How popular is the baby name Michelle in the United States right now? How popular was it historically? Use the popularity graph and data table below to find out! Plus, see all the blog posts that mention the name Michelle.

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Popularity of the baby name Michelle


Posts that mention the name Michelle

What gave the baby name Michelle a boost in 1966?

The Beatles' album "Rubber Soul" (1965)
Beatles album

The French name Michelle was already a top-20 girl name in the U.S. when it suddenly saw a massive increase in usage in the mid-1960s:

  • 1968: 33,222 baby girls named Michelle [rank: 2nd]
  • 1967: 30,826 baby girls named Michelle [rank: 3rd]
  • 1966: 27,158 baby girls named Michelle [rank: 4th]
  • 1965: 16,215 baby girls named Michelle [rank: 18th]
  • 1964: 16,182 baby girls named Michelle [rank: 23rd]

Michelle’s jump of nearly 11,000 baby girls from 1965 to 1966 easily qualifies as the steepest girl-name rise of the year. In fact, the jump currently ranks 10th on the list of top girl-name rises of all time.

So, what was drawing extra attention to the name Michelle in 1966?

“Michelle” by the Beatles. The love ballad — and the only Beatles song to feature French lyrics — was a track on the British band’s sixth studio album, Rubber Soul, which came out in December of 1965.

Here’s what “Michelle” sounds like:

“Michelle” was never released as a single in the U.S., so it never ranked on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart. Despite this, it was played frequently on the radio, and ended up winning the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in March of 1967.

The song started out as a French-sounding ditty that Paul McCartney would play at parties in Liverpool during the late 1950s (when Left Bank bohemian culture was trendy in England). In the mid-1960s, at the suggestion of John Lennon, Paul developed the ditty into a proper song. He wrote the lyrics around the French feminine name Michelle, and came up with the rhyming phrase ma belle (“my beauty”) and the lyrics sont les mots qui vont très bien ensemble (“are the words that go very well together”) with some help from a French-speaking friend.

Thanks largely to the song, the name Michelle was one of the top five girl names in the nation from 1966 to 1974. Though it ranked second a total of four times, it never managed to take the top spot. (It was denied by Lisa during the late 1960s, then Jennifer during the early 1970s.)

What are your thoughts on the name Michelle? (Do you know anyone named after the song “Michelle”?)

P.S. Coincidentally, Paul McCartney was married for nearly three decades to Linda Eastman, whose first name inspired the 1946 song “Linda,” which turned Linda into the fastest-rising girl name of all time from 1946 to 1947.

Sources: Michelle (song) – Wikipedia, Michelle – The Beatles Bible, SSA

Baby names with ASH: Ashton, Rashida, Vikash

ash tree

Looking for baby names that contain the word ASH?

If so, you’re in luck!

Below you’ll find a long list of names that contain the letter sequence “a-s-h.” Most of these names come directly from the U.S. SSA’s baby name data.

