Papa

♂ Boy

Pronounced PAH-pah /ˈpɑ.pɑ/Medium

Meaning: From the Akan (Ghanaian), 'good; a good person/father' (also widely a word for 'father'); routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Good; a good father: Papa is Akan. Crisp, warm, and homey (said 'PAH-pah').

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Origin LowAkan

MeaningFrom the Akan (Ghanaian), 'good; a good person/father' (also widely a word for 'father'); routes layered

U.S. rank (2024)#7586 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births11 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2003

Total births (all-time)≈ 258

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

Papa comes from the Akan (Ghanaian), 'good; a good person/father' (also widely a word for 'father'; routes layered, which we note). A crisp, warm name (said 'PAH-pah').

In the U.S. it appears in Ghanaian families. Rare, good-and-a-good-father at the root, and warm.

Did you know? Papa means 'good; a good person/father' in the Akan (Ghanaian) — and is widely a word for 'father' — a crisp, warm name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'PAH-pah').

Overall data confidence 36%

References — Papa — routes layered

Variations

PapaaPappa

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Papa…

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Yaw— a kin Akan day-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Papa mean?

Papa is Akan (Ghanaian) for 'good; a good person/father' (also a word for 'father'); the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Papa?

It's said PAH-pah /ˈpɑ.pɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Papa a boy or girl name?

Papa is a boy's name.

How popular is Papa?

Papa is a rare name in the U.S.