Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Amanda

The name Amanda was invented in the 1600s from the Latin “amanda” meaning ‘lovable, worthy of love.’ Amanda is also a mutation of Miranda which was coined by William Shakespeare as the heroine of his 1611 play, “The Tempest.” Shakespeare invented Miranda from the Latin adjective “mirandus” which has a similar meaning as “amanda”: ‘admirable, lovely’ from the verb “mirari” meaning ‘to wonder at or admire.’

All About the Baby Name – Amanda

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME AMANDA

The number Seven personality is deeply mystical and highly in tune with their spirituality. They operate on a different wavelength than the average joe. Spending time alone comes easily to Sevens, as it gives them time to contemplate philosophical, religious and spiritual ideas in an effort to find "real truth".  Sevens are wise, but often exude mystery as if they are tapped into something the rest of us don't understand. They love the outdoors and are fed by nature. Sevens are constantly seeking to understand human nature, our place in the universe, and the mystery of life in general. This makes them quite artistic and poetic, but they are also keen observers with high intellect - so they are equally scientific-minded. Sevens are charitable and care deeply about the human condition.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME AMANDA

The name Amanda was surprisingly popular in America over 100 years ago. The U.S. government starting tracking naming trends back in 1880. At that time, Amanda was a Top 100 favorite. However, as we moved into the 20th century, Amanda’s popularity began to wane and she hit an all time low in the 1930s and 1940s when the name was only given to a couple hundred baby girls born each year. The name started a reversal on the charts in the 1950s and by 1971; Amanda was back on the Top 100 list of most commonly used girl names. This time, the name came back on top with a vengeance and she landed a spot on the Top 10 in 1976 where she stayed for an impressive 20 years. Amanda’s heyday was during the 1980s when, for the entire decade, she was either the 3rd or 4th most popular name in America. The rock band Boston was clearly impressed with the name when they wrote the popular hit song “Amanda” released in 1986. The name exited the Top 100 list in 2006 and today it’s at the far end of the Top 200. No longer hyper-trendy or uber-popular, Amanda remains a “lovable” choice. The pet form, Mandy, is equally “worthy of love.”

Quick Facts

ON AMANDA

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

English

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

3

RANKING POPULARITY:

298

PRONUNCIATION:

uh-MAN-dah

SIMPLE MEANING:

Worthy of love, lovable

Characteristics

OF AMANDA

Mystical

Wise

Eccentric

Intuitive

Imaginative

Philosophical

Solitary

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Amanda

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME AMANDA

Amanda is the mother in Tennessee Williams 1944 play, The Glass Menagerie. Now, we love the name Amanda, but this character may not be the best example to use. It is, however, almost impossible not to refer to her. She is one of Williams’ favorite characters, the once-beautiful-but-fading Southern belle. As an abandoned wife who has had to struggle to raise her children under trying economic conditions, she is understandably mired in dreams of what used to be. This does not stop her from working hard and making sacrifices in order to provide as good a life as she can. Like any mother, she dreams of better things for her children; also like many mothers, she seems blind to some very obvious flaws in said children. Ultimately, she is misguided in the direction of her motherly love, but there is no doubt whatsoever that she is a loving mother. And those kids aren’t the best on the block, by any means.

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME AMANDA

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Amanda


Popular Songs

ON AMANDA

Miss Amanda Jones
a song by The Rolling Stones

Te Recuerdo Amanda
a song by Joan Baez

Amanda
a song by Boston

Amanda Jewell
a song by Ricky Skaggs

Crazy Amanda Bunkface
a song by Sum 41

Go Amanda
a song by Steve Earle

Amanda Ruth
a song by Rank and File

Famous People

NAMED AMANDA

Amanda Beard (swimmer)
Amanda Coetzer (tennis player)
Amanda Evora (figure skater)
Amanda Bearse (actress)
Amanda Bynes (actress)
Amanda Palmer (musician)
Amanda Peet (actress)
Amanda Plummer (actress)
Amanda Seyfried (actress)
Amanda Hearst (heiress/socialite)
Amanda Knox (American imprisoned in Italy)
Amanda Leigh "Mandy" Moore (singer, actress)
Amanda Beard (swimmer)
Amanda Coetzer (tennis player)
Amanda Evora (figure skater)
Amanda Bearse (actress)
Amanda Bynes (actress)
Amanda Palmer (musician)
Amanda Peet (actress)
Amanda Plummer (actress)
Amanda Seyfried (actress)
Amanda Hearst (heiress/socialite)
Amanda Knox (American imprisoned in Italy)
Amanda Leigh "Mandy" Moore (singer, actress)
Amanda Beard (swimmer)
Amanda Coetzer (tennis player)
Amanda Evora (figure skater)
Amanda Bearse (actress)
Amanda Bynes (actress)
Amanda Palmer (musician)
Amanda Peet (actress)
Amanda Plummer (actress)
Amanda Seyfried (actress)
Amanda Hearst (heiress/socialite)
Amanda Knox (American imprisoned in Italy)
Amanda Leigh "Mandy" Moore (singer, actress)

Children of Famous People

NAMED AMANDA

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Amanda

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME AMANDA

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Amanda