Shavonna is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It is a variant spelling of the name Shawna, which itself is a feminine form of the Scottish surname Shawn or Sean. These names are derived from the Irish name Seán, meaning "God is gracious" in English.
The name Shavonna first gained popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s, as part of the trend towards using less traditional and more creative baby names. It is still relatively uncommon today, making it a distinctive choice for parents who wish to give their child a unique and memorable name.
Despite its American origins, Shavonna has not been widely adopted outside of North America. In fact, according to data from the Social Security Administration, it has never even ranked among the top 1000 names given to newborn girls in any country outside of the United States or Canada.
While the meaning behind Shavonna is "God is gracious," there are no specific historical figures or characters associated with this name. However, some famous individuals who bear similar names include Shawna Thompson, a American country music singer-songwriter and musician; Shawnee Smith, an American actress known for her roles in television shows such as "Becker" and films like "The Blob"; and Shawn Robinson, a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League.
Overall, Shavonna is an attractive and distinctive name option for parents looking to give their child a unique identity. Its American origins, uncommon usage outside of North America, and meaningful translation make it a standout choice among other girls' names.
The name Shavonna has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the years in the United States. The earliest recorded birth for this name was in 1969 with five occurrences. This number remained consistent until 1971 when it again saw five births.
Interestingly, the numbers began to increase steadily from 1973 onwards, reaching a peak of 47 births in 1992. This trend continued for several years, with Shavonna being given to at least 29 babies each year until 1996.
However, after this point, the popularity of the name began to decline significantly. Between 1997 and 2005, there were fewer than 20 births recorded each year for Shavonna. This downward trend continued into the early 2000s, with a low of just seven births in 2003.
Despite this decrease in popularity, Shavonna has remained a distinctive name choice among parents in the United States. In total, over a span of nearly four decades (1969-2010), there were 799 recorded births for girls named Shavonna. This demonstrates that while the name may not have been universally popular throughout these years, it has certainly left its mark on American naming traditions.