How popular is the baby name Wilt in the United States right now? How popular was it historically? Use the popularity graph and data table below to find out! Plus, see all the blog posts that mention the name Wilt.

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Popularity of the baby name Wilt


Posts that mention the name Wilt

Where did the baby name Cazzie come from?

cazzie russell, basketball, baby name,

The jazzy name Cazzie appeared in the U.S. baby name data for the first time (out of a total of three times) in 1967:

  • 1972: unlisted
  • 1971: 5 baby boys named Cazzie
  • 1970: 7 baby boys named Cazzie
  • 1969: unlisted
  • 1968: unlisted
  • 1967: 5 baby boys named Cazzie [debut]
  • 1966: unlisted

The influence? Chicago-born professional basketball player Cazzie Russell, who stood 6′ 5″ and who opted for basketball despite the fact that his father (Cazzie Russell, Sr.) wanted him to play professional baseball.

Cazzie was the NBA’s #1 overall draft pick in 1966 and spent a total of twelve seasons in the league.

During his first five seasons (1966–1971) he was with the New York Knicks, helping them win their first NBA championship in 1970.

He played for the Golden State Warriors for the next three seasons (1971-1974), during which time he participated in the 1972 NBA All-Star game alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain.

Sources: Cazzie Russell – Wikipedia, Basketball great Cazzie Russell also starred on the diamond

Odd names in the Sprinkle family

Reported in Notes and Queries in 1870:

The taking of the United States’ census, now nearly completed, has brought to light some curious specimens of given names. […] In Smythe County, Virginia, a Mr. Elmadoras Sprinkle has called his two sons Myrtle Ellmore and Onyx Curwen, and his six daughters Memphis Tappan, Empress Vandalia, Tatnia Zain, Okeno Molette, Og Wilt, and Wintosse Emmah. The great number of persons surnamed Sprinkle in that county is given as the excuse for these extraordinary names.

I’m not sure how true that last sentence is, but Elmedorus Sprinkle did exist, and some of his kids did have unusual names. Here’s his family on that 1870 census:

Sprinkle family, 1870 Census

According to Find a Grave, Elmadorus Sprinkle married three times, and had children with his first and third wives.

With his first wife he had about 6 children, but we only know 4 of the names: Matilda Jane, John William, Memphis Tremain and Latincy Jane.

With his third wife he had 5 more children named Myrtle Elmore, Okinna (or Okeno) Maletta, Og Wilt (or Ogwilt, or Willie), Emma Wintossee, and Onyx Curwen.

Source: “Curious Christian Names.” Notes and Queries 10 Dec. 1870: 499.