Shawanda
A female given name originating as a coinage, of African-American usage.
Every Shawanda since 1960 — 2,853 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Shawanda
Shawanda is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1960, 2,853 American babies have been named Shawanda. Its peak came in 1977, when 186 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1970s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Shawanda stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Shawanda year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | 5 | #20,100 |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | 5 | #18,375 |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | 5 | #17,541 |
| 2000 | 12 | #8,467 |
| 1995 | 23 | #4,488 |
| 1990 | 68 | #2,008 |
| 1985 | 108 | #1,262 |
| 1980 | 153 | #975 |
| 1975 | 139 | #928 |
| 1970 | 60 | #1,596 |
| 1965 | 12 | #3,918 |
| 1960 | 6 | #6,278 |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Shawanda mean?
A female given name originating as a coinage, of African-American usage.
How popular is the name Shawanda in 2025?
Shawanda did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Shawanda?
2,853 babies have been named Shawanda in the United States since 1960, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Shawanda most popular?
Shawanda peaked in 1977, when 186 newborns received the name.
Is Shawanda a boy or girl name?
Shawanda is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Shawanda rising or falling?
Shawanda has been roughly stable over the past decade.