The name Shantiqua is of African origin, specifically from the West African country of Nigeria. It is a fusion of two names: Shan, which means "peace" in Yoruba, and Tiquah, which is derived from the name of an ancient queen of the Hausa people.
Shantiqua is often interpreted as meaning "peaceful queen." This name has gained popularity in recent years due to its unique sound and meaning. It is not a traditional name with a long history like many other African names, but it is nonetheless rich in cultural significance.
In Nigeria, where Shantiqua originated, naming practices vary widely among the different ethnic groups. However, many Nigerians still uphold the tradition of giving names that have meanings relevant to their culture and heritage. Shantiqua fits perfectly into this tradition, embodying both peace and royalty.
Despite its African origins, Shantiqua has gained international recognition. Today, it is not uncommon to find people bearing this name in various parts of the world, from North America to Europe, Asia, and Australia. This reflects the global nature of our contemporary society and the increasing acceptance of diverse cultural practices and traditions.
The name Shantiqua has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States. The earliest recorded birth year for this name is 1989, with a total of 6 newborns sharing this unique moniker that year. In 1990 and 1991, the number of births remained steady at 5 per year.
However, there was a significant increase in 1993, with 12 babies named Shantiqua born during that year. This could suggest that perhaps there was a popular movie, book, or celebrity that influenced parents' choice of name for their daughters around this time.
The following years saw a slight decrease in the number of births: 7 in 1994 and 6 in 1999. Despite these fluctuations, Shantiqua continues to be an uncommon but distinctive name choice for girls born during these years.
In total, from 1989 to 1999, there were 41 babies named Shantiqua born in the United States. While this number is not extremely high, it does indicate that there has been a consistent, if small, group of parents who have chosen this name for their daughters over these years.