Ama is an
Akan feminine given name originating from the
Akan people
The Akan () people are a kwa languages, Kwa group living primarily in present-day Ghana and in parts of Ivory Coast and Togo in West Africa. The Akan speak languages within the Central Tano languages, Central Tano branch of the Potou–Tano la ...
following their
day naming system, meaning "born on Saturday".
Day names are a cultural practice of the
Akan people
The Akan () people are a kwa languages, Kwa group living primarily in present-day Ghana and in parts of Ivory Coast and Togo in West Africa. The Akan speak languages within the Central Tano languages, Central Tano branch of the Potou–Tano la ...
of
Ghana
Ghana, officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It is situated along the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and shares borders with Côte d’Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, and Togo to t ...
. It is practised by all the subgroups of the Akan people (i.e.
Ashanti,
Akwamu
The Akwamu Empire was a powerful Akan state that rose to prominence in the 17th century in what is now southeastern Ghana. According to oral tradition, the Akwamu traced their origins to the Twifo-Heman area, but the earliest historical records p ...
,
Akuapem,
Bono
Paul David Hewson (born 10 May 1960), known by the nickname Bono ( ), is an Irish singer-songwriter and activist. He is a founding member, the lead vocalist, and primary lyricist of the rock band U2. Bono is known for his impassioned voca ...
,
Akyem
The Akyem Kingdoms (also known as Greater Akyem, Akim, Great Akim, or Akan Grande) were prominent Akan people, Akan kingdoms in precolonial Ghana, consisting of the three related states of Akyem Abuakwa, Akyem Kotoku, and Akyem Bosome. Located in ...
,
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, officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It is situated along the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and shares borders with Côte d’Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, and Togo to t ...
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, officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It is situated along the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and shares borders with Côte d’Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, and Togo to t ...
, 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 (1950–2021), Ghanaian politician
*
Ama Agbeze (born 1982)
*
Ama K. Abebrese (born 1980)
*
Ama Quiambao (1947–2013), Filipino actress
See also
*
Kwame
References
{{reflist
Ashanti given names
Akan given names
Feminine given names
African feminine given names
Given names