The name Landa is of Basque origin and its meaning is "the land". It is a unisex name, which means it can be used for both boys and girls.
The name Landa has a rich history in the Basque Country, a region that spans parts of northern Spain and southwestern France. In the Basque language, the word "landa" refers to the earth or the land itself, making this name deeply connected to the natural world.
One notable figure with the name Landa is Juan de Landa (1568-1637), a Spanish Jesuit missionary who was instrumental in spreading Christianity among the Maya people of Yucatan. His work earned him the title of "Apostle of Yucatan".
The name Landa has also been used by various nobles and aristocrats throughout history, further emphasizing its status as an important and respected name.
In popular culture, the name Landa is perhaps best known for its association with the character Antonio de Landa in the novel "Captain Alatriste" by Arturo Pérez-Reverte. The character is a nobleman who becomes a soldier in the Spanish army during the 17th century.
Overall, the name Landa is a powerful and meaningful choice for parents looking to give their child a unique and historically significant name with deep ties to its cultural heritage.
The name Landa has had varied popularity over the years in the United States, with a total of 639 babies given this name since 1938. The most popular years for the name were 1947 and 1952, with 22 births each year. Interestingly, there was also a peak in 1962 with 24 births. However, the popularity of Landa has generally declined over time, with only 5 births recorded in both 1982 and 1990, and just 8 births in 1994. Despite this decline, it's clear that Landa was once a relatively popular name among parents in the United States.