Among the Ewe-speaking peoples of Ghana, Togo, and Benin, a personal name is rarely just a label. It is a declaration, a prayer, a memory, or a message that travels with a person through their entire life. The Ewe language, one of the major languages of the West African coast, has one of the richest naming traditions on the continent, and understanding that tradition means understanding something deep about Ewe culture itself.
This article presents a comprehensive A to Z reference of Ewe personal names along with their suggested meanings in English and French. It draws on multiple sources, including community research, linguistic documentation, and oral tradition, and it is designed to grow over time with the input of Ewe speakers and scholars.
If you are looking for the cultural and spiritual context behind these names, how they are structured, what themes they follow, and why the naming tradition works the way it does, see our companion article: The Cultural and Spiritual Significance of Ewe Personal Names.
Important: These Are Suggested Meanings, Not Final Definitions
This reference is a work in progress. The meanings listed here represent our best understanding based on available sources. They are not definitive. Some names may have regional variants, alternative spellings, or additional layers of meaning that depend on family context or community tradition. Some translations may differ slightly between sources, and that difference is often not a contradiction but a reflection of the depth of the language.
We warmly invite every Ewe speaker, elder, linguist, and community member to contribute:
- Correct a meaning that is inaccurate or incomplete
- Confirm a meaning you know to be right
- Share a name not yet on this list, with its meaning
- Suggest a better orthographic form or an alternative spelling used in your community
- Provide regional or cultural context that helps explain a name more fully
Please leave your contribution in the comments section below this article or contact us directly by email. Every correction, however small, helps this resource serve the community better.
To understand more about the Ewe people and where this naming tradition comes from, read our article on The Ewe People: Origins, Migration, and Culture. For a broader look at how the Ewe language fits within West African language families, see What Are the Kwa Languages of West Africa?
Ewe Personal Names: A to Z
The table below lists Ewe personal names with their suggested meanings in English and in French. Where the name has a well-known cultural dimension beyond its literal translation, a brief note is included. All spellings reflect the forms found across documented sources, though alternative orthographic forms exist for many names.
A
| Ewe Name |
Meaning (English) |
Meaning (French) |
| Abla |
Full-bodied / born on Tuesday |
Bien formée / née un mardi |
| Abra |
Tuesday-born girl |
Fille née un mardi |
| Afafa |
First child of the second husband |
Premier enfant du second mari |
| Afefa |
Peaceful / calm home |
Maison paisible / calme |
| Afeke |
Root of the house |
Racine du foyer |
| Afelete |
Established home |
Foyer établi |
| Agbe |
Life |
Vie |
| Agbeko |
If only there is life |
Pourvu qu’il y ait la vie |
| Agbemafle |
Life cannot be bought |
La vie ne s’achète pas |
| Agbemavɔ |
Eternal life |
Vie éternelle |
| Agbenyo |
Life is good |
La vie est bonne |
| Agbenyega |
Life is the greatest |
La vie est la plus grande |
| Agbenyefia |
Life is king |
La vie est souveraine |
| Agbetor |
Living one |
Celui / celle qui vit |
| Agudze |
Dawn |
Aube |
| Akɔfa |
Comfort / peaceful heart |
Réconfort / cœur paisible |
| Akɔfala |
Comforter |
Consolateur / consolatrice |
| Akpe |
Thanks / gratitude |
Merci / reconnaissance |
| Akpenamawu |
Thank God |
Merci à Dieu |
| Akpene |
Thank thee |
Merci à toi |
| Amenuveve |
Grace |
Grâce |
| Amenyo |
Human is good |
