Latonya
Latonya Origin and Meaning
Latonya is a feminine given name that emerged in the United States during the mid-20th century. The name appears to be a modern creation combining the popular prefix 'La-' (meaning 'the' in Romance languages) with a variant of Tonya, which itself is a diminutive of Antonia (feminine form of Anthony, from Latin 'Antonius'). Latonya gained notable popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, reaching its peak usage in the early 1970s. The name follows a naming pattern common in the United States during this period that featured prefixes like La-, De-, and Sha-. Usage data shows Latonya appeared on the Social Security Administration's name charts between the 1960s-1990s but has declined in popularity since. The name has a melodic quality with emphasis typically on the second syllable.