  • Abhilash
  • Adasha
  • Adashia
  • Akash, Aakash, Akaash
  • Akashdeep
  • Alasha
  • Alashia
  • Aleasha
  • Aleashia
  • Anashia
  • Anastasha
  • Anastashia
  • Antashia
  • Arash
  • Arashdeep
  • Arashel
  • Ash
  • Asha, Aasha
  • Ashad, Ashaad
  • Ashaki
  • Ashal
  • Ashala
  • Ashalee
  • Ashalina
  • Ashan, Ashaan
  • Ashana, Ashanna
  • Ashanae
  • Ashanda
  • Ashani
  • Ashanique
  • Ashanta
  • Ashantay
  • Ashante
  • Ashanti, Ashantie, Ashanty, Ashantee
  • Ashantia
  • Ashantiana
  • Ashantis
  • Ashar
  • Ashara
  • Ashari, Asharie, Asharee
  • Asharia
  • Ashaud
  • Ashawnte, Ashaunte
  • Ashawn, Ashaun
  • Ashawna, Ashauna
  • Ashawnti, Ashaunti
  • Ashaya
  • Ashaz
  • Ashburn
  • Ashby
  • Ashden, Ashdon, Ashdyn
  • Ashe
  • Ashea
  • Asheena
  • Ashely, Asheley, Asheli, Ashelee, Ashelly
  • Ashelyn, Ashelynn
  • Asher, Ashur
  • Asherah
  • Asheton
  • Ashey, Ashee
  • Ashfaq
  • Ashford
  • Ashgan
  • Ashi, Aashi
  • Ashia, Ashiah, Ashiya
  • Ashiana
  • Ashima
  • Ashini
  • Ashira, Ashirah
  • Ashish, Aashish
  • Ashka, Aashka
  • Ashkan
  • Ashkii
    • Ashkii is the Navajo word for “boy.”
  • Ashkon
  • Ashla
  • Ashlan
  • Ashland
  • Ashlay
  • Ashle
  • Ashlea
  • Ashleah
  • Ashleen
  • Ashlen
  • Ashlesha
  • Ashley, Ashlee, Ashleigh, Ashlie, Ashly, Ashli, Ashlei, Ashlye, Ashlii
  • Ashlin, Ashlinn
  • Ashling
  • Ashlley, Ashlly
  • Ashlon
  • Ashlynd
  • Ashlynn, Ashlyn, Ashlynne, Ashlyne
  • Ashmeet
  • Ashmi
  • Ashmir
  • Ashmit
  • Ashmita
  • Ashna, Aashna
  • Ashneel
  • Ashney, Ashni
  • Ashok
  • Ashon
  • Ashonda
  • Ashonna
  • Ashonta
  • Ashonte
  • Ashonti
  • Ashraf
  • Ashriel
  • Ashrita, Aashrita
  • Ashrit, Aashrit
  • Ashrith, Aashrith
  • Ashritha, Aashritha
  • Ashriya, Aashriya
  • Ashtian
  • Ashton, Ashtin, Ashten, Ashtyn, Ashtynn, Ashtan
  • Ashunti
  • Ashura
  • Ashutosh
  • Ashvath
  • Ashvika
  • Ashvin
  • Ashwaq
  • Ashwath
  • Ashwika
  • Ashwin
  • Ashwini
  • Ashya, Ashyah
  • Ashyia
  • Ashyr
  • Ashyra
  • Ashyria
  • Atasha
  • Aurash
  • Avinash
  • Ayasha
  • Ayeasha
  • Ayyash
  • Bash
  • Basha
  • Bashan
  • Bashar
  • Bashawn, Bashaun
  • Basheba
  • Bashir, Basheer
  • Bashira, Bashirah
  • Bashiri
  • Bashkim
  • Bashton
  • Bashy
  • Brashawn, Brashaun
  • Brasher
  • Breasha
  • Briasha
  • Cash
  • Casha
  • Cashara
  • Cashawn, Cashaun
  • Cashay, Cashae
  • Cashden
  • Cashe
  • Cashea
  • Casheena
  • Cashel
  • Cashen
  • Casher
  • Cashius
  • Cashlyn, Cashlynn, Cashlin
  • Cashmere
