Gracious or stone
Shanda is often considered a variant of Chandra, meaning moon in Sanskrit, or a diminutive of Alexandra. In English-speaking contexts, it is frequently associated with the name Shannon or as a rhyming variant of Rhonda and Wanda. It gained modest popularity in the mid-20th century but remains a rare choice today.
Less common today
Shanda isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #1,319 in 1990.
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
Subject of a high-profile 1992 American criminal case
Canadian entertainment journalist
