On February 22, 1944, Spencer and Easter Hutto of rural Alabama welcomed quadruplets: Dianne, Yvonne, Spencer and Sherianne.
The quads were born about 30 days premature, and though they were said to be in “good condition” at first, none of them lived very long. Dianne, the first-born, was the only one that lived longer than 24 hours.
For the short time they were alive, their story was front-page news. And that was enough for expectant parents to pick up on the baby name Sherianne (and the variant spelling Sheriann) in 1944:
- 1945: unlisted
- 1944: 23 baby girls named Sherianne [debut]; 8 baby girls named Sheriann [debut]
- 1943: unlisted
The other three names saw decreased usage that year, ironically.
The Huttos, who had already lost a baby named Daphne prior to having the quads, did go on to have three babies that lived to adulthood: Gloria, Felton, and Cornelia.
Sources:
- “Three Quadruplets Died in Decatur Hospital.” Tuscaloosa News 23 Feb. 1944: 2.
- Easter Mildon Hutto – Find a Grave
[Etan, Roni Sue and Rainelle are three more baby names linked to sad news stories.]
The registrar of Providence, Rhode Island, published a series of documents listing all “of the names of persons deceased, born and married in the city of Providence” during years 1866, 1867 and 1868. The series may have been longer, but these are the only documents I could find online.
Want a girl name that’s not popular, but also not made-up?