THE 2026 FIELD GUIDE IS HERERead the trend report

Akan names.

316 verified names from Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire — each with its meaning, its sound, and its traditional spelling.

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AbagirlA girl born on Thursday/AH-bah/Ababioboy or girlA treasured child welcomed as the return of someone loved/ah-BAH-bee-oh/AbaidooboyAn established Fante/Akan family name also borne by men; its literal etymology is not reliably established./ah-BYE-doo/AbayieboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-bah-YEE-eh/AbenagirlBorn on Tuesday/ah-BEH-nah/AboagyeboyA male Akan name and surname, commonly associated with a warrior or one who comes to fight./ah-boh-AH-jeh/Abotareboy or girlPatience, endurance, and the strength to wait well/ah-boh-TAH-reh/AbrokwaboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-BROH-kwah/AbrokwahboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-BROH-kwah/AbronomagirlA gentle, graceful child, like a dove/ah-broh-NOH-mah/AcheampongboyA conqueror; a strong child who overcomes difficulties/ah-cheh-AHM-pong/AcquahgirlA girl born on Wednesday./AH-kwah/AddaiboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-DYE/AddoboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/AH-doh/AdjeiboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-JAY/AdjepongboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-JEH-pong/Adofoboy or girlA beloved child, dearly cherished/ah-DOH-foh/Adomboy or girlGrace—a beautiful gift of God’s favour/AH-dom/AdomagirlA daughter welcomed as a blessing of grace/ah-DOH-mah/AdomaagirlA graceful and favored child, welcomed with loving hopes for her future./ah-doh-MAH/AdomahboyGrace; favor, often understood as God's grace./ah-DOH-mah/AdomakoboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-doh-MAH-koh/AduboyA brave warrior and strong protector/AH-doo/AduonumboyFifteen; in name use, potentially associated with birth order rather than moral goodness./ah-doo-oh-NOOM/AduseiboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-doo-SAY/AdutwumwaagirlA traditional Akan girl’s name whose older etymology is not uniformly explained, but which remains warmly established in usage/ah-doo-TWUM-wah/AdwoagirlBorn on Monday/ah-JWOH-ah/AdwumahboyWork; labor./ah-DWOO-mah/Afehyiaboy or girlA happy new year—a name celebrating a joyful new beginning/ah-feh-HYEE-ah/AffulboyA Fante/Akan male Friday-born day name./AH-fool/AfiagirlBorn on Friday/ah-FEE-ah/AfibagirlA girl born on Friday in some Akan naming traditions/ah-FEE-bah/AfrakomagirlA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-frah-KOH-mah/Afriyieboy or girlA joyful welcome or happy arrival/ah-FREE-yeh/AfuagirlA girl born on Friday/ah-FOO-ah/Agyapomaagirl“Father’s staff/support” — reflecting the Akan expression that a daughter is her father’s support./ah-jah-poh-MAA/AgyapongboyA child associated with courage, strength, and leadership/ah-jah-PONG/AgyareboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-JAH-reh/AgyarkoboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-jahr-KOH/AgyeiboyA well-attested Akan male name, often analyzed in connection with agye (“received,” “saved,” or “accepted” depending on context); “messenger” is not a reliable general gloss./ah-JAY/AgyeiwaagirlA redeemed or rescued woman; a name expressing gratitude and hope/ah-JAY-wah/AgyekumboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-jyeh-KOOM/AgyemanboyA protector and saviour of the nation/ah-JEH-man/Agyemangboy“Saviour/rescuer of the nation,” commonly analyzed from agye (“save/rescue”) and oman (“nation”)./ah-JEH-mang/AhenemagirlA royal woman/queen or princess; related to ahemaa (“queen”)./ah-heh-NEH-mah/AhenewaagirlPrincess; a daughter of royal or noble standing/ah-heh-neh-WAH/AhenkorahboyAn Akan name invoking a chief/king, often understood with an elder or senior-chief sense; it does not straightforwardly mean “chiefly child.”