Last week we talked about the name Shalimar, so this week let’s look at the similar name Shalamar, which saw its highest usage in 1980:
- 1982: 15 baby girls and 12 baby boys named Shalamar
- 1981: 17 baby girls and 10 baby boys named Shalamar
- 1980: 26 baby girls and 20 baby boys named Shalamar [debut for boys]
- 1979: unlisted
- 1978: unlisted
- 1977: 5 baby girls named Shalamar
- 1976: unlisted
What’s the explanation?
American vocal/dance trio Shalamar.
The group — which featured future solo star Jody Watley, along with Howard Hewett and Jeffrey Daniel — started churning out hits regularly in 1979.
Over the next few years, two of the group’s singles earned Grammy nominations. (In early 1984, their song “Dead Giveaway” lost to “Ain’t Nobody” by Rufus & Chaka Khan.)
Interestingly, Shalamar had a name before it had any members. It was put together by Dick Griffey, the booking agent for TV’s Soul Train.
Which spelling do you prefer, Shalimar or Shalamar?
Sources: Shalamar – AllMusic, Shalamar – Wikipedia, Shalamar – Grammy.com, SSA
My preference is Shalimar. That was the spelling of a perfume that was popular when I was a young woman.