Tawanda is a given name that is packed with power. Originally an African baby name for boys, Tawanda is now gender-neutral in various communities throughout the United States. Tawanda is the protagonist of the semi-autobiographical story Tawanda's Bed and Breakfast, and Tawanda is also the titular protagonist of the famous Zimbabwean folk tale by T.K. Tsodzo. Keep reading to learn more about this baby name.
Meaning and Origin of the name Tawanda:
Tawanda may have a few different meanings depending on its origin. In the Shona language, Tawanda means “we are many.” The Polish and German meaning is “traveler,” “sojourner,” “wanderer.” And in the Algonquian language, Tawanda means “peaceful resting place” and “rushing waters.”
Tawanda is a unique baby name with several possible origins. The first origin is from the Shona language of Zimbabwe. Shona is a Bantu language that is native to 12 million African speakers. In Shona, the name Tawanda derives from the expression tʊwoʊnda (meaning “we are many”). The meaning behind the name is that communities can find strength in numbers and that individuals can come together to create a unified whole. Alternatively, Tawanda can also serve as a stylized variation of the name Wanda. This name derives from the Polish or Germanic word Wends. The Wends referred to a nomadic Slavic tribe who inhabited Germany during the Middle Ages. Most scholars interpret Wends to mean “traveler,” “sojourner,” or “wanderer.” Finally, some etymologists believe that Tawanda is a variation of the name Towanda. This name means “peaceful resting place” or “many waters” in various Algonquian languages.
Symbolism of the name Tawanda:
Tawanda derives from the Shona language of Zimbabwe and means “we are many.” Although Tawanda is traditionally a boy's name, the name became gender-neutral in the Western world by the 1960s. Some experts attribute this shift to the influence of the Polish-Germanic name Wanda. In Shona tribal culture, the concept of “we are many” means that a multitude of individuals can unify to create a strong whole. The symbol of Tawanda is the African tree of remembrance. This tree represents cultural unity and strength.
Nicknames for the name Tawanda:
Tawanda was originally a boy's name and is now almost exclusively used as a girl's name. This unique name with a powerful message has many nicknames to choose from. We have put together this list below for you to use when choosing the right nickname for your baby.
- Wanda
- Tawam
- Ta
- Taw
- Tay
- Tata
- Wandie
Style of the name Tawanda:
Traditional
Gender of the name Tawanda:
Tawanda is a name used for both boys and girls.
Pronunciation of the name Tawanda:
tə-WAHN-də
Number of syllables in the name Tawanda:
Three
Emotion evoked from the name Tawanda:
The name Tawanda evokes feelings of power and praise.
Alternative spellings for the name Tawanda:
- Towanda
- Tawunda
Popularity of the name Tawanda:
According to the Social Security Administration index, Tawanda was the 925th most popular baby name for girls in the United States in 1981.
Related names for the name Tawanda:
Great middle names for Tawanda and their meanings:
- Abdullah (servant of God)
- Bryant (high, noble, hill)
- Chidinma (God is beautiful, God is good)
- Hakim (wise, intelligent, all-knowing)
- Hassan (handsome)
- Jamila (beautiful)
- Jonathan (God has given)
- Kareem (generous, giving, noble)
- Khalid (endless, immortal, eternal)
- Omar (flourishing, long-lived)
- Shakir(thankful, grateful)
- Skylar (scholar)
- Zuberi (strong)
Famous people with the name Tawanda:
- Tawanda Amos (novelist)
- Tawanda Auston (actress)
- Tawanda Blessing Chirewa (footballer)
- Tawanda Kanhema (photographer)
- Tawanda Manyimo (actor)
- Tawanda Jethro Maswanhise (footballer)
- Tawanda Sean Muyeye (cricketer)
- Tawanda Mutasah (human rights advocate)
- Tawanda Scott Sambou (television producer)
- Tawanda Sparks (memoir writer)
Tawanda in popular culture:
- Tawanda (protagonist of the semi-autobiographical story Tawanda's Bed and Breakfast by Joy Van Voorst)
- Tawanda (titular protagonist of the famous Zimbabwean folk tale Tawanda, My Son by T.K. Tsodzo)
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