The name Tijwana was a one-hit wonder in the U.S. baby name data in 1981. In fact, it was the highest-hitting one-hit wonder of the year.
- 1983: unlisted
- 1982: unlisted
- 1981: 18 baby girls named Tijwana [debut]
- 1980: unlisted
- 1979: unlisted
What gave the name such a boost that year?
A model named Tijwana Lester.
In July of 1981, she was featured as a “Beauty of the Week” in Jet magazine, which ran a full-page color photo of her (wearing a purple bathing suit) and included a short description of the Chicago-born model (who enjoyed swimming and dancing, and who was “studying to become a dentist” at that time).
Further research reveals that Tijwana Lester’s father was Robert Lester, a founding member of the Chicago vocal group The Chi-Lites.
What are your thoughts on the name Tijwana?
(Other “Beauty of the Week”-influenced baby names include Meyosha and Tchanavian.)
Sources:
- “Windy City Beauty.” Jet 30 Jul. 1981: 35.
- Jensen, Trevor. “Robert ‘Squirrel’ Lester: 1942-2010.” Chicago Tribune 24 Jan. 2010.
Image: © 1981 Jet