  • Cashon
  • Cashton, Cashten, Cashtyn
  • Cashus
  • Catasha
  • Danasha
  • Danashia
  • Dash
  • Dasha
  • Dashai
  • Dashal, Dashall
  • Dashan
  • Dashana, Dashanna
  • Dashanae
  • Dashanda
  • Dashanique
  • Dashara
  • Dashawn, Dashaun
  • Dashawna, Dashauna
  • Dashay, Dashae
  • Dashayla
  • Dashea
  • Dasheem
  • Dashelle, Dashell, Dashel
  • Dasher
  • Dashia, Dashiya
  • Dashiell, Dashiel
  • Dashira
  • Dashley, Dashly
  • Dashon
  • Dashona, Dashonna
  • Dashonda
  • Dashone
  • Dashton
  • Dashun
  • Dashya
  • Davasha
  • Deasha
  • Deashia
  • Deashley
  • Denasha
  • Diasha
  • Drashawn, Drashaun
  • Drashti
  • Easha
  • Eashan, Eashaan
  • Elasha
  • Eleasha
  • Equasha
  • Etasha
  • Fantasha
  • Fantashia
  • Fasha
  • Fashionette
  • Folashade
  • Grasha
  • Hadasha
  • Hasha
  • Hashem
  • Hashim, Hasheem
  • Hashir, Haashir
  • Hisashi
  • Iasha
  • Iashia
  • Ieasha
  • Indasha
  • Itasha
  • Jalashia
  • Janasha
  • Janashia
  • Jaquasha
  • Jash
  • Jasha
  • Jashad
  • Jashan
  • Jashana
  • Jashanpreet
  • Jashawna, Jashauna
  • Jashawn, Jashaun
  • Jashay, Jashae
  • Jashayla
  • Jasher
  • Jashia, Jashiya
  • Jashira
  • Jashley, Jashly
  • Jashon
  • Jashonda
  • Jashua
  • Jashvi
  • Jashyra
  • Jatasha
  • Joash
  • Kadasha
  • Kadashia
  • Kailash
  • Kakashi
  • Kanasha
  • Kash
  • Kasha
  • Kashad
  • Kashala
  • Kashan
  • Kashana, Kashanna
  • Kashanda
  • Kashanta
  • Kashanti
  • Kashara
  • Kashari
  • Kashawn, Kashaun
  • Kashawna, Kashauna
  • Kashay, Kashae
  • Kashayla
  • Kashden, Kashdyn, Kashdon
  • Kashe
  • Kasheem
  • Kasheen
  • Kashena
  • Kasher
  • Kashi
  • Kashia
  • Kashif, Kaashif, Kashiff
  • Kashika
  • Kashima
  • Kashina, Kasheena
  • Kashindi
  • Kashira
  • Kashis
  • Kashish
  • Kashius
  • Kashka
  • Kashley, Kashlee
  • Kashlyn, Kashlynn
  • Kashmir
  • Kashonda
  • Kashun
  • Kashunda
  • Kashvi
  • Kashyap
  • Katasha
  • Katashia
  • Keasha
  • Keashia
  • Keiasha
  • Keneasha
  • Keyasha
  • Keyashia
  • Kiasha
  • Kieasha
  • Killashandra
  • Koyasha
  • Kwashawn
  • Kyasha
  • Lacasha
  • Lacreasha
  • Ladasha
  • Ladashia
  • Lakasha
  • Lakeasha
  • Lanasha
  • Laquasha
  • Larasha
  • Lash
  • Lasha
  • Lashad
  • Lashai
  • Lashan, Lashann
  • Lashana, Lashanna
  • Lashanay, Lashanae
  • Lashanda
  • Lashandra
  • Lashane
  • Lashanette
  • Lashannon
  • Lashanta
  • Lashante
  • Lashanya
  • Lashara, Lasharra
  • Lashari, Lasharee
  • Lasharon
  • Lashasta
  • Lashavia
  • Lashaw
  • Lashawanda
