Baby Name: Wilda

Did you know that there have been Miss Americas named Venus (1944), BeBe (1948), Jacque (1949), Vonda (1965) and Leanza (1993)?

Miss America 1926, Norma Smallwood, had the middle name Des Cygne (French for “swans”), which she then passed along to her daughter as a first name (paired with the middle name L’Amour, French for “love”).

In 2000, the Miss America pageant included delegates named Brandee (from New Hampshire), Brandi (from New York) and Brandy (from Arkansas).

Other interesting names I spotted skimming over lists of delegates include…

• Acacia Courtney (2015)
• Adria Elaine Easton (1970)
• Alansa Rounds Carr (1960)
• Aloha Eugenia Porter (1926)
• Ami Vice (2005)
  • Just two letters away from Miami Vice!
• Aniska T. Tonge (2013)
• Annalou Johnston (1949)
• Annyse Diane Sherman (1942)
• Armelia Carol Ohmart (1946)
• Arron Racheal Wendel (2001)

• BaShara Crystelle Chandler (1994)
• Bee Jay Johnston (1949)
• Bethlene Pancoast (2007)
• Bindhu Pamarthi (2014)
• Brantlee Corinne Price (1970)
• Burma Ann Davis (1969)

• Caleche Manos (2008)
• Charlavan Baker (1955)
• Chardelle Hayward (1953)
• Che’Vonne Dalora Burton (2001)
• Chuti Lynn Tiu (1995)
• Clark Janell Davis (2016)
• Cloris Leachman (1946)
• Coline-Helen Kaualoku Aiu (1975)
• Cullen Johnson (1995)

• Dakeita Tania Vanderburg (1984)
• Dalyce Gail Smith (1956)
• Daphne Jean Cochran (1981)
• Darby Lynn Moore (1975)
• Daureen Podenski (1980)
• Delight Michelle Scheck (1999)
• Dell-Fin Kala’upaona Po’aha (1951)
• Dellynne Cole Catching (1969)
• Delta Burke (1975)
• Denby Annette Kwai Foong Dung (2002)
• Devanni Partridge (2010)
• Djuan Keila Trent (2011)
• Dusene Alee Vunovich (1961)
• Du Sharme Le Shette Carter (1993)
• Dustin-Leigh Konzelman (2006)

• Echo Layne Rost (1974)
• Edithea Lois Wilde (1923)
• Eisa Megan Krushansky (1998)
• Eldrida Fisk (1922)
• Ethelda Bernice Kenvin (1923)
• Eudora Leola Mosby (2006)
• Eugenia Alexandra Primis (2002)

• Fairfax Bushnell Mason (1948)
• Ferol Amelia Dumas (1941)
• Fianna Marie Dickson (2004)
• Florine Holt (1939)
• Freita Fuller (1973)

• Galen Aubrey Giaccone (2009)
• GiGi Marie Gordon (1997)
• Glenna Marie Pohly (1953)
• Glynnelle Hubbard (1958)
• Gordean Leilehua Lee (1960)
• Gunnel Ragone (1969)
• Gussie Short (1937)
• Guylyn Elaine Remmenga (1979)

• Haunani Asing (1977)
• Hela Yungst (1971)
• Helmar Liederman (1922)
• Herma Loy Elliott (1963)
• Honey Castro (1986)

• Iora June Victor (1944)
• Irmgard Dietel (1937)
• Itha Duerrhammer (1944)

• Jade-Romejii Smalls (2000)
• Jalee Fuselier (2011)
• Jaleigh Jeffers (1983)
• Jeffie Lorraine Ventling (1998)
• Jenileigh Avriel Sawatzke (2007)
• Jere Wright (1957)
• Jillayne Ann Mertens (2002)
• Jini Boyd (1946)
• Jinx Burrus (1951)
• Jo-Carroll Dennison (1942)
• Junnie Young Cross (2001)

