Candace
Candace is not originally a personal name but a title — the title of the queen mother of the ancient Kingdom of Kush (in modern Sudan), a powerful African civilization that ruled Egypt as the 25th Dynasty. The Greek form was "Kandake." The New Testament (Acts 8:27) mentions an Ethiopian eunuch who served under "Candace, queen of the Ethiopians." Early Christians read this as a personal name and adopted it. Candace entered the US top 1000 in 1942 and peaked at #76 in 1975. The peak was partly driven by Candice Bergen, the actress who broke out in "Carnal Knowledge" (1971) and later starred in "Murphy Brown" (1988-1998). The variant spelling Candice was equally popular through the 1970s and 80s. What I find interesting is the name's deep African history, which most bearers do not know. The Kingdom of Kush was a major power for over a thousand years, and its queen mothers held real authority. The name has been outside the US top 1000 since 2005, but its heritage is more substantial than its mid-century American peak suggests. Candace is a female name of Greek / Ethiopic origin that means "Queen mother (title, not personal name)". Mid-century, direct, and quietly royal. The name sounds capable. Candaces tend to be confident. US peaked #76 in 1975. Outside top 1000 since 2005. Well-known people named Candace include Candice Bergen (actress), Candace Cameron Bure (actress), Candace Parker (basketball player), Candace Wheeler (designer). Common variations and related forms of Candace include Candice (variant), Kandake (Greek original), Candise (modern), Candi (short form).