The name Corliss, which was primarily given to baby girls during the 20th century, re-emerged in the U.S. baby name data as a boy name in 1994:
- 1996: 5 baby boys named Corliss
- 1995: 17 baby boys named Corliss
- 1994: 22 baby boys named Corliss [peak usage]
- 1993: unlisted
- 1992: unlisted
Why?
Because of college basketball player Corliss Williamson, who attended the University of Arkansas from 1992 to 1995.
Corliss, a 6-foot-7 power forward, helped the Arkansas Razorbacks win their very first NCAA championship (against the Duke Blue Devils) in April of 1994. In fact, Corliss was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.
A week later, he was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
He led the Razorbacks to a second championship game the following season, but the team ultimately lost (to the UCLA Bruins).
Corliss forwent his senior year in order to enter the 1995 NBA draft. He was selected in the first round by the Sacramento Kings, and ended up playing for four different teams over the course of his 14-season professional career.
What are your thoughts on Corliss as a boy name?
P.S. Of the five names listed twice in the top returns post, Corliss is the only one that appeared both as a girl name (in 1943) and as a boy name (in 1994). The other four double-entry names are Ammie, Eulalia, Gale, and Victory.
Sources: Corliss Williamson – Wikipedia, SSA
Image: Clipping from the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine (11 Apr. 1994)