  • Lashawda
  • Lashawn, Lashaun
  • Lashawna, Lashauna
  • Lashawnda, Lashaunda
  • Lashawndra, Lashaundra
  • Lashawne, Lashaune
  • Lashay, Lashae, Lashaye
  • Lashaya
  • Lashayla
  • Lasheba
  • Lasheia
  • Lasheila
  • Lasheka
  • Lashekia
  • Lashella
  • Lashelle, Lashell, Lashel
  • Lashema
  • Lashena
  • Lashera
  • Lasherrie
  • Lasheryl
  • Lashia
  • Lashika, Lashica
  • Lashina, Lasheena
  • Lashira
  • Lashon
  • Lashona, Lashonna
  • Lashond
  • Lashonda
  • Lashondia
  • Lashondra
  • Lashondria
  • Lashone, Lashonne
  • Lashonia
  • Lashonta
  • Lashonya
  • Lashun
  • Lashuna
  • Lashunda
  • Lashundia
  • Lashundra
  • Lashune
  • Lashunya
  • Lashyra
  • Lastasha
  • Latash
  • Latasha
  • Latashi
  • Latashia
  • Latashua
  • Lateasha
  • Lateashia
  • Lathasha
  • Latiasha
  • Lavasha
  • Leasha
  • Leashia
  • Lenash
  • Letasha
  • Litasha
  • Lotasha
  • Makasha
  • Malasha
  • Mariasha
  • Marquasha
  • Masashi
  • Masha
  • Mashad
  • Mashal
  • Mashala
  • Mashana
  • Mashanda
  • Mashawn, Mashaun
  • Mashawna, Mashauna
  • Mashawnda, Mashaunda
  • Mashaya
  • Mashayla
  • Masheka
  • Mashelle, Mashell
  • Mashika
  • Mashiya
  • Mashon
  • Mashona
  • Mashonda
  • Mashunda
  • Matasha
  • Measha
  • Menashe
  • Miasha
  • Monasha
  • Mubashir
  • Musashi
  • Myeasha
  • Mylashia
  • Nasasha
  • Nash
  • Nasha
  • Nashai
  • Nashalie, Nashaly, Nashalee, Nashali
  • Nashanda
  • Nashanti
  • Nashara
  • Nashari
  • Nashawn, Nashaun
  • Nashay, Nashae
  • Nashaya
  • Nashayla
  • Nashea
  • Nasheena
  • Nasheka
  • Nashelle
  • Nashely
  • Nashia
  • Nashid, Nasheed
  • Nashima, Nasheema
  • Nashira
  • Nashla
  • Nashly, Nashley, Nashli
  • Nashoba
  • Nashon
  • Nashonda
  • Nashrah
  • Nashton, Nashtyn
  • Nashua
  • Nashville
  • Nashwa
  • Nashwan
  • Nashya
  • Nashyra
  • Nastasha
  • Nastashia
  • Natash
  • Natasha
  • Natashi
  • Natashia
  • Natashua
  • Nateasha
  • Nathasha
  • Netasha
  • Niasha
  • Nihash
  • Nikash
  • Nikasha
  • Nitasha
  • Notasha
  • Nyasha
  • Nytasha
  • Palash
  • Palwasha
  • Pasha
  • Pashence, Pashance
  • Pashia
  • Pashion, Pashen, Pashun, Pashyn
  • Prakash
  • Prashant
  • Priyasha
  • Quaashie
  • Quadasha
  • Quantasha
  • Quantashia
  • Quasha
  • Quashana
  • Quashawn, Quashaun
  • Quashay
  • Quashon
  • Quashonda
  • Quintasha
  • Quintashia
  • Rasha
  • Rashad, Rashaad, Rhashad
  • Rashada
  • Rashamel
  • Rashan, Rashaan, Raashan, Rashann
  • Rashana, Rashanna
  • Rashanda
  • Rashandra
  • Rashanique
