"queen mother, great woman"
Origin: Meroitic/Ethiopian
Language: English
Candace
Pronunciation: [ k-AND-uhs ]
Girl Name
#3,633 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
3 Syllables
An ancient African royal title meaning queen mother
English
American
African-American
Classic
Elegant
Royal
Strong
Meaning & Origin
"pure, glittering white"
Origin: Latin (folk etymology)
Language: English
The Story of Candace
Candace (also spelled Candice) derives from the ancient Meroitic title 'Kandake,' meaning 'queen mother' or 'great woman,' used by female rulers of the Kingdom of Kush (modern-day Sudan and Ethiopia). The Kandakes were powerful warrior queens who ruled independently — most famously, a Kandake who negotiated with Augustus Caesar around 24 BCE after defeating Roman forces. The name appears in the New Testament (Acts 8:27) as the queen of Ethiopia whose treasurer was baptized by Philip the Evangelist.
Candace rose to popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century and was particularly popular in African-American communities in the 1970s-1990s, partly due to its royal African roots and its sound. The name peaked in the 1980s and has remained a classic choice.
Candace carries remarkable historical weight as the title of powerful African queens who stood up to Roman military power. For African-American families especially, the name connects to a pre-colonial African tradition of powerful female leadership. In the Bible, it marks one of the first references to a non-Jewish, non-Roman convert to Christianity.
Fun Facts
- The Kandakes of Meroe were warrior queens of ancient Nubia who commanded armies and negotiated with Rome as equals
- A Kandake defeated the forces of Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar around 24 BCE, negotiating a favorable peace treaty
- Candace appears in the New Testament Book of Acts as the queen of Ethiopia whose court treasurer becomes one of the first African converts to Christianity
Candace in Other Languages
Greek
Κανδάκη
Latin
Candace
Arabic
كانداكي
English
Candace
Famous People Named Candace
C
C
Candice Bergen
Actor
1946
American actress and model, best known for her Emmy Award-winning role as Murphy Brown in the long-running CBS sitcom
T
The Kandake of Meroe
Royalty
Title of the warrior queens of the ancient Nubian Kingdom of Kush, including the queen who defeated Roman forces around ...
Title of the warrior queens of the ancient Nubian Kingdom of Kush, including the queen who defeated Roman forces around 24 BCE and negotiated directly with Emperor Augustus
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #3,633
- Total SSA Count
- 42
- Cultural Origins
- English American African-American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Candy
Candi
Candi
Pairs Well With
Candace Marie
Candace Lynn
Candace Nicole
Candace Renee
Candace Joy
Candace Faith
Candace Grace
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Candace is also used as a boy name, ranked #39233.
View Candace as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Candace
What does the name Candace mean?
"queen mother, great woman" (from Meroitic/Ethiopian). "pure, glittering white" (from Latin (folk etymology)). Candace (also spelled Candice) derives from the ancient Meroitic title 'Kandake,' meaning 'queen mother' or 'great woman,' used by female rulers of the Kingdom of Kush (modern-day Sudan and Ethiopia). The Kandakes were powerful warrior queens who ruled independently — most famously, a Kandake who negotiated with Augustus Caesar around 24 BCE after defeating Roman forces. The name appears in the New Testament (Acts 8:27) as the queen of Ethiopia whose treasurer was baptized by Philip the Evangelist.
What is the origin of the name Candace?
Candace has Meroitic/Ethiopian, Latin (folk etymology), English, American, and African-American origins. In Meroitic/Ethiopian, it means "queen mother, great woman". In Latin (folk etymology), it means "pure, glittering white".
Is Candace a boy or girl name?
Candace is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3633. As a boy name, it is ranked #39233. Candace is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Candace?
Candace is pronounced k-AND-uhs.
How popular is the name Candace?
Candace is currently ranked #3633 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Candace?
Common nicknames for Candace include Candy, Candi, and Candi.
What are good middle names for Candace?
Popular middle name pairings include Candace Marie, Candace Lynn, Candace Nicole, Candace Renee, Candace Joy, Candace Faith, and Candace Grace.
What are good sibling names for Candace?
Names that pair well with Candace as siblings include Cassandra, Clarissa, Dominique, Simone, Darius, Marcus, and Andre.
How many syllables does Candace have?
Candace has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Candace a common or rare name?
Candace is an uncommon name, ranked #3633 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Candace
Candace is a girl name with English, American, and African-American origins . The name means "queen mother, great woman" in Meroitic/Ethiopian .
Is Candace a boy or girl name? Candace is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,633 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #39,233. Candace is more commonly used as a girl name.
Candace is currently ranked #3,633 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Candace has 3 syllables and is pronounced k-AND-uhs, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Candace include Candy, Candi, and Candi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Candace include Candy, Candice . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.