How popular is the baby name Randye 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 Randye.

The graph will take a few moments to load. (Don't worry, it shouldn't take 9 months!) If it's taking too long, try reloading the page.


Popularity of the baby name Randye


Posts that mention the name Randye

Where did the baby name Randye come from in 1949?

Murray and Marjorie Herman with triplets (Jaimye, Randye, Vickye) in 1949.
Herman triplets, 1949

The baby name Randye debuted in the U.S. baby name data in 1949. The usage occurred primarily in New York state.

Girls named Randye (U.S.)Girls named Randye (N.Y.)
19531110
19522411
1951126
195096
194924*14*
1948..
1947..
*Debut

Why the debut, and why New York?

Because of a set of identical triplets born to New York City couple Murray and Marjorie Herman in May of 1949. The three girls were born at Polyclinic Hospital and named Jaimye, Randye, and Vickye.

My guess is that the triplets — plus their older sister, Leslye — were featured in the local news throughout their childhood. All four of must have been in the papers around 1952, for instance, because usage of three of the four names increased that year.

Female usage of names similar to Randye (like Randy and Randi) were seeing higher usage in general during this time period, likely thanks to the influence of movie actress Randy Stuart (born Elizabeth Shaubell).

Sources:

Where did the baby name Clovia come from in 1949?

The characters Skeezix, Nina, and Clovia Wallet from the comic strip "Gasoline Alley" (May 1949)
Skeezix, Nina, and baby Clovia

The curious name Clovia debuted in the U.S. baby name data in 1949:

  • 1951: 5 baby girls named Clovia
  • 1950: 13 baby girls named Clovia
  • 1949: 22 baby girls named Clovia [debut]
  • 1948: unlisted
  • 1947: unlisted

It was the 4th-highest girl name debut that year after Rainelle, Rainell and Randye.

Where did it come from?

A comic strip!

The strip, called Gasoline Alley, debuted in newspapers in late 1918. (And it’s still being published today, amazingly.)

In mid-May, 1949, Gasoline Alley characters Skeezix and Nina Wallet welcomed a baby girl. Nina gave birth in a taxicab on the way to the hospital, in fact.

On the newborn’s left hand was a birthmark in the shape of a four-leaf clover.

Soon after the birth, the couple started looking for a name. On May 25th, they discussed Lucky, Cloverette and Cloverine. On May 26th, they discussed Clover, Clorine, Chloe, Clovis, and Clovia. Finally, on May 27th, Skeezix told his adoptive father, Walt, that they’d settled on Clovia.

Clovia doll
Clovia doll

And Clovia wasn’t just a comic strip character — for a time, she was also a doll.

In mid-1949, a few weeks after Clovia’s introduction, Clovia dolls — which featured the character’s lucky birthmark — became available in retail stores. (Dolls based on comic strip babies were trendy in the 1940s.)

The name Clovia remained in the U.S. baby name data through the 1950s, but usage petered out in the 1960s.

What are your thoughts on the name Clovia?

P.S. Clovia’s older brother was named Chipper.

Sources:

Images:

  • Clipping from the Daily Alaska Empire (25 May 1949)
  • Clipping from Life magazine (19 Oct. 1953)

[Latest update: Apr. 2024]