Rising since 1985, #5,861 for boys today.
Popularity of Kwabena since 1970
Babies named Kwabena per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 85 |
| 1980s | 76 |
| 1990s | 128 |
| 2000s | 182 |
| 2010s | 163 |
| 2020s | 82 |
Meaning & origin
Kwabena, an Akan name meaning 'born on Tuesday,' has been recorded in the United States since at least 1970, reflecting the Ghanaian diaspora's cultural presence. Its peak popularity in the U.S. occurred in 2004, though it remains relatively rare: as of 2025, approximately 1 in every 113,872 newborns receives this name, earning it a rank of 5,861. The name's trajectory shows a rising trend since 1985, suggesting slow but steady growth in usage. While no top states are listed, Kwabena is most common in areas with Akan communities. The name carries deep cultural significance in Ghana, where day-naming traditions link each day to specific characteristics and auspicious meanings.
Kwabena is an Akan name from Ghana, traditionally given to a male child born on a Tuesday. It is part of the Akan day-naming tradition, where each day of the week has its own set of names for males and females. The name derives from the Akan root 'bena' meaning 'second' (Tuesday being the second day of the week), combined with the prefix 'Kwa' for a male. It has remained popular among the Akan people and the Ghanaian diaspora.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kwab, Ben, Bena
Variants: Kwabene, Kwabina
Sibling names for Kwabena
Names that share Kwabena's style, for a brother or sister.
