Alt-rock baby names of the 1990s

Pearl Jam held a festival over Labor Day weekend to mark the 20th anniversary of the band’s debut album, Ten.

The news reminded me that I’ve seen the name Vedder (the surname of Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder) in the U.S. baby name data.

But I didn’t see it in the SSA data of the early ’90s, which was when grunge band Pearl Jam was at the height of its fame. Nope — Vedder didn’t start popping up until more than a decade later, surprisingly:

• 2010: 7 baby boys named Vedder
• 2009: 6 baby boys named Vedder
• 2008: not listed
• 2007: 6 baby boys named Vedder
• 2006: not listed
• 2005: 5 baby boys named Vedder [debut]
• 2004: not listed
• 2003: not listed

The same thing happened to Cobain, surname of Nirvana vocalist Kurt Cobain:

• 2010: 8 baby boys named Cobain
• 2009: 5 baby boys named Cobain
• 2008: 7 baby boys named Cobain
• 2007: 5 baby boys named Cobain
• 2006: not listed
• 2005: 6 baby boys named Cobain
• 2004: 5 baby boys named Cobain [debut]
• 2003: not listed

And to Reznor, surname of Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails:

• 2010: 6 baby boys named Reznor
• 2009: 9 baby boys named Reznor
• 2008: 8 baby boys named Reznor
• 2007: not listed
• 2006: 6 baby boys named Reznor
• 2005: not listed
• 2004: 5 baby boys named Reznor [debut]
• 2003: not listed

Interesting, isn’t it? These names didn’t become trendy while the associated alt-rock acts were big, but they’ve begun trickling in years after the fact. As if the teens of the ’90s needed a few years to grow up and start having their own kids first.

Contrast this with names like Rihanna, Beyonce, Kanye, and Shania. These names became popular on a much larger scale while the corresponding pop stars were hitting it big. Quite a difference.

Sources: Pearl Jam Fest Wows With Chris Cornell/Temple of The Dog, Multiple Guests – Billboard, SSA