Is Thandiwe a boy's or girl's name?

Thandiwe is primarily a girl's name.

When was Thandiwe most popular?

Thandiwe reached its peak popularity in 2006 with 12 births that year. It is not currently in the top rankings.

How popular is the name Thandiwe?

Thandiwe is not currently in the top rankings but has been given to 100 babies in the U.S. since 1981. Its peak was in 2006.

Thandiwe

An uncommon Swahili pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's nameSwahiliNot ranked recently

Rare name

Meaning & Origin

Thandiwe is a girl's baby name of Swahili origin meaning 'beloved' or 'loving one,' from the Zulu and Xhosa languages of Southern Africa. The name carries profound warmth — to be named Thandiwe is to be called loved from the very beginning of life.

Actress Thandiwe Newton brought this beautiful name to wider international attention. It is a name with deep roots in African tradition and a meaning that resonates across every culture.

Compare Thandiwe with another name

Popularity Over Time

Thandiwe has 15+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1981.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Thandiwe
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2010s	6	#16348	▼
2000s	66	#14816	▲
1990s	23	#14468	▲
1980s	5	#12046	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(15 years, 1981–2014)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Thandiwe
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2014	6	#16348	0
2009	6	#17118	0
2008	6	#17321	+1 (20.0%)
2007	5	#20315	-7 (-58.3%)
2006	12	#9861	+7 (140.0%)
2005	5	#18957	-6 (-54.5%)
2004	11	#9840	+4 (57.1%)
2002	7	#13495	0
2001	7	#13393	0
2000	7	#13040	+2 (40.0%)
1999	5	#16723	-3 (-37.5%)
1996	8	#10484	+3 (60.0%)
1995	5	#15577	0
1990	5	#15086	0
1981	5	#12046	—

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1981–2014) · Methodology