The baby name Toosdhi first appeared in the U.S. baby name data in 1969:
- 1973: unlisted
- 1972: 7 baby girls named Toosdhi
- 1971: unlisted
- 1970: unlisted
- 1969: 5 baby girls named Toosdhi [debut]
- 1968: unlisted
Where did it come from?
It’s not a variant of Tuesdee, which happened to debut the same year.
Instead, Toosdhi is one of the dozens of baby names that debuted thanks to minor television characters (e.g., Ibe, Alethea).
In Toosdhi’s case, the character was featured on a single episode of the action-adventure TV series It Takes a Thief (1968-1970).
In “To Catch a Roaring Lion,” which first aired on the very last day of 1968, main character Alexander Mundy (played by Robert Wagner) is sent to the fictional African country of Zambutiko to recover a set of ancient scrolls. In Zambutiko, Mundy meets Toosdhi Mboto (played by Denise Nicholas). After introducing herself, Toosdhi spells out her unique name:
“I’m Toosdhi.”
“Well, this is the first time that Monday’s ever going to follow Tuesday.”
“As with your name, it’s spelled differently. T-o-o-s-d-h-i. Toosdhi Mboto. My identification.”
“I don’t think I can read this out here, the sun is so bright. Why don’t we go to some dark spot, with rum in it.”
“I will be your personal guide while you’re here, Mr. Mundy.”
“You can call me Al.”
The name made a second appearance on the national list in the early ’70s, likely because of reruns, but hasn’t been back since.
What are your thoughts on the name Toosdhi?
P.S. From 1969 to 1974, Denise Nicholas played the part of a high school guidance counselor on the TV series Room 222.
Sources: “To Catch a Roaring Lion,” It Takes a Thief – IMDb, SSA
Images: Screenshots of It Takes a Thief