Afia is an Akan female given name among the

Akan people The Akan () people live primarily in present-day Ghana and Ivory Coast in West Africa. The Akan language (also known as ''Twi/Fante'') are a group of dialects within the Central Tano branch of the Potou–Tano subfamily of the Niger–Congo ...

(i.e. Ashanti, Akuapem, Akyem, Fante) in Ghana that means "born on Friday" in

Akan language Akan () is a Central Tano language and the principal native language of the Akan people of Ghana, spoken over much of the southern half of Ghana. About 80% of Ghana's population can speak Akan, and about 44% of Ghanaians are native speakers. I ...

, following their day naming system. People born on particular days are supposed to exhibit the characteristics, or attributes and philosophy, associated with the days. Afia has the appellation ''Baafi'', ''Nkosuo'', which means "wanderer" or "traveller".

Origin and meaning

In the Akan culture, day names are known to be derived from deities. Afia originates from Kwaofida, which means "Lord of life's home day". Those with this name are adventurers and indecisive, thus taking time to settle, and are highly motivated and competent.

Female variant of Afia

Day names in Ghana have varying spellings, because of the various Akan subgroups. Each Akan subgroup has a similar or different spelling for the day name to other Akan subgroups. Afia is spelt thus by the Akuapem and Ashanti subgroups, while the Fante subgroup and spell it as Efua and Afua.

Male version of Afia

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 Friday is

Kofi Kofi is an Akan masculine given name among the Akan people (such as the Ashanti and Fante) in Ghana that is given to a boy born on Friday. Traditionally in Ghana, a child would receive their Akan day name during their Outdooring, eight days aft ...

, Fiifi and Fi.

Notable people called Afia

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

Afia Charles Afia Neliah Charles (born July 22, 1992) is a sprinter from Antigua and Barbuda who specializes in the 400 metre dash. Personal life Charles is from Greenbelt, Maryland, United States but her mother Ruperta, was born in Antigua and competed ...

(born 1992), sprinter representing Antigua and Barbuda * Afia Masood, fictional character in ''EastEnders'' *

Afia Nathaniel Afia Serena Nathaniel (born 1974) is an independent Pakistani filmmaker who works primarily as a writer, director, producer and editor. She is a graduate of the Film Division at the Columbia University School of the Arts (2006). Early life Af ...

(born before 1991), Pakistani filmmaker *

Afia Pokua Afia Pokua (known as Vim Lady) is a Ghanaian media personality and the Head of Programs at the Despite Media Group, operating Peace FM, Okay FM, Neat FM and Hello FM in Kumasi. Education Afia attended Labone Senior High School for her secondar ...

, Ghanaian media personality, known professionally as Vim Lady *

Afia Salam Afia Salam is a Pakistani journalist and a media development specialist by profession. She is known for being the first female cricket journalist in Pakistan. She has also remained a member of Pakistan's first batch of air traffic controllers a ...

, Pakistani journalist and media development specialist *

Afia Siddiqui Aafia Siddiqui ( ur, ; born 2 March 1972) is a Pakistani national who is serving an 86-year sentence at the Federal Medical Center, Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas, United States for attempted murder and other felonies. Siddiqui was born in Paki ...

(born 1972), Pakistani neuroscientist, convicted in a U.S. court of attempted murder and other offenses *

Afia Schwarzenegger Afia Schwarzenegger, also known as Valentina Nana Agyeiwaa (born 14 February 1982, Kumasi, Ghana) is a Ghanaian media personality. She was the host Okay FM's morning show ''Yewo krom'' and UTV Ghana's ''Kokooko'' show, being fired from those out ...

(born 1982), Ghanaian media personality *

Afia Amankwaah Tamakloe Ophelia Ofori Amankwaah known widely as Afia Amankwaah Tamakloe is a Ghanaian TV and radio personality, journalist and a health advocate. She was adjourned the Best Health Reporter at the 25th GJA Awards. She is the host of ''Nkwa Hia'', ''Nyins ...

, Ghanaian television and radio personality, journalist, and health advocate *

Moshik Afia Moshik Afia ( he, מושיק עפיה; born 3 October 1974 as Moshe Efroni) is a popular Israeli singer who sings in the Mizrahi or Eastern Mediterranean style. He was born in Holon, Israel to Lebanese Jewish parents. Selected discography *A rai ...

(born 1974), Israeli singer * Nura Afia (born 1993), a beauty vlogger

References

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