Find out how popular the first name Lawanda has been for the last 48 years (from 1974 to 2021) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Lawanda by gender

Based on the last 48 years of data, Lawanda is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Lawanda being female.

For the most recent data in 2021, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Lawanda.

The history of the first name Lawanda

The name Lawanda is believed to have originated from the African-American community in the United States, likely emerging in the early 20th century. Its roots can be traced back to the combination of the French name "Laura" and the English name "Wanda," both of which were popular during that time period.

While the exact origins are unclear, some historians suggest that Lawanda may have been derived from the French phrase "la wanda," which roughly translates to "the wanderer" or "the traveler." This could be a reference to the African-American experience of migration and the search for a better life.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Lawanda dates back to the 1920s, when it appeared in census records and birth certificates across various states in the southern United States. However, it wasn't until the mid-20th century that the name gained wider popularity.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Lawanda. One such person was Lawanda Dumore (1943-2016), an American entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded the Urban Economic Development Corporation in Los Angeles, dedicated to supporting minority-owned businesses.

Another prominent figure was Lawanda Page (1920-2002), a vocalist and actress who performed alongside legendary artists like Duke Ellington and Count Basie during the Harlem Renaissance era. Her contributions to the world of jazz and blues were widely celebrated.

In the literary realm, Lawanda Jackson (1942-2019) was an acclaimed author and educator, known for her works exploring African-American culture and identity, including the novel "Our Kind of People" and the memoir "Black Girl Linguistic Play."

The name Lawanda also holds significance in the world of sports. Lawanda Greene (born 1953) was a trailblazing athlete who excelled in track and field events, earning multiple medals at international competitions throughout the 1970s and 1980s.

Lastly, Lawanda Ravoira (born 1958) is a renowned author and advocate for women's rights, whose works have shed light on issues of domestic violence and social justice. Her empowering memoir, "A Life Unburdened," has inspired countless readers.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Lawanda was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Lawanda, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!