Ama (given name)
| Gender | Female |
|---|---|
| Origin | |
| Word/name | Akan people |
| Meaning | born on a Saturday |
| Region of origin | Akan people |
| Other names | |
| Related names | Kwame |
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, Akwamu, Akuapem, Bono, Akyem, Fante) who follow traditional customs.[4][5] 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.[6]
Origin and meaning of Ama
[edit]In the Akan culture, day names are known to be derived from deities. Ama is originated from Koyame the Akan Day name of God.[6][7] Females born on Saturday tend to be talented, wise and problem solvers.[6][7]
Female variants of Ama
[edit]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.[8]
Male version of Ama
[edit]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][6][7]
Notable people with the name
[edit]Most Ghanaian children have their cultural day names in combination with their English or Christian names. Some notable people with such names are:
- Ama Benyiwa Doe (1950–2021), Ghanaian politician
- Ama Agbeze (born 1982)
- Ama K. Abebrese (born 1980)
- Ama Quiambao (1947–2013), Filipino actress
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Aidoo, Kwame (24 April 2018). "Everything You Need to Know About the Ghanaian Tradition of Day Names". Culture Trip. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
- ^ Jelka. "Ama". CharliesNames. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
- ^ "Ama". SheKnows. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
- ^ a b "The Sociolinguistic of Akan Personal Names". ResearchGate. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
- ^ "The sociolinguistic of Akan personal names". Researchgate. p. 214.
- ^ a b c d "The Akan Day Names and Their Embedded Ancient Symbolism". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
- ^ a b c Konadu, Kwasi (2012). "The Calendrical Factor in Akan History". International Journal of African Historical Studies. 45: 217–246.
- ^ "'Day born names' in Dagbani, Ewe and Fante". GhanaWeb. 9 November 2019. Retrieved 7 April 2021.