Lashawnda is a unique and exotic female given name of African American origin. It is believed to have been coined in the early 20th century during the Harlem Renaissance, a period known for its embrace of African American culture and art.
The name Lashawnda is composed of two elements: "Lasha" and "wonda". "Lasha" is believed to be derived from the Arabic male given name "Lashaa", which means "beautiful". The suffix "-wonda" is of African origin and means "wonder".
Therefore, the meaning of Lashawnda can be interpreted as "beautiful wonder". This name has gained popularity among African American communities in recent decades, with some sources reporting that it first appeared on Social Security Administration records in 1970. However, its use remains relatively rare compared to more traditional names.
Lashawnda is often associated with individuals who wish to express their unique identity and heritage while embracing a name that reflects their African American roots. It has also been used as a middle or nickname alongside other given names.
The name Lashawnda has been given to babies born in the United States for several decades, with the first recorded birth occurring in 1967. Throughout the years, there have been fluctuations in its popularity, with some years seeing a significant number of births while others saw very few.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Lashawnda became quite popular among parents naming their newborn daughters. The name reached its peak in popularity between 1972 and 1984, during which time there were more than 60 births per year on average. The most popular year for the name was 1982, with a total of 110 babies named Lashawnda born that year.
After reaching its peak in popularity, the number of babies named Lashawnda began to decline steadily throughout the late 1980s and into the 1990s. There were still several years during this time when more than 50 babies were given the name each year, but this decreased over time.
From the turn of the century onwards, the name Lashawnda has become increasingly uncommon in the United States. Between 2000 and 2011, there were only 86 recorded births with the name, an average of just under nine babies per year during that period.
In total, over a span of more than four decades, from 1967 to 2011, the name Lashawnda has been given to a cumulative total of 2,227 baby girls born in the United States. This shows that while its popularity may have waxed and waned throughout the years, the name Lashawnda has remained a unique choice among parents naming their daughters during this time period.