Dewanda Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: doo-WAN-duh //duːˈwændə//
Origin: American; African American
Meaning: Combination of 'De' and 'Wanda'; 'Wanda' meaning 'wanderer' or 'shepherdess'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Dewanda is believed to be a modern American creation, likely derived from the combination of the prefix "De-" and the name "Wanda." The prefix "De-" can denote a variety of meanings, often implying a sense of belonging or origin, while "Wanda" has roots in the Slavic languages, particularly Polish, where it is thought to mean "wanderer" or "shepherdess." The name Wanda gained popularity in the English-speaking world in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, partly due to the influence of literature and notable figures, including the character Wanda in the 1910 novel "Wanda, the Witch of the West" by author and playwright, William H. Wright.
Historically, the name Wanda has been associated with various cultural and literary figures, contributing to its resonance in the English-speaking world. The name was notably borne by Wanda Gág, an American illustrator and author in the early 20th century, whose works, such as "Millions of Cats," have left a lasting impact on children's literature.
The combination of Dewanda, as a derivative form, reflects a trend in the 20th century where names were often modified or created to reflect personal or familial significance, showcasing the fluidity of naming conventions. Culturally, names like Dewanda may carry connotations of individuality and creativity, reflecting a broader trend in naming practices that emphasize uniqueness.
The name also embodies a sense of modernity, as it emerged in a time when traditional naming conventions were being challenged and redefined. While Dewanda does not have a long historical lineage, its components connect it to a rich tapestry of linguistic and cultural heritage, illustrating the evolution of names in American society.
Famous people named Dewanda
In this section, you will find notable people named Dewanda. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Dewanda who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Dewanda who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Dewanda Wise is an actress best known for She's Gotta Have It, The Birth of a Nation, and Jurassic World: Dominion.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Dewanda, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Dewanda. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Dewanda was first seen in the United States in 1933.
Dewanda has ranked as high as #3268 nationally, which occurred in 1965, and has been most popular in Louisiana, Mississippi, Illinois, Tennessee, and Alabama.
In the past 5 years the name Dewanda has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Dewanda is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Dewanda was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Dewanda (1979)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| GA | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Dewanda.
| Year | Total Births | Girl |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 6 | 6 |
| 1992 | 5 | 5 |
| 1990 | 10 | 10 |
| 1989 | 5 | 5 |
| 1988 | 11 | 11 |
| 1987 | 12 | 12 |
| 1986 | 6 | 6 |
| 1985 | 8 | 8 |
| 1984 | 7 | 7 |
| 1983 | 15 | 15 |
| 1982 | 10 | 10 |
| 1981 | 11 | 11 |
| 1980 | 17 | 17 |
| 1979 | 20 | 20 |
| 1978 | 20 | 20 |
| 1977 | 23 | 23 |
| 1976 | 21 | 21 |
| 1975 | 21 | 21 |
| 1974 | 21 | 21 |
| 1973 | 23 | 23 |
| 1972 | 29 | 29 |
| 1971 | 22 | 22 |
| 1970 | 22 | 22 |
| 1969 | 24 | 24 |
| 1968 | 30 | 30 |
| 1967 | 22 | 22 |
| 1966 | 25 | 25 |
| 1965 | 32 | 32 |
| 1964 | 17 | 17 |
| 1963 | 22 | 22 |
| 1962 | 27 | 27 |
| 1961 | 18 | 18 |
| 1960 | 12 | 12 |
| 1959 | 14 | 14 |
| 1958 | 13 | 13 |
| 1957 | 14 | 14 |
| 1956 | 9 | 9 |
| 1955 | 11 | 11 |
| 1954 | 5 | 5 |
| 1952 | 5 | 5 |
| 1951 | 7 | 7 |
| 1950 | 11 | 11 |
| 1949 | 6 | 6 |
| 1947 | 6 | 6 |
| 1945 | 8 | 8 |
| 1942 | 6 | 6 |
| 1933 | 5 | 5 |