The name Rumeal appeared in the U.S. baby name data a total of five times, consecutively, from 1989 to 1993:
- 1994: unlisted
- 1993: 7 baby boys named Rumeal
- 1992: 8 baby boys named Rumeal
- 1991: 11 baby boys named Rumeal
- 1990: 22 baby boys named Rumeal
- 1989: 25 baby boys named Rumeal [debut]
- 1988: unlisted
What was the influence?
Basketball player Rumeal (pronounced roo-MEEL) Robinson, who achieved fame while playing with the University Of Michigan. In the last seconds of the 1989 NCAA championship game, Rumeal made two free throws that secured Michigan’s win over Seton Hall University (with a score of 80-79 in overtime).
Later the same year, Rumeal was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine.
He was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the 1990 NBA Draft, and ended up playing for various NBA teams during the early and mid-1990s.
It’s interesting to note that, the very same year, Shaquille O’Neal’s first name also debuted in the data — but not as impressively as Rumeal (14 baby boys vs. 25 baby boys).
Sources: Rumeal Robinson – Wikipedia, 1989 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Game – Wikipedia
Image: © 1989 Sports Illustrated