In yesterday’s post, we talked about how the name Cindy was at peak trendiness in 1957.
But even that trendiness can’t quite explain the magnitude of the 1957 debut of Sindee, which tied with Maverick in terms of usage:
- 1960: unlisted
- 1959: 9 baby girls named Sindee
- 1958: 9 baby girls named Sindee
- 1957: 32 baby girls named Sindee [debut]
- 1956: unlisted
- 1955: unlisted
On-trend Sindee might have debuted that year anyway, but it wouldn’t have hit as high without the national news coverage of Sindee Roberta Neilson, born in January to Suzanne and Robert Neilson of Hartsdale, New York. Her birth was notable because it was Mrs. Neilson’s eighth caesarean section delivery — not technically a record at the time, but still a “very rare” occurrence.
Mrs. Neilson had a ninth C-section in 1959. Six of her nine babies lived past birth, but the only other names I could track down were Sherry and Suzanne (who is holding the camera in that photo).
What are your thoughts on the name Sindee? Do you like that spelling?
Sources:
- Baby Makes History; Child Is Woman’s 8th Delivered by Caesarean Section.” New York Times 11 Jan. 1957: 13.
- “After Her Eighth Caesarian.” Daily Banner [Greencastle, Indiana] 21 Jan. 1957: 3.
- “Ninth Caesarean.” Daily Review [Decatur, Illinois] 17 Apr. 1959: 5.
I must have been one of the first named Sindee. Born in late 1959. My mom must have seen it somewhere as she was the one who wanted me to have that spelling. I wasn’t sure where she came up with it, but maybe she saw it from another little girl.
I know a Sindi who was born in 1958. Next time I see her I’ll try to remember to ask if she knows how her mother arrived at that spelling.
@Sindee Wooley – It’s very possible that she spotted it in a newspaper birth announcement or something similar.
@Ellyn – Please let us know if there’s a story behind it!