When a major celebrity chooses an uncommon baby name, there’s a good chance that name will become trendy.
Seems like this might be a modern phenomenon, right? Maybe tied to the rise of the Internet?
Nope. In fact, I bet you’ll be surprised at just how far back it goes.
Let’s take a look at celebrity baby names through the decades, focusing on those that inspired debuts on the SSA’s baby name list. (To debut, a rare names needs to be given to at least 5 babies of one gender or the other in a single year.)
1940s
The answer depends on how strict you want to be about spelling.
If exact-spelling debuts are what you want, the first I know of doesn’t appear until the late ’40s.
If variant-spelling debuts are okay, though, there’s a celebrity baby name from the early ’40s that inspired a whopping six of them:
Jerilyn
In October of 1941, actor/comedian George Jessel (43 years old) and showgirl Lois Andrews (17) welcomed a baby girl named Jerilyn.
The name Jerilyn itself had already been on the list for a few years, but usage rose significantly in both 1941 and 1942:
- 1943: 182 baby girls named Jerilyn [rank: 558th]
- 1942: 325 baby girls named Jerilyn [rank: 397th]
- 1941: 135 baby girls named Jerilyn [rank: 608th]
- 1940: 10 baby girls named Jerilyn
The popularity of similar names like Jerrilyn and Jerelyn also increased, and six other variants appeared on the national list for the very first time in either 1941 or 1942 (asterisks denote debuts):
| Name | 1940 | 1941 | 1942 | 1943 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jerilynn | x | 56* | 162 | 58 |
| Jerrilynn | x | 9* | 38 | 19 |
| Gerilyn | x | x | 15* | 5 |
| Jerilynne | x | x | 7* | x |
| Jarilyn | x | x | 6* | x |
| Geralynn | x | x | 5* | x |
In fact, Jerilynn and Gerilyn were the top baby name debuts of 1941 and 1942, respectively.
I was skeptical about this one for a while, as I’d never heard of George Jessel before. Was he really high-profile enough for his baby to have that sort influence? Turns out he was indeed a popular entertainer from the ’20s until at least the ’50s. He’s the one responsible for the “Garland” part of Judy Garland’s stage name, and some sources even claim he invented the Bloody Mary.
Even more variants of Jerilyn (e.g., Gerilynn) debuted during the ’40s and early ’50s, when young Jerilyn was being mentioned in newspaper articles and appearing on TV and in films with her father. Here’s a fundraising film from 1953, for instance, featuring both George and Jerilyn.
Jerilyn Jessel’s influence on the U.S baby names was impressive, but, technically speaking, she didn’t put “Jerilyn” on the map.
Yasmin
The first exact-spelling celebrity baby name debut was Yasmin, which appeared on the list in 1949.
In December of 1949, actor Rita Hayworth and her husband Prince Aly Khan welcomed a baby girl named Yasmin. The same year, the baby name Yasmin appeared on the SSA’s list for the very first time.
(The name Yasmin was late addition to the post. Thank you, Becca!)
1950s
At least four of the baby names that debuted during the 1950s were inspired by celebrity babies:
Romina
In October of 1951, actors Tyrone Power and Linda Christian welcomed their first baby, Romina, who was named after the church in Italy (Santa Francesca Romana) where they had married in 1949. The same year, the baby name Romina appeared on the SSA’s list for the very first time.
Taryn
In September of 1953, Power and Christian welcomed their second baby girl, Taryn, whose name was likely inspired by “Tyrone.” The same year, the baby name Taryn debuted on the list.
Seneca
In November of 1956, boxer Floyd Patterson and his wife Sandra welcomed a baby girl named Seneca. The same year, the traditionally male name Seneca debuted on the list as a female name. Patterson said the name was inspired by a street sign.
Monsita
In October of 1958, actor/singer Rosemary Clooney and actor José Ferrer welcomed a baby girl named Monsita — their fifth child. The same year, Monsita debuted. It fell off the list the very next year, though, making it a one-hit wonder.
Honorable mentions from the ’50s include:
- Liza, which became more popular after Liz Taylor named her daughter Liza in 1957.
- Tyrone, which became more popular after Tyrone Power named his third child Tyrone in 1959. The increased usage could also have been influenced by the death of the actor himself the same year, though.
