Laquida is a unique and captivating name of African American origin. It was created by the author Terry McMillan for her novel "Waiting to Exhale," published in 1992. The story revolves around four African American women navigating love, friendship, and career challenges.
The protagonist of the novel, Laquida Harris, is a talented and ambitious young woman who works as an assistant to a powerful music executive. Despite her professional success, she struggles with self-doubt and insecurity in her personal life. The name Laquida itself does not have a specific meaning or etymology, as it was invented by McMillan for her character.
However, the popularity of the novel and its subsequent film adaptation in 1995 helped introduce the name Laquida to a wider audience. Since then, it has been adopted by some parents seeking distinctive names for their daughters.
While there may not be a historical or linguistic background behind the name Laquida, it remains an attractive choice for those who appreciate its uniqueness and connection to popular culture. Its bearer is often associated with qualities such as ambition, intelligence, and resilience, traits that Terry McMillan's character embodied in her journey of self-discovery and growth.
"The name Laquida has seen varying levels of popularity over the years in the United States, with a total of 130 babies given this name since 1973. The name's peak in popularity occurred between 1982 and 1984, during which time it was consistently among the top 10 names for girls each year. In fact, there were 11 births with the name Laquida every year from 1982 to 1984 inclusive. However, popularity of the name declined significantly thereafter, with only 6 or fewer births per year recorded between 1985 and 1991."