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]
| Gender | Female |
|---|---|
| Origin | |
| Word/name | Ashanti people |
| Meaning | born on a Saturday |
| Region of origin |  AshantiEmpire of Ashanti |
| Other names | |
| Related names | Kwame |
Origin and meaning of Ama
editIn 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
editThe 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
editIn 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
editMost 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
editReferences
edit- ^ Aidoo, Kwame. "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.
- ^ 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.