Hi there!
I hope your day has been good so far.
Thank you all so much for the love during my one year bloggerniversary.
“Hi,my name is David.You are?”
“My name is Esasina.”
“Pardon?”
“Esasina!
“Ei,please this your name di33 repeat it.”
“My name is Esasina….Esa-si-na”
“Oh okay,this your name I can’t pronounce it oo.”
I smile and slowly say,”My full name is Esasina Padikwor Kodjo, pick whichever you want,Esasina or Padikwor.”
“Ermmm don’t you have an English name or Christian name?”
“No I don’t”
“Ei,most local!”
“I am Ghanaian so I think it is just great that I have a Ghanaian name instead.”
“But the name you mentioned Esta-tina Pab-bi-ko is so difficult to pronounce.”
“Well,that is my name David.”
I am tired of hearing my name mispronounced and wondering why so many people think I should have an English name because it is easier to pronounce.Do you think a couple in Europe would name their child “Ama Asieduwaa” just out of the blue? It’s okay if you choose to give your child a local name.I just think it is about time we become proud of our culture and our local names.
Names have meanings,parents please endeavor to know the meaning of the names you christen your children with whether English or local names.
“Oh so can I call you Padi?”
“No please,I prefer these shortened forms of my name: Kwor or Sina.”
“But as for shortening of names there is no rule oo Padiks kraa is an option.”
I just walked away from this gentleman.
I don’t understand how someone I just met would want to change my name,call me what I am not and wonder why I have a problem with their suggestion.
Please,is it your name?
When I was in primary school,I was not proud of my first name. I felt it did not sound foreign or Westernized enough so I hardly ever mentioned “Esasina” to anyone.I wanted an English name,one that was easier to pronounce.Deep down in my heart,I wanted to be called Britney.
The scales fell off my eyes before I went to Senior High School.I chose to embrace my name and to be proud of my roots.These days I prefer to be called Esasina and I always correct anyone who mispronounces my name.
My name is Esasina which means,”God deserves praise” in Krobo, my local dialect.
Photo Credit: OBE images.
Thank you for reading,
Love,
Esasina. xoxo
sinakodjo 
What is the meaning of ama asieduwa? Its my name but I don’t know the meaning. My parents are no more. Thx in advance.
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Kwor, i remember those days in children service you never wanted us to know you were called Esasina… 😂😂. Me kraa, now everyone calls me by my local name and am soo proud of it😊
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You know! I am glad we are embracing our local names.xx
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Britney 😂😂😂 sometimes I wonder if it’s intentional. You ask of my name and I tell you; if you can’t pronounce it, keep quiet and let me teach you. Ask them again oo… Is it your name?
Lovely post, Esasina!
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Thank you for readding Naana.It’s pretty annoying sometimes.
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Even a name like Juliet that is simple people will be calling you Juli juu and can’t pronounce or even spell it right.
Beautiful piece. Keep writing
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Awww Sika,I think we are both tired of all the wahala.Keep correcting them when they mispronounce your name.Thank you for reading.xoxox
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Naa Nyanchie (pronounced ‘Nyanch’, the ‘ie’ is silent). A Ga name adopted from the Portugese. I love my name. I love it when it’s pronounced correctly. It touches my heart.
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Naa Nyanchie!! I get excited when anyone mentions my name right.
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Britney Spears or Britney Griner?? Beautiful name like Esasina and you were doing skills. Beautiful post by all standards.
Anyetei
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Thank you Nii Anyetei.Fortunately ,I have repented.
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Kwor I can relate! In Primary school I always asked my dad why I didn’t have an English name and he would always reply by asking if I had ever seen a British couple name their child Kofi or Ama. Now I’m sooo proud of my name Ama Asaa and I also correct people when they mispronounce it. I don’t know what it means though but I still love it.
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You know!! Ama,I totally agree.We should not look down on our names.Yaayy!! To another Ghanaian who is proud of her name😘😘😘.Much Love Ama.
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My dad gave me the same answer any time I asked
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We should be proud of our names and our culture but appreciate the culture of others.Konadu is a beautiful name
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Oh sister say it again ooo! Some people make me want to stop saying my name in general. Everytime I say first name Ivylove, I have to repeat it so many times and what even kills is when they say give me your local name- Monda. Next question is “Are you Ghanaian?” Very much!!!! It’s Nzema. Let’s know our culture, it’s a must. As for mispronouncing names, it happens to all my names 😨. I’m even tired. Lol
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I know right!! It’s so annoying sometimes but we won’t give up.We are Ghanaian and proud of our names.Thank you for reading Darling😘
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😂😂😂Britney
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Don’t laugh,I had even a surname in mind.😂😂😂😂
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lol..Ama Asieduwaah is my name..😁😁 nice to see my name in your post
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Awww Asieduwaah,you have a beautiful name.Thank you for reading
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Mispronounced names! One of the constant things in Ghana lol.
I haven’t been proud of my names either, especially since I’m part northerner and fante. It was always a struggle but growing up I got to love my names.
I’m yet to find out exactly what Tsetsewa means, but for Anyifara, it’s a frafra name meaning “one who has praise”.
Lovely post Sina!
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Awww Tsetsewaa! I can relate! We should embrace our names and be proud of who we are.Much love😘.Your name Anyifara is a beautiful name!
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