Quentina is a unique and beautiful name of African origin, specifically from the Shona people of Zimbabwe. It means "the one who has no fear," which makes it a powerful and inspiring choice for a child's name.
The name Quentina is believed to have been popularized by the famous author, Tsitsi Dangarembga, who used it in her book "Nervous Conditions." In the novel, Quentina is a strong-willed and independent young woman who challenges societal norms and expectations. This character has helped to bring attention to this lesser-known Shona name and make it more widely known.
Despite its African roots, Quentina is not a particularly common name on the continent. However, it has gained some popularity in other parts of the world, particularly among families who are drawn to its unique sound and powerful meaning.
Overall, Quentina is an uncommon but significant name with a rich history and powerful meaning. It's a fantastic choice for parents looking for a distinctive and meaningful name for their daughter.
The name Quentina has been given to a total of 140 babies in the United States between the years 1960 and 1994, with varying popularity throughout this period.
The earliest recorded births with the name Quentina were in 1960, with five babies being named thus. The number of births remained steady at five in 1967 before increasing to seven in 1968. There was a slight dip in popularity in 1971 and 1972, with eight and seven births respectively.
However, the name Quentina reached its peak popularity between 1973 and 1976. In these four years, there were 13, 9, 6, and 14 babies named Quentina, respectively, showing a significant increase in popularity compared to previous years.
After 1976, the name Quentina's popularity began to decline once again. Between 1977 and 1985, there were consistently fewer than ten births per year with the name Quentina. The lowest point during this period was in 1981, with only six babies being named Quentina.
There was a brief resurgence in popularity between 1984 and 1992, with nine births each year. However, the final recorded birth of a child named Quentina in the United States occurred in 1994, with just six babies being given this name that year.
Overall, while the name Quentina has not been particularly common throughout its history in the United States, it has seen periods of relative popularity, particularly between 1973 and 1976.