The baby name Judaline has appeared in the U.S. baby name data just once so far, in 1949:
- 1951: unlisted
- 1950: unlisted
- 1949: 7 baby girls named Judaline [debut]
- 1948: unlisted
- 1947: unlisted
Where did it come from?
A song…by way of a movie.
The musical comedy A Date with Judy (1948) — based on the 1940s radio sitcom of the same name — starred Jane Powell as teenager Judy Foster.
In the film, the song “Judaline” [vid] was sung by Judy, alternating with her boyfriend and a male quartet. It was reprised later on as “Judaline Serenade,” [vid] sung outside Judy’s bedroom window by the boyfriend and a different male quartet.
The character wasn’t actually named Judaline, though. (And neither was the original radio character.)
The song “Judaline” was written in 1943, after songwriters Don Raye and Gene de Paul learned that The Wizard of Oz (1939) director Victor Fleming had given Judy Garland the nickname ‘Judaline’ during filming. The song was originally intended for the 1944 movie Broadway Rhythm, but didn’t show up on a soundtrack until A Date with Judy came long at the end of the decade.
What do you think of the baby name Judaline? Do you like it as much as the more popular -line names (e.g., Caroline, Madeline, Adeline)?
Sources:
- A Date with Judy – Wikipedia
- Broadway Rhythm – TCM
- “Nickname Written into New Song Hit.” Pittsburgh Press 19 Jun. 1943: 6.
P.S. The similar name Judalon was one-hit wonder several years later…
