Adwoa is a

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a fa ...

used for women born on Monday in Western Africa, particularly Ghana and some parts of Togo, southern Benin and Ivory Coast. 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 ...

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 the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and To ...

and the

Ivory Coast Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d'Ivoire, officially the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, is a country on the southern coast of West Africa. Its capital is Yamoussoukro, in the centre of the country, while its largest city and economic centre is ...

. Although some might believe it is mostly practiced by Ashanti people, it is actually practiced by all Akan (i.e. all the various Akan subgroups) people who follow traditional customs. People born on particular days are supposed to exhibit the characteristics or attributes and philosophy, associated with the days. Adwoa has the appellation Badwo or Akoto meaning peace. Thus, females named Adwoa are supposed to be peaceful.

Origin and meaning of Adwoa

In the Akan culture, day names are known to be derived from deities. Adwoa is originated from Koyayuda and from the Lord of Life Firmament deity of the day Monday. Females born on Monday are known to be calm, peacemakers and protectors. They tend to be nurturing and achieve a balance between strength and compassion.

Female variants of Adwoa

Day names in Ghana have varying spellings. This is so because of the various Akan subgroups. Each Akan subgroup has a similar or different spelling for the day name to other Akan subgroups. Adwoa is spelt Adwoa by the Akuapem and Ashanti subgroups while the Fante subgroup spell it as ''Adjoa'', ''Ajua'', or ''Ajuba''.

Male version of Adwoa

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 Monday '' Kwadwo.''

Notable women named Adwoa

Most Ghanaian children have their cultural names in combination with their English or Christian names. Some notable people with such names are: * Adwoa Ansah-Brew (GEN Z), Musical Artist and Performer (East Coast Rockstar) *

Adwoa Aboah Adwoa Caitlin Maria Aboah (born 18 May 1992) is a British fashion model. In December 2017 she appeared on the cover of British ''Vogue''. She has also been on the cover of ''American Vogue'', ''Vogue Italia'', '' Vogue Poland'', and '' i-D''. I ...

(born 1992), British model and activist *

Adjoa Andoh Adjoa Andoh Hon. FRSL (born 14 January 1963) is a British actress. On stage, she has played lead roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, the Royal Court Theatre and the Almeida Theatre. On television, she appeared in two ...

(born 1963), British actress *

Adwoa Smart Belinda Naa Ode Oku (born October 5, 1970) is a Ghanaian actress popularly known in showbiz as ''"Adwoa Smart"''. She was born at Abossey Okai, a suburb of Accra in Ghana. Adwoa has acted in numerous movies and drama episodes over several decad ...

(born 1971), Ghanaian actress *

Adjoa Bayor Adjoa Bayor (born 17 May 1979) is a Ghanaian former footballer who played as a midfielder. She has captained the Ghana women's national team. International career Bayor was part of the Ghana women's national football team at the 1999 FIFA Wom ...

(born 1979), Ghanaian footballer *

Adwoa Yamoah Adwoa Yamoah is a Canadian beauty pageant contestant who placed 1st runner-up at Miss Universe Canada 2012 and represented Canada in the Miss Universe 2012 pageant, replacing Sahar Biniaz who had been named Miss Universe Canada. Pageantry Yamoah ...

(born 1986), Canadian cheerleader

References

External links

Adjua page
from ''Traces of the Trade'' site {{given name Society of Ghana Akan given names Feminine given names