L’être humain est bon |
| Ametefɛ |
Replacement / advocate |
Remplaçant / défenseur |
| Amewu |
A human is more precious than money |
L’être humain est plus précieux que l’argent |
| Anukwade |
Truth |
Vérité |
| Apefa |
Peaceful home |
Maison paisible |
| Aseye |
Praises / celebration |
Louanges / célébration |
| Asinemu |
Given to me |
Donné(e) à moi |
| Asiwome |
In your hands / in God’s hands |
Entre tes mains / entre les mains de Dieu |
| Awoe |
God will do it |
Dieu le fera |
| Awoenam |
God will do it for me |
Dieu le fera pour moi |
B
| Ewe Name |
Meaning (English) |
Meaning (French) |
| Blewu |
Patient / slow and steady |
Patient(e) |
| Bubune |
Honour unto God |
Honneur à Dieu |
| Butsɔme |
Think of tomorrow |
Pense à demain |
D
| Ewe Name |
Meaning (English) |
Meaning (French) |
| Dela |
Saviour / redeemer |
Sauveur / rédempteur |
| Deladem |
The saviour has redeemed me |
Le Sauveur m’a racheté(e) |
| Delali |
The saviour lives |
Le Sauveur vit |
| Delado |
The saviour has emerged |
Le Sauveur est apparu |
| Delanya |
The saviour knows |
Le Sauveur sait |
| Delasi |
In the saviour’s hands |
Entre les mains du Sauveur |
| Dodzi |
Fortitude / courage |
Courage / force morale |
| Dogbeda |
Pray |
Prie |
| Dɔmenyo |
Kindness |
Bonté / gentillesse |
| Dzidedi |
Comfort |
Réconfort |
| Dzidula |
Conqueror / victor |
Conquérant / vainqueur |
| Dzidzeme |
Peaceful heart |
Cœur paisible |
| Dzidzor |
Joy / happiness |
Joie / bonheur |
| Dzifa |
Comfort / peace at heart |
Réconfort / paix du cœur |
| Dzigbɔdi |
Patience |
Patience |
| Dzɔdzɔe |
Righteous / just |
Juste / honnête |
| Dzɔgbenyui |
Good luck |
Bonne chance |
E
| Ewe Name |
Meaning (English) |
Meaning (French) |
| Edem |
God has saved me |
Dieu m’a sauvé(e) |
| Edemi |
God has saved us |
Dieu nous a sauvés |
| Edudzi |
God has vanquished / victory |
Dieu a vaincu / victoire |
| Edinam |
I am lucky / fortunate |
J’ai de la chance |
| Edotomi |
God has heard us |
Dieu nous a entendus |
| Edrɔlali |
The judge lives |
Le juge vit |
| Edzordzinam |
I am glad / joyful |
Je suis heureux / heureuse |
| Efakor |
God has comforted me |
Dieu m’a réconforté(e) |
| Ehenyuive |
Bringer of joy |
Porteur / porteuse de joie |
| Ekplɔm |
God leads me |
Dieu me conduit |
| Eleagbe |
God is alive |
Dieu est vivant |
| Eli |
God lives |
Dieu vit |
| Elikem |
God has established / fortified me |
Dieu m’a établi(e) / fortifié(e) |
| Elikplim |
God is with me |
Dieu est avec moi |
| Elikplimi |
God is with us |
Dieu est avec nous |
| Elinam |
God is there for me |
Dieu est là pour moi |
| Elivava |
God truly lives |
Dieu vit véritablement |
| Elolo |
God is great |
Dieu est grand |
| Elɔm |
God loves me |
Dieu m’aime |
| Emefa |
It is calm / peaceful |
C’est calme / paisible |
| Enam |
God gives me / gift |
Dieu me donne / don |
| Enami |
God gives us |
Dieu nous donne |
| Enya |
God knows |
Dieu sait |
| Enyam |
God knows me |
Dieu me connaît |
| Enyo |
God is good |
Dieu est bon |
| Enyonam |
It is good for me |
C’est bon pour moi |
| Ese |
God hears |
Dieu entend |
| Esenam |
God has heard me |
Dieu m’a entendu(e) |
| Eselali |
The Hearer (God) lives |
Celui qui entend (Dieu) vit |
| Esinu |
Waiting upon the Lord |
Attendre le Seigneur |
| Esime |
God’s protection |
La protection de Dieu |
| Esinam |
God has heard my prayers |
Dieu a entendu mes prières |
| Etor |
Belongs to God |
Appartient à Dieu |
| Etornam |
God has answered me |
Dieu m’a répondu |
| Etriakɔ |
God is undefeatable |
Dieu est invincible |
| Evenu |
God, have mercy upon him / her |
Dieu, aie pitié de lui / elle |
| Ewoe |
God has done it |
Dieu l’a fait |
| Ewoenam |
God has done it for me |
Dieu l’a fait pour moi |
| Exɔnam |
God has saved / rescued me |
Dieu m’a sauvé(e) |
| Eyram |
God has blessed me |
Dieu m’a béni(e) |
F
| Ewe Name |
Meaning (English) |
Meaning (French) |
| Fafa |
Peace / calmness |
Paix / calme |
