Origin and Distribution: The surname Makanda is most prevalent in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it is borne by approximately 10,166 individuals, making it the 896th most common surname in the country. It is also found in Zimbabwe, Angola, South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, and other countries, with varying frequencies. ([forebears.io](https://forebears.io/surnames/makanda?utm_source=openai))

Meaning: In Xhosa, “Makanda” translates to “porcupine.” ([forebears.io](https://forebears.io/surnames/makanda?utm_source=openai))