The name Iesha, which first surfaced in the U.S. baby name data in the late 1960s, saw a distinct spike in usage in 1991:
- 1993: 384 baby girls named Iesha [rank: 604th]
- 1992: 581 baby girls named Iesha [rank: 432nd]
- 1991: 1,896 baby girls named Iesha [rank: 157th]
- 1990: 285 baby girls named Iesha [rank: 732nd]
- 1989: 161 baby girls named Iesha
Why?
Because of the song “Iesha” by Another Bad Creation (ABC), an Atlanta-based hip-hop group made up of five young boys: Romell Chapman, Chris Sellers, David Shelton, and brothers Marliss and Demetrius Pugh.
“Iesha,” which was ABC’s debut single and biggest hit, “told the story of a playground attraction that turned into a Nintendo-and-cereal date.” The song was released in October of 1990 and peaked at #9 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart in April of 1991.
Here’s what it sounds like:
The song was written (in new jack swing style) by record producer Dallas Austin and ABC’s manager Michael Bivins (a member of Bell Biv DeVoe).
What are your thoughts on the name Iesha?
Sources:
- Another Bad Creation – AllMusic
- Another Bad Creation, “Iesha” (1990) – Rolling Stone Australia
- Hunt, Dennis. “Pop Music: From the Mouths of Babes” Los Angeles Times 26 May 1991.
- Billboard Hot 100 for the week of 13 Apr. 1991
- SSA
Image: Screenshot of the music video for “Iesha”