| Fafali |
There is peace |
Il y a la paix |
| Feyi |
A year has passed |
Une année est passée |
| Fenuku |
Year seed |
Graine de l’année |
| Fiamorm |
Show me the way |
Montre-moi le chemin |
| Fiavi |
Prince / Princess |
Prince / princesse |
| Foli |
First son |
Premier fils |
G
| Ewe Name |
Meaning (English) |
Meaning (French) |
| Galevo |
Money is different |
L’argent est différent |
| Gameli |
There is time for everything |
Il y a un temps pour toute chose |
| Ganyebusu |
Money is evil |
L’argent est mauvais |
| Ganyo |
Money is good |
L’argent est bon |
| Gayra |
Bless again |
Bénis encore |
K
| Ewe Name |
Meaning (English) |
Meaning (French) |
| Kafui |
Praise Him |
Loue-le / louez Dieu |
| Kekeli |
Light / brightness |
Lumière / clarté |
| Kekleli |
There is light |
Il y a de la lumière |
| Klenam |
Shine for me |
Brille pour moi |
| Korkoe |
Divine / holy |
Divin / saint |
| Kplorla |
Leader / shepherd |
Chef / berger |
| Kplɔm |
Lead me |
Conduis-moi |
| Kpedeŋunye |
Help me |
Aide-moi |
| Kpɔmɔne |
Hope |
Espoir |
L
| Ewe Name |
Meaning (English) |
Meaning (French) |
| Lebene |
Take good care of him / her |
Prends bien soin de lui / elle |
| Lebenam |
Take good care of me |
Prends bien soin de moi |
| Lɔlɔ |
Love |
Amour |
| Lɔlɔnyo / Lorlornyo |
Love is good |
L’amour est bon |
M
| Ewe Name |
Meaning (English) |
Meaning (French) |
| Magava |
I shall return |
Je reviendrai |
| Makafui |
I will praise God |
Je louerai Dieu |
| Malike |
I shall be established |
Je serai établi(e) |
| Manoagbe |
I shall live |
Je vivrai |
| Mawuena |
God’s gift / God gave |
Don de Dieu / Dieu a donné |
| Mawuenam |
It is God who gave me |
C’est Dieu qui m’a donné |
| Mawuenyega |
God is greatest |
Dieu est le plus grand |
| Mawufemor |
God’s way |
La voie de Dieu |
| Mawuko |
Only God |
Seul Dieu |
| Mawuli |
God lives |
Dieu vit |
| Mawulikplim |
God is with me |
Dieu est avec moi |
| Mawulinam |
God lives for me |
Dieu vit pour moi |
| Mawulɔm |
God loves me |
Dieu m’aime |
| Mawunya |
God knows / God’s word |
Dieu sait / parole de Dieu |
| Mawunyo |
God is good |
Dieu est bon |
| Mawuse |
God hears |
Dieu entend |
| Mawusi |
In God’s hands |
Entre les mains de Dieu |
| Mawutor |
Belongs to God |
Appartient à Dieu |
| Mawuwoe |
God has done it |
Dieu l’a fait |
| Morkpɔkpɔ |
Hope |
Espoir |
N
| Ewe Name |
Meaning (English) |
Meaning (French) |
| Nalikem |
Establish / fortify me |
Établis-moi / fortifie-moi |
| Nukunu |
Miracle |
Miracle |
| Nuna |
Gift |
Don |
| Nunana |
Gift / talent |
Don / talent |
| Nunya |
Knowledge and wisdom |
Connaissance et sagesse |
| Nunyati |
Tree of knowledge and wisdom |
Arbre de la connaissance et de la sagesse |
| Nusetor |
The mighty one |
Le Tout-Puissant / le puissant |
| Nutifafa |
Peace |
Paix |
| Nyuitor |
Best / perfect |
Le meilleur / parfait |
S
| Ewe Name |
Meaning (English) |
Meaning (French) |
| Sefadzi |
Destiny has given me solace |
Le destin m’a donné du réconfort |
| Sefakor |
Destiny has comforted me |
Le destin m’a réconforté(e) |
| Selasie |
God has heard |
Dieu a entendu |
| Selikem |
Destiny has established me |
Le destin m’a affermi(e) |
| Selorm |
God / destiny loves me |
Dieu / le destin m’aime |
| Sena |
Destiny / fate gives |
Le destin donne |
| Senam |
God’s / destiny’s gift |
Don de Dieu / du destin |
| Sename |
God’s gift to humankind |
Don de Dieu à l’humanité |
| Senanu |
God is the giver |
Dieu est le donateur |
| Senya |
God knows |
Dieu sait |
| Senyo |
God is good |
Dieu est bon |
| Seyram |
Destiny has blessed me |
Le destin m’a béni(e) |
| Sitsofe |
Salvation / rescue |
Salut / délivrance |
| Suboe |
Worship Him |
Adore-le |
T
| Ewe Name |
Meaning (English) |
Meaning (French) |
| Tsoeke |
Forgive |
Pardonne |
V
| Ewe Name |
Meaning (English) |
Meaning (French) |
| Vadem |
Come and save me |
Viens me sauver |
| Valikem |
Come and establish me |
Viens m’établir / m’affermir |
