Yolanda is a name of Spanish origin, derived from the Basque name Iolanda, which means "she who has a beautiful appearance." The name is composed of two elements: "io," meaning "beauty," and "-landa," meaning "land" or "country."
The name Yolanda gained popularity in Europe during the Middle Ages through the legend of Yolantha, a daughter of Charlemagne who was known for her beauty and kindness. In the story, Yolantha falls in love with a minstrel named Oliver, but their love is hindered by the interference of an evil enchantress. Eventually, their love triumphs, and they live happily ever after.
The name Yolanda has been popular among royalty throughout history. One notable example is Queen Yolande of France (1420-1483), who was the mother of King Louis XI. Another famous Yolanda is Yolanda Ferreras, a Spanish actress known for her roles in theater and cinema.
In literature, the name Yolanda has been used by several authors, including Lord Byron in his epic poem "Don Juan," and Charles Dickens in his novel "Little Dorrit." These appearances have helped to popularize the name and contribute to its enduring appeal.
The name Yolonda experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the decades. With a total of 3874 births recorded between 1923 and 2006, it started off quite strong with several years having around 6-11 births annually during the 1920s to early 1930s. However, it wasn't until the late 1940s that Yolonda began to see a substantial increase in popularity, reaching its peak in 1957 with 95 births and again in 1968 with 157 births.
Interestingly, after the mid-1960s, the name's popularity started declining steadily. By the late 1970s to early 1980s, it had become quite uncommon, with fewer than 20 Yolondas born annually. This trend continued into the 1990s and 2000s, with some years recording only single-digit births or even none at all.
Overall, while Yolonda was once a notable name, its popularity has significantly waned over time, with it now being quite rare to encounter someone named Yolonda.