Here’s a random baby name for you: Random!
The rare name Random, which has been popping up in the U.S. baby name data (on and off) for decades, initially appeared in 1979:
- 1981: unlisted
- 1980: 6 baby boys named Random
- 1979: 9 baby boys named Random [debut]
- 1978: unlisted
- 1977: unlisted
Why that year?
Because of a short-lived TV series called Out of the Blue, which aired during the last four months of 1979.
The star of the fantasy sitcom was a guardian angel named Random (played by comedian Jimmy Brogan) who came to Earth to do good deeds and thereby earn his wings.
Interestingly, the character Random had been introduced to television audiences a few days before the premiere of Out of the Blue, in an episode of the popular sitcom Happy Days called “Chachi Sells His Soul.”
The adjective random, which refers to a situation in which all outcomes are equally probable, also (informally) refers to something that unexpected or arbitrary, or to a person of no consequence.
What are your thoughts on Random as a baby name?
Sources: Out of the Blue (1979 TV series) – Wikipedia, Random – Wiktionary, SSA