| Vayram |
Come and bless me |
Viens me bénir |
| Venyo |
A child is wealth |
Un enfant est une richesse |
| Vɔmawu |
Fear God |
Crains Dieu |
W
| Ewe Name |
Meaning (English) |
Meaning (French) |
| Wɔla |
Creator |
Créateur |
| Wɔlali |
The Creator is alive |
Le Créateur est vivant |
| Worlasi |
In the Creator’s hand |
Entre les mains du Créateur |
| Woyram |
I am blessed |
Je suis béni(e) |
X
| Ewe Name |
Meaning (English) |
Meaning (French) |
| Xetsa |
Twin girl |
Jumelle |
| Xoese |
Believe |
Crois / croire |
| Xorlali |
The Saviour exists / lives |
Le Sauveur existe / vit |
| Xorse |
Faith |
Foi |
Y
| Ewe Name |
Meaning (English) |
Meaning (French) |
| Yawa |
Born on Thursday (female) |
Née un jeudi |
| Yayra |
Blessing |
Bénédiction |
| Yingor |
Excel / succeed |
Excelle / réussis |
| Yormawu |
Call on God |
Invoque Dieu |
| Yowome |
I believe in God |
Je crois en Dieu |
Z
| Ewe Name |
Meaning (English) |
Meaning (French) |
| Zanetor |
May the darkness end |
Que les ténèbres prennent fin |
Ewe Day-of-Birth Names
One of the most well-known features of Ewe naming tradition is the practice of giving children a name connected to the day of the week on which they were born. This tradition is shared across several Ghanaian and Togolese communities, including the Akan, among whom it takes a slightly different form. You can read more about that related tradition in our article on The Akan Naming System: Why Every Ghanaian Child Has a Day Name.
In the Ewe tradition, the day names are as follows. It is worth noting that spelling variants exist across different communities and regions, and more than one form is commonly in use for several of these names.
| Day |
Male Name(s) |
Female Name(s) |
| Monday |
Kɔdzo / Kodjo / Kwadzo / Kudzo |
Adzo / Adzowɔ / Adzoyo |
| Tuesday |
Kwabla / Kormla |
Abla / Ablewɔ / Ablayo |
| Wednesday |
Kwaku / Awuku |
Aku |
| Thursday |
Yao / Yaw / Kɔwu |
Yawo / Awo / Yawa |
| Friday |
Kofi |
Afi |
| Saturday |
Kwami / Kwame |
Ami / Ama |
| Sunday |
Kwasi |
Esi / Awusi |
A child may carry both a day name and a meaningful personal name at the same time. For example, Mawuena Kodjo combines a day name (Kodjo, for Monday) with a spiritual name meaning “God has given.” This layering of names is a normal and meaningful part of the Ewe naming tradition.
A Note on Spelling Variants
The Ewe language uses certain characters that are not part of the standard Latin alphabet, including ɔ, ɛ, ŋ, and ɖ. Not all sources use these characters consistently, which means the same name can appear with different spellings depending on the source, the region, or the convention used. Neither spelling is necessarily wrong. Variants like Kplom / Kplɔm, Selasi / Selasie, or Fafa / Fafali all reflect real usage in different communities.
If you know the traditionally preferred spelling for a name in your community, please share it in the comments so we can note it alongside the existing forms.
How to Contribute to This Reference
This list is a starting point, not a finished product. The Ewe language is living and spoken across a broad region, and no single document can capture every name or every meaning. Here is what you can do to help:
- Leave a comment below with a name we have missed, a correction to an existing meaning, a spelling variant, or any context about how a name is used in your family or community
- Write to us by email if you prefer a more detailed contribution or a private conversation
- Share this page with Ewe speakers, elders, and community members who may have knowledge that goes beyond published sources
If you would like to contribute a new name, here is the information that helps us most: the Ewe name, its meaning in Ewe, English, or French, the region or community where it is used, any alternative spellings, the gender or usage, and any traditional context you know about.
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