Kwame Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationKWAH-meh / kwɑːmeɪAkan; Ghanaian
Meaning
Akan: born on a Saturday
Historical & Cultural Background
Kwame is a name of Akan origin, commonly used among the Akan people of Ghana. In Akan culture, names are often given based on the day of the week a child is born. Saturday-born boys are typically named Kwame, which reflects the cultural significance of birth days in the Akan naming system. The name is part of a larger tradition that emphasizes the connection between a person's identity and their day of birth.
Trend Summary
Kwame has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., often associated with cultural heritage.
Similar Names
Variants
- Kwami
International Variants
- Kwame (Ghana)
Famous people named Kwame
Kwame Nkrumah was a Ghanaian politician and the first Prime Minister and President of Ghana, leading the country to independence from British colonial rule.
Kwame Anthony Appiah is a Ghanaian-British philosopher known for his work in ethics and political philosophy.
Kwame Alexander is an American author and poet, recognized for his contributions to children's literature.
Kwame Brown is a former professional basketball player who was the first overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft.
Fictional characters named Kwame
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Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Kwame was first seen in the United States in 1960. Kwame has ranked as high as #932 nationally, which occurred in 1990, and has been most popular in New York, California, Georgia, North Carolina, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Kwame has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Kwame (2021)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 | |
| GA | 5 | |
| OH | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1960 | 6 |
| 1961 | 11 |
| 1962 | 6 |
| 1963 | 9 |
| 1964 | 9 |
| 1965 | 13 |
| 1966 | 11 |
| 1967 | 8 |
| 1968 | 11 |
| 1969 | 25 |
| 1970 | 44 |
| 1971 | 76 |
| 1972 | 105 |
| 1973 | 91 |
| 1974 | 75 |
| 1975 | 64 |
| 1976 | 61 |
| 1977 | 58 |
| 1978 | 43 |
| 1979 | 61 |
| 1980 | 60 |
| 1981 | 52 |
| 1982 | 63 |
| 1983 | 52 |
| 1984 | 48 |
| 1985 | 38 |
| 1986 | 40 |
| 1987 | 35 |
| 1988 | 39 |
| 1989 | 231 |
| 1990 | 299 |
| 1991 | 196 |
| 1992 | 129 |
| 1993 | 111 |
| 1994 | 123 |
| 1995 | 86 |
| 1996 | 84 |
| 1997 | 60 |
| 1998 | 57 |
| 1999 | 59 |
| 2000 | 54 |
| 2001 | 79 |
| 2002 | 84 |
| 2003 | 50 |
| 2004 | 62 |
| 2005 | 57 |
| 2006 | 47 |
| 2007 | 40 |
| 2008 | 65 |
| 2009 | 40 |
| 2010 | 47 |
| 2011 | 56 |
| 2012 | 52 |
| 2013 | 48 |
| 2014 | 39 |
| 2015 | 36 |
| 2016 | 51 |
| 2017 | 43 |
| 2018 | 40 |
| 2019 | 49 |
| 2020 | 52 |
| 2021 | 48 |
| 2022 | 51 |
| 2023 | 38 |
| 2024 | 36 |