Barima first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Barima has been for the last 1 years (from 2021 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Barima

An Akan masculine name of African origin meaning "messenger" or "one of strength".

Popularity of Barima by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Barima is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Barima.

Year Male Count Female Count
2021 5 0

The history of the first name Barima

The given name Barima originates from the Akan language spoken in parts of West Africa, primarily in Ghana and Ivory Coast. It is believed to have its roots in the Twi dialect of the Akan language, where the word "barima" means "man" or "male".

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Barima can be traced back to the 13th century during the reign of the Ashanti Empire in present-day Ghana. It was a common practice among the Akan people to give names that reflected the circumstances surrounding a child's birth or the aspirations of the parents for their child.

In the 16th century, the name Barima gained prominence when it was mentioned in the oral traditions and folktales of the Akan people. These stories often depicted Barima as a symbol of strength, courage, and masculinity, qualities that were highly valued in the Akan society.

The first known historical figure to bear the name Barima was Barima Kweku Duah, a respected chief of the Ashanti people who lived in the late 17th century. He was renowned for his diplomatic skills and played a crucial role in negotiating peace treaties between rival tribes.

Another notable figure in history with the name Barima was Barima Nkyi, a famous Akan sculptor and woodcarver who lived in the late 18th century. His intricate wooden sculptures and masks depicting Akan deities and spirits are considered masterpieces of African art and are displayed in museums around the world.

In the 19th century, the name Barima gained more recognition with the birth of Barima Kwabena Agyeman, a renowned Akan scholar and linguist. He contributed significantly to the preservation and documentation of the Akan language and culture through his writings and translations of traditional tales.

During the 20th century, Barima Kwame Nkrumah, the first president of independent Ghana, was a prominent figure who bore the name Barima. He played a pivotal role in Ghana's struggle for independence and became a symbol of African liberation and unity.

Another notable figure with the name Barima was Barima Akyempo Akuoko, a celebrated Ghanaian playwright and author who lived in the mid-20th century. His works explored themes of tradition, modernity, and the complexities of Akan culture, and he was instrumental in promoting Ghanaian literature on the international stage.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Barima was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Barima, please contact us.

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"Barima first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 19, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/barima-meaning-and-history/.

"Barima first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/barima-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 19 May, 2025

Barima first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/barima-meaning-and-history/.

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