Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Lawanda

Lawanda

♀ Girl

Pronounced luh-WAHN-duh /ləˈwɑːn.də/Medium

Meaning: A coined African-American name of the 1970s, joining the fashionable La- prefix to Wanda (a Slavic name traditionally linked to the Wends). It belongs to that era's creative naming movement.Medium

In 30 seconds: Lawanda is a 1970s African-American coinage, the La- prefix joined to Wanda (said 'luh-WAHN-duh').
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumAmerican
MeaningA coined African-American name of the 1970s, joining the fashionable La- prefix to Wanda (a Slavic name traditionally linked to the Wends). It belongs to that era's creative naming movement.
U.S. rank (2021)#16634 ↘ Falling
2021 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1977
Total births (all-time)≈ 12,093

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197719172021

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

Lawanda is a coined name of the 1960s-70s African-American naming movement, pairing the popular La- prefix with Wanda. Built for its rhythm rather than descended from an ancient root, it crested around 1977 and has since grown uncommon, marking that inventive era.

Given to several hundred girls a year at its height, Lawanda now reads as a vintage 1970s coinage.

Did you know? Lawanda peaked around 1977, a product of the era's African-American naming movement, then tapered off.
Overall data confidence 68%
References — Lawanda — 1970s African-American coinage; La- + Wanda

Variations

LawondaLawanndaLavonda

Nicknames

WandaWandie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Lawanda…

Wanda— the base name Lawanda extends
Latoya— a like La- coinage of the era
Shanice— a like coined name of the period
Laronda— lands in the same popularity range
Larhonda— a similarly popular pick

Explore names like Lawanda

By themecoinagevintageafrican-american1970s

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Lawanda mean?

Lawanda is a coined African-American name of the 1970s, joining the La- prefix to Wanda; it was built for its sound.

How do you pronounce Lawanda?

It's said luh-WAHN-duh /ləˈwɑːn.də/ — three syllables, stress on the middle.

Is Lawanda a boy or girl name?

Lawanda is used as a girl's name.

Is Lawanda making a comeback?

Not notably — it's a nineteen-seventies coinage that has been uncommon since, a vintage name of that decade.

💬 Ask Nia