12 Baby Names Inspired By History-Making Black Female Singers

Caroline Bologna
Updated

In honor of Black History Month, we salute some fabulous singers who contributed to the birth of the blues and the beginnings of jazz. Most are not as well known now as Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, but they all made significant contributions to this most American of art forms -- and many of their vintage names are right on trend for babies today!

Adelaide

adelaide hall
adelaide hall

Jazz singer Adelaide Hall had a career that spanned 70 years, was a major figure in the Harlem Renaissance, pioneered the improvisational vocal techniques known as “scat” singing, and had great success in England. The place name Adelaide, used by Aussie actress Rachel Griffiths for her daughter, is a big Nameberry fave, now at Number 13; Number 321 nationally.

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Alberta

alberta hunter
alberta hunter

Another jazz and blues singer with a long career, Alberta Hunter had early success, starting in 1917, flourished as a singer and songwriter in the 1920s and 1930s and was still performing into the seventies. The feminization name Alberta is a royal and geographic appellation that was just outside the Top 100 in the 1900s, but completely disappeared by 1970. Could it return à la others like Josephine?

Bessie

bessie smith
bessie smith

Bessie Smith, known as the "Empress of the Blues," was the most popular female blues singer of the twenties and thirties, and would have a great influence on other jazz vocalists; she was also the highest paid black entertainer of her day. One of the vanished diminutives of Elizabeth, Bessie was a Top 25 name from 1880 (or before) to 1906, as high as Number 12 in 1886.

Blanche

blanche calloway
blanche calloway

Cab Calloway’s older sister Blanche was a jazz singer, composer and bandleader, finding success before her baby brother did, her flamboyant style having a big influence on him. She was the first woman to lead an all-male orchestra, Blanche Calloway & Her Joy Boys. Blanche, which means white, originated as a nickname for blondes, was a Golden Girls name, and has in recent years been neglected in favor of Italian cousin Bianca.

Ethel

ethel waters
ethel waters

A hot blues, jazz and later gospel vocalist, Ethel Waters began recording in the 1920s, worked at the Cotton Club, in Hollywood and on Broadway, the first black woman starring in the otherwise white show, "As Thousands Cheer." As an actress, he was nominated for an Oscar in 1940 and was the first African-American woman nominated for an Emmy. Could the fact that hip Lily Allen called her baby Ethel signal its resurgence after a 40-year hiatus?

Florence

florence mills
florence mills

Known as the “Queen of Happiness,” Florence Mills was an effervescent singer, dancer and comedian who headlined the Palace Theatre in 1924 and became an international superstar. She was also active in the fight for racial equality. The floral Florence has already made a comeback in England, where it’s Number 33, possibly due to rock star Florence Welch, and has made it to Number 150 on Nameberry.

Gertrude

ma rainey
ma rainey

She gained fame as “Ma” Rainey, but her birth name was Gertrude Malissa Nix Pridgett. She was one of the earliest professional blues singers, billed as “The Mother of the Blues.” Known for her powerful voice, she recorded with Louis Armstrong. Gertrude has long been in baby name limbo (or worse), but we’ve been hearing slight murmurings of love for cute nickname Gertie -- so who knows?

Ida

ida cox
ida cox

Ida Cox is one of the most underrated of the early blues singers (she was called “The Uncrowned Queen of the Blues”), though she was very popular in her day for her urban blues style and extravagant stage shows, some of her songs becoming blues standards. If the mega-popular Ava led to Ada -- could Ada lead to Ida?

Josie

josie miles
josie miles

Josie Miles was another classic blues singers popular in the twenties, one of the earliest recording artists, with songs like “Flora’s Weary Blues” and “Lovin’ Henry Blues.” Jaunty Josie has managed to stay on the popularity list every year since 1800, and is now at Number 265.

Mamie

mamie smith
mamie smith

Blues and jazz singer Mamie Smith’s 1920 recording of “Crazy Blues” was the first vocal blues disc by an African-American artist, selling a million copies in less than a year. Once a Top 100 name, Maisie’s cousin Mamie is another adorable nickname name, worn by one of Meryl Streep’s actress daughters, Mamie Gummer.

Minnie

memphis minnie
memphis minnie

The blues vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Memphis Minnie was born Lizzie Douglas: she was given her stage name by a Columbia records A&R man. Her biggest hit was “Me and My Chauffeur Blues.” Long tied to Mickey Mouse’s gf, Minnie has been given some modern celeb cred by Minnie Driver, and was used by Maya Rudolph to honor her mother, singer Minnie Ripperton.

Trixie

trixie smith
trixie smith

A blues singer who also recorded with Louis Armstrong, one of Trixie Smith’s claims to fame is referencing the phrase “rock and roll” for the first time in “My Man Rocks Me (With One Steady Roll”) in 1922. One of the sauciest of the old nicknames, Trixie has been making recent TV appearances on "Deadwood" and "The Fairly OddParents."

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Bogan

Louise Bogan was the fourth Poet Laureate of the United States and the first woman to be appointed to that position, appreciated for her subtle intellectual style. Bogan could be a perfectly acceptable companion to boy named Brogan, Logan and Hogan--though Bogan does have some negative connotations in Australian slang.
Louise Bogan was the fourth Poet Laureate of the United States and the first woman to be appointed to that position, appreciated for her subtle intellectual style. Bogan could be a perfectly acceptable companion to boy named Brogan, Logan and Hogan--though Bogan does have some negative connotations in Australian slang.

