In 1992, mayonnaise maker Hellmann’s introduced to the world a brand new condiment: Dijonnaise (pronounced dee-zhohn-ayz) — a tasty blend of Dijon mustard and mayonnaise.
The company marketed the product with TV commercials featuring a catchy “Dij, Dij, Dij, Dij-onn-aise” ditty set to the tune of the Gene Chandler song “Duke of Earl” (1961).
The very next year, the baby name Dijonnaise debuted in the U.S. baby name data:
- 1996: unlisted
- 1995: 5 baby girls named Dijonnaise
- 1994: unlisted
- 1993: 23 baby girls named Dijonnaise [debut]
- 1992: unlisted
- 1991: unlisted
These babies were probably not named in tribute to a sandwich spread, though. The sound of the word Dijonnaise happened to be relatively trendy at the time. Three of the names that debuted in the baby name data the year before, for instance, were Dijonnae, Daijanae and Dajonae.
What are your thoughts on the baby name Dijonnaise?
Source: About – Hellmann’s