Kashunda
A feminine name possibly of West African origin, its meaning is unknown.
Name Census estimates that about 34 living Americans carry the first name Kashunda. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Kashunda today is around 48 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Kashunda births was 1976 (9 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Kashunda. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Kashunda. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
34
~ 1 in 10,081,010 Americans
Peak year
1976
9 babies that year
Average age
48
years old
1980 SSA rank
#11,132
Tracked since 1976
Popularity
Kashunda: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Kashunda from the 1970s through to the 1980s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1970s, with 32 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1970s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Kashunda by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Kashunda during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Kashunda
The name Kashunda has its roots in the Bantu languages spoken in various parts of Central and Southern Africa. It is believed to have originated from the word "kashunda," which means "the one who brings happiness" or "the joyful one" in certain Bantu dialects.
The earliest recorded use of the name Kashunda dates back to the 16th century, when it was mentioned in some historical accounts of European explorers and missionaries who encountered various African communities. However, the name was likely in use among certain ethnic groups long before that period.
In the 17th century, a notable figure named Kashunda was recorded as a chief of the Luba people, a Bantu ethnic group residing in the present-day Democratic Republic of Congo. This chief was renowned for his wisdom and leadership, further contributing to the positive connotations associated with the name.
During the 19th century, a prominent figure named Kashunda emerged in the Kingdom of Lunda, located in what is now Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This individual was a respected advisor to the king and played a significant role in maintaining peace and stability in the region.
In the early 20th century, a woman named Kashunda Kabengele gained recognition as a talented artist and cultural ambassador from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Her intricate woodcarvings and sculptures depicting traditional African life were exhibited in various international exhibitions, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of her homeland.
Another notable figure was Kashunda Mukaleng, a celebrated writer and poet from Zambia. Born in the mid-20th century, her works explored themes of identity, resilience, and the experiences of women in African societies. Her poems and short stories were widely acclaimed and helped to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities.
While the name Kashunda has its origins in the Bantu languages, it has transcended geographical boundaries and cultural barriers, embracing a universal spirit of joy and happiness. Its enduring presence throughout history serves as a testament to the rich tapestry of African cultures and the profound impact they have had on the world.
People
Kashunda + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Kashunda as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with K
Other first names starting with K with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Kashunda: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Kashunda?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 34 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Kashunda going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 10,081,010 US residents.
Is Kashunda a common name?
We classify Kashunda as "Very Rare". It ranks above 48.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 37 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Kashunda most popular?
The single biggest year for Kashunda was 1976, when 9 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Kashunda is about 48 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Kashunda in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Kashunda a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Kashunda in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Is Kashunda still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Kashunda in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Kashunda can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people have Kashunda as a first name?
You can see how many people have the name Kashunda on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org — same data roots, lighter UI.