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?