Holding steady.
Popularity of Mandela since 1984
Babies named Mandela per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 29 |
| 1990s | 59 |
| 2000s | 12 |
| 2010s | 62 |
| 2020s | 10 |
Meaning & origin
Mandela is a surname-turned-given name that directly honors Nelson Mandela, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning anti-apartheid leader and South African president. Its recorded use in the United States began in 1984, and it reached a modest peak in 1990, the year of Mandela's release from prison. Despite this symbolic high point, the name has never entered the Top 1000 and remains a rare, deliberate choice for parents seeking a namesake with profound historical significance. The name's trajectory has been stable, indicating consistent but very low usage over the decades.
Mandela is a surname of Xhosa origin, possibly derived from the clan name Madiba. It was virtually unknown as a given name before the late 20th century, when it became a tribute name for Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid revolutionary and first black president of South Africa.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Manny, Dela
Sibling names for Mandela
Names that share Mandela's style, for a brother or sister.
