What turned Shaft into a baby name in 1971?

The unusual name Shaft debuted in the U.S. baby name data in the early 1970s:

• 1973: 16 baby boys named Shaft
• 1972: 31 baby boys named Shaft
• 1971: 22 baby boys named Shaft [debut]
• 1970: unlisted
• 1969: unlisted

Why?

Because of the highly profitable film Shaft, which was released in July of 1971.

Shaft introduced theatergoers to black, New York City-based private detective John Shaft (played by Richard Roundtree). Here’s how a New York Times reviewer summed up both the character and the plot:

[John Shaft] lives in a book-lined, stereo-equipped Village du plex, keeps his extra gun (the one with the pearl handle) in the fridge, has a succession of black women and white women in bed, and, between-times, settles a potentially nasty gang-and-race war between Harlem’s black syndicate king and some white (Mafia) hoods, with the help of a small group of black revolutionaries.

The movie was based on the 1970 novel of the same name by (white) journalist Ernest Tidyman.

The film’s memorable theme song, which could be heard during the opening credits, was written and performed by Isaac Hayes.

They say this cat Shaft is a bad mother–
(Shut your mouth!)
But I’m talkin’ ’bout Shaft
(Then we can dig it)

Released as a single in September, “Theme from Shaft” reached #1 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart in November and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in April of the following year.

The first Shaft film was followed by a pair of sequels — Shaft’s Big Score! (1972) and Shaft in Africa (1973) — both of which also starred Roundtree.

What are your thoughts on the baby name Shaft?

P.S. I’ve found other baby names that were influenced by ’70s blaxploitation films, but none are as shocking as Shaft. They include Coffy, Foxy and Sheba — all of which saw higher usage thanks to the Pam Grier movies Coffy (1973), Foxy Brown (1974) and Sheba, Baby (1975).

P.P.S. One of the female backup singers on “Theme from Shaft” was Telma Hopkins of Tony Orlando and Dawn…

Sources:

• Shaft (1971 film) – Wikipedia
• Canby, Vincent. “‘Shaft’ — At Last, a Good Saturday Night Movie.” New York Times 11 July. 1971: D1.
• Isaac Hayes – “Theme from Shaft” Lyrics – Genius Lyrics
• SSA

Top image: Screenshot of Shaft