/ah-hen-KOH-rah/Ahobraseboy or girlHumility and the gracious character of someone who treats others well/ah-hoh-BREH-seh/Ahofadiboy or girlFreedom, self-determination, and the joy of living without constraint/ah-hoh-FAH-dee/AhomkagirlJoy, pleasure, sweetness, or delight./ah-HOM-kah/AhosangirlBeauty; a lovely and graceful child/ah-hoh-SAHN/Ahotoboy or girlPeace, comfort, and a settled heart/ah-HOH-toh/Ahotosoboy or girlTrust, confidence, faith, or assurance./ah-hoh-TOH-soh/Ahyeaseboy or girlBeginning, commencement, or origin./ah-HYEH-ah-seh/AhyewagirlA beautiful or precious girl/ah-HYEH-wah/Aidooboy or girlA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/EYE-doo/AkentenboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-KEN-ten/Akomaboy or girlHeart; a child held especially close and dear/ah-KOH-mah/AkomeaboyA well-established Akan personal name associated with family heritage and dignity/ah-koh-MEH-ah/Akomfrahboy or girlA respected Akan family name used in Ghanaian personal naming; its older literal etymology is not securely documented/ah-kom-FRAH/AkosuagirlBorn on Monday/ah-koh-SOO-ah/AkotoboyCrab; Akoto is an established Akan masculine personal and family name./ah-KOH-toh/Akrasiboy or girlA distinctive Akan family name used to carry family identity into the next generation/ah-KRAH-see/AkromaboyHawk; Akroma is an Akan masculine name and surname associated with the hawk./ah-KROH-mah/AkuagirlBorn on Wednesday/ah-KOO-ah/AkufoboyFarmer; a warm name honoring people who cultivate and sustain the community/ah-KOO-foh/AkumaagirlA beloved little girl, treasured by her family/ah-koo-MAH/AkumfiboyA respected traditional family name; its precise older etymology is not certain/ah-KOOM-fee/AkwasiboyA child born on Sunday/ah-KWAH-see/AkyeregirlOne who comes after; from Akan akyire, “behind” or “after.”/ah-CHYEH-reh/AmagirlBorn on Saturday/AH-mah/AmankwaaboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-man-KWAH/AmankwahboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-MAHN-kwah/AmankwatiaboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-mahn-KWAH-tee-ah/AmbagirlBorn on Saturday, a bright name celebrating a treasured arrival/AHM-bah/AmeyawboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-MAY-ow/Amissahboy or girlA well-established Ghanaian family name used as a personal name, carrying the warmth of family continuity/ah-MEE-sah/AmoahboyA person who brings strength and support/ah-MOH-ah/AmoakoboyA helpful and dependable person/ah-MWAH-koh/AmoatengboyStrong or firm; Amoateng is an established Akan masculine personal and family name./ah-moh-AH-teng/AmofaboyA respected Akan personal name carried through family generations/ah-MOH-fah/AmpaduboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/am-PAH-doo/AmpemboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/AHM-pem/AmponsahboyA strong Akan family name used personally to honor family roots/ahm-PON-sah/Ananeboy or girlA treasured fourth child/ah-NAH-neh/Anidasoboy or girlHope and the confident expectation of good things to come./ah-nee-dah-SOH/Anigyeboy or girlJoy and happiness/ah-NEE-jyeh/AnkomahboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ahn-KOH-mah/AnnanboyA Fante/Akan form associated with an ordinal birth name, commonly rendered as a fourth-born child; spelling and usage vary, including Anane./AN-an/AnokyeboyA famous traditional Akan name, remembered especially through the revered priest and statesman Okomfo Anokye/ah-NOH-cheh/AnowagirlA genuine Akan/Fante female name, also famous through Ama Ata Aidoo's Anowa; “follows her own path” is a literary characterization, not the name's literal meaning./ah-NOH-wah/AnsahboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/AN-sah/AntobamboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ahn-toh-BAHM/AntwiboyA strong person with courage and resolve/AHNT-wee/Anumboy or girlA treasured fifth child/AH-noom/Anuonyamboy or girlGlory—a life that brings honour and praise to God/ah-noo-nyam/AnwomaagirlA Ghanaian/Akan female name associated with “bird” in Akan usage, rather than simply “a beautiful girl.”