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Home › Baby Names Directory › Candida

Candida

♀ Girl

Pronounced KAN-dih-dah /ˈkæn.dɪ.də/Medium

Meaning: Candida is a Latin name meaning 'white; pure; bright' (from candidus). It was borne by early Christian saints and later famed as the title of George Bernard Shaw's play Candida (1894).High

In 30 seconds: A luminous Latin name: Candida means 'white; pure; bright' (said 'KAN-dih-dah'), carried by saints and a famous Shaw play.
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Origin MediumLatin
MeaningCandida is a Latin name meaning 'white; pure; bright' (from candidus). It was borne by early Christian saints and later famed as the title of George Bernard Shaw's play Candida (1894).
U.S. rank (2017)#14481 ↗ Rising
2017 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1971
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,580

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197119002017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Candida comes straight from Latin candidus, 'white; pure; bright', a virtue name borne by early saints. In English it gained a literary sheen through Shaw's play Candida, and saw modest American use cresting around 1971. It has always been uncommon, prized for its clarity rather than its numbers.

It remains a rare, elegant choice with deep classical roots. Bright, pure, and quietly literary.

Did you know? Candida means 'bright, pure white' in Latin and headlines George Bernard Shaw's 1894 play — a literary polish it still carried around its 1971 peak.
Overall data confidence 75%
References — Candida — Latin 'white, pure'; St. Candida; Shaw's play Candida

Variations

CandideCandraCandace

Nicknames

CandiDida

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Candida…

Candace— a like C- name with a classical air
Calla— a similar bright, pure-toned pick
Bianca— a like name meaning 'white'
Cynthia— a similar elegant classical choice

Explore names like Candida

By themelatinvirtueliteraryclassical

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Candida mean?

Candida is a Latin name meaning 'white; pure; bright', borne by early saints.

How do you pronounce Candida?

It's said KAN-dih-dah /ˈkæn.dɪ.də/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Candida a boy or girl name?

Candida is used as a girl's name.

Is Candida making a comeback?

Candida stays rare in English and reads as a classical, literary choice rather than a trending one.

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