Find out how popular the first name Tawanda has been for the last 30 years (from 1974 to 2003) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Tawanda by gender

Based on the last 30 years of data, Tawanda is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2003, there were 7 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Tawanda.

The history of the first name Tawanda

Tawanda is a name of Shona origin, traced back to the Bantu ethnic group in southern Africa. It is a combination of two Shona words, "tawa" meaning "we have" and "anda" meaning "increase" or "multiply." The name can be interpreted as "we have increased" or "we have multiplied."

The earliest known use of the name Tawanda dates back to the 16th century, during the formation of the Shona ethnic group in present-day Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It was a common name given to children, reflecting the cultural values of growth, prosperity, and abundance.

In the late 18th century, the name Tawanda was mentioned in historical records documenting the Rozvi Empire, a powerful Shona state that dominated the region. It is believed that some of the rulers and prominent figures of the Rozvi Empire bore this name.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Tawanda was Tawanda Kanhanda, a Shona warrior and chief who lived in the late 17th century. He was known for his bravery and military strategies in defending his territory against invaders.

Another notable figure was Tawanda Mutasa, a Shona spiritual leader and healer who lived in the early 19th century. He was renowned for his knowledge of traditional medicine and his contributions to preserving Shona cultural practices.

In the 20th century, Tawanda Nengavhengwe, a Zimbabwean politician and activist, played a significant role in the country's independence movement. He was born in 1925 and was a prominent member of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) party.

Tawanda Sithole, a Zimbabwean writer and poet, was born in 1939. He gained recognition for his works that explored themes of African identity, colonialism, and cultural preservation. His poetry collection, "Voices from the Aftermath," published in 1988, received critical acclaim.

Tawanda Mavunga, a Zimbabwean basketball player, was born in 1995. He played for the Zimbabwean national team and had a successful career in various professional leagues, including the NBA G League.

While the name Tawanda has its roots in the Shona culture, it has gained popularity across different regions and cultures, particularly in Africa and among the African diaspora communities around the world.

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

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

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