The name Mande is of African origin, specifically from the Mandé people who are predominantly found in West Africa, particularly in countries like Mali, Senegal, and Guinea. The Mandé people have a rich history and culture, and they speak various Mandé languages.
The name Mande itself does not have a universally agreed-upon meaning as it is often used as both a given name and a surname among the Mandé people. However, some sources suggest that when used as a given name, it may derive from the Mandé word "mande," which means "to be born" or "to come into existence."
The history of the Mande name is intertwined with that of the Mandé people themselves. The empire of Mali, one of the most famous in African history, was founded by Sundiata Keita, also known as the Lion of Mali, who was himself a member of the Keita clan, one of the noblest among the Mandé people.
Today, Mande is still a popular name among the Mandé people and has been adopted by other cultures around the world. It is often used as a unisex name, although it tends to be more commonly given to boys in some regions. Despite its lack of specific meaning, the name Mande carries with it a sense of African heritage and history that many find appealing.
The name Mande has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States, with fluctuations in its usage among parents when naming their newborns. The statistics show that the name was given to six infants in 1974 and again in 1979, indicating a brief dip in its usage during those years.
The most popular year for the name Mande appears to be 1975, with seventeen babies being named after it. This represents an increase of eleven births compared to the previous year and is the highest number recorded over this period. The following year saw another decline, but not as significant, with sixteen births in 1976.
From 1977 onwards, the popularity of the name Mande started to decrease gradually but remained relatively consistent. There were thirteen births in 1977 and fourteen in 1978 before dropping to six and seven in the subsequent years up until 1980.
After a two-year gap with no recorded births for the name Mande, it reappeared again in 1982 and 1984 with five and eight births respectively. This indicates that while the name may not have been as popular during these years, there was still some level of usage.
In total, over this period spanning from 1974 to 1984, there were ninety-two babies born in the United States who were given the name Mande. These statistics demonstrate how the popularity of a name can vary significantly over time, with fluctuations likely influenced by various cultural and societal factors.