According to the U.S. baby name data, the name Jamelle saw elevated usage for several years during the 1980s:
- 1989: 34 baby boys named Jamelle
- 1988: 93 baby boys named Jamelle
- 1987: 89 baby boys named Jamelle
- 1986: 74 baby boys named Jamelle
- 1985: 22 baby boys named Jamelle
What was influencing this name?
College football player Jamelle Holieway, who, in early 1986, became the first true freshman quarterback to win a national championship.
In October of 1985, during his first year at the University of Oklahoma, Holieway took over for starting QB Troy Aikman (who’d broken his ankle during the fourth game of the season). The Sooners went on to achieve an overall record of 11-1 (following their Orange Bowl win against Penn State on New Year’s Day) and place first in the NCAA rankings.
The Holieway-led Sooners also went 11-1 in 1986 and 1987, placing third in the NCAA rankings both years.
Holieway wasn’t able to continue playing at the same level during his senior year, however, due to having torn his ACL during the ninth game of the previous season.
What are your thoughts on the name Jamelle?
P.S. One of the 1987 babies named Jamelle was Holieway’s own son, Jamelle Lionel, born in December.
P.P.S. In 2019, Clemson University’s Trevor Lawrence became the only other true freshman quarterback (so far) to win a national championship.
Sources:
- Jamelle Holieway – Wikipedia
- Rohde, John. “Jamelle’s Day Will Come.” Oklahoman 27 Oct. 1988.
- Oklahoma Sooners football – Wikipedia
- College football championship history – NCAA.com
- SSA
Image: Clipping from the cover of Sooners Illustrated (14 Nov. 1987)
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