The variant of the name used for a male child born on Saturday is Kwame.[4][5][6]

Notable people with the name

Most Ghanaian children have their cultural day names in combination with their English or Christian names. Some notable people with such names are:

See also

References
  1. Aidoo, Kwame. "Everything You Need to Know About the Ghanaian Tradition of Day Names". Culture Trip. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  2. Jelka. "Ama". CharliesNames. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  3. "Ama". SheKnows. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  4. "The Sociolinguistic of Akan Personal Names". ResearchGate. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  5. "The Akan Day Names and Their Embedded Ancient Symbolism". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  6. Konadu, Kwasi (2012). "The Calendrical Factor in Akan History". International Journal of African Historical Studies. 45: 217–246.
  7. "'Day born names' in Dagbani, Ewe and Fante". GhanaWeb. 9 November 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
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