1960s
At least four of the baby names that debuted during the 1960s were inspired by celebrity babies:
Timolin
In September of 1961, singer of Nat King Cole and his wife Maria welcomed identical twin baby girls named Timolin and Casey. The same year, the baby name Timolin debuted on the list.
Xan
In September of 1965, actor/director John Cassavetes and actress Gena Rowlands welcomed a baby girl named Alexandra “Xan” Cassavetes. The same year, the baby name Xan debuted on the list.
Maryum
In June of 1968, boxer Muhammad Ali and his wife Belinda welcomed a baby girl named Maryum. The same year, the baby name Maryum debuted on the list.
Chastity
In March of 1969, singers Cher and Sonny Bono, welcomed a baby girl named Chastity. The same year, the baby name Chastity debuted on the list. In May of 2010, Chastity legally changed genders and adopted the name Chaz.
Honorable mentions from the ’60s include:
- Dodd, which became more popular after Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee named their son Dodd in late 1961.
1970s
At least eight of the baby names that debuted during the 1970s were inspired by celebrity babies:
Rasheda
In August of 1970, boxer Muhammad Ali and his wife Belinda welcomed twin baby girls named Rasheda and Jamillah. The same year, the baby name Rasheda debuted on the list.
(An Ebony article from 1971 misspelled her name “Reeshemah.” The same year, there was a spike in the usage of Reeshemah and a dip in the usage of Rasheda.)
Ayanna
In 1971, comedian/activist Dick Gregory and his wife Lillian welcomed a baby girl named Ayanna. The same year, the baby name Ayanna debuted on the list.
Yohance
In July of 1973, Dick Gregory and Lillian welcomed a baby boy named Yohance. The same year, the baby name Yohance debuted on the list.
(I wrote more about baby names in the Gregory family a few years ago.)
Kidada
In March of 1974, musician/producer Quincy Jones and actress Peggy Lipton welcomed a baby girl named Kidada. The same year, the baby name Kidada debuted on the list.
Taryll
In August of 1975, singer Tito Jackson (of The Jackson 5) and his wife Dee Dee welcomed a baby boy named Taryll. The same year, the baby name Taryll debuted on the list.
Turkessa
In April of 1975, singer Mary Wilson (of The Supremes) and her husband Pedro welcomed a baby girl named Turkessa. The same year, the baby name Turkessa debuted on the list. Turkessa was just 3 babies away from being the top baby name debut of the year. Here’s how Mary came up with the name:
Pedro brought me a beautiful plant. I asked him was it was called. “Turquesa,” he replied, “Spanish for turquoise.” So we named our daughter Turkessa.
Chudney
In November of 1975, singer Diana Ross (also of The Supremes) and her husband Robert welcomed a baby girl named Chudney. The next year, the baby name Chudney debuted on the list. Here’s how Diana came up with the name:
Friends kept suggesting popular names like Courtney, but so many girl babies were getting that. I suddenly thought of something I liked very much — chutney. Only I didn’t know how to spell it — I put a ‘d’ where the ‘t’ should have been on the birth certificate. And that’s how my little girl became Chudney!
Katiria
In 1978, Puerto Rican dancer/singer Iris Chacón and her husband Junno welcomed a baby girl named Katiria. The same year, the baby name Katiria debuted on the list. Most of these babies were born in New York.
1980s
© Ebony
Rishawn
In September of 1984, singer Gladys Knight didn’t have a baby, but her son James (b. 1962) and his wife Michelene did. They welcomed a boy named Rishawn. The next year, the baby name Rishawn debuted on the list. It was one of the top debut names of 1985, in fact.
Shakari
In November of 1986, football player Willie Gault and his wife Dainnese welcomed a baby girl named Shakari. The next year, the baby name Shakari debuted on the list.
Condola
I wrote about Condola a few months ago, but here’s a recap: In December of 1986, actress Phylicia Rashad and sportscaster Ahmad Rashad welcomed a baby girl named Condola. The next year, the baby name Condola debuted on the list.
Satchel
In December of 1987, filmmaker/actor Woody Allen and actress Mia Farrow welcomed a baby boy named Satchel. The next year, the baby name Satchel debuted on the list. He now goes by Ronan, and rumor has it that he is *possibly* the biological son of Frank Sinatra.