/an-WOH-mah/ApeaboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-PEH-ah/AppiahboyA common Akan male personal and family name; the specific “brings joy to the family” gloss is not reliably established./ah-PEE-ah/AprakuboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-PRAH-koo/ArabagirlA girl born on Thursday/ah-RAH-bah/AsabeagirlA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-sah-BEH-ah/AsamoahboyA helper who brings strength to others/ah-SAH-mwah/AsanteboyAn Akan ethnic/heritage and family name, also used as a male personal name; it refers to the Asante people rather than having “enduring strength” as a literal meaning./ah-SAN-teh/AsantewaagirlA genuine Akan female name, famously borne by Yaa Asantewaa, the Asante queen mother and resistance leader./ah-SAN-teh-wah/AsareboyWarrior; a brave and resilient child/ah-SAH-reh/Asedaboy or girlThanksgiving—a life filled with gratitude/ah-SEH-dah/AsieduboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-see-DOO/AsomdwoegirlPeace, harmony, and a calm, gracious spirit/ah-som-JWEH/AsumaduboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ah-soo-MAH-doo/Ataboy or girlA precious child who is one of twins/AH-tah/AtaagirlThe first-born of twin daughters, bringing a special bond into the family/ah-TAH-ah/AtiagirlA female Akan day name for someone born on Saturday./ah-TEE-ah/AtoboyA traditional alternate name for a boy born on Saturday/AH-toh/AtobrahboyA male Akan name associated with Saturday birth, related to Ato./ah-toh-BRAH/AttaboyThe first of twins/AH-tah/AtweagirlA female name for a child born after twins./ah-TWEH-ah/AwisigirlA girl born on Sunday; a traditional Fante day name/ah-WEE-see/AwogirlA girl born on Thursday in some Akan naming traditions/AH-woh/Awotweboy or girlA treasured eighth child/ah-WOT-weh/AwuahboyAn Akan surname and masculine personal name; no established lexical meaning of 'family continuity and strength' is confirmed./ah-WOO-ah/AwukuboyA male Akan day-name variant for someone born on Wednesday./ah-WOO-koo/AwuragirlLady; madam; a respectful form of address for a woman./ah-WOO-rah/Awuradeboy or girlThe Lord—a name expressing devotion and reverence/ah-woo-RAH-deh/AwuramagirlLady; noblewoman./ah-woo-RAH-mah/AwusigirlA female day-name variant for a girl born on Sunday./ah-WOO-see/Ayeyiboy or girlPraise; commendation./ah-YEH-yee/

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BaabagirlAn Akan feminine personal name; it is not the traditional name specifically for a child born after twins./BAA-bah/BaafiboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/BAH-fee/BaahboyAn Akan masculine personal name and surname; no established meaning of dignity, belonging, or family blessing is confirmed./BAH/Baduboy or girlA treasured ninth child/BAH-doo/BaduwaagirlA feminine form associated with Badu, traditionally used in the Akan birth-order naming system for a tenth child./bah-doo-WAH-ah/BaffoeboyAn Akan masculine personal name and surname; the claimed heritage-and-pride meaning is not an established translation./BAH-foh/BaffourboyA nobleman or person of honorable standing/BAH-foh/BamfoboyA helpful and supportive person/BAHM-foh/BarimaboyA nobleman and brave warrior/bah-REE-mah/BarimahboyA noble, strong man/bah-REE-mah/BediakoboyOne who fights, or will fight, a war./beh-dee-AH-koh/BekoeboyWill go; shall leave./beh-KOH-eh/BempahboyAn Akan masculine personal name and surname; no established meaning of ancestral linkage or strength is confirmed./BEM-pah/BempongboyAn Akan masculine personal name and surname; the proposed meaning of steadfastness and endurance is not established./bem-PONG/Benkumboy or girlLeft side; left wing, including the traditional Akan Benkum political or lineage division./BEN-koom/BoaduboyA warrior or brave defender/BOH-ah-doo/BoaduwaagirlOne who has come to help and bring support/boh-ah-doo-WAA/BoafoboyHelper; one who assists or supports others./boh-AH-foh/BoahemaagirlA female Akan name interpretable as “queen/helper” or “one who helps the queen.”