Where did the baby name Zandalee come from in 1992?

The characters Zandalee and Johnny from the movie "Zandalee" (1991).
Zandalee and Johnny from “Zandalee

The curious name Zandalee has appeared in the U.S. baby name data a total of four times, all in the early/mid 1990s:

  • 1997: unlisted
  • 1996: 6 baby girls named Zandalee
  • 1995: unlisted
  • 1994: 5 baby girls named Zandalee
  • 1993: 11 baby girls named Zandalee
  • 1992: 11 baby girls named Zandalee [debut]
  • 1991: unlisted

Where did it come from?

The long forgotten 1991 movie Zandalee — an erotic thriller set in New Orleans.

Based on the Émile Zola’s novel Thérèse Raquin (1868), the movie told the story of a tragic love triangle between Zandalee (played by Erika Anderson), her businessman husband Thierry (Judge Reinhold), and her lover Johnny (Nicolas Cage).

It was released direct-to-video, and the reviews weren’t that great, so I’m thinking that the movie’s marketing is what called attention to the name.

What are your thoughts on the name Zandalee? Would you use it?

P.S. The actress who played Thierry’s grandmother, Viveca Lindfors, also had an influence on U.S. baby names…

Source: Zandalee – Wikipedia

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