How popular is the baby name Sparkle 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 Sparkle.

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Popularity of the baby name Sparkle


Posts that mention the name Sparkle

Will the baby name Sparkle make a comeback?

sparkle, movie, 1976

The 1976 movie Sparkle is set the late ’50s/early ’60s and follows three sisters — Sparkle (played by Irene Cara), Sister and Delores — as they form a girl group and try to find fame. It’s loosely based on the story of the Supremes, though set in Harlem instead of Detroit.

Did Sparkle have an influence on U.S. baby names? Yes — the baby name Sparkle, bestowed infrequently before the release of the movie, was given to dozens (and, later, hundreds) of baby girls starting in the mid-1970s:

  • 1980: 110 baby girls named Sparkle
  • 1979: 125 baby girls named Sparkle
  • 1978: 71 baby girls named Sparkle
  • 1977: 89 baby girls named Sparkle
  • 1976: 44 baby girls named Sparkle
  • 1975: not listed

And actress Dwan Smith, who portrayed Delores in the film, boosted the visibility (and usage) of the baby name Dwan:

  • 1978: 39 baby girls named Dwan
  • 1977: 61 baby girls named Dwan
  • 1976: 47 baby girls named Dwan
  • 1975: 12 baby girls named Dwan

Lately, Sparkle’s numbers have been much less impressive…but that could soon change, as a remake of Sparkle starring Whitney Houston and Jordin Sparks is set to be released on August 17.

Tika is another Sparkle name we should watch for. Delores is played by Tika Sumpter in the remake, so it’s possible that Tika could get a boost in 2012 the way Dwan did in 1976.

Do you think the new movie could spark a Sparkle comeback? Could Tika take off?

P.S. Tika Sumpter’s birth name was Euphemia. Ironically, the sisters’ mother in the movie was named Effie — a nickname for Euphemia. (And Effie was played by actress Mary Alice, whose mother had the very interesting name Ozelar.)

Popular and unique baby names in Idaho, 2010

Flag of Idaho
Flag of Idaho

The state of Idaho recently released its 2010 annual report, and the report includes some baby names.

First, here are Idaho’s most popular baby names of 2010. (More or less the same as what SSA has listed for Idaho that year.)

Girl Names

  1. Olivia, 122 baby girls
  2. Emma, 103
  3. Sophia, 99
  4. Ava, 88
  5. Abigail, 85
  6. Elizabeth, 83
  7. Emily, 78
  8. Isabella, 77
  9. Ella, 71
  10. Addison & Brooklyn (tie), 65 each

Boy Names

  1. William, 119 baby boys
  2. Samuel, 116
  3. Logan, 115
  4. Ethan, 101
  5. Jacob, 95
  6. Aiden, 92
  7. Mason, 89
  8. Noah, 82
  9. Alexander, 81
  10. James, 79

Now on to the bizarre stuff!

In the report, Idaho included a selection of unique names:

Unique Boy Names (2010)Unique Girl Names (2010)
Bear, Character, Dagger, Freighter, Genghis, Hatchet, Hemi, Ice-T, Jethreaux, Justify, King Tiberius, Laugh, Nightsky, Permisius, Raysyn, Ripken, Saw, Scythe, Skeeter, Sourish, Theory, Truth, W’dbin, Wisdom, ZytareonArrehli, Aoife, Balou, Bronwyn, Dawnlight, Dixi, Espn, Hickory, Kalifornia, Koal, Legacy, Little Noah, Meeka Bella, Mhyrrauzhe, Moneeq, Moserratt, Omolola, Oo, Rootsy, Saphron, Sparkle, Sunset, Tietsie, Virtue, Xoko

Some thoughts:

Since Idaho’s annual reports for 2003-2010 are all available online, lets look at the selections of unique names from years past, shall we?

2009:

Unique Boy Names (2009)Unique Girl Names (2009)
“Champion” Reese, Civic, Cougar, Domonique, Eleven, Evol, Hopper, Huckleberry, Irish, Jah Kobi, Jaxxon, Kastle, K-Den, Major Jack, Nixon, Noall, Oz, Pledger, Reef, Sabyr, Shade, Shadow, Skeet, Taft, ZebedeeArlington, August Star, Beatriz, Byrkli, Charm, Clarixxa, Daiquiri, Fayte, Goldie-Moon, Gyzzelle, Jubilee, Kanyon, Lala, Love, Montana, Nirvana, Pepper, Prairie, Poppy, Soul, Tottie, Tundra, Zipporah

Yes, those quotation marks were included.

