Maranda is a unique and captivating name of American origin. It was popularized in the late 20th century by author Frank Peretti's novel "This Present Darkness," in which he introduced the character Maranda Baker.
The exact meaning of Maranda is unclear as it does not derive from any established language or naming tradition. However, some people have interpreted it to mean "song of the sea" or "sea melody," likely inspired by its phonetic similarity to words like "marina" (meaning "of the sea") and "melody."
Despite its uncertain origins, Maranda has gained recognition as a distinct given name in recent years. Its popularity can be attributed to its distinctive sound and association with Peretti's popular novel. Today, it is most commonly used in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States.
While Maranda may not have a long historical record or established cultural significance like some other names, its unique sound and modern origins make it an attractive choice for parents seeking a distinctive name for their child.
Based on the statistical data provided, we can observe several trends regarding the number of babies named Maranda born each year in the United States.
From the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, the popularity of the name Maranda fluctuated significantly. In the years between 1886 and 1954, there were fewer than 13 births per year on average. However, starting in 1956, we see a significant increase in the number of babies named Maranda, with at least 12 births each year until 1960.
The late 1960s and early 1970s marked a turning point for this name's popularity. In 1974, there were suddenly 155 births, indicating that the name Maranda had become quite popular during this time. This trend continued throughout the decade, with at least 30 births per year from 1970 to 1982.
The name Maranda reached its peak popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1979 alone, there were 285 babies named Maranda born in the United States. This number continued to increase, reaching an all-time high of 498 births in 1992.
However, as with many names, the popularity of Maranda declined after its peak. Between 1993 and 2006, there were still a significant number of babies named Maranda born each year, averaging around 350 to 450 births per year.
Since then, the name's popularity has continued to decline steadily. In recent years, there have been fewer than 100 births per year with the name Maranda. In fact, in 2021, only 7 babies were named Maranda at birth, marking a significant decrease from its peak popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
In total, based on the data provided, there have been 11,425 births with the name Maranda in the United States since record-keeping began. While the name has gone through periods of high and low popularity over time, it remains a unique and distinctive choice for parents looking to give their child an uncommon yet memorable name.