male Boys’ names
The name Kofi
Kofi is the automatic name for a boy born on a Friday in Fon-Ewe country. Borne by world figures like Kofi Annan, it is timeless.
Born on a Friday
The female counterpart is Afi (or Afua). Friday (azǎngbé atɔ́ɔ́n) is associated with fertility andlove in Fon culture.
Associated traits
Since Friday is associated with harmony and aesthetics, boys named Kofi are traditionally seen as:
Kofi Annan, UN
Kofi Atta Annan (1938-2018), a Ghanaian born on a Friday, was Secretary-General of the United Nations (1997-2006) and won the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize. He made the name known worldwide.
Regional variants
Kofi (Ghana/Togo), Koffi (Côte d’Ivoire), Kofivi (Benin, diminutive). The same meaning everywhere: “born on a Friday”.
A name that travels
Kofi crosses West Africa and the world. Short, elegant, full of meaning — a timeless classic.
Behind every first name, there is a whole language.
A Fon name is a sentence. To truly hear it, you need the language: 79 video lessons with a native speaker — greet people, introduce yourself, talk about your family, understand your grandmother on the phone.
One free trial lesson when you sign up.
- The Fon video course: see the program — 79 lessons with a native speaker from Cotonou, taught in French
- What is your Fon level? — the free 15-question test