/boh-ah-HEH-maa/BoahenboyAn Akan name/surname associated with boa hene, “help the chief/king.”/boh-AH-hen/BoakyeboyA child who brings help and support/BOH-ah-cheh/Boamahboy or girl“Help me” (from Twi boa me); also a widely used Akan surname./BOH-ah-mah/BoatemagirlA cherished traditional Akan feminine name associated with family heritage/boh-ah-TEH-mah/BoatemaagirlAn Akan feminine name; it is associated with the boa (“help”) element, but no secure full gloss supports the added claim about strength./boh-ah-TEH-mah/BonsuboyA strong and courageous person/BON-soo/BrakoboyWarrior; brave fighter./BRAH-koh/

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Kakraboy or girlA precious child recognized as the younger twin/KAH-krah/KarikariboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/kah-ree-KAH-ree/KobenaboyA Fante/Akan male day name for a child born on Tuesday./koh-BEH-nah/KobinaboyA Fante/Akan male day name for a child born on Tuesday./koh-BEE-nah/KofiboyBorn on Friday/KOH-fee/KofiwaagirlA female Friday-born Akan day-name variant./koh-fee-WAH-ah/KojoboyA familiar Akan name for a boy born on Monday/KOH-joh/KonadugirlAn Akan female personal and royal/lineage name; it does not have the stated sentimental meaning./koh-NAH-doo/Koomsonboy or girlA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/KOOM-sun/KorankyeboyAn Akan male personal/family name; no verified fixed literal gloss is available./koh-RAN-cheh/KorantengboyAn Akan male name commonly glossed as “fighter” or “warrior.”/koh-ran-TENG/KukuagirlA female Akan day-name variant for a child born on Wednesday./koo-KOO-ah/Kumahboy or girlAn Akan family name that is also used as a personal name; no dependable literal meaning of “lineage and belonging” is established./KOO-mah/KumiboyAn Akan male personal/family name; “a strong and valued person” is not a securely established literal meaning./KOO-mee/KusiboyAn Akan male name, sometimes treated as a variant related to Kwasi/Kwesi; the supplied sentimental description is not a meaning./KOO-see/KuukuboyA boy born on Wednesday/KOO-koo/KwabenaboyBorn on Tuesday/kwah-BEH-nah/KwabenaagirlA female Akan day-name variant associated with Tuesday-born children./kwah-beh-NAH-ah/KwadwoboyBorn on Monday/KWAH-joh/KwadwoagirlA female Akan day-name variant associated with Monday-born children./kwah-JOH-ah/KwakuboyBorn on Wednesday/KWAH-koo/KwakuaagirlA female Akan day-name variant associated with Wednesday-born children./kwah-koo-AH-ah/KwameboyBorn on Saturday/KWAH-meh/KwamewaagirlA female Akan day-name variant associated with Saturday-born children./kwah-meh-WAH-ah/KwaminaboyA boy born on Saturday/kwah-MEE-nah/KwartengboyAn Akan male personal/family name; it is not the standard Akan name for an eighth-born child./kwar-TENG/KwasiboyBorn on Monday/KWAH-see/KwasibagirlA female Akan day-name variant associated with Sunday-born children./kwah-SEE-bah/KwasiwaagirlA female Akan day-name variant associated with Sunday-born children./kwah-see-WAH-ah/KwegyirboyAn Akan male personal name; it is not a standard Wednesday-born day name./KWEH-jeer/KwekuboyA boy born on Wednesday/KWEH-koo/KyeameboyA respected spokesperson—someone trusted to represent others wisely/chee-AH-meh/KyeiboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/CHAY/KyerematenboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/chyeh-reh-MAH-ten/Kyeremehboy or girlA well-established Akan family name used personally as a sign of family continuity/cheh-reh-MEH/KyidomboySupport, backing, or a rear guard; from Akan akyidom/kyidom./chee-DOHM/