  • Rashard
  • Rashaud
  • Rashaunda
  • Rashawd
  • Rashawn, Rashaun
  • Rashawna, Rashauna
  • Rashawnda
  • Rashay, Rashae
  • Rashayla
  • Rashe
  • Rashea
  • Rashean
  • Rasheda
  • Rasheeda, Rasheedah
  • Rasheen
  • Rashele
  • Rashelle, Rashell, Rashel
  • Rashena
  • Rasheta
  • Rashetta
  • Rashi, Raashi, Rashee
  • Rashia
  • Rashid, Rasheed
  • Rashida, Rashidah, Raashida
  • Rashidat
  • Rashidi
  • Rashim, Rasheem
  • Rashita, Rasheeta
  • Rashmi
  • Rashod
  • Rashon
  • Rashonda
  • Rashone
  • Rashun
  • Rashunda
  • Rashya
  • Ratasha
  • Reneasha
  • Riyasha
  • Rotasha
  • Santasha
  • Sasha
  • Sashay
  • Sashe
  • Sasheen
  • Sasheer
  • Sashenka
  • Sashi
  • Sashia
  • Sashya
  • Shadasha
  • Shanasha
  • Shardasha
  • Shasha
  • Shashana
  • Shashanth
  • Shashawn, Shashaun
  • Shashawna, Shashauna
  • Shashi
  • Shashwat
  • Shatasha
  • Shreyash
  • Siavash
  • Simbarashe
  • Stash
  • Stasha
  • Stashia
  • Suyash
  • Tadashi
  • Taiasha
  • Takashi
  • Takashia
  • Talasha
  • Tamasha
  • Tanasha
  • Tanashia
  • Taneasha
  • Tarasha
  • Tash
  • Tasha
  • Tashai
  • Tashala
  • Tashalee
  • Tashan
  • Tashana, Tashanna
  • Tashanae
  • Tashanda
  • Tashanika
  • Tashanique
  • Tashanti
  • Tashara, Tasharra
  • Tashari
  • Tasharia
  • Tashawn, Tashaun
  • Tashawna, Tashauna
  • Tashay, Tashaye, Tashae
  • Tashaya
  • Tashayla
  • Tashe
  • Tashea
  • Tasheanna
  • Tasheba
  • Tasheen
  • Tasheia
  • Tasheka
  • Tashekia
  • Tashel, Tashell
  • Tashema
  • Tashena
  • Tashera
  • Tashfia
  • Tashfin
  • Tashi, Tashie, Tashee
  • Tashia, Tashiya
  • Tashiana, Tashianna, Tashiyana
  • Tashika, Tashica
  • Tashima, Tasheema
  • Tashina, Tasheena
  • Tashiona, Tasheona
  • Tashira
  • Tashon
  • Tashona
  • Tashonda
  • Tashua
  • Tashunda
  • Tashvi
  • Tashya
  • Tashyana
  • Tashyla
  • Tashyra
  • Tatasha
  • Tawasha
  • Teasha
  • Teashia
  • Teneasha
  • Terasha
  • Thasha
  • Tiasha
  • Tieasha
  • Tinasha
  • Tinashe
  • Tyasha
  • Tyeasha
  • Tylasha
  • Tynasha
  • Vash
  • Vashanti
  • Vashawn, Vashaun
  • Vashion
  • Vashon
  • Vashonda
  • Vashone
  • Vashta
  • Vashti, Vashtie
  • Vatasha
  • Vikash
  • Washington
  • Watasha
  • Yash
  • Yasha
  • Yashar
  • Yashas
  • Yashasvi
  • Yashaswini
  • Yasheka
  • Yashekia
  • Yashfa
  • Yashia
  • Yashica, Yashika
  • Yashima
  • Yashita
  • Yashmit
  • Yashoda
  • Yashraj
  • Yashua
  • Yashveer
  • Yashvi
  • Yashwant, Yashwanth
  • Yashwin
  • Yatasha
  • Zasha
  • Zashawn, Zashaun

