Lawanna is a unique and uncommon name of African American origin. It is believed to have been created during the era of the Harlem Renaissance in the early 20th century, when many African Americans were giving their children names with strong, African-inspired meanings.
The meaning behind Lawanna is not widely known, as it is not a traditional African or African American name. However, some sources suggest that it may have been created as a blend of two popular African American names from the time period: Lavinia and Anna. Therefore, Lawanna could potentially mean "graceful" (from Lavinia) and "graced by God" (from Anna).
Despite its unknown origins, Lawanna has been used sparingly throughout history. It is not listed among the Social Security Administration's most popular baby names in the United States, nor is it particularly common in other English-speaking countries.
One notable figure with the name Lawanna is Lawanna buckner, an American jazz musician who was active during the 1950s and 60s. She played piano and sang, performing alongside some of the biggest names in jazz history, including Charlie Parker and Miles Davis.
Overall, Lawanna remains a rare and distinctive name, with a fascinating history tied to the African American experience and the rich cultural movement that was the Harlem Renaissance. Its unique sound and meaning make it an appealing choice for parents looking for something different for their child.
The name Lawanna has been given to babies born in the United States since 1921, with a total of 2381 newborns being named Lawanna over the years. The popularity of the name has varied significantly over time, with peaks and valleys in its usage.
In the early 1920s, Lawanna was given to around 5-11 babies each year. However, starting from 1935, there was a noticeable increase in the number of newborns named Lawanna, reaching a peak of 47 births in 1954. This trend continued into the late 1950s and early 1960s, with around 49-74 babies being named Lawanna each year.
The popularity of the name began to decline in the mid-1960s, with fewer than 50 newborns being named Lawanna each year from 1965 onwards. This downward trend continued throughout the 1970s and 1980s, with the number of babies named Lawanna dropping to single digits by the late 1980s.
In recent years, the name Lawanna has become even less common in the United States. Since 1990, there have been fewer than 15 newborns named Lawanna each year, with some years seeing as few as 6 babies given this name. Despite its declining popularity, the name Lawanna remains a unique and distinctive choice for parents looking to give their child an uncommon name.
Overall, while the name Lawanna has seen fluctuations in its popularity over the decades, it continues to be used by parents who appreciate its uniqueness and distinctive sound.