Where did the baby name Quartey come from in 1999?

So far, the rare baby name Quartey has popped up in the U.S. baby name data just once:

  • 2001: unlisted
  • 2000: unlisted
  • 1999: 5 baby boys named Quartey
  • 1998: unlisted
  • 1997: unlisted

Where did this one-hit wonder come from?

Looks like the answer is Ghanaian professional boxer Isufu “Ike” Quartey, who was at the height of his career in the mid-to-late ’90s.

In early 1999 specifically, Quartey — who was undefeated (34-0-1) and held the WBA welterweight title — fought a match against WBC welterweight titleholder Oscar De La Hoya (29-0) in Las Vegas. The outcome of the 12-round battle came down to the judges’ scores, which awarded De La Hoya a close, controversial victory over Quartey.

Quartey is a member of the Ga people of Accra (the capital of Ghana). His surname seems to be a version of the name Kwate, but I’m not sure of the derivation/meaning.

What are your thoughts on Quartey as a baby name?

Sources: Ike Quartey – Wikipedia, Quartey – Wikipedia, What’s in a (Ga) Name?

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