The rare name Caesare first appeared in the U.S. baby name data — for both genders, notably — in 1981:
- 1983: unlisted
- 1982: 27 baby boys and 5 baby girls named Caesare
- 1981: 6 baby boys and 5 baby girls named Caesare [dual-gender debut]
- 1980: unlisted
- 1979: unlisted
The following year, Caesare reached its highest-ever usage. Also in 1982, we see an increase in the number of baby boys with similar names:
(Chezarae and Chazaray were both one-hit wonders.)
What was influencing all of these names?
A movie called The Idolmaker, which was released in November of 1980.
The main character, Vincent Vacarri (played by Ray Sharkey), worked as a talent manager in New York City in the late 1950s. (The character was based on real-life Philadelphia talent manager Bob Marcucci, who discovered and developed both Frankie Avalon and Fabian.)
One of Vinnie’s protégés was teenage busboy Guido (played by Peter Gallagher), who had no discernible talent. Vinnie renamed Guido “Caesare” (pronounced CHEZ-uh-ray, similar to the English pronunciation of Désirée) and got to work transforming him into a star.
Caesare became “an unwilling Trilby to Vinnie’s Svengali,” according to one reviewer.
The name Caesare — which was occasionally shortened to “Chez” in the movie — is a spelling variant of the name Cesare, the Italian form of Caesar.
What are your thoughts on the name Caesare? (How would you spell it?)
P.S. Other dual-gender debuts include Chaffee, Dasani, Dondi, Illya, Khaalis, Rikishi, Shilo, Sundown, and Tavares.
Sources:
- The Idolmaker – Wikipedia
- The Idolmaker movie review – Roger Ebert
- Denby, David. “Movies: The Sweet Smell of Success.” New York Magazine 24 Nov. 1980: 59-61.
- Cesare – Behind the Name
- SSA
Images: Screenshots of The Idolmaker