When I wrote about the name Tareva a couple of years ago, it was the only Star Search-influenced baby name I’d ever come across. Well, I’ve since discovered several more!
Symba
The name Symba was a 2-hit wonder that only appeared in the SSA data in 1991 and 1992:
- 1993: unlisted
- 1992: 5 baby girls named Symba
- 1991: 30 baby girls named Symba [debut]
- 1990: unlisted
The cause? Not Disney’s animated baby lion, which didn’t come along until a few years later, but Star Search spokesmodel competitor Symba Smith, who appeared on multiple episodes of the show during the 1991 season and ultimately won the 1991 championship (which included $100,000 in prize money).
Two years earlier, in 1989, Mississippi-born Symba had won the “Miss Teen All-American” pageant. (Four years before that, the pageant winner had been Halle Berry.)
Durell
The name Durell saw a spike in popularity in 1985 thanks to singer Durell Coleman, winner of the 1985 season.
- 1987: 50 baby boys named Durell
- 1986: 123 baby boys named Durell
- 1985: 208 baby boys named Durell
- 1984: 46 baby boys named Durell
Countess
The name Countess jumped back onto the charts in 1988 thanks to Countess Vaughn, who sang on the show as a 9-year-old.
- 1990: unlisted
- 1989: 6 baby girls named Countess
- 1988: 15 baby girls named Countess
- 1987: unlisted
Vaughn went on to join the cast of Moesha in 1996 as a teenager.
Two more names that may have been influenced by Star Search — it’s hard to tell — are Garcelle and Jordis. Garcelle Beauvais competed as a spokesmodel in 1986, and Jordis Unga competed as a vocalist in 2004. (Unga’s 2005 appearance on Rock Star: INXS was probably a bigger influence on overall usage.)