Kandace is a unique and beautiful female given name of American origin. It is believed to have been created by American author Mildred Wirt Benson for her character Nancy Drew in the popular mystery series published in the early 20th century. The name Kandace was first introduced in "The Hidden Staircase," the second book in the series, and has since become associated with the iconic teenage detective.
The meaning of Kandace is not explicitly defined, as it was created rather than having an existing historical or cultural significance. However, some people interpret it as a combination of "Kandy" (a nickname for Candace) and "Ace," suggesting qualities such as sweetness, wisdom, and excellence.
Throughout the Nancy Drew series, Kandace has been a popular name choice among fans, contributing to its recognition and usage in the United States. Today, Kandace remains an uncommon yet distinctive given name that evokes images of intelligence, bravery, and independence – traits embodied by the character it was created for. Despite its origin as a fictional name, Kandace has become a genuine choice for parents looking for a unique and memorable name for their daughters.
The name Kandace has seen a varied trend of popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1945 and 1957, there were fewer than 50 births per year with this name, with the highest number being 57 births in 1956.
However, beginning in 1966, we see a significant increase in the popularity of Kandace. The number of births rose from 80 in 1966 to a peak of 279 in 1988. This trend continued into the early 1990s with numbers ranging between 203 and 275 births per year.
After 1994, there was a noticeable decline in popularity for Kandace, with fewer than 200 births per year. This downward trend has continued to the present day, with only 18 births recorded in 2023 so far.
In total, from 1945 to 2023, there have been 6308 births of girls named Kandace in the United States. This data demonstrates how popularity can fluctuate over time for a given name, with Kandace reaching its peak popularity during the late 1980s and early 1990s before tapering off in recent years.