Nakeda
An invented feminine name of unknown origin and meaning.
Name Census estimates that about 45 living Americans carry the first name Nakeda. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Nakeda today is around 42 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Nakeda births was 1977 (8 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Nakeda. 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 Nakeda. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
45
~ 1 in 7,616,763 Americans
Peak year
1977
8 babies that year
Average age
42
years old
1997 SSA rank
#15,366
Tracked since 1976
Popularity
Nakeda: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Nakeda from the 1970s through to the 1990s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1980s, with 23 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1980s peak, Nakeda remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nakeda 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 Nakeda 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 Nakeda
The given name Nakeda is a relatively uncommon and intriguing moniker that has its roots in various cultures and linguistic traditions. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, with several theories proposed by scholars and linguists.
One theory suggests that Nakeda is derived from the Sanskrit word "nakshatra," which refers to the 27 or 28 lunar mansions in Hindu astrology. These celestial houses were believed to influence an individual's personality and destiny, lending a profound significance to names associated with them.
Another school of thought traces Nakeda's ancestry to the Sumerian language, one of the earliest known written languages in human history. In Sumerian, the word "nakad" meant "to protect" or "to guard," implying that the name may have been bestowed upon individuals as a symbol of strength and fortitude.
Interestingly, the name Nakeda also bears a striking resemblance to the Akkadian word "nakidu," which translates to "shepherd" or "leader." This connection could indicate that the name was originally associated with individuals who possessed leadership qualities or were responsible for guiding and protecting their communities.
While historical references to the name Nakeda are scarce, there are a few notable individuals who have borne this moniker throughout the ages. One of the earliest recorded instances is that of Nakeda al-Andalusi, a renowned Andalusian poet and scholar who lived in the 11th century CE. Her poetic works were celebrated for their depth and emotional resonance, and she was considered a pioneer in the field of Arabic literature.
In the realm of mythology, the name Nakeda is mentioned in the ancient Sumerian epic "Gilgamesh," where it is associated with a priestess who played a pivotal role in the hero's journey. This connection underscores the name's potential spiritual and mythological significance.
Moving forward in time, we encounter Nakeda ibn Battuta, a 14th-century Moroccan scholar and explorer who traveled extensively throughout the known world. His comprehensive travelogues, known as the "Rihla," provided invaluable insights into the cultures and societies he encountered, making him one of the most celebrated explorers of his era.
In the annals of military history, Nakeda al-Baghdadi stands out as a formidable warrior and tactician who fought alongside Saladin during the Crusades. Her bravery and strategic acumen were legendary, and her name became synonymous with valor and unwavering determination.
Finally, in the realm of art and culture, we find Nakeda al-Qazwini, a 16th-century Persian calligrapher and painter whose exquisite works adorned the walls of numerous palaces and mosques. Her mastery of the intricate art form earned her widespread acclaim and cemented her place in the annals of Islamic art.
While the name Nakeda may be obscure in modern times, its rich history and diverse cultural connections make it a fascinating subject of study for scholars and name enthusiasts alike. Its enigmatic origins and the tales of those who bore it throughout the centuries serve as a testament to the enduring power of names and their ability to transcend time and cultural boundaries.
People
Nakeda + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Nakeda as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with N
Other first names starting with N with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Nakeda: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Nakeda?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 45 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Nakeda 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 7,616,763 US residents.
Is Nakeda a common name?
We classify Nakeda as "Very Rare". It ranks above 52.7% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 48 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Nakeda most popular?
The single biggest year for Nakeda was 1977, when 8 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Nakeda is about 42 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 Nakeda in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Nakeda a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Nakeda 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 Nakeda still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Nakeda 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 Nakeda 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 Americans are named Nakeda?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.