Names That Mean Born
Across 8 pages
of 8
Cubbenah
American variation of Kwabena, Ghanaian, Akan
"born on Tuesday"
Cubbenah was used by enslaved people in America as a translation of the traditional Akan day name Kwabena. Beneba, a variation of Abena, was the equivalent for girls.
Cudjoe
American variation of Kojo, Ghanaian, Akan
"born on Monday"
A common name among enslaved men and boys who were born on a Monday, named in the West African tradition based on birthday. Joe was a common nickname. The female equivalent is Juba.
Effia
Akan
"born on Friday"
One of the many gorgeous names originally used for children born on a specific day of the week, popular in West African culture. Effia is Akan in origin — the Akan people originate in southern Ghana…
Mwajuma
Variation of Mwanajuma, Swahili
"born on Friday"
Mwajuma is the contracted form of Mwanajuma — both of which are traditionally given to girls born on Fridays. Mwajuma first entered the American baby name charts in 2021.
Quame
American variation of Kwame, Ghanaian, Akan
"born on Saturday"
Quame is an Anglicization of the Ghanaian Akan name Kwame. In West Africa, it is traditional to name your child after the day of the week on which they were born. The feminine equivalent is Mimba, a…
Gene
Short form of Eugenia, feminine of Eugene, Greek
"wellborn, noble"
Jean is primed to rise again – particularly in the middle slot. So could Gene follow suit? This spelling is still more commonly a male name, short for Eugene or given as a standalone, but it works as…
Asya
Turkish; Russian and Bulgarian diminutive of Anastasia
"Asia; resurrection"
Asya has dual origins: it is both the Turkish word for Asia (the continent), and a short form of Anastasia in Russian and Bulgarian. Beyond that, it is a beautiful example of a "travelling light"…
Cuba
Place name, Latin
"where fertile land is abundant; great place"
The most prominent person with this unusual geographical choice might be actor Cuba Gooding Jr., however, Cuba has a far longer history as a feminine name. Deriving from the island in the Caribbean…
Evgeny
Russian, Greek
"well born"
Russian form of Eugene, also spelled Evgeni or Evgeniy in English, and the (anti)hero of Pushkin's famous eponymous novel in verse, Evgeny Onegin .
Natsu
Japanese
"born in the summer"
Used for summer-born babies in Japan.
Quasheba
American, Akan, Ghanaian
"born on Sunday"
Quasheba is a name unique to America, where it was used among enslaved people as a variation of the West African name Kwasi for girls born on a Sunday.
Junianus
Variation of Junius, Latin
"born in June"
This elaboration of the name Junius originated as a Roman cognomen — a name that was passed down over generations.
Manius
Latin
"born in the morning"
Manius is one of the lesser-used Roman forenames, far less popular than Lucius, Marcus et al, both in ancient times and today. Its meaning is actually uncertain: another possible origin is from manes…
Aphrodite
Greek mythology name
"foam or born from the sea"
The name of the Greek goddess of love has rarely descended to mortal use, though the Roman equivalent Venus, thanks to tennis star Williams, now seems completely possible. But with the new fashion…
Quaco
American variation of Kwaku, Ghanaian, Akan
"born on Wednesday"
The form of Kwaku commonly used by enslaved people in America and the Caribbean in the 18th and 19th centuries. Quaco was sometimes nicknamed or Anglicized as Jack, Jacco, or Jacky.
Iniko
Nigerian, Igbo
"born in a time of trouble"
This West African name has an upbeat, energetic sound, yet it is traditionally used for a son who was born during troubled times.
Brishan
English Traveller, Romani
"born during a thunderstorm"
A name given by the Traveller community in England to a child born when it is raining.
Quao
American variation of Yaw, Ghanaian, Akan
"born on Thursday"
Borne by early enslaved people in America and the Caribbean who were born on Thursday. This follows the traditional West African day naming tradition.
Quashee
Variation of Kwasi, Ghanaian, Akan
"born on Sunday"
Quashee was used in America and the Caribbean — particularly Jamaica — among enslaved people. It is derived from the traditional Akan name for boys born on Sunday, Kwasi.
Agrippa
Latin
"born feet first"
A Roman forename, and later family name, used for both sexes in ancient times (but more commonly men).