Kofi

♂ Boy

Pronounced KOH-fee /ˈkoʊ.fi/High

Meaning: From the Akan (Ghana) day-name for a boy born on Friday; from Twi/Fante naming traditionHigh

In 30 seconds: Born on a Friday, in the Akan way: Kofi is the Ghanaian day-name for a Friday-born boy — carried with pride by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Warm, dignified, and rooted in tradition.

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Origin HighAkan

MeaningFrom the Akan (Ghana) day-name for a boy born on Friday; from Twi/Fante naming tradition

U.S. rank (2025)#3279 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births36 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2004

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,542

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Kofi is an Akan (Twi/Fante) day-name from Ghana, given to a boy born on Friday — part of a rich tradition where birth-day names carry meaning and character. UN Secretary-General and Nobel laureate Kofi Annan is its most famous bearer.

In the U.S. it appears in Ghanaian and African-heritage families. Rare, Friday-born at the root, and dignified.

Did you know? Among the Akan of Ghana, every child receives a 'day name' for the day they were born — Kofi for Friday — and Nobel Peace laureate Kofi Annan made this one known worldwide.

Overall data confidence 88%

Akan day-name references — Kofi — etymology

Variations

KoffiCofi

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Kofi Annan (1938-2018)
Ghanaian diplomat who served as UN Secretary-General and won the Nobel Peace Prize
★Kofi Kingston (1981-)
Ghanaian-American professional wrestler in WWE
★Kofi Siriboe (1994-)
American actor known for the series Queen Sugar

If you like Kofi…

Kwame— the Akan Saturday day-name

Rafi— shares the -fi ending

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Kellen— a similarly popular pick

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kofi mean?

Kofi is an Akan (Ghanaian) day-name for a boy born on Friday.

How do you pronounce Kofi?

It's said KOH-fee /ˈkoʊ.fi/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kofi a boy or girl name?

Kofi is a boy's name.

How popular is Kofi?

Kofi is a rare name in the U.S.