Find out how popular the first name Nkrumah has been for the last 31 years (from 1978 to 2008) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Nkrumah by gender

Based on the last 31 years of data, Nkrumah is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2008, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Nkrumah.

The history of the first name Nkrumah

Nkrumah is a given name of Ghanaian origin, derived from the Akan language spoken in parts of West Africa. The name is believed to have originated in the late 17th or early 18th century, during the time when the Akan people were expanding their influence in the region.

The name Nkrumah is thought to be a combination of two Akan words: "nkra," meaning "cat," and "mah," meaning "to give birth." Together, the name can be interpreted as "the one born with the qualities of a cat," potentially referring to qualities such as agility, stealth, or independence.

While the name's origins are rooted in the Akan culture, it gained broader recognition and popularity in the 20th century, particularly due to the influential Ghanaian leader and revolutionary, Kwame Nkrumah (1909-1972). Nkrumah played a pivotal role in Ghana's independence from British colonial rule and served as the country's first prime minister and president.

Another notable figure bearing the name Nkrumah was Gamal Abdel Nasser (1918-1970), the second president of Egypt. Nasser was a close ally of Kwame Nkrumah, and the two leaders worked together to promote pan-Africanism and the decolonization of Africa.

In addition, the name Nkrumah has been carried by other historical figures, such as Nkrumah Lumumba (1925-1961), a Congolese independence leader and the first legally elected prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Nkrumah can be found in the writings of British colonial administrator and historian, Sir William Halford Mackinder (1861-1947), who documented the Akan people and their customs in the late 19th century.

While the name Nkrumah has its roots in the Akan culture, it has transcended its origins and gained recognition worldwide, particularly in the context of African independence movements and pan-Africanism. The name carries a rich historical legacy and is associated with individuals who have played significant roles in shaping the course of history in Africa and beyond.

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 Nkrumah was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!