Yaw is a masculine given name originating from the Akan people and their day naming system, meaning "born on a Thursday" in Akan language, following their day naming system.[1] People born on particular days are supposed to exhibit the characteristics or attributes and philosophy, associated with the days. Yaw has the appellation "Preko" or "Opereba" meaning brave.[2][3]
| Gender | Male |
|---|---|
| Origin | |
| Word/name | Akan people |
| Meaning | born on a Thursday |
| Region of origin |  AshantiEmpire of Ashanti |
| Other names | |
| Related names | |
Origin and meaning of Yaw
In the Akan culture, day names are known to be derived from deities. Yaw originated from Yawoada the Day of Reproduction.[2][4] Males named Yaw are known to be courageous and aggressive in a warlike manner (preko). They tend to be guarded, judgemental and appear to be ungrateful.[2][4]
Male variants of Yaw
Day names in Ghana vary in spelling among the various Akan subgroups. The name is spelt Yaw by the Akuapem, Ashanti and Fante subgroups.[5]
Female version of Yaw
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 female child born on Thursday is Yaa.[1][2][3]
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:
- Yaw Antwi (born 1985), Ghanaian footballer playing in Serbia
- Yaw Amankwah Mireku (born 1979), Ghanaian footballer
- Yaw Asante (born 1991), Ghanaian footballer playing in Italy
- Yaw Berko (born 1980), Ghanaian footballer playing in Tanzania
- Yaw Danso (born 1989), Ghanaian footballer playing in Puerto Rico
- Yaw Fosu-Amoah (born 1981), South African long jumper
- Yaw Frimpong (born 1986), Ghanaian footballer playing in Congo
- Yaw Ihle Amankwah (born 1988), Ghanaian footballer playing in Norway
- Yaw Osafo-Marfo, (born 1942) Ghanaian politician and former minister for Education and Finance
- Yaw Osene-Akwah (born 1984), Ghanaian youth activist, founding member of Okyeman Youth Association and Okyeman Youth for Development, comes from Akyem Apedwa
- Yaw Preko (born 1974), Ghanaian former international footballer
- Yaw Tog (born 2003), Ghanaian rapper
- George Yaw Boakye (1937–1979), Ghanaian airman and politician
- Eugene Yaw (born 1943), American politician
- Joachim Yaw (born 1973), Ghanaian former international footballer and Olympic medalist
- Lawrence Henry Yaw Ofosu-Appiah (1920–1990), Ghanaian academic and director of the Encyclopedia Africana
- Nana Yaw Konadu Yeboah (born 1964), Ghanaian boxer and former world champion
- Nicholas Yaw Boafo Adade (1927–2013), Ghanaian former supreme court judge
- Paul Yaw Addo (born 1990), Ghanaian footballer playing in Norway
- Samuel Yaw Adusei, Ghanaian politician
- William Yaw Obeng (born 1983), Ghanaian former American football offensive lineman
See also
- Rao (Chinese surname), sometimes transliterated as Yaw
References
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