Listen, we're all *possibly* Frank Sinatra's son.
— Ronan Farrow (@RonanFarrow) October 2, 2013
1990s
© Vanity Fair
Scout
In July of 1991, actors Demi Moore and Bruce Willis welcomed a baby girl named Scout. (And in August, that famous image of 7-months-pregnant Demi ran on the cover of Vanity Fair.) The next year, the baby name Scout debuted on the list, for both genders.
Aquinnah
In February of 1995, actor Michael J. Fox and his wife Tracy welcomed twin baby girls named Aquinnah and Schuyler. The same year, the baby name Aquinnah debuted on the list. (I wrote more about the name Aquinnah a few years ago.)
Sailor
In July of 1998, model Christie Brinkley and her husband Peter welcomed a baby girl named Sailor. The same year, the baby name Sailor debuted on the list as a girl name. It had debuted as a boy name the year before.
Honorable mentions from the ’90s include:
- Seven, which became more popular after Erykah Badu named her son Seven in 1997.
- Zion, which became more popular after Lauryn Hill named her son Zion in 1997.
- Selah, which became more popular after Lauryn Hill named her daughter Selah in 1998.
2000s
© People
Eja
In August of 2001, singer Shania Twain and her husband Robert welcomed a baby boy named Eja. The same year, the baby name Eja debuted on the list (as a girl name).
Xen
In August of 2001, actors Tisha Campbell-Martin and Duane Martin welcomed a baby boy named Xen. The same year, the baby name Xen debuted on the list.
Diezel
In March of 2003, singer Toni Braxton and musician Keri Lewis welcomed a baby boy named Diezel. The same year, the baby name Diezel debuted on the list.
Moxie
In June of 2005, magician Penn Jillette and his wife Emily welcomed a baby girl named Moxie (middle name CrimeFighter). The next year, the baby name Moxie debuted on the list.
Dannielynn
In September of 2006, model Anna Nicole Smith and her partner Larry Birkhead welcomed a baby girl named Dannielynn. The next year, the baby name Dannielynn debuted on the list.
Honorable mentions from the ’00s include:
- Massai, which became more popular after Nia Long named her son Massai in 2000.
- Rocco, which became more popular after Madonna and Guy Ritchie named their son Rocco in 2000.
- Denim, which became more popular after Toni Braxton named her son Denim in 2001.
- Maddox, which became more popular after Angelina Jolie named her adopted son Maddox in 2002.
- Carys, which became more popular after Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas named their daughter Carys in 2003.
- Stellan, which became more popular after Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany named their son Stellan in 2003.
- Apple, which became more popular after Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin named their daughter Apple in 2004.
- Coco, which became more popular after Courtney Cox and David Arquette named their daughter Coco in 2004.
- Zahara, which became more popular after Angelina Jolie named her adopted daughter Zahara in 2005.
- Moses, which became more popular after Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin named their son Moses in 2006.
- Kingston, which became more popular after Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale named their son Kingston in 2006.
- Suri, which became more popular after Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes named their daughter Suri in 2006.
- Shiloh, which became more popular after Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt named their daughter Shiloh in 2006.
- Pax, which became more popular after Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt named their adopted son Pax in 2007.
- Harlow, which became more popular after Nicole Richie and Joel Madden named their daughter Harlow in 2008.
- Knox & Vivienne, which became more popular after Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt named their twins Knox and Vivienne in 2008.
- Honor, which became more popular after Jessica Alba named her daughter Honor in 2008.
- Nahla, which became more popular after Halle Berry named her daughter Nahla in 2008.
- Bronx, which became more popular after Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz named their son Bronx in 2008.
*
The 2010s are only half over and already we’ve seen more celebrity baby-inspired debuts than in any other decade — Naleigh, Aleph (for boys), Locklyn, Aaradhya, Sebella, Sparrow (for boys), Viaan, Naiovy, Eisele, and no doubt others I’ve missed. Follow along as we uncover more year by year in the Pop Culture Baby Names 2010s category.
Sources:
- Manners, Dorothy. “Off the Grapevine.” Toledo Blade 14 Feb. 1977: P-3.
- Wilson, Mary and Patricia Romanowski. Supreme Faith. New York: Harper Collins, 1991.
