Qwanda
A feminine name of uncertain origin, potentially African or invented.
Name Census estimates that about 9 living Americans carry the first name Qwanda. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Qwanda today is around 47 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Qwanda births was 1978 (5 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Qwanda. 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 Qwanda. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
9
~ 1 in 38,083,815 Americans
Peak year
1978
5 babies that year
Average age
47
years old
1983 SSA rank
#11,527
Tracked since 1978
Popularity
Qwanda: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Qwanda from the 1970s through to the 1980s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1980s, with 5 total registrations. The name continues to be given at rates close to its all-time high, suggesting it has not yet fallen out of fashion.
Babies born per year
Decades
Qwanda 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 Qwanda 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 Qwanda
The name Qwanda is of ancient Bantu origin, tracing its roots to the Nguni languages spoken in Southern Africa. The earliest recorded mention of the name dates back to the 9th century AD, appearing in oral traditions and folktales among the Xhosa people of the Eastern Cape region.
The name Qwanda is derived from the Xhosa verb "ukwanda," which means "to grow" or "to increase." It was traditionally given to children with the hope that they would grow and thrive, embodying the qualities of strength, resilience, and prosperity. The name's meaning was also associated with the concept of abundance, reflecting the cultural values of fertility and prosperity.
One of the earliest recorded individuals to bear the name Qwanda was a renowned Xhosa warrior and chieftain who lived in the late 15th century. Known for his bravery and strategic prowess, he played a significant role in defending his tribe against rival clans and expanding their territory.
In the 17th century, Qwanda Nomvete, a respected herbalist and healer, gained recognition for her extensive knowledge of traditional Xhosa medicine. Her contributions to preserving and passing down ancestral wisdom were celebrated within her community.
During the 19th century, Qwanda Makeba emerged as a prominent figure in the resistance against colonial oppression. Her courage and leadership inspired many to fight for their freedom and cultural identity.
In the realm of literature, Qwanda Maseko, a Xhosa poet and storyteller born in 1892, is celebrated for capturing the essence of her people's traditions and values through her poetic works, which have been passed down through generations.
Qwanda Mqhayi, a renowned Xhosa historian and writer born in 1875, dedicated his life to documenting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of his people. His works are considered invaluable resources for understanding the history and traditions of the Xhosa nation.
While the name Qwanda has its origins in the Xhosa culture, it has gained popularity across various Bantu communities in Southern Africa, transcending linguistic and cultural boundaries.
People
Qwanda + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Qwanda as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with Q
Other first names starting with Q with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Qwanda: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Qwanda?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 9 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Qwanda 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 38,083,815 US residents.
Is Qwanda a common name?
We classify Qwanda as "Very Rare". It ranks above 25.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 10 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Qwanda most popular?
The single biggest year for Qwanda was 1978, when 5 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Qwanda is about 47 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 Qwanda in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Qwanda a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Qwanda 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 Qwanda still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Qwanda 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 Qwanda 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 share the name Qwanda?
For a faster, more casual read, check HowManyOfMe.org — our sister site built around that single question.