Awanda
A girl's name of Germanic origin with 90 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Awanda is a vintage name that peaked in the pre-war decades and has since faded from common use. For parents drawn to retro charm, that quiet history is part of the appeal.
The open, warm quality of its ending — a soft ending that crosses many language boundaries — gives it a distinctive rhythm that pairs well with shorter middle names or surnames.
Awanda is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Awanda is a girl's baby name, a variant of Wanda, which is of Slavic origin meaning 'wanderer' or possibly from the Germanic tribal name of the Vandals. The 'A' prefix gives it a more Southern American or African American feel.
Awanda softens the strong Germanic Wanda with a vowel opening — creating something that flows more gently while keeping the original's strength.
EtymologyShow more
Though Awanda dates back to 1915 in U.S. records, its etymological path is not always straightforward. Names that predate modern naming databases sometimes resist easy classification — they may have been oral traditions, regional family names, or adaptations that were never systematically recorded. The Germanic classification provides a starting point, but the full derivation likely involves more nuance than a single label can capture.
With only 90 recorded births, Awanda has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Awanda has 16+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1915.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 11 | #8261 | — |
| 1960s | 11 | #6191 | — |
| 1950s | 12 | #5180 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 5 | #5293 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 30 | #3984 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 16 | #4825 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 5 | #4339 | — |
The Story of Awanda
A Silent Generation name
Peaking in 1930, Awanda is an elegant vintage name. Girls named Awanda are most likely born between 1920 and 1940.
How rare is Awanda?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Awanda is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1915, peaked in the 1930s with 30 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Awanda by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(16 years, 1915–1976)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 5 | #9398 |
| 1970 | 6 | #7123 |
| 1961 | 5 | #6636 |
| 1960 | 6 | #5745 |
| 1956 | 5 | #6012 |
| 1950 | 7 | #4347 |
| 1948 | 5 | #5293 |
| 1938 | 5 | #4392 |
| 1934 | 7 | #3474 |
| 1932 | 5 | #4476 |
| 1931 | 6 | #3892 |
| 1930 | 7 | #3688 |
| 1926 | 5 | #4920 |
| 1924 | 6 | #4509 |
| 1920 | 5 | #5047 |
| 1915 | 5 | #4339 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Awanda a boy's or girl's name?
When was Awanda most popular?
How popular is the name Awanda?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1915–1976