Ashantee

Place-name, former kingdom of western Africa

Ashantee Origin and Meaning

The name Ashantee is a girl's name.

Ashantee is a variant spelling of Ashanti, which refers to a member of a West African ethnic group from Ghana. The name derives from the Ashanti Empire, a powerful West African state that flourished in what is now Ghana from the late 17th to late 19th century. As a given name, Ashantee gained some usage in the United States during the late 20th century, particularly in the 1970s-1990s as part of a broader trend of names celebrating African heritage. The more common spelling is Ashanti, which saw increased popularity after the rise of the R&B singer Ashanti in the early 2000s. The name carries connotations of strength and cultural pride, reflecting the historical significance of the Ashanti people known for their military prowess and rich cultural traditions.