• Kalyn Evel Chapman (1994)
• Kama Katherine Boland (2000)
• Kanoe Aberegg (1994)
• Kanoelehua Kaumeheiwa (1974)
• Kapri Allyse Rose (2002)
• Karissa Carol Rushing (1991)
• Karlyne La Rae Abele (1951)
• Kehaulani Tiffanie Naleialoha Christian (2003)
• Kendi Lynn Brown (1979)
• Keone Cook (1981)
• Keungsuk Kim (1982)
• Kiaraliz Medina (2013)
• Kinila Latia Callendar (2005)
• Kippy Lou Brinkman (1966)

• La Bruce Sherrill (1940)
• LaFrance Boyett (1935)
• LaRue Wilson (1935)
• Lencola Sullivan (1981)
• Lenena Ruth Holder (1994)
• Lennie Josephine Nobles (1946)
• Ligaya Stice (1990)
• Loveta Chera-Lyn Cook (1999)
• Luna Lynn McClain (1947)

• Madonna Kimberly Emond (2004)
• Marlinda Mason (1960)
• Marshawn LaToya Evans (2002)
• Mattigene Palmore (1939)
• Melanne Pennington (1985)
• Merissa Starnes (1998)
• MerriBeth Cox (2013)
• Merrilee Gay Miller (1965)
• Mifaunwy Dolores Shunatona (1941)
• Mikka Lynn Darby (1989)
• Mineola Graham (1944)
• Molla Barnett (1926)
• Monnie Drake (1940)
• Monta Anne Maki (1980)
• Mozelle Ransome (1927)

• Najla Ghazi (1988)
• Naylene Vuurens (1979)
• Nelle Xerminia Owens (1942)
• Neva Jackson (1923)
• Neva Jane Langley (1953)
• Noralyn Olsen (1971)

• Onalee Louise Olson (1966)
• Osjha Michelle Anderson (2000)
• Othelia Mitsch (1935)

• Pennisue Largent (1982)
• Pepper Donna Shore (1947)
• Pilialoha Kalai Gaison (2007)

• Ramsey Carpenter (2015)
• Rana Beth Jones (2004)
• Ra Nae Petersen (1977)
• Rashida Tulani Jolley (2001)
• Raven Malone (1947)
• ReJean Ann Bowar (1962)
• Renelle Kimberly Richardson (2001)
• Ronnee Brunk (1968)

• Sabrian Olena Rubin (2005)
• Savvy Shields (2016)
• Scarlotte Lee Deupree (2003)
• Semmelle Shantae Ford (2001)
• Seva Celeste Day (1976)
• Shandi Finnessey (2003)
• Sherrylyn Patecell (1961)
• ShonDrell Latasha Hunter (2004)
• Soncee Brown (1992)
• Stuart Fraser Johnson (1959)

• Tangra Lea Riggle (2003)
• Tanssia Zara (1922)
• Timmy Weston (1945)
• Tippe Emmott (2013)
• Titilayo Rachel Adedokun (1994)
• Tosca Carolyn Masini (1951)
• Toula Hages Straton (1943)
• Toyia Tynae Taylor (2000)
• Trelynda Kerr (1984)

• Urania Judith Nicholaides (1946)

• Valli Suzanne Kugler (2003)
• Vanadora Baker (1940)
  • According to her 2016 obituary, her first name was spelled Vonadora.
• Veena Michelle Goel (2005)
• Velva Irene Robbins (1954)

• Wayring Smathers (1937)
• Wilda Georgine Bowman (1946)
• Wildeana Withers (1925)
• Wren Prather (1973)

• Yanci Jane Yarbrough (2000)
• Yetta Haber (1925)
• Ysleta LaVerne Leissner (1949)
• Yun Tau Zane (1948)

• Zasada Lord (1926)
• Zulma Caballero Lopez (1938)

Which of the above do you like best?

Sources: Titleholders – Miss America Organization, Norma Smallwood – Wikipedia

Image: Adapted from Lois Delander Miss America 1927

[Latest update: Aug. 2024]