Lawanda is a unique and uncommon given name of African American origin. It is believed to have been created during the early 20th century, possibly as a blend of two popular names of that era: Lawana and Wanda.
The name Lawanda does not have an explicit meaning or association with any particular language or culture. However, it is often associated with the Latin word "laurus," which means "laurel" and can symbolize victory and success. Some people also associate the name with the African Swahili word " lawama," which means "to love." Despite these associations, there is no concrete evidence to support a specific meaning for the name Lawanda.
The history of the name Lawanda is not well-documented, as it was likely created by an individual or family and spread through word-of-mouth within their community. It is not considered a traditional African American name but rather a creative invention that has been passed down through generations.
Today, Lawanda remains relatively rare, with only a small number of individuals bearing this unique name worldwide. However, it continues to be used by families who appreciate its distinctiveness and creativity.
The name Lawanda has seen a fascinating evolution in its popularity over the years in the United States, as indicated by the annual birth statistics provided.
The earliest data available starts from 1917 with a modest 6 births that year. The number of babies named Lawanda increased steadily throughout the 1920s, reaching a peak of 43 births in 1922. This trend continued into the early 1930s, with a total of 84 births recorded in 1934.
However, starting from the mid-1930s, there was a significant decline in the popularity of the name Lawanda. The number of babies named Lawanda decreased each year until it reached an all-time low of 5 births in 2001.
Interestingly, after the early 2000s, the name Lawanda experienced a slight resurgence in popularity. Between 2009 and 2021, there were 7 births each year, indicating that while it's not as popular as it once was, the name Lawanda is still being chosen for newborn girls.
In total, over the years, there have been 12,093 babies named Lawanda born in the United States. This data underscores the dynamic nature of baby naming trends and how they can change over time. It's remarkable to observe how popular a name can be in one era only to fade from favor decades later, yet still retain some level of popularity years later.