Bana

Meaning & Etymology

Born on Tuesday

The name Bana is derived from the Ewe tradition of naming children based on the day of the week they were born. In this system, Bana signifies a boy born on a Tuesday.

Cultural Context

Born on Tuesday

Etymology

The name ‘Bana’ is derived from the Ewe word ‘bla’ meaning Tuesday, combined with the suffix ‘na’ which indicates possession or association.

Linguistic family: Niger-Congo > Atlantic-Congo > Volta-Congo > Gbe

In Ewe culture, the day of the week on which a child is born is significant and often influences the choice of name. ‘Bana’ reflects the day of birth, Tuesday, which is considered an important aspect of the child’s identity.

Symbolism

The name ‘Bana’ symbolises the day of the week the child was born, highlighting the Ewe tradition of connecting personal identity with temporal elements.

Naming ceremony

The Ewe naming ceremony, ‘Vihehe’, typically takes place on the eighth day after birth. During this ceremony, the child is officially named and introduced to the community. The name ‘Bana’ would be announced as part of this tradition.

Related names

• Kofi (born on Friday)
• Kwame (born on Saturday)
• Yaw (born on Thursday)