Dada is a unisex name of Yoruba origin, meaning "curly hair" in the Yoruba language. While the name is etymologically tied to hair texture in the Yoruba context, it globally is far more recognized as the name of the early 20th-century avant-garde art movement, Dadaism, which flourished from around 1916 to the mid-1920s. Etymology and Cultural Context The Yoruba name Dada is derived from the word for curly or kinky hair in the Yoruba language. This meaning reflects a positive association with natural hair textures and is a name that can be given to children to celebrate such physical traits. In Yoruba culture, names often carry deep meanings related to circumstances of birth, family characteristics, or personal attributes. Art Movement and Notable Bearers Independently, "Dada" became the label for an international art movement that emerged as a reaction to World War I and the prevailing societal norms. The movement was founded in Zurich, Switzerland, by Hugo Ball, who wrote the Dada Manifesto in 1916. The word "Dada" itself is deliberately nonsensical—often said to have been chosen randomly from a dictionary—reflecting the movement's anti-art and anti-rational stance. Key figures included artists like Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst, and Man Ray, among others. The movement influenced later artistic styles such as Surrealism and avant-garde music. Notable Bearers (Yoruba) In the Yoruba context, notable individuals bearing the name Dada include figures known for their contributions, though specific famous bearers are not widely documented outside of traditional naming practices. The name is more common in parts of Nigeria where Yoruba is spoken. Key Facts Meaning: "Curly hair" in YorubaOrigin: Yoruba (Nigeria)Type: Given name (unisex)Usage regions: Principally in Yoruba-speaking communities in West Africa, especially Nigeria; also globally as a reference to the Dada art movementHomophone: Dada, the avant-garde art movement of the 1910s-1920s, derived independently from the Yoruba name