Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post presents information about New York City's Mayor-Elect Zohran Kwame Mamdani's name, with a focus on the meaning of his West African middle name.
The Addendum to this post showcases a YouTube video about how the name "Kwame" is pronounced.
The content of this post is presented for onomastic*, socio-cultural, historical, and political purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the producer and publisher of this showcased YouTube video.
Congratulations to Zohran Kwame Mamdani for his historical win in the November 4, 2025 mayoral election in New York City, New York,
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*onomastic= "the study of the history and origin of proper names, especially personal names".
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EXCERPT FROM ZOHRAN MAMDANI'S WIKIPEDIA PAGE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zohran_Mamdani
"Zohran Kwame Mamdani[c] (born October 18, 1991) is an American politician and mayor-elect of New York City. A member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America, he has served as a member of the New York State Assembly for the 36th district since 2021, representing the Queens neighborhood of Astoria.
Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, to academic Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair, both of whom are of Indian descent. After spending three years in Cape Town, South Africa, when Mamdani was five to seven years old, the family moved to the United States, settling in New York. Mamdani graduated from the Bronx High School of Science before receiving a bachelor's degree with a major in Africana studies from Bowdoin College in 2014.
After working as a housing counselor and musician (known as "Young Cardamom" and later "Mr Cardamom"), Mamdani entered local New York City politics as a campaign manager for Khader El-Yateem and Ross Barkan. He was first elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020, defeating five-term incumbent Aravella Simotas in the Democratic primary. Representing Astoria, Queens, he was reelected without opposition in 2022 and 2024.
In October 2024, Mamdani announced his candidacy for mayor of New York City in the 2025 election. Mamdani campaigned on an affordability-focused platform in support of fare-free city buses, universal public child care, city-owned grocery stores, a rent freeze on rent-stabilized units, additional affordable housing units, and a $30 minimum wage by 2030. He also expressed support for LGBTQ rights, comprehensive public safety reform, and tax increases on corporations and those earning above $1 million annually. He won the Democratic primary in June 2025, defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo in an upset victory, and was elected mayor in the general election later that year. He is set to become the city's first Muslim and Indian–Ugandan mayor."...
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MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ZOHRAN MAMDANI'S WIN IN THE NOVEMBER 4, 2025 ELECTION
From https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ceq01l8reqlo "'Mandate for change': Zohran Mamdani wins New York City mayoral election" By Madeline Halpert, November 5, 2025, New York City
"Zohran Mamdani, 34, has won New York City's race for mayor in a contest that rallied young voters and sparked debate about the future direction of the US Democratic Party.
Ugandan-born Mamdani, a Democrat, beat former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, running as an independent, to become the youngest person in over a century to lead the largest city in the US.
"My friends, we have toppled a political dynasty," the self-described democratic socialist told the crowd during a victory speech.
Democrats also won governor races in Virginia and New Jersey, while in California voters backed a proposition to redraw the congressional electoral map ahead of next year's midterm elections.
Mamdani made affordability the central message of his campaign, pledging to expand social programmes paid for by new taxes on high earners and corporations.
In New York, he was a relatively unknown member of the state assembly until his campaign gained online momentum a few months ago, propelling him to victory in the Democratic primary contest over the summer.
Mamdani has become the first South Asian and Muslim to lead the city. In his victory speech, he spoke of a "new age".
"For as long as we can remember, the working people of New York have been told by the wealthy and the well-connected that power does not belong in their hands," Mamdani said.
"The future is in our hands," he said, pledging to create a government that works "for everyone".”…
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INFORMATION ABOUT ZOHRAN KWAME MAMDANI'S NAMES
from http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/125127467.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst "The Meaning Behind Zohran Kwame Mamdani,when your name carries many worlds. By TOI (Times of India) Lifestyle Desk, November 6, 2025
"Zohran Kwame Mamdani, mayor- elect of New York City carries a name rich with meaning.’Zohran’ symbolizes light, ‘Kwame’ connects to Ghanaian heritage and resistance, and ‘Mamdani” denotes a legacy of scholars. His name bridges Africa and Asia, showcasing a layered, multicultural identity. His name represents resilience and rebirth, inviting understanding of complex origins.
Some names carry a melody, a memory, or a family story. then there are names like Zohran Kwame Mandami that carry worlds. They hold pieces of history migration, language, and love. They stretch across continents and time zones, blending cultures that might once have seemed far apart but now meet beautifully in one person.
[…]
Zohran: A name that means 'light'
The name Zohran comes from Persian and Arabic roots, meaning ‘light, ‘radiance’, or ’brilliance’. It shares linguistic DNA with words like Zohar, which in Hebrew mysticism represents spiritual illumination and divine wisdom.
[…]
Kwame: 'Born on Saturday', rooted in Ghana
The middle name Kwame traces back to the Akan people of Ghana. In Akan culture, children are traditionally
named after the day of the week when they were born. ‘Kwame’ means “‘born on Saturday” and carries more than a timestamp, it symbolizes identity, ancestry, and a link to community.
But there’s another layer here. The name Kwame has deep political resonance thanks to Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s founding father and one of Africa’s greatest independence leaders. For many across the African diaspora, the name stands for, resistance, freedom, and pride in one’s heritage.
When combined with Zohran, Kwame creates a linguistic bridge between Africa and Asia, showing how culture can coexist without boundaries.
Mamdani: 'A surname of scholars and storytellers'
The surname Mamdani is of East African and South Asian origin, historically connected to families of Indian descent who migrated to Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The name has roots inArabic, likely referring to a tribal or ancestral connection (from the clan of Mamdan) .