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Nanaboy or girlA respected elder or royal person; a name carrying dignity and honor/NAH-nah/Nhyiraboy or girlBlessing—a child welcomed as a precious gift/n-JEE-rah/Nhyirababoy or girlA child welcomed as especially blessed and destined to bring goodness to others./NYEE-rah-bah/Nimakoboy or girlA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/nee-MAH-koh/Nketiaboy or girlA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/en-KEH-tee-ah/NketiahboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/nkeh-TEE-ah/Nkosuoboy or girlProgress and advancement in life/en-koh-SOO-oh/NkrumahboyThe ninth-born child/en-KROO-mah/Nkunimboy or girlVictory—a joyful name for a child who overcomes challenges/nkoo-NEEM/Nkwaboy or girlLife—a treasured gift sustained by God/n-KWAH/Nokwareboy or girlTruthfulness, honesty, and a trustworthy heart/noh-KWAH-reh/Nsiaboy or girlA sixth-born child, cherished in the continuing family story/n-SEE-ah/Nsiahboy or girlA treasured sixth child/n-SEE-ah/Nsonboy or girlA treasured seventh child/n-SOHN/Nsoromaboy or girlStar—a bright, hopeful presence in the family/n-soh-ROH-mah/Ntiboy or girl“Because of” or “on account of” in Twi/Akan./n-TEE/Ntiamoahboy or girlA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/ntee-ah-MOH-ah/NtimboyA child of determination and strength/n-TEEM/Nyame Nhyiraboy or girlGod’s blessing—a child seen as a blessing from above/nyah-meh n-JEE-rah/Nyamebaboy or girlChild of God—held in God’s care and love/nyah-meh-BAH/Nyamekyeboy or girlGift from God—a beloved child received with joy/nyah-meh-CHEH/Nyamekyereboy“God has shown/revealed” (from Nyame, “God,” and kyere, “show/reveal”)./nyah-meh-CHEH-reh/NyamewaagirlGod’s child; a warm expression of faith and divine care/nyah-meh-WAH/Nyameyeboy or girlGod has done it; a name celebrating a wonderful answer to prayer/NYAH-meh-yeh/Nyansaboy or girlWisdom, good sense, and thoughtful judgment/NYAHN-sah/NyarkoboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/nyar-KOH/

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ObaahemaagirlQueen mother; a royal female leader./oh-bah-heh-MAH/ObengboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/oh-BENG/ObiriboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/oh-BEE-ree/ObrempongboyA great warrior and person of high standing/oh-brem-PONG/OdameboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/oh-DAH-meh/Odoboy or girlLove—a warm-hearted nature and care for others/OH-doh/OduroboyMedicine, remedy, or medicinal substance./oh-DOO-roh/OforiboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/oh-FOH-ree/OforiwaagirlA feminine Akan name built on Ofori, with the feminine element -waa./oh-foh-REE-wah/OhemaagirlQueenly, dignified, and worthy of love and honor/oh-HEH-mah/OheneboyKing, chief, or respected leader/oh-HEH-neh/Ohenebaboy or girlRoyal child, or child of a chief/oh-heh-NEH-bah/OhenewaagirlKing’s daughter; royal daughter./oh-heh-NEH-wah/OheneyeregirlQueen; the wife of a king/chief./oh-heh-neh-YEH-reh/OkodieboyEagle./oh-KOH-dee-eh/OkomfoboyTraditional priest, priest-diviner, or ritual specialist./oh-KOM-foh/OkyeameboyLinguist, spokesperson, or chief’s official speaker./oh-chee-AH-meh/OkyereboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/oh-CHEH-reh/OnyameboyGod./on-YAH-meh/Onyamebaboy or girlA child belonging to God and held in divine care/oh-NYAH-meh-bah/OpareboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/oh-PAH-reh/OpokuboyA strong, distinguished man; a name with chiefly prestige/oh-POH-koo/OppongboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/OH-pong/OsagyefoboyA liberator—someone who brings freedom and hope/oh-sah-JEH-foh/OseiboyA name associated with nobility, royal dignity, and prestige/oh-SAY/OtchereboyA traditional Akan/Twi name carried through generations — its exact literal meaning isn't recorded, which is part of its story/oh-CHEH-reh/OtengboyAn established Akan masculine personal and family name; the proposed definition about courage and standing firm is not a secure translation./oh-TENG/OwusuboyStrong and courageous/oh-WOO-soo/

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