Kofi Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: KOH-fee //ˈkoʊ.fi//
Origin: Akan; Ghanaian
Meaning: Akan: born on Friday
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Kofi has its roots in the Akan language of Ghana, where it is derived from the word for 'born on Friday.' The Akan people have a tradition of naming children based on the day of the week they are born, with each day associated with specific attributes and characteristics. This practice is deeply embedded in Akan culture and reflects a broader West African custom of day-naming, which serves to connect individuals to their heritage and community.
The name Kofi is specifically linked to the day of the week that is considered auspicious for boys, emphasizing the cultural significance of the day in the Akan naming system. Historically, the name Kofi has been borne by notable figures in Ghanaian history, including Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, who served from 1997 to 2006.
His leadership and contributions to international diplomacy have brought attention to the name and its cultural origins. The use of Kofi in various forms of literature and oral traditions has also contributed to its historical resonance, as it embodies the values and identity of the Akan people.
Culturally, Kofi symbolizes not only the day of birth but also the qualities associated with that day, such as creativity and sociability. The name is often celebrated in various ceremonies and is an integral part of the identity of those who bear it.
In addition to Kofi, other related names exist within the Akan naming system, such as Koforidua, which refers to a place associated with the name. The enduring nature of Kofi reflects the importance of cultural heritage and the ways in which names can convey deep personal and communal significance.
Famous people named Kofi
In this section, you will find notable people named Kofi. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Kofi who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Kofi who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Kofi Annan was a diplomat best known for serving as the seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, winning the Nobel Peace Prize, and his work on global health initiatives.
Kofi Kingston is a professional wrestler best known for his time in WWE, winning multiple championships, and his high-flying wrestling style.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Kofi, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Kofi. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kofi was first seen in the United States in 1970.
Kofi has ranked as high as #1287 nationally, which occurred in 2004, and has been most popular in New York, Maryland, California, Ohio, and Georgia.
In the past 5 years the name Kofi has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Kofi is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Kofi was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Kofi (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Kofi.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 31 |
| 2023 | 39 |
| 2022 | 44 |
| 2021 | 45 |
| 2020 | 37 |
| 2019 | 41 |
| 2018 | 46 |
| 2017 | 34 |
| 2016 | 23 |
| 2015 | 28 |
| 2014 | 24 |
| 2013 | 33 |
| 2012 | 24 |
| 2011 | 32 |
| 2010 | 19 |
| 2009 | 35 |
| 2008 | 37 |
| 2007 | 34 |
| 2006 | 33 |
| 2005 | 38 |
| 2004 | 55 |
| 2003 | 48 |
| 2002 | 35 |
| 2001 | 40 |
| 2000 | 35 |
| 1999 | 38 |
| 1998 | 37 |
| 1997 | 30 |
| 1996 | 27 |
| 1995 | 20 |
| 1994 | 21 |
| 1993 | 20 |
| 1992 | 20 |
| 1991 | 23 |
| 1990 | 23 |
| 1989 | 19 |
| 1988 | 32 |
| 1987 | 18 |
| 1986 | 21 |
| 1985 | 22 |
| 1984 | 11 |
| 1983 | 20 |
| 1982 | 16 |
| 1981 | 16 |
| 1980 | 18 |
| 1979 | 17 |
| 1978 | 25 |
| 1977 | 22 |
| 1976 | 12 |
| 1975 | 10 |
| 1974 | 18 |
| 1973 | 18 |
| 1972 | 14 |
| 1971 | 14 |
| 1970 | 14 |