Assata is a unique and captivating name of African origin, particularly popular among the Yoruba people of Nigeria. It translates to "she who looks beyond" in English, which evokes images of wisdom, foresight, and vision.
The history of Assata dates back centuries, with its roots deeply embedded in ancient West African culture and mythology. The Yoruba, known for their rich oral tradition and fascinating folklore, attribute this name to powerful female spirits or orishas, who embody various aspects of life such as fertility, love, and intuition.
Assata is often associated with the orisha Oya, a formidable figure in Yoruba religion. Oya is believed to be the ruler of storms and winds, symbolizing change, transformation, and power. She is also known for her wisdom and courage, qualities that resonate with the meaning of Assata itself.
In modern times, the name Assata gained international recognition through its use by notable figures such as Assata Shakur (formerly known as Joanne Deborah Chesimard), an American political activist who played a significant role in the Black Liberation Movement during the 1960s and 70s. Her story has brought this unique name to global attention, though it is essential not to confuse the person with the name's rich historical and cultural heritage.
Overall, Assata stands out as an elegant and powerful name, steeped in history and steeped in strength. It remains a captivating choice for parents seeking a distinctive and meaningful name for their child, offering a glimpse into Africa's vibrant culture and mythology.
The name Assata has been given to a total of 684 babies born in the United States between the years 1971 and 2023, according to the statistics provided.
Throughout this time period, the popularity of the name varied from year to year. The earliest recorded births with the name Assata occurred in 1971, with a total of 5 babies being given this name that year. This number remained relatively consistent throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, with between 5 and 7 births each year.
However, starting in 1989, there was a noticeable increase in the number of babies named Assata, with 13 births recorded that year. This trend continued into the 1990s, with the highest number of births occurring in 1994, at which point there were 17 babies named Assata.
This pattern of increasing popularity persisted throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, reaching a peak in 2000 with 28 births. This was followed by a slight decrease in the number of births each year, although the name remained relatively popular with between 18 and 24 births annually from 2005 to 2011.
Since then, the popularity of the name Assata has continued to fluctuate, but has generally remained steady. Between 2011 and 2023, there were between 10 and 24 births each year, with a total of 684 babies being named Assata over the entire period.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate that while the name Assata may not have been extremely popular in every year, it has consistently been given to at least some babies born in the United States since 1971.