Elwanda is a unique and beautiful name of African origin, specifically from the Swahili culture. It is derived from the Swahili word "elwana," which means "giraffe." This name is often given to girls in countries where Swahili is widely spoken, such as Kenya, Tanzania, and other parts of East Africa.
The name Elwanda has a rich history that dates back centuries. In Swahili culture, naming a child after an animal was not uncommon, as animals were often seen as symbols of strength, grace, and wisdom. The giraffe, in particular, was revered for its height and elegance. Therefore, giving a girl the name Elwanda would have been seen as a blessing, wishing her to grow tall and graceful like the giraffe.
Today, while Elwanda is still primarily used within African communities, it has gained recognition globally due to increased cultural exchange and globalization. It is now a name that can be found in various parts of the world, carried by individuals who appreciate its unique sound and African heritage.
In terms of spelling variations, Elwanda is most commonly written as "Elwanda," but you may also encounter other spellings such as "Elewanda" or "Ilwanda." Despite these differences, all forms of the name share the same meaning and origin. Whether you're looking for a distinctive name with a rich cultural heritage or simply appreciate unique sounds, Elwanda is an excellent choice to consider.
The name Elwanda has had a fascinating journey in terms of popularity over the years in the United States. It first appeared on the birth records in 1920 with a modest five occurrences. The following year, however, saw a significant surge in its usage, with 98 births recorded for the name Elwanda.
This peak was not sustained, and the number of births began to decline gradually from 1923 onwards. Between 1925 and 1930, the annual count fluctuated between 45 and 31 births per year. The decade of the 1930s witnessed a stabilization in the usage of the name, with the number of births hovering around 30 to 40 each year.
Interestingly, World War II seems to have had an impact on the popularity of the name Elwanda. During the war years from 1942 to 1945, there was a noticeable drop in the number of births registered for this name, with a low point of just 17 births recorded in 1943.
Post-war, the usage of the name Elwanda began to rebound slightly. Between 1946 and 1950, there were around 20 to 30 births each year. However, this was short-lived, and from 1951 onwards, the popularity of the name started to decline again, reaching single digits by 1957.
From 1960 until at least 1977, Elwanda was scarcely used as a baby girl's name in the United States. Only six births were recorded for this name during these 18 years combined.
In total, over the span of these years from 1920 to 1977, there were 1,272 babies named Elwanda born in the United States. This represents a fascinating study in the trends and fluctuations of baby naming patterns over time.