Girl name · Akan
Abena
“born on Tuesday”
Vibes
Common nicknames
Short-forms and diminutives parents often use for Abena.
Explore Abena further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with Abena — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
Abena is Tuesday's girl, sharing the ocean association and the Bena root with Kwabena. Tuesday's children in the Akan scheme are given to compassion, and the day's spirit is tied to the sea.
It is common throughout Ghana. To an English ear it lands near Abigail and Serena without belonging to either, which is a useful place for a name to sit.
Bena works as a short form. Three syllables pair well with one (Abena Joy, Abena Wren). On our vibe map it is Cultural Fusion with a Soft & Dreamy surface.
More Akan names
Abena sits in our Akan set — these share its roots.
All Akan names →Abena — common questions
Is Abena a boy or girl name?
Abena is traditionally a girl name of Akan origin.
What does the name Abena mean?
Abena means “born on Tuesday” of Akan origin. Abena is Tuesday's girl, sharing the ocean association and the Bena root with Kwabena. Tuesday's children in the Akan scheme are given to compassion, and the day's spirit is tied to the sea.
Where does the name Abena come from?
Abena is Akan in origin. It is common throughout Ghana. To an English ear it lands near Abigail and Serena without belonging to either, which is a useful place for a name to sit.
What are common nicknames for Abena?
Bena — the short-forms parents most often use for Abena.
How popular is Abena?
Abena did not make the top 1,000 girls' names in US Social Security Administration data for 2025, which makes it genuinely rare in the US.
Bring the name into the room
A couple of nice things named Abena you might want for the nursery.