Ama is an
Akan feminine given name originating from 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 ...
following their
day naming system, meaning "born on Saturday".
Day names are a cultural practice of 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 ...
of
Ghana
Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in Ghana–Ivory Coast border, the west, Burkina ...
. It is practised by all the subgroups of the Akan people (i.e.
Ashanti,
Akuapem,
Akyem,
Fante) who follow traditional customs.
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.
Origin and meaning of Ama
In the Akan culture, day names are known to be derived from deities. Ama is originated from Koyame the Akan Day name of God.
Females born on Saturday tend to be talented, wise and problem solvers.
Female variants of Ama
The Akan people in
Ghana
Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in Ghana–Ivory Coast border, the west, Burkina ...
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.
Male version of Ama
In the Akan culture and other local cultures in
Ghana
Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in Ghana–Ivory Coast border, the west, Burkina ...
, day names come in pairs for males and females. The variant of the name used for a male child born on Saturday is
Kwame.
Notable people with the name
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 (born Comfort Saah), Ghanaian politician.
*
Nana Ama McBrown (born Felicity Ama Agyemang)Ghanaian actress
*
Shola Ama (born Mathurin Campbell)English R&B singer.
*
Ama Agbeze (born 12 November 1982)is an
England netball international
*
Ama K. Abebrese
Ama K. Abebrese (born 3 May 1980) is a British-Ghanaian actress, television presenter and a producer. She was born in Ghana and raised in West London in the United Kingdom. She won the 2011 Best Actress in a Leading Role at the AMAA Awards for ...
(born 3 May 1980) is a British-
Ghanaian
Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and Tog ...
actress, television presenter and a producer
*
Ama Quiambao (19 January 1947 – 5 July 2013), was a
Filipino film, television and theater actress in the
Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
See also
*
Kwame
References
{{reflist
Ashanti given names
Akan given names
Feminine given names
African feminine given names
Given names