Ei! Kwasi Broni! Twi Nicknames That Stick Like Glue
By: Chimdindu Ken-Anaukwu
If you thought nicknames in English were wild, Twi will have you rolling on the floor. In Akan culture, nicknames aren’t just labels, they’re poetry, humor, and social commentary rolled into one. They can be affectionate, savage, or downright hilarious, but one thing is certain: once you get one, good luck shaking it off.
😅 The Everyday Funny Ones
Some nicknames come from quirks, habits, or that one embarrassing childhood moment no one will let you forget.
Kwasi Broni – Literally “Sunday-born White Man.” Given to fair-skinned kids, or anyone acting too foreign.
Abɔfra Keseɛ – “Big Baby.” Usually for the cousin who eats like an adult but still cries over small things.
Ɔkɔtɔ nwo anoma – “A crab doesn’t give birth to a bird.” Used when a child is behaving exactly like their parent.
❤️ Affectionate Nicknames
Nicknames can also be sweet, showing love and warmth:
Akosua Mmerewa – “Sunday-born queen.”
Kwaku Darling – A blend of Twi and English for that one special someone.
Obaa Pa – “Good woman.”
These are the names that make you blush when you hear them shouted across the market.
🔥 Savage and Playful Nicknames
Let’s be real, Akan humor can be brutal. Nicknames often roast you for life:
Kofi Brokeman – “Kofi the Peanut-seller.” Usually for someone who’s always broke.
Ama Nyame Nka Woho – “Ama, may God save you.” Often sarcastic, said to someone who stays in trouble.
Yaw Dada Hafrɛ – “Yaw the Lazy One.” Once this sticks, even your boss might call you that.
🎶 Nicknames in Music and Pop Culture
Ghanaian music and street culture thrive on these nicknames. From rap battles to highlife songs, artists embrace them as badges of identity. In fact, many stage names started as childhood nicknames that refused to die.
🧩 Why They Matter
Twi nicknames aren’t just funny; they’re cultural shorthand. They capture personality, history, and community memory in a few syllables. And unlike English nicknames, they often come with a proverb or cultural wisdom baked in.
So if someone calls you Kwasi Broni, don’t get mad. Smile, because you’ve just been initiated into the world of Akan nickname culture.
Want to learn Twi and understand these nicknames like a native?
Explore interactive lessons on the NKENNE app today!
🙌 Medaase (Thank you!)