Lashonda is a combination of Shonda and the prefix La-. Shonda is most likely a combination of the names Shona, which originates in Gaelic language and means "God is merciful", and Rhonda, which originates in Welsh language and means "great lance, spear". One of the famous bearers is Shonda Rhimes, an American screenwriter and creator of TV shows Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice.