Animals and the local(Akan) and English names
Here’s a quick list of common animals with Akan and English names. Akan spelling varies a bit by dialect, but this is Twi/Akuapem standard:
Domestic Animals
| English | Akan | Notes |
| Dog | Okraman | Literally “hunter’s animal” |
| Cat | Okwraman / Nkwakora | Okwraman is common. Nkwakora is more formal |
| Goat | Abirekyi | |
| Sheep | Odwan | |
| Cow / Cattle | Nantwi | |
| Pig | Kotoku | |
| Chicken | Akokɔ | |
| Guinea fowl | Akwadwene | |
| Duck | Ɔtuntum | |
| Horse | Pɔnkɔ | Borrowed from “pony” |
| Donkey | Afunte | |
Wild Animals
| English | Akan | Notes |
| Lion | Gyata | Also used for “brave person” |
| Leopard | Ebɔ | |
| Elephant | Ɔsɔ | |
| Monkey | Ɔkye | Generic for most monkeys |
| Baboon | Bɔkɔ | |
| Antelope | Antelope / Abɔnten | Abɔnten = bush antelope |
| Bush rat / Grasscutter | Akrante | Big delicacy in Ghana |
| Squirrel | Bete | |
| Snake | Ɔwɔ | |
| Crocodile | Denkyɛ | |
| Tortoise | Sankɔfa | Same word as the Adinkra symbol |
| Frog | Aponkye | |
| Bat | Apan | |
Birds & Others
| English | Akan |
| Eagle | Ɔkɔdeɛ |
| Owl | Pataku |
| Vulture | Ɔpataku |
| Parrot | Akɔkɔsradeɛ |
| Fish | Nsam |
| Bee | Nsenene |
| Ant | Mmoa |
| Termite | Mpempe |
Useful notes:
Plural: Akan usually adds “m-” or “n-” before the word. Akokɔ = chicken, Nkokɔ = chickens.
Mmoa means “animal” in general, but also “insects.” Context tells you which.
Many animals show up in Akan proverbs and folktales. Ananse = Spider is the trickster, Kwaku Ananse.
Want me to make you a 20-animal quiz with Akan names, or give you the animals used in common Akan proverbs?