This one is a bit strange…
In the 1990s, the baby names Strange and Stranje popped up on the SSA’s baby name list:
- 1995: unlisted
- 1994: 5 baby girls named Strange
- 1993: 12 baby girls named Strange [debut] and 6 more named Stranje [debut]
- 1992: unlisted
I’m guessing they’re meant to be pronounced stran-JAY as opposed to straynj, but who knows.
Their likeness to the word “strange” makes it difficult to track down any information online, so I’m hoping someone out there remembers a pop culture event (song, movie, TV show, etc.) from 1993 that could have inspired people to name their baby girls Strange/Stranje.
Any ideas?
UPDATE: Rachel figured it out! It’s the character Strangé from the Eddie Murphy movie Boomerang (1992).
Yay, I may have found the answer. Based on this question:
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101111172627AA3zkxY
It turns out the movie Boomerang was from 1992 and the character Strangé is played by Grace Jones.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boomerang_%281992_film%29
What do you think?
Rachel, you’re a genius! :) Thank you very much for figuring this one out!
Also, shout-out to reader Louisa, who also told me about the Boomerang character yesterday (via email). Thank you, Louisa!