Yaw
Meaningborn on thursday · Akan
Yaw is an African boy name meaning “born on thursday”, with Akan roots. In Akan tradition, many children are named for the day of the week they were born. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds short and punchy, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a longer middle name.
Did you know?
- GenerationYaw peaked in 1978, which makes it a Gen X name. The typical Yaw you'd meet today is about 47 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Yaw would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 285,714 baby boys got the name in 2025.
- HistoryYaw first shows up in US birth records in 1973, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 52 years since.
US births per million boys, 1973–2025
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Yaw
Yaw is a boy name of African origin meaning “born on thursday”. Short and strong, it's said in a single beat with a crisp finish, so it pairs easily with a longer middle name. It hit its peak in the 1970s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:African names
More African boy names
- Unisex name: Cairo · the victorious
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Zaire · river
- Boy name: Omari · long-lived
- Boy name: Ermias · form of Jeremiah
- Boy name: Jabari · brave, fearless
- Boy name: Paulo · small
- Unisex name: Amani · peace
Questions about the name Yaw
What does the name Yaw mean?
Yaw means “born on thursday” and comes from Akan. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Ekow (“born on Thursday”), Hamisi (“born on Thursday”), Kwaw (“born on Thursday”) and Yawo (“born on Thursday”).
What is the origin of the name Yaw?
Yaw is African in origin, and its meaning traces back to Akan. Other African names to consider are Cairo (“the victorious”), Asa (“healer”), Zaire (“river”) and Omari (“long-lived”).
Is Yaw a boy or girl name?
Yaw is a boy name. In 2025, 6 US boys were named Yaw.
How popular is the name Yaw?
Yaw ranked #10,695 for US boys in 2025, given to 6 babies. Its best year was 1978, when it reached #3,614. Over the last five years it has slipped 3,193 places.
What names are similar to Yaw?
If you like Yaw, you might also like Ekow, Hamisi, Kwaw and Yawo.
What should I know before naming my baby Yaw?
Yaw is an African boy name meaning “born on thursday”, with Akan roots. In Akan tradition, many children are named for the day of the week they were born. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds short and punchy, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a longer middle name. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.