The curious name Catana* popped up in the baby name data in late 1940s:
- 1951: unlisted
- 1950: 6 baby girls named Catana
- 1949: 7 baby girls named Catana
- 1948: 8 baby girls named Catana [debut]
- 1947: unlisted
Why?
Because of the historical adventure movie Captain from Castile, released in December of 1947.
The film’s protagonist was young Spanish nobleman Pedro de Vargas, who traveled to the New World to help Hernán Cortés conquer Mexico. Pedro’s love interest was Catana Perez.
Pedro was played by actor Tyrone Power (father of Romina and Taryn) and Catana by actress Jean Peters (who went on to marry Howard Hughes).
The movie was based on the 1945 book of the same name by Samuel Shellabarger. Captain from Castile was the 8th-best selling novel in the nation the year it came out.
*Not to be confused with Cortana…
I think that you should also post about Miss USA / Miss Teen Usa contestants names. This year – especially for Miss Teen Usa – the list is pretty interesting :D
I will check them out. Thanks!