Akua

Akua is an Akan female given name among the Akan people (i.e. Ashanti, Akuapem, Akyem, Fante) in Ghana that means "born on a Wednesday" in Akan language, following their day naming system.[1] People born on particular days are supposed to exhibit the characteristics or attributes and philosophy, associated with the days. Akua has the appellation ''Obirisuo'', ''Obisi'' or ''Odaakuo'' meaning evil.[2][3]

Akua
GenderFemale
Origin
Word/nameAkan people
Meaningborn on a Wednesday
Region of origin Ashanti
Empire of Ashanti
Other names
Related names

Origin and meaning

In the Akan culture, day names are known to be derived from deities.[2][3] Akua originated from Wukuada and from the Lord of Life’s Sky (heavenly) Host Day deity for Wednesday.[4] Females born on Wednesday are champions of the cause of others but can be mean-spirited and tenacious (obrisii, "dark hearted").[3][4] The name is also associated with a spider (Ananse).[5]

Female variant

Day names in Ghana have varying spellings. This is so because of the various Akan subgroups.[2][4] Each Akan subgroup has a similar or different spelling for the day name to other Akan subgroups. Akua is spelt Akua by the Akuapem and Ashanti subgroups while the Fante subgroup spell it as Ekua or Kuukua.[2]

Male version

In the Akan culture and other local cultures in Ghana, day names come in pairs for males and females.[1] The variant of the name used for a male child born on Wednesday is Kwaku.[1][2]

Notable people named Akua

References
  1. Kamunya, Mercy (2018-10-19). "Akan names and their meanings". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
  2. "The Sociolinguistic of Akan Personal Names". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
  3. Konadu, Kwasi (2012). "The Calendrical Factor in Akan History". International Journal of African Historical Studies. 45: 217–246.
  4. "The Akan Day Names and Their Embedded Ancient Symbolism". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
  5. Aidoo, Kwame. "Everything You Need to Know About the Ghanaian Tradition of Day Names". Culture Trip. Retrieved 2021-04-05.
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