Shawnette is a unique and distinctive female given name of African American origin. It is derived from the popular Irish surname "O'Shaunagh," which means "peaceful" or "tranquil." The name gained popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s, as many African Americans sought to reclaim and celebrate their cultural heritage by choosing names with African roots.
Despite its Irish origin, Shawnette is often considered a unisex name, as it can be spelled with either an "e" or an "o" at the end. However, it is more commonly used for females in the United States. The name has been relatively popular over the years, peaking in popularity during the 1980s and 1990s.
There are no notable historical figures named Shawnette, as the name is quite uncommon outside of African American communities. However, it has been used by some celebrities and public figures, such as American basketball player Shawnette Burrough (born Shawnette Burrough-McCollum), who played in the WNBA from 1997 to 2008.
In literature and popular culture, Shawnette is not a particularly common name. However, it has appeared in some works of fiction and media, such as in the television series "The Wire," where a character named Shawnette Felton makes an appearance. Overall, while Shawnette may not be one of the most well-known names, it remains a unique and meaningful choice for parents looking to give their daughter a name with African American roots and Irish heritage.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Shawnette experienced varying popularity over several decades in the United States.
The name first appeared in the top 1000 names for babies born in the U.S. in 1957 with a total of 6 births that year. This number increased slightly to 5 births in 1959, before jumping up again to 7 births in 1962.
The years between 1963 and 1976 saw a steady rise in the popularity of the name Shawnette, with the highest number of births recorded at 56 in 1976. This period could be considered the peak era for the name's popularity.
However, from 1977 onwards, there was a significant decline in the number of babies named Shawnette. The total number of births fell to as low as 6 in both 1986 and 2001.
Overall, throughout these years, a total of 750 babies were born with the name Shawnette in the United States. Despite its fluctuations in popularity, it remains a unique and distinctive name choice for parents looking for something different.