Wankpo
/ wahn-KPOH /
- Gender
- Boy
- Origin
- 🇧🇯 Benin
- Religion
- Traditional
- First Seen
- —
- Trait
- Timeliness
Meaning & Etymology
Born in the afternoon
Born in the afternoon
Etymology
The name is derived from the Fon language, with ‘wan’ meaning ‘time’ and ‘kpo’ suggesting ‘afternoon’.
Linguistic family: Niger-Congo > Volta-Congo > Gbe
Cultural context
In Adja culture, the time of birth is considered significant and is often reflected in a child’s name. ‘Wankpo’ reflects the tradition of naming children based on the circumstances of their birth.
Symbolism
The name ‘Wankpo’ symbolises the connection between an individual and the specific time of their arrival, highlighting the Adja emphasis on the significance of birth timing.
Naming ceremony
In Adja tradition, the naming ceremony, known as ‘kplon’, typically takes place a week after birth. The name is announced and celebrated with family and community members.