Boy name · Akan
Kofi
“born on Friday”
Vibes
Explore Kofi further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with Kofi — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
Kofi is an Akan day name: every child born to the Akan peoples of Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire receives one, fixed by the day of the week they arrive. Friday's boy is Kofi, Friday's girl is Afua. The day itself carries an associated character — Friday is linked with wandering and with fertile ground.
The system means a Ghanaian child usually holds a day name alongside a given name, and the day name is the one friends use. Kofi Annan carried his to the UN Secretary-General's office, which is why this particular one is the best known outside Ghana.
Kofi is already two syllables and rarely shortened. It sits well against an English middle (Kofi Daniel, Kofi Emmanuel). On our vibe map it is Cultural Fusion at full strength with an Heirloom weight.
More Akan names
Kofi sits in our Akan set — these share its roots.
All Akan names →Kofi — common questions
Is Kofi a boy or girl name?
Kofi is traditionally a boy name of Akan origin.
What does the name Kofi mean?
Kofi means “born on Friday” of Akan origin. Kofi is an Akan day name: every child born to the Akan peoples of Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire receives one, fixed by the day of the week they arrive. Friday's boy is Kofi, Friday's girl is Afua. The day itself carries an associated character — Friday is linked with wandering and with fertile ground.
Where does the name Kofi come from?
Kofi is Akan in origin. The system means a Ghanaian child usually holds a day name alongside a given name, and the day name is the one friends use. Kofi Annan carried his to the UN Secretary-General's office, which is why this particular one is the best known outside Ghana.
How popular is Kofi?
Kofi did not make the top 1,000 boys' 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 Kofi you might want for the nursery.