Holding steady.
Popularity of Lawanda since 1917
Babies named Lawanda per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 22 |
| 1920s | 431 |
| 1930s | 699 |
| 1940s | 710 |
| 1950s | 1,266 |
| 1960s | 2,315 |
| 1970s | 4,533 |
| 1980s | 1,659 |
| 1990s | 403 |
| 2000s | 50 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Lawanda is a compound name formed by attaching the trendy prefix La- to the name Wanda, following a pattern popular in the mid-20th century. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1917, though it remained rare for several decades. Its peak came in 1977, when it reached its highest usage, reflecting the era's taste for elaborate, feminized names. Since the 1970s, the name's popularity has declined steadily, and by the 1990s it had fallen out of common use. Lawanda is currently considered a stable, old-fashioned name with little revival activity, and it is not among the top names for any state in recent years. Despite its decline, Lawanda remains a recognizable example of American naming creativity.
Lawanda is a modern coinage, blending the fashionable prefix La- (common in African American naming traditions) with the established name Wanda. Wanda itself is of Slavic origin, derived from the name Wanda, possibly meaning 'wanderer' or 'slender'. The name Lawanda emerged in the early 20th century and saw its greatest popularity in the 1970s, reflecting a trend of elaborate feminine names.
Where Lawanda is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Wanda, Lala
Sibling names for Lawanda
Names that share Lawanda's style, for a brother or sister.
