Where did the baby name Deltina come from in 1956?

Deltina Norval with her mother, Bonnie (Apr. 1956)
Deltina Norval (with her mother)

The name Deltina appeared in the U.S. baby name data for one year only, in the mid-1950s:

  • 1958: unlisted
  • 1957: unlisted
  • 1956: 6 baby girls named Deltina [debut]
  • 1955: unlisted
  • 1954: unlisted

Why?

My guess is a sad news story.

On March 24, 1956, 7-year-old Deltina “Tina” Norval of Nashville, Tennessee, got too close to a burning trash pile. A spark from the flame landed on her dress, the dress caught fire, and she received third-degree burns to over 65% of her body.

She had two major skin graft operations — one with the help of a donor, Pfc. Gene E. McDonald of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Ultimately, neither operation was successful. Deltina passed away on May 12.

Deltina…was happily munching a cherry popsicle seconds before her death. She had craved the treat for days. She looked at a friend, Mrs. Mary Summers, who had brought her the popsicle, and said: “I feel so funny. Something is happening.” She closed her eyes and died.

Newspapers nationwide covered the story, but Nashville newspaper The Tennessean followed Deltina’s seven-week ordeal particularly closely.

It looks like her name was inspired by the middle name of her late father, William Delton Norval, who had drowned while swimming less than a year earlier.

What are your thoughts on the baby name Deltina?

Sources:

  • “Burned Child’s Recovery Hope Will Not Be Known For 4 Days.” Kentucky New Era 17 Apr. 1956: 1.
  • “Plucky Little Girl Loses Fight Of Life.” Lubbock Morning Avalanche 14 May 1956: 8.
  • FamilySearch.org
  • SSA

Image: Clipping from the Lindsay Daily Post (20 Apr. 1956)

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