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Home › Baby Names Directory › Tawana

Tawana

♀ Girl

Pronounced tuh-WAH-nuh /təˈwɑː.nə/Medium

Meaning: A coined African-American name of the 1970s, joining the Ta- prefix to Wana (as in Wanda). It belongs to that era's creative naming movement rather than an older etymology.Medium

In 30 seconds: Tawana is a 1970s African-American coinage, the Ta- prefix joined to Wana (said 'tuh-WAH-nuh').
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Origin MediumAmerican
MeaningA coined African-American name of the 1970s, joining the Ta- prefix to Wana (as in Wanda). It belongs to that era's creative naming movement rather than an older etymology.
U.S. rank (2011)#19326 ↗ Rising
2011 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1974
Total births (all-time)≈ 6,545

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 197419342011

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

Tawana is a coined name of the 1970s African-American naming movement, pairing the Ta- prefix with Wana (as in Wanda). Built for its rhythm rather than an ancient root, it crested around 1974 and has since grown uncommon.

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

Did you know? Tawana peaked around 1974, a product of the era's African-American naming movement, then tapered off.
Overall data confidence 66%
References — Tawana — 1970s African-American coinage; Ta- + Wana

Variations

TawannaTawandaTwana

Nicknames

WanaTawnie

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Tawana…

Wanda— the base name in Tawana
Latoya— a like coinage of the era
Shanice— a like coined name of the period
Melona— another American name
Teyana— shares Tawana's American roots

Explore names like Tawana

By themecoinagevintageafrican-american1970s

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Tawana mean?

Tawana is a coined African-American name of the 1970s, joining the Ta- prefix to Wana; it was built for its sound.

How do you pronounce Tawana?

It's said tuh-WAH-nuh /təˈwɑː.nə/ — three syllables, stress on the middle.

Is Tawana a boy or girl name?

Tawana is used as a girl's name.

Is Tawana making a comeback?

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

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