Discover how children in Ghana—especially among the Frafra tribes—are named based on the day of the week they’re born. Find out what your Frafra name could be!
The Frafra people, also known as Gurune or Farefare, are a proud ethnic group primarily found in the Upper East Region of Ghana and parts of southern Burkina Faso. Like many African communities, names among the Frafra carry significant weight — they are not just labels, but stories of identity, circumstance, spiritual meaning, and cultural continuity.
Frafra names can reflect the day of birth, circumstances surrounding the birth, spiritual lineage, or social status. Some are titles or roles within the community. While written documentation of these names is limited compared to groups like the Akan, the meanings have been preserved through oral tradition.
Here are some of the most known or likely Frafra names, their meanings, and the categories they fall into:
While the Frafra do not follow the structured Akan-style naming for each weekday, some names hint at birth days or periods.
Lamisi – Female; possibly a local version of a name tied to time of birth. Popular but not formally tied to a weekday.
Talata – Female; likely derived from Arabic Thulatha, meaning Tuesday. Used in several Muslim communities in Northern Ghana.
Asibi – Possibly male or female; unclear origin but used locally.
Teni – Male; may be associated with timing of birth, but not clearly defined.
Azumah – Female; often linked with time or significance of birth, though interpretations vary.
Ayamga – Male; often a “house name” indicating the first person in the family line to bear the name.
Ayambilla – Male; second person in a family to bear the Ayamga name.
Ayambire – Male; third in line to carry the Ayamga lineage.
Awine – Unisex; given to children born after the death of a sibling, for spiritual protection.
Akurugu – Male; literally “born during the rain.”
Akuriba – Male; “child of the rain,” symbolizing life, blessings, or seasonal connection.
Atarah – Female; "last-born" child or one born when the mother is older, possibly post-menopausal.
Some names function more like titles or refer to a person’s spiritual role, clan status, or authority in traditional Frafra society.
Nsor / Nyaaba – Male; names given to those believed to possess spiritual insight or power.
Mmaa – Female; counterpart to Nsor, used for spiritually powerful women.
Naba – Male; meaning “chief” or a respected elder or clan head.
Pognaa – Female; meaning “queen mother” or the female equivalent of a Naba.
Zuarungu – Male; possibly tied to sacred geography (rock or land); used for individuals of authority or protection.
Tindana – Male; traditional land priest or spiritual custodian of the earth — a deeply respected community figure.
Due to Islamic influence and broader West African naming customs, some names have crossed cultural boundaries but are still common among Frafra families.
Bukari – Male; common Islamic name, widely used in Muslim Frafra communities.
Suale – Male; a variant of Suleman, popular in Northern Ghana.
Karim / Karimatu – Male/Female; Islamic names often used in Frafra households.
Adongo – Male; typically means “second of twins” — used among many ethnic groups in Northern Ghana.
Atiah – Male; believed to have cultural or spiritual connotation, though meaning remains unclear.
Akologo – Male; associated with healing or spiritual gifts. Sometimes refers to traditional medicine men or diviners.
Yindongo – Male; meaning “born at night” or “in darkness.”
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Day or Time of Birth | Lamisi, Talata, Asibi, Teni, Azumah |
| Birth Circumstances / Lineage | Ayamga, Ayambilla, Ayambire, Awine, Akurugu, Akuriba, Atarah |
| Spiritual or Social Titles | Nsor, Nyaaba, Mmaa, Naba, Pognaa, Zuarungu, Tindana |
| Religious / Cross-cultural Names | Bukari, Suale, Karim, Karimatu, Adongo, Atiah, Akologo, Yindongo |
If you are from the Frafra/Gurune-speaking areas or know someone who is, you are invited to contribute more names or clarify meanings. Much of this knowledge is preserved orally, and sharing helps protect and document it for future generations.
Cultural heritage doesn't only exist in monuments and sites — it lives in our names, our languages, and the stories we carry.