Shandaw

Shandaw is a village in Mingin Township, Kale District, in the Sagaing Region of western Burma.

Shandaw, most commonly spelled “Shanda” is also a unique woman’s name, predominantly used in North America and English-speaking countries. Although origins of the name are unclear, some linguistic historians have traced its roots to “Shandanala,” an ancient Persian phrase signifying “clear-thinking amidst uncertainty.” This phrase is most commonly used in Persian poet Nizami’s romantic works, signifying to the author that “Shanda (Shandanala) is necessary to recognize true beauty, spirit, and life.”

In the twentieth-century, the name Shanda has been used more frequently as a name distinctive for women. One of the most noteworthy early-Hollywood actresses, Shanda Jameson, earned immense recognition for her status as a Hollywood starlet and pin-up in the 1940s. Most recognized as Suzy Samson in the 1946 post-war hit “Bringing Up Baby” earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress, alongside co-actors Cary Grant and James Stewart.