Some of the above are non-traditional spellings of more common names such as Cassius, Joshua, Alicia, and Michelle.

Which ASH name do you like most? Let me know in the comments!

Sources: SSA, Ashkii – Wiktionary

Image: Adapted from Fraxinus angustifolia ssp. oxycarpa by Assianir under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Girl names that end with an L-sound

Girl names that end with an L-sound

In the U.S., most of the names given to baby girls end with a vowel sound. And many of the remaining names end with an N-sound.

So, what about girl names that end with other sounds?

Below is a selection of girl names that end with an L-sound, regardless of last letter. The names are ordered by current popularity.

Abigail
From the Hebrew name Avigayil, which is made up of elements meaning “father” and “joy.” Here’s the popularity graph for Abigail.

Hazel
From the type of tree, or from the color (which is the hue of a ripe hazelnut). Here’s the popularity graph for Hazel.

Brielle
A short form of the French name Gabrielle. Here’s the popularity graph for Brielle.

Isabelle
Based on Elizabeth, which is derived from a Hebrew name made up of elements meaning “god” and “oath.” Here’s the popularity graph for Isabelle.

Noelle
A feminine form of the French name Noel, meaning “Christmas.” Here’s the popularity graph for Noelle.

Camille
A French feminine form of the Roman name Camillus, which is of unknown meaning. Here’s the popularity graph for Camille.

Ariel
A Hebrew name meaning “lion of god.” Here’s the popularity graph for Ariel.

Rachel
A Hebrew name meaning “ewe.” Here’s the popularity graph for Rachel.

Lucille
A French feminine form of the Roman name Lucius, meaning “light.” Here’s the popularity graph for Lucille.

Kendall
From the English surname, which is derived from the place name Kendal, meaning “Kent valley” (i.e., valley by the River Kent). Here’s the popularity graph for Kendall.

Mabel
A Medieval feminine form of the late Roman name Amabilis, meaning “lovable.” Here’s the popularity graph for Mabel.

Nicole
A French feminine form of Nicholas, which is derived from an Ancient Greek name made up of elements meaning “victory” and “people.” Here’s the popularity graph for Nicole.

Annabelle
A form of the Medieval feminine name Amabel (derived from the late Roman name Amabilis, meaning “lovable”), influenced by the name Anna and French word belle (meaning “beautiful”). Here’s the popularity graph for Annabelle.

Giselle
From a Germanic word meaning “hostage.” Here’s the popularity graph for Giselle.

Michelle
A French feminine form of Michael, which is derived from a Hebrew name meaning “who is like god?” Here’s the popularity graph for Michelle.

Elle
A diminutive of names that start with El-, or a short form of names that end with -elle. Here’s the popularity graph for Elle.

Miracle
From the English vocabulary word. Here’s the popularity graph for Miracle.

Danielle
A French feminine form of Daniel, which is derived from a Hebrew name meaning “god is my judge.” Here’s the popularity graph for Danielle.

Itzel
Might be based on the Mayan name Ixchel, which may mean “rainbow lady.” Here’s the popularity graph for Itzel.

Gabrielle
A French feminine form of Gabriel, which is derived from a Hebrew name meaning “man of god.” Here’s the popularity graph for Gabrielle.

Bristol
From the English place name, which means “bridge place.” Here’s the popularity graph for Bristol.

Angel
From an Ancient Greek word meaning “messenger.” Here’s the popularity graph for Angel.

Opal
From the type of gemstone. Here’s the popularity graph for Opal.

April
From the name of the month. Here’s the popularity graph for April.

Janelle
A diminutive of Jane. Here’s the popularity graph for Janelle.

Laurel
From the type of tree. Here’s the popularity graph for Laurel.

Estelle
An Old French name meaning “star.” Here’s the popularity graph for Estelle.

Pearl
From the type of gemstone (which is actually a nacreous concretion produced by mollusks). Here’s the popularity graph for Pearl.

Joelle
A feminine form of Joel, which is derived from a Hebrew name meaning “Yahweh is god.” Here’s the popularity graph for Joelle.

Adele
From a Germanic word meaning “noble.” Here’s the popularity graph for Adele.

Marisol
A short form of the Spanish name María Soledad (from the Marian title María de la Soledad). Here’s the popularity graph for Marisol.

Sol
A Spanish and Portuguese word meaning “sun.” Here’s the popularity graph for Sol.

Royal
From the English vocabulary word. Here’s the popularity graph for Royal.

