Shawanda is a unique and exotic given name of African American origin. It is believed to have been created by the author of a series of novels about an African American woman named Shawanda. The name has no specific meaning or translation, but it has gained popularity in recent years as more people are drawn to its distinctive sound.
The earliest recorded use of the name Shawanda can be traced back to the 1980s when it was featured prominently in a series of novels by African American author Bebe Moore Campbell. The main character in these books, which were primarily focused on women's issues and the Black experience, was named Shawanda.
Despite its relatively recent introduction into the world of naming, Shawanda has quickly become popular among parents looking for unique and distinctive names for their daughters. It is often associated with strength, intelligence, and independent spirit, perhaps as a reflection of the character portrayed in Campbell's novels.
Today, Shawanda is most commonly found in African American communities but has also gained international recognition due to its unique sound and association with powerful female characters. While it may not have a traditional meaning or history behind it like many other names, Shawanda's story is one of creativity, empowerment, and cultural pride.
The statistics provided show the fluctuations in the number of babies named Shawanda born in the United States each year from 1960 to 2007.
From 1960 to 1977, there was a steady increase in the number of births with the name Shawanda. The number of births peaked in 1977 with 186 babies named Shawanda born that year.
However, from 1978 onwards, there was a significant decrease in the popularity of the name Shawanda. In 1993, only 36 babies were named Shawanda, and this number continued to decline, reaching as low as 5 births per year between 2001 and 2004.
Despite the decline in popularity, there have still been a total of 2853 babies named Shawanda born in the United States since 1960. This shows that while the name may not be as popular today as it was in the past, it is still a name that has been chosen for many children over the years.
It's fascinating to observe how trends in naming change over time, and these statistics provide insight into the popularity of the name Shawanda throughout different decades.