Kofi
Fact sheet
- Name
- Kofi
- Gender
- Boy name
- Syllables
- 2
The first name Kofi is particularly popular in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. Translated into English, it means 'the one born on a Friday'.
What does the name Kofi mean?
The name Kofi is widely used in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. Its English translation is 'the one born on a Friday'. The origin of the name lies in the Akan and Ewe languages, derived from the term afi, meaning 'born on a Friday'. Kofi is primarily given to boys born on a Friday, especially within the large Ashanti tribe. An alternative spelling is Koffi.
Where does the name Kofi come from?
The name Kofi has its roots in the Akan and Ewe languages and means 'the one born on Friday'. The word is derived from the Akan/Ewe term afi, which means 'born on a Friday'. Kofi is a typical name in Ghana and West Africa.
How do you pronounce Kofi?
The pronunciation of Kofi is clear and melodic. The name is two syllables and has an open vocal sound. It is pronounced as 'Ko-fi' [ˈkoːfi], with the first syllable starting with a long O sound that conveys a calm and rounded note. The second syllable with a bright I provides a clear and friendly finish. Kofi thus appears simple, melodic, and warm – rounded at the beginning and light at the end.
Popularity
In Germany, Kofi is one of the rarer first names. The name currently ranks 5,840th on the list of most common male baby names. Its best placement was in 2007 at rank 1,124. Over the last ten years, Kofi has been chosen as a first name about 90 times, placing it 2,623rd in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 2,339th.
Famous people
- Kofi Adu (American actor)
- Kofi Aidoo (Ghanaian writer)
- Kofi Amponsah (Ghanaian footballer)
- Kofi Annan (Seventh Secretary-General of the United Nations, Nobel Peace Prize laureate)
- Kofi Ansah (Ghanaian designer)
- Kofi Awoonor (Ghanaian poet)
- Kofi Boakye (Ghanaian football player)
- Kofi Bonner (Ghanaian architect)
- Kofi Dakinah (Danish football player)
- Kofi Danning (Australian footballer)
- Kofi Etsiba Shaw (Ghanaian footballer)
- Kofi Jantuah (Ghanaian boxer)
- Kofi Mensah (Ghanaian footballer)
- Kofi Nti (Ghanaian football player)
- Kofi Ntiamoah Nimeley (Ghanaian football player)
- Kofi Nyamah (British football player)
- Kofi Opare (Ghanaian footballer)
- Kofi Sarkodie (American football player)
- Kofi Schulz (German footballer)
- Kofi Siriboe (American actor)
Frequently asked questions about the name Kofi
Where does the name Kofi come from?
The name Kofi has its roots in the Akan and Ewe languages and is especially common in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.
What does the name Kofi mean?
Kofi means 'the one born on a Friday' and is derived from the term 'afi', which in the Akan and Ewe languages stands for 'born on a Friday'.
How popular is the name Kofi?
Kofi is a typical name in Ghana and is particularly given among the Ashanti to boys born on a Friday.