Nanda first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Nanda has been for the last 29 years (from 1976 to 2004) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Nanda

A feminine Sanskrit name meaning "joy" or "happiness".

Popularity of Nanda by gender

Based on the last 29 years of data, Nanda is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 85% of people named Nanda being female.

For the most recent data in 2004, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Nanda.

It's also interesting to see that despite Nanda being historically a mostly female name, the most recent data from 2004 shows a shift in the trend, with more male babies being named Nanda.

Year Male Count Female Count
2004 5 0
1982 0 7
1978 0 6
1977 0 6
1976 0 9

The history of the first name Nanda

The name Nanda has its origins in Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "nanda," which means happiness, joy, or delight. This name has been in use for centuries and has a rich cultural and historical significance.

The earliest known mention of the name Nanda can be traced back to the Nanda Empire, which ruled a significant portion of ancient India from around 424 BCE to 321 BCE. The dynasty was founded by Mahapadma Nanda, whose name is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit word "nanda." This empire played a crucial role in the political landscape of ancient India and left a lasting impact on the region's history.

In Hindu mythology, Nanda is also a prominent name. It is associated with Lord Krishna, who was raised by his foster parents, Nanda and Yashoda, after his birth. The name Nanda represents the unconditional love, care, and nurturing that Krishna received from his foster father. This connection has made the name Nanda particularly popular among Hindus.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Nanda. One of the earliest recorded examples is Nanda Devi, a Hindu goddess revered as the patron deity of the Nanda Devi mountain and the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, India. She is believed to have lived in the 7th century CE.

Another famous Nanda was Nanda Bayin (1360–1412), a prominent Burmese king who ruled the Ava Kingdom from 1392 to 1412. He was known for his military conquests and his efforts to promote Buddhism in the region.

In the field of literature, Nanda Lal Noor (1927–2016) was a renowned Bangladeshi poet and writer. He was celebrated for his contributions to Bengali literature and received numerous awards and honors, including the Bangla Academy Literary Award and the Ekushey Padak, one of Bangladesh's highest civilian honors.

Nanda Devi Gole (1915–2012) was an Indian social activist and freedom fighter who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement. She was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and worked tirelessly for the empowerment of women and the upliftment of the underprivileged.

In the realm of sports, Nanda Pillay (born 1952) is a former South African cricketer who represented the national team in the 1970s and 1980s. He was known for his all-round abilities and played a crucial role in several victories for his team.

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 Nanda was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Nanda first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on April 25, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/nanda-meaning-and-history/.

"Nanda first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/nanda-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 25 April, 2025

Nanda first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/nanda-meaning-and-history/.

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