Language & Culture · Baoulé · Côte d'Ivoire
Names
in Baoulé
Among the Baoulé, first names are not chosen at random — they reflect the day of birth, birth order among siblings, the circumstances of coming into the world, and spiritual heritage.
Date 01/03/2025
Teachers
Author Clément N'Goran
The surname is patronymic: the father gives his own first name as a surname to his children. However, this practice is bound to disappear with modern civil registration. First names are determined by several factors.
Names according to the day of birth
Boy / GirlMonday kisie
Boy Kouassi Girl Akissi
Tuesday jᴐlɛ
Boy Kouadio Girl Adjoua
Wednesday m'mlan
Boy Konan Girl Amlan
Thursday we / ue
Boy Kouakou Girl Ahou
Friday ya
Boy Yao Girl Aya
Saturday fue
Boy Koffi Girl Affoué
Sunday monnɛn
Boy Kouamé Girl Amoin
Names according to birth order
Rank & succession3 ᵉ
N'guessan N'nyisan
3rd child of a succession of children of the same sex4 ᵉ
N'dri
4th child of a succession of children of the same sex✦
Kindoh Kindᴐ
Child of the opposite sex born after a succession of at least two children of the same sex (e.g., 2 girls then a boy, or 2 boys then a girl)
9 ᵉ
N'goran N'glwan
9th child of the same mother10 ᵉ
Brou Blu
10th child of the same mother11 ᵉ
Loukou
11th child of the same mother12 ᵉ
N'gbin
12th child of the same mother13 ᵉ
Djanhan janhan
13th child of the same mother14 ᵉ
Abonouan
14th child of the same motherNames according to birth circumstances
Events & omensAtoumgbré atungble
Child born while the mother was away from home Ahoutou
Child born with its head facing the ground N'da
Twin children Amani
Child born following twins Allaly
Child inspiring tranquility, born in peace N'gonian
Child born in despair Name given to ward off bad luck
Atiman
Premature child Djaha
Red-haired child Gbamele gbamlɛ / Fli
Albino child Names referencing nature
Natural elements · Plants · AnimalsAkpuɛ
Rock Allah
Iroko (tree) Asiɛ
Earth Béra
Turaco (bird) Bla
Fountain Django
Fig tree Djué
Fish Fɛtɛ
Lake Frondo flᴐ'ndᴐ
Baobab N'go
Palm oil Attributed to light-skinned people
N'zué
Water Kondro
Loloti (medicinal tree with thick bark) Kongo
Valley Lomé
Species of particularly red oil palm Attributed to light-skinned people
M'mé
Palm tree Oura wla
Garbage Name given to ward off the death of the child
Oka
Mountain Yobouet yᴐbuɛ
Pebble, stone Zougou
Caterpillar Attributed to particularly hairy people
Religious names
Fetishes · Masks · SpiritualityDivinities 2
Bohoussou
Forest spirit Gnanmien
Breath of life / God Other / Dances 17
Allangba
Protective fetish Allou
Warrior fetish Assoh asᴐ
Fetish of Bocanda In Konan-Elekro, region and village of Côte d'Ivoire
Déla
Fetish Diby
Fetish Of Kweni origin
Djê Jɛ
Mask Of Guro origin (a people of Côte d'Ivoire)
Djézou
Fetish — Doh: mask of Guro origin Gbangbo
Fetish Recognized only among the Baoulé of Tié'ndékro
Goly
Mask Of Wan origin (a people of Côte d'Ivoire)
Kangah
Slave Nowadays, attributed to a child whose elder siblings have passed away, in order to ward off bad luck
Kra kla
Fetish Kramo klanmᴐ
Marabout M'bra ngbla
Fetishist dance Saraka
Sacrifice Souaga
— Tanoh
Fetish Zouzou
Name of Wan origin Adopted by the Godé of Béoumi