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Home › Baby Names Directory › Shonda

Shonda

♀ Girl

Pronounced SHAHN-duh /ˈʃɑːn.də/High

Meaning: A coined American name built on the popular Rhonda/Wanda rhyme pattern, with a Sh- onset. It was made for its sound rather than an older root.Medium

In 30 seconds: Shonda is a mid-century coinage in the Rhonda/Wanda rhyming family (said 'SHAHN-duh').
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Origin MediumAmerican
MeaningA coined American name built on the popular Rhonda/Wanda rhyme pattern, with a Sh- onset. It was made for its sound rather than an older root.
U.S. rank (2008)#20040 ↗ Rising
2008 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1970
Total births (all-time)≈ 7,444

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197019542008

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

Shonda is a coined name on the fashionable Rhonda/Wanda rhyme pattern, given an Sh- onset. Built for its sound, it crested around 1970 and then eased away, now a vintage rhyme-family name of that era.

A few thousand American girls received it in all; Shonda now reads as a retro coinage of around 1970.

Did you know? Shonda peaked around 1970, riding the Rhonda-and-Wanda rhyme fashion, then faded within a generation.
Overall data confidence 62%
References — Shonda — Coinage on Rhonda/Wanda rhyme pattern

Variations

ShandaShaundaShona

Nicknames

ShonShonnie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Shonda…

Rhonda— a source-pattern name
Wanda— a source-pattern name
Shanda— a sister form
Shaunda— another American name
Fonda— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Shonda

By themecoinagevintage1970srhyme-family

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Shonda mean?

Shonda is a coined name in the Rhonda/Wanda rhyme family; it was built for its sound rather than an older meaning.

How do you pronounce Shonda?

It's said SHAHN-duh /ˈʃɑːn.də/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Shonda a boy or girl name?

Shonda is used as a girl's name.

Is Shonda making a comeback?

Not notably — it's a favorite from around nineteen-seventy that has been uncommon since, a vintage rhyme-family name.

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