Jawanza is a unique and distinctive name of African American origin. It was created by Alex Haley, the author of the renowned novel "Roots," as the name of one of its main characters. The name Jawanza has no specific meaning or translation in any language, as it was invented by Haley for his character.
In the novel "Roots," Jawanza is the son of Kunta Kinte, the protagonist who is captured and sold into slavery. Haley chose to give his character an African-inspired name that would sound authentic but not actually exist, as he wanted to avoid using a real African name that might have specific historical or cultural significance.
Despite its lack of traditional meaning, Jawanza has become a popular name in African American communities due to its association with the powerful and influential novel "Roots." The character of Kunta Kinte and his son Jawanza have inspired many people, and their names have become symbols of African American identity and pride.
In recent years, Jawanza has also gained popularity outside of African American communities, particularly among parents who are drawn to its unique sound and spelling. While it may not have a traditional meaning or history, Jawanza is a name that carries a strong cultural significance and represents the rich heritage of African American literature and history.
Overall, Jawanza is a distinctive and powerful name with a unique backstory. Its creation by Alex Haley as part of his landmark novel "Roots" has given it a lasting impact on African American culture and beyond. Although it does not have a specific meaning or translation, the name Jawanza is deeply rooted in history and represents the struggles and triumphs of African Americans throughout generations.
The given statistics show the annual number of births with the name Jawanza in the United States from 1971 to 2002. Over this period, there were a total of 201 babies named Jawanza born in the U.S.
The highest number of births occurred in 1993, with 19 babies named Jawanza. This was also the only year where more than 15 babies received this name.
On average, about 7 babies were named Jawanza each year during the period covered by these statistics. However, there were fluctuations from year to year, with some years having fewer than 5 births and others having double digits.
In recent years (2000-2002), the number of births with the name Jawanza decreased significantly, with only a total of 16 births recorded during these three years. This suggests that the name may have fallen out of fashion or become less popular during this time period.