Last year we learned that close to 85% of the original American Gladiator names (e.g. Blaze, Lace, Siren, Tank) have been used often enough as baby names in the U.S. to appear in the national baby data.
It’s hard to tell just how much of an influence the TV competition show had on the names, but I do know of one name that was undoubtedly influenced by the show.
In 1991, contestant Alaetra (pronounced ah-LAY-tra) Dorsa of San Jose, California, appeared on three episodes of American Gladiators before being eliminated. The same year, the rare name Alaetra emerged for the first time in the U.S. baby name data:
- 1993: 6 baby girls named Alaetra
- 1992: 5 baby girls named Alaetra
- 1991: 17 baby girls named Alaetra [debut]
- 1990: unlisted
- 1989: unlisted
What are your thoughts on the name Alaetra?
Source: SSA
Image: Screenshot of American Gladiators
[Latest update: May 2025]