Tashonda
A feminine name possibly derived from a Native American language, meaning unknown.
Name Census estimates that about 362 living Americans carry the first name Tashonda. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Tashonda today is around 42 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Tashonda births was 1982 (22 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Tashonda. 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.
People living today
362
~ 1 in 946,835 Americans
Peak year
1982
22 babies that year
Average age
42
years old
1999 SSA rank
#12,565
Tracked since 1972
Popularity
Tashonda: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Tashonda 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 161 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1980s peak, Tashonda remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Tashonda 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 Tashonda during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Tashondas live
Origin
Meaning and history of Tashonda
The name Tashonda is a modern African American name that emerged in the 20th century. It does not have a specific language or cultural origin, but is likely a combination of various linguistic influences.
One theory suggests that Tashonda is a blend of the names Tasha and Rhonda, both of which have roots in Greek and French respectively. Tasha is a diminutive form of the Greek name Natalya, meaning "born on Christmas Day." Rhonda, on the other hand, is derived from the French name Rhonda, which has its origins in the German name Rada, meaning "counsel."
Another speculation is that Tashonda may have been inspired by the African word "tashi," which means "to be born" or "to exist." This could point to a connection with the idea of new beginnings or a fresh start, often associated with the naming of children.
While there are no known historical references or ancient texts mentioning the name Tashonda, it has gained popularity in recent decades, particularly among African American communities in the United States.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Tashonda was Tashonda Lanise Cousins, a professional basketball player born in 1978. She played in the WNBA for several teams, including the Los Angeles Sparks and the Phoenix Mercury.
Another notable figure is Tashonda D. Curry, an American businesswoman and entrepreneur born in the late 20th century. She is the founder and CEO of Arya Essentials, a skincare and wellness company.
Tashonda Lanaye Washington is an American artist and photographer known for her work documenting the African American experience. She was born in the late 20th century and has exhibited her work in various galleries across the United States.
In the entertainment industry, Tashonda Jones is an American actress and model born in the 1970s. She has appeared in several television shows and films, including the popular sitcom Martin.
Tashonda Monique Smith is an American author and motivational speaker born in the latter half of the 20th century. She has written several books on personal growth and self-empowerment, inspiring readers with her life experiences and insights.
People
Tashonda + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Tashonda as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with T
Other first names starting with T with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Tashonda: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Tashonda?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 362 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Tashonda 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 946,835 US residents.
Is Tashonda a common name?
We classify Tashonda as "Very Rare". It ranks above 81.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 386 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Tashonda most popular?
The single biggest year for Tashonda was 1982, when 22 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Tashonda is about 42 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Tashonda a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Tashonda 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.
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.