Akan Days of the Week + Appellations / Day Names
In Akan culture, the day you’re born on gives you a "soul name" or Kradin. Each day also has male and female appellations.
*1. The 7 Days + Meanings*
Day Twi Name Meaning Male Name Female Name
**Sunday** Kwasiada "Day of the Most High God" **Kwasi** Akosua
**Monday** Dwowada "Peaceful/Calm day" **Kwadwo** Adwoa
**Tuesday** Benada "Warfare/Valor day" **Kwabena** Abenaa
**Wednesday** Wukuada "Spider day" - associated with Anansi **Kwaku** Akua
**Thursday** Yawoada "Bold/Brave day" **Yaw** Yaa
**Friday** Fiada "Love/Fertility day" **Kofi** Afua
**Saturday** Memeneda "God's day / Serious day" **Kwame** Ama
*2. Appellations / Praise names for each day*
These are used to praise or identify people born on that day:
1. Kwasi / Akosua - Sunday born
Appellation: "Otumfuo" = The powerful one
Trait: Leadership, responsibility, spiritual
2. Kwadwo / Adwoa - Monday born
Appellation: "Dapaa"
Trait: Peaceful, calm, gentle
3. Kwabena / Abenaa - Tuesday born
Appellation: "Ogyam" = Warrior
Trait: Bold, hot-tempered but brave
4. Kwaku / Akua - Wednesday born
Appellation: "Ananse"
Trait: Clever, witty, creative like Anansi the spider
5. Yaw / Yaa - Thursday born
Appellation: "Otuo" = Gun / Brave
Trait: Courageous, determined, stubborn
6. Kofi / Afua - Friday born
Appellation: "Kɔkɔbɛn" = Rooster
Trait: Loving, romantic, traveler
7. Kwame / Ama - Saturday born
Appellation: "Bretuo" = War clan
Trait: Serious, hardworking, blessed
*3. How it works*
Example: If you’re born on a Friday and you're a guy → Kofi.
People might call you "Kofi Kɔkɔbɛn" as your appellation.
Bonus: Sometimes a 2nd name is added based on birth order.
Ex: Kofi Nti = Kofi, 3rd born
*Fun fact*
Most Ghanaian surnames you hear - Kofi Annan, Yaa Asantewaa, Kwame Nkrumah - come from this day-name system.
Want me to:
1. Make you a chart you can save/share
2. Give you Akan proverbs for each day
3. Tell you what your day name would be if you give me your birthday?