What gave the baby name Shandi a boost in 2004?

Shandi Finnessey, Miss USA 2004
Shandi Finnessey

The baby name Shandi has been on the decline since the 1980s (when it was most popular). Despite this trend, usage of the name more than doubled in 2004:

  • 2006: 22 baby girls named Shandi
  • 2005: 24 baby girls named Shandi
  • 2004: 29 baby girls named Shandi
  • 2003: 14 baby girls named Shandi
  • 2002: 13 baby girls named Shandi

Why?

I think there are two reasons.

First, there’s aspiring model Shandi Sullivan.

Sullivan was a contestant on the second season of reality TV competition series America’s Next Top Model, which aired during the first three months of 2004. She lasted until the final episode, but ultimately came in third (behind Yoanna and Mercedes).

America's Next Top Model contestant Shandi Sullivan
Shandi Sullivan

Second, there’s beauty queen Shandi Finnessey.

In April of 2004, Finnessey was crowned Miss USA in front of a television audience of about 13 million viewers. She was the first delegate from Missouri to win the title. Several weeks later, at the Miss Universe pageant in Ecuador, she placed first runner-up (behind Jennifer Hawkins of Australia).

Which of the two Shandis do you think had more of an influence on the name?

What are your thoughts on the name itself?

P.S. The delegate representing Israel at Miss Universe 2004 was none other than future Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot.

Sources:

Images: Screenshots of the TV broadcast of the 53rd Miss Universe pageant and America’s Next Top Model

Where did the baby name Cymphonique come from in 2012?

Actress Cymphonique Miller in the title sequence of the TV series "How to Rock" (2012)
Cymphonique Miller

The unique name Cymphonique appeared in the U.S. baby name data twice in the early 2010s, then dropped back below the SSA’s five-baby threshold:

  • 2014: unlisted
  • 2013: 7 baby girls named Cymphonique
  • 2012: 5 baby girls named Cymphonique [debut]
  • 2011: unlisted
  • 2010: unlisted

Where did it come from?

Teenage singer and actress Cymphonique Miller.

She was the star of the music-focused Nickelodeon sitcom How to Rock, which aired in its entirety during 2012 (from February to December). Her character, Kacey Simon, was both a high school student and the lead vocalist of a pop band called Gravity 5.

Cymphonique also co-wrote and sang the show’s theme song, “Only You Can Be You.”

Cymphonique Miller is the daughter of rapper Master P (born Percy Miller) and niece of rapper Silkk The Shocker (born Vyshonn Miller, probably).

Her half-brother, Percy Miller, Jr., became famous as pre-teen rapper Lil’ Romeo in the early 2000s. In fact, the baby name Romeo saw an uptick in usage in 2001 thanks to Lil’ Romeo’s biggest hit, “My Baby,” which reached #3 on Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart in June of that year.

What are your thoughts on the name Cymphonique?

Sources:

Image: Screenshot of How to Rock

Where did the baby name Jexi come from in 2020?

The digital assistant Jexi from the movie "Jexi" (2019)
“Hello, my name is Jexi.”

The rare name Jexi has popped up in the U.S. baby name data just once so far, in 2020:

  • 2022: unlisted
  • 2021: unlisted
  • 2020: 5 baby girls named Jexi [debut]
  • 2019: unlisted
  • 2018: unlisted

Where did it come from?

The romantic comedy Jexi, which was released in October of 2019.

The movie’s main (human) character was a socially awkward, technology-addicted nerd named Phil (played by Adam DeVine).

Its main non-human character, Jexi, was the digital assistant on Phil’s new smartphone.

Unlike Siri and Alexa, Jexi (voiced by Rose Byrne) had both a personality and a mission. She was pushy, raunchy, and specifically programmed to make Phil’s life better. For instance, Jexi “order[ed] kale salad instead of pork noodles for takeout,” and sent an e-mail to Phil’s boss demanding a promotion.

Thanks to Jexi, Phil’s life did begin improving. He made new friends, and even started dating. But Jexi — who had fallen for Phil, improbably — became jealous of Phil’s new romantic interest, and started acting out…

What are your thoughts on the baby name Jexi?

Sources: Jexi – Wikipedia, Jexi review – Variety, Jexi review – Roger Ebert, SSA

Image: Screenshot of Jexi

What gave the baby name Tatum a boost in 1973?

Child actress Tatum O'Neal in the movie "Paper Moon" (1973)
Tatum O’Neal in “Paper Moon“

According to the U.S. baby name data, Tatum both re-emerged as a girl name and debuted as a boy name in 1973:

Girls named TatumBoys named Tatum
19759110
19748314
1973259*
1972..
1971..
*Debut

Why?

Because of child actress Tatum O’Neal, one of the stars of the 1973 comedy/drama movie Paper Moon.

The film followed a pair of con artists — a man and a girl — as they roamed through Kansas during the Great Depression. The man, Moses, was played by actor Ryan O’Neal; the girl, Addie, was played by O’Neal’s daughter Tatum.

Child actress Tatum O'Neal in the movie "Paper Moon" (1973)
Tatum O’Neal in “Paper Moon“

In April of 1974, 10-year-old Tatum won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. This made her the youngest person ever to win a competitive Academy Award.

How was Tatum O’Neal named? Here’s what the actress said in her memoir:

I was not named for my maternal grandmother, as some accounts have it, but for the great jazz pianist Art Tatum.

The English surname Tatum was derived from the place name Tatham, which originally referred to the homestead of a person called Tata.

What are your thoughts on the baby name Tatum? (Do you like it better for a particular gender, or do you think it works well as a unisex name?)

P.S. The name Addie saw an increase in usage in 1974 — no doubt due to the movie, but perhaps also due to the short-lived TV series Paper Moon, which aired during the last four months of the year. On the show, Addie was played by Jodie Foster.

Sources:

Images: Screenshots of Paper Moon and the trailer for Paper Moon