Ladona
A girl's name of Spanish origin with 721 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Ladona has 721 recorded U.S. births across 72+ years, peaking at 24 in 1970. It occupies the space between “never heard of it” and “everyone has one in their class” — a name that feels personal without being obscure.
Ladona is not in the current top 1,000 girl names nationally, making it an uncommon choice — though your state or community may differ.
Ladona is a girl's baby name of Spanish origin, possibly derived from the Spanish phrase la doña, meaning 'the lady' or 'the mistress,' evoking a title of respect and gentle authority. Alternatively, it may be a creative American coinage combining the prefix La- with Donna, the Italian word for 'woman' or 'lady.'
Either origin gives Ladona a dignified, feminine elegance. The La- prefix was widely used in African American naming from the 1960s onward, and Ladona fits into that tradition while also connecting to a broader Romance-language sense of grace and womanhood.
EtymologyShow more
Ladona first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1920. Its appearance in the 1920s coincides with waves of immigration, cultural exchange, and the early decades of American popular culture — all of which introduced and popularized new names.
Its Spanish classification suggests a path from spanish linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Ladona has 62+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1920.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 54 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 137 | — |
| 1960s | 151 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 149 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 91 | — |
| 1930s | 92 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 42 | — |
The Story of Ladona
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1970, Ladona is a Gen X staple. Girls named Ladona are most likely born between 1960 and 1980.
How rare is Ladona?
With 721 total births on record, Ladona remains a rare and distinctive pick.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1920, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1960s with 151 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Ladona by the numbers
- Would fill 15 school buses
- Meeting one Ladona per day would take 2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(62 years, 1920–1992)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 5 | #14456 |
| 1987 | 6 | #10561 |
| 1986 | 6 | #10199 |
| 1984 | 9 | #7095 |
| 1983 | 5 | #11138 |
| 1982 | 7 | #8715 |
| 1981 | 10 | #6577 |
| 1980 | 11 | #6118 |
| 1979 | 10 | #6433 |
| 1978 | 8 | #7314 |
| 1977 | 13 | #5069 |
| 1976 | 9 | #6318 |
| 1975 | 11 | #5328 |
| 1974 | 11 | #5165 |
| 1973 | 17 | #3713 |
| 1972 | 14 | #4202 |
| 1971 | 20 | #3313 |
| 1970 | 24 | #2891 |
| 1969 | 15 | #3699 |
| 1968 | 15 | #3525 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ladona a boy's or girl's name?
When was Ladona most popular?
How popular is the name Ladona?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1920–1992