It's a name that carries academic weight, too, most famously through Mahmood Mamdani, a globally respected Ugandan scholar and father of Zohran Mamdani. The Mamdani name has become synonymous with intellect, social justice, and critical thought. So when you put it all together
Zohran (light), Kwame (Saturday-born), and Mamdani (a legacy of knowledge). You get a name that practically hums with meaning.”…
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE NAME "KWAME"
ARTICLE EXCERPT #1
From https://ipfs.io/ipfs/QmXoypizjW3WknFiJnKLwHCnL72vedxjQkDDP1mXWo6uco/wiki/Akan_names.html [retrieved November 9, 2025]
"Akan names
The Akan people of Ghana and the Ivory Coast frequently name their children after the day of the week they were born and the order in which they were born. These "day names" have further meanings concerning the soul and character of the person. Middle names have considerably more variety and can refer to their birth order, twin status, or an ancestor's middle name.
This naming tradition is shared throughout West Africa and the African diaspora. During the 18th-19th Century, slaves from modern day Ghana in the Caribbean were referred to as Coromantees. Many of the leaders of slave rebellions had "day names" including Cuffy or Kofi, Cudjoe or Kojo, and Quamina or Kwame/Kwamina.
Most Ghanaians have at least one name from this system, even if they also have an English or Christian name. Notable figures with day names include Ghana's first president Kwame Nkrumah and former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.
[...]
The Ashanti people system of giving names to their children is unique.[4][5] Unlike the Europeans, each child is given his/her own first and sur-names irrespective of the surname of the father.[4][5] The first names are always derived from the day a child was born.[4][5]
For an example a boy born on Monday is called Kwadwo/Kojo derived from the day Monday which is called Dwoada in Ashanti language and Ashanti Twi, the language of Ashantis.[4][5] An Ashanti girl born on Monday is called Adwoa.[4][5]
Here are the rest of the days and their various names:
Tuesday/Benada - Kwabena for Ashanti boys and Abena for Ashanti girls,
Wednesday/Wukuada - Kwaku for Ashanti boys and Akua for Ashanti girls,
Thursday/Yawoada - Yaw for Ashanti boys and Yaa for Ashanti girls,
Friday/Fiada - Kofi for Ashanti boys and Afia for Ashanti girls,
Saturday/Memeneda - Kwame for Ashanti boys and Amma for Ashanti girls
and finally Sunday/Kwasiada - Kwasi/Akwasi for Ashanti boys and Akosua for Ashanti girls.[4][5]
[...]
Day names
Sunday's child is the general leader, sensitive to family situations and warm member of the family.[4][5] He/she tends to be shy and likes to keep to himself/herself, but is very aware of his/her surroundings and usually is the secret keeper of the family.[4][5]
Monday's child is the father or mother in the family; nurturing in nature, dependable and organized, and protective of his/her family.[4][5]
Tuesday's child is the problem solver and planner of the family.[4][5] They are structured in nature, neutral in all matters and never take sides.[4][5]
Wednesday's child is fully in control of every situation, does not want to be told what to do, knows it all, is spontaneous, vibrant and cordial.[4][5]
Thursday's child is quiet in nature and incredibly observant.[4][5] They are generally listeners, not talkers, and analyzes situations very well.[4][5]
Friday's child is a leader, not a follower.[4][5] He/she is very temperamental but has a big heart. Generally the instigator of everything.[4][5]
Saturday's child likes to take control of family situations. He/she runs the show and make the rules, but will go out of his/her way for others any time.[4][5]"
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I reformatted this article excerpt to increase its readability.
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ARTICLE EXCERPT #2
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwame
"Kwame is an Akan masculine given name among the Akan people (such as the Akuapem, Ashanti, Akyem, Bono and Fante) in Ghana which is given to a boy born on Saturday.[1] Traditionally in Ghana, a child would receive their Akan day name during their Outdooring, eight days after birth.[2][3]
According to Akan tradition, people born on particular days exhibit certain characteristics or attributes.[2][3] Kwame has the appellation "Atoapoma" or "Oteanankannuro" meaning "combat ready".[2][3]
The day naming tradition in Ghana extends to folk characters such as Anansi and deities. Traditional Akan religion states that God created himself on Saturday and is therefore also named "Kwame".[4] .
[...]
Male variants of Kwame
Variant spellings include Kwamé, Kouamé, Kwami, Kwamena, and Kwamina, according to the various Akan subgroups.[8][3] It is spelt Kwame by the Akuapem, Akyem, Bono and Ashanti subgroups, while the Fante subgroup spell it as Kwamena or Kwamina.[2][8]
Female version of Kwame
In the Akan culture and other local cultures in Ghana, day names come in pairs for males and females.[2] The variant of the name used for a female child born on Saturday is Ama.[2][3]
Notable people with the name
The most well-known bearer of the name was Kwame Nkrumah, President of Ghana and a founder of Pan-Africanism – mainly due to whom the name spread also to non-Ghanaians"...
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This page includes a list of notable people with the name "Kwame" including New York City's Mayor-Elect Zohran Kwame Mamdani.
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ADDENDUM -VIDEO:HOW TO PRONOUNCE THE NAME "KWAME"
American Pronunciation Guide, May 26, 2020
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Here's this YouTube video's auto-generated transcript:
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Here's how the name "Kwame" is pronounced (in the USA, if not elsewhere) = QUAH-me"
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