Candi

Updated: April 13, 2022 by MomsWhoThink Staff

Candi is a pleasant baby name for girls. Stylish in composition, this name possesses an interesting history while displaying the signature tastes of mid-century American popular culture. Candi is the name of a character in the Animal Crossing series, and Candi Muggins is the name of a character in the Marvel Comics universe. Keep reading to learn more about this name.

Meaning of the name Candi:

Kush Language, Meroitic Language: Queen mother
Latin: White
Middle English, Arabic, Sanskrit: Confection, sugar

Origin of the name Candi:

Candi is a diminutive of Candice or Candace. Both names are anglicized spellings of the Greek name Κανδάκη (Kandake). This name is the Greek translation of the Meroitic title ???? (kdke) and means “queen mother.” In the classical world, Kandake was a hereditary title of the sister of the ruler of Kush. Due to the Nubian tradition of matriarchal succession, the sister of the king inherited the title of queen mother. Centuries later, the name Kandace (or Candace) became common in the Christian world due to its appearance in the New Testament (Acts 8:27).

Alternatively, Candi can originate as a short form Candida. This name derives from the Latin word candidus (meaning “white”). Finally, Candi is an alternative spelling of Candy. In fact, “candi” was the most common spelling of this word during the Middle English period. The word entered the English language through a French translation of the Arabic word qandī, and it ultimately derived from the Sanskrit word khaṇḍakaḥ “meaning “sugary confection”).

Symbolism of the name Candi:

Candi is a diminutive of Candice (meaning “queen mother”) or the short form of Candida (meaning “white”). It is also an alternative spelling of Candy (meaning “confection”). As the diminutive of Candice, this name arose from the New Testament story of one of the first converts to Christianity. In this context, the symbol of Candice is the baptismal pool.