2008:

Unique Boy Names (2008)Unique Girl Names (2008)
Adjrick, Andronicus, Arrow, Blazer, Brayke, Buzz, Casino, Chamillionaire, Dacx, Driggs, Gamble, Heman, Klete, Kodiak, Kroten, Krue, Link, Mitt, Pheonix, Ransom, Rodee, Silynce, Summit, ZzyzxAngelic, Beautifull, Boisen, Byainett, Calloway, Celestial, Ecstacy, Eeleceya, Hadies, Heaven, Infiniti, Integrity, Jewleah, Kaskade, Kozmo, Maplejo, Mishalyn, Remmington, Season, Symphony, Thyme, Ugonna, Xerenity, Zepplyn

2007:

Unique Boy Names (2007)Unique Girl Names (2007)
Aodhan, Braestyn, Buell, Champ, Dazryn, Elisjsha, Enveus, Grimsley, Hayze, Holdem, Kamero, Kay-Sin, Khonnerk, Lowgin, Makaijden, Mickyle, Nykolaus, Painter, Praze, Sander, Shadrack, Solo, Space, Tlaloc, TrackinArbor, Auktober, Blessin, Brizzbin, Brookenzie, Cabella, Clarity, Denym, Eos, Epiphany, Honesty, Kwincee, Lavender, Lybburtie, Miami, Modiesty-Star, Mysticque, Peaches, Perfect, Rebel-Ann, Seattle, Shy, Uneike, Vegas, Zoigh

Casino and Gamble in 2008, Holdem and Vegas in 2007…do I detect a pattern here?

2006:

Unique Boy Names (2006)Unique Girl Names (2006)
Akhilles, Backtash, Blend, Bronco, Chalk, College, Colquohn, Daily, Gid, Hampton, Howdy, Jameraquoi, Karona, Lake, Packer, Polo, Razor, Rythmik, Sacramento, Spur, Trask, Tucson, Winn, Wracer, XzavvyerAllyvia, Anakalia, Aptisam, Aveda, Blayde, Bristol, Cedee, Dorcas, Fall, Heziachiah, Kalispell, Klowie, Lexington, Little Summers, Navy, Northstar, Nutaliay Harmoney, Pennilane Meadow, Phaedra, Russia, Tacheranai, Tragen, Tsunami, Viktoriya, Yochabelle

2005:

Unique Boy Names (2005)Unique Girl Names (2005)
Anthem, Ayerik, Candyladio, Cotton, Dodger, Drizzt, Havoc, Izik, Kaschus, Khargo, Kleveland, Kryzstian, Kudter, Lucky, Nickel, Perrigrine, Quirt, Rook, Salad, Snuepy, Tearin, Trapper, Troix, Truth, WesternAlaska, Alpine, Aquilla, Autumn Hunnie, Cascade, Chili, England, Graceland, Happy, Holland, Itali, Juniper, Jynnjer, Kahlua, Khlover, Kronic, Libbertie, Lixy, Mali, Manhattan, Oyuky, Saoirse, Tanaquil, Wyntre, Zipaya

2004:

Unique Boy Names (2004)Unique Girl Names (2004)
Audi, Boulder, Cairo, Carpenter, Catcher, Cohl, Craeton, Fynyxx, Gairimiah, Honniscrave, Kahlvyn, Kaimbridge, Koa, Ledg, Nike, Qwydion, Nation, Racin, Rhoamen, Sagedricht, Stouffer, Stryker, Tayo, Tracer, WongfeiAmericus, Braenwynne, Cachet, Creedance, Fennel, Freedom, Indyana, Innocence, Libertyann, Mavity, McCall, Mem’Ree, Memphis, Octayvia, Olive, Remedy, Sativalyn, Secret-Destiny, Serendipity, Sicily, Sublym, Surreal, Tennessee, Tuesday-Rain, Zuzu

2003:

Unique Boy Names (2003)Unique Girl Names (2003)
Barnaby, Birch, Boone, Bruin, Cage, Camas, Carbon, Coupe, Dooley, Drakeland, Dutch, Future, Gryphon, Hatch, Huckle, Jex, Kross, Kutter, Magnus, Mir, Pantaleon, Tazyn, Treznor, Tugg, TukerAlastrionna, Ambrosia, Amnesty, Berlyn, Brittanica, Calypso, Capreece, Catalina, Celtic, Crimson, Daytona, Diligence, Divinity, Dublin, Hermyanie, Icelynn, Kazpyr, Kezzi, Lotus, Magnolia, Otila, Payshence, Pranaleyadri, Rainger, Starlit

In Idaho’s 2003-2009 annual reports, the heading of the unique names section was “Selected Unique Names, Yewneek Spellings.” For 2010, it was lengthened to “Selected Unique Baby Names, Yewneek Baybee Spellings.” Aren’t these a bit snarky for an official state document…?

Source: Idaho Vital Statistics – Idaho Department of Health and Welfare

Image: Adapted from Flag of Idaho (public domain)

[Latest update: June 2023]