According to the U.S. baby name data, usage of the name Thomasina (pronounced tom-ah-SEE-nah) increased in 1964 and peaked two years later:
- 1967: 59 baby girls named Thomasina
- 1966: 85 baby girls named Thomasina (peak usage)
- 1965: 75 baby girls named Thomasina
- 1964: 76 baby girls named Thomasina
- 1963: 46 baby girls named Thomasina
- 1962: 51 baby girls named Thomasina
What was influencing this name in the mid-1960s?
The live-action Disney movie The Three Lives of Thomasina (1963), which went into wide release in June of 1964.
The Three Lives of Thomasina was set in early 20th century Scotland and featured an orange tabby cat named Thomasina (whose voice-overs were performed by English actress Elspeth March).
At the start of the film, Thomasina lived with 7-year-old Mary MacDhui and Mary’s widowed father. After going through a traumatic experience, though, Thomasina not only became separated from Mary, but also lost her memory. Would she ever find her way back home?
In November of 1965, over the course of three weeks, The Three Lives of Thomasina was broadcast on television as part of Disney’s popular anthology series (known as Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color during most of the ’60s).
What are your thoughts on the name Thomasina?
P.S. The name Perri was also influenced by an animal in a live-action Disney movie…
Sources: The Three Lives of Thomasina – Wikipedia, List of Walt Disney anthology television series episodes (seasons 1–29) – Wikipedia, SSA
Image: Screenshot of The Three Lives of Thomasina