Aubrielle
An elaboration of Aubrey. Here’s the popularity graph for Aubrielle.

Chanel
From the French fashion house Chanel, named for founder Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. Here’s the popularity graph for Chanel.

Belle
A short form of names that end with -belle. Here’s the popularity graph for Belle.

Raquel
The Spanish and Portuguese form of Rachel. Here’s the popularity graph for Raquel.

Crystal
From the English vocabulary word. Here’s the popularity graph for Crystal.

Jewel
From the English vocabulary word. Here’s the popularity graph for Jewel.

Abril
The Spanish form of the name April. Here’s the popularity graph for Abril.

Amal
An Arabic word meaning “hope.” Here’s the popularity graph for Amal.

Campbell
From the Scottish surname, which is derived from a nickname made up of elements meaning “crooked” and “mouth.” Here’s the popularity graph for Campbell.

Azul
The Spanish word for “blue.” Here’s the popularity graph for Azul.

Maple
From the type of tree. Here’s the popularity graph for Maple.

Xochitl
The Nahuatl word for “flower.” Here’s the popularity graph for Xochitl.

Maribel
A short form of the Spanish name María Isabel. Here’s the popularity graph for Maribel.

Yael
From a Hebrew name meaning “ibex” (a type of wild goat). Here’s the popularity graph for Yael.

Mirabel
From the Old French word mirable, meaning “admirable.” Here’s the popularity graph for Mirabel.

Sybil
From the Ancient Greek word sibylla, which referred to a type of prophetess. Here’s the popularity graph for Sybil.

Nell
A Medieval diminutive of names that start with El- or a similar sound. Here’s the popularity graph for Nell.


Less-common girl names that end with an L-sound include Coral, Liesl, Jill, Eshaal, Marvel, Ciel, Layal, and Kestrel.

Which of the above do you like most? What others can you think of?

P.S. Here are lists of girl names that end with D-, K-, M-, R-, S-, T-, V-, and Z-sounds.

Sources:

  • SSA
  • Wikipedia
  • Wiktionary
  • Behind the Name
  • Hanks, Patrick, Kate Hardcastle and Flavia Hodges. (Eds.) A Dictionary of First Names. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.

How did the movie “Ladyhawke” influence baby names?

The characters Etienne of Navarre and Isabeau of Anjou from the movie "Ladyhawke" (1985)
Navarre and Isabeau from “Ladyhawke

The main character in the medieval fantasy film Ladyhawke (1985) is a young, talkative thief played by Matthew Broderick.

But at the heart of the film is a cursed romance between a knight and a lady who are “always together, eternally apart.”

Etienne Navarre (played by Dutch actor Rutger Hauer) is human by day, but transforms into a black wolf at night. His lover Isabeau (played by Michelle Pfeiffer), in contrast, is human at night, but transforms into a hawk during the day. Only at the moment of sunrise and sunset are Navarre and Isabeau in human form at the same time.

(Broderick’s character is recruited by Navarre to help him seek revenge upon the Bishop of Aquila, who put the curse on the couple after Isabeau refused his advances.)

Ladyhawke wasn’t a hit at the box office, but it did have an effect on the baby name charts. Navarre, Rutger, and Isabeau all debuted in the U.S. baby name data after the movie came out:

Boys named NavarreBoys named RutgerGirls named Isabeau
1989.65
1988..5
1987810*6*
19868*..
1985...
*Debut

Navarre refers to the historical Kingdom of Navarre (which was located in the western Pyrenees), Rutger is the Dutch form of Roger, and Isabeau (like Isabel) is a form of the name Elizabeth that emerged during the Middle Ages.

The name Isabeau may get another boost in a couple of years if U.S. figure skater Isabeau Levito — who was born in 2007 and named after the Ladyhawke character — participates in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

What are your thought on these names?

P.S. Rutger Hauer also had a starring role in the 1982 sci-fi film Blade Runner

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Image: Screenshot of Ladyhawke