Byron

George Gordon Byron, known simply as Lord Byron, was a (if not the) leading Romantic poet of the late eighteenth to early nineteenth century, with the term 'byronic' coming to connote romanticism, melancholy and melodrama. The name Byron still retains something of the poet's dramatic, windswept image.
George Gordon Byron, known simply as Lord Byron, was a (if not the) leading Romantic poet of the late eighteenth to early nineteenth century, with the term 'byronic' coming to connote romanticism, melancholy and melodrama. The name Byron still retains something of the poet's dramatic, windswept image.

Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer is regarded as the greatest literary figure of medieval England, the father of all the literature that followed. An unusual English occupational name -- it means "maker of leggings"-- Chaucer has a particularly pleasing sound and is beginning to stir up some interest among knowledgeable parents.
Geoffrey Chaucer is regarded as the greatest literary figure of medieval England, the father of all the literature that followed. An unusual English occupational name -- it means "maker of leggings"-- Chaucer has a particularly pleasing sound and is beginning to stir up some interest among knowledgeable parents.

Cullen

Countee Cullen was one of the key poetic voice of the Harlem Renaissance. Although his first name is semi-unique, the surname Cullen is one of the hot Irish boys' names, propelled by its appearance as the family name of key character Edward in the "Twilight" series of books and movies. Cullen now ranks at an all-time high of Number 413.
Countee Cullen was one of the key poetic voice of the Harlem Renaissance. Although his first name is semi-unique, the surname Cullen is one of the hot Irish boys' names, propelled by its appearance as the family name of key character Edward in the "Twilight" series of books and movies. Cullen now ranks at an all-time high of Number 413.

Dove

Rita Dove is a major contemporary American poet, winner of a Pulitzer Prize and Poet Laureate of the United States from 1993 to 1995. The name Dove is one of several soft and gentle bird names, including Wren and Lark, that have become a fledgling category--as opposed to more aggressive avian choices like Hawk and Falcon.
Rita Dove is a major contemporary American poet, winner of a Pulitzer Prize and Poet Laureate of the United States from 1993 to 1995. The name Dove is one of several soft and gentle bird names, including Wren and Lark, that have become a fledgling category--as opposed to more aggressive avian choices like Hawk and Falcon.

John Dryden

John Dryden was a highly influential seventeenth century English poet in what came to be called "The Age of Dryden." Dryden is a name that could blend well with all the Ryders and Brydens in the playground, with its poetic cred adding a subtle support.
John Dryden was a highly influential seventeenth century English poet in what came to be called "The Age of Dryden." Dryden is a name that could blend well with all the Ryders and Brydens in the playground, with its poetic cred adding a subtle support.

Frost

Robert Frost is the acclaimed poet who famously read his work at the 1961 Inauguration of President Kennedy. Frost, Snow, Winter, January... these are all among the coolest current choices, and the literary tie to the esteemed poet makes Frost all the more appealing.
Robert Frost is the acclaimed poet who famously read his work at the 1961 Inauguration of President Kennedy. Frost, Snow, Winter, January... these are all among the coolest current choices, and the literary tie to the esteemed poet makes Frost all the more appealing.

Giovanni

Nikki Giovanni (born Yolande Cornelia) is a contemporary African-American poet and civil rights activist whose work reflects strong racial pride. Giovanni, the ubiquitous Italian version of John, now ranks at an all-time high of Number 114 in the US, indicating that its one of the Latin names catching on among Anglos, much like Matteo and Gianna.
Nikki Giovanni (born Yolande Cornelia) is a contemporary African-American poet and civil rights activist whose work reflects strong racial pride. Giovanni, the ubiquitous Italian version of John, now ranks at an all-time high of Number 114 in the US, indicating that its one of the Latin names catching on among Anglos, much like Matteo and Gianna.

Hugo

Victor Hugo, the author of "Les Miserables" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," first found fame as a poet. Hugo is a rising o-ending name for boys here, and also in Spain and France, where it's in the Top 10. Hugo was the name chosen by Ron and Hermione for their "Harry Potter" franchise son, and it is the hero and title of the latest Martin Scorsese 3-D film.

Kipling

Rudyard Kipling was a memorable poet (<em>Gunga Din, Recessional</em>), as well as the author of "The Jungle Book" and "Kim." When actress Kim Raver (the Kim connection?) named her son Leo Kipling in 2007, it put this evocative yet quirky name on the table.
Rudyard Kipling was a memorable poet (Gunga Din, Recessional), as well as the author of "The Jungle Book" and "Kim." When actress Kim Raver (the Kim connection?) named her son Leo Kipling in 2007, it put this evocative yet quirky name on the table.

Lorca

Federico Garcia Lorca was an early twentieth century poet and playwright, a tragic casualty of the Spanish civil war. He was a favorite of fellow poet Leonard Cohen, who named his now grown daughter Lorca in his honor, thereby introducing it as a lovely new girls' name possibility.
Federico Garcia Lorca was an early twentieth century poet and playwright, a tragic casualty of the Spanish civil war. He was a favorite of fellow poet Leonard Cohen, who named his now grown daughter Lorca in his honor, thereby introducing it as a lovely new girls' name possibility.

Marlowe

Christopher Marlowe was a pre-Shakespeare poet and playwright at the forefront of the sixteenth century drama renaissance. And of the three possible spellings of the name -- Marlo, Marlow, Marlowe -- Marlowe seems to be the current winner, and used primarily for girls; Jason Schwartzman named his baby girl Marlowe Rivers. It's a perfect smoosh of Marley and Harlow.

Paz

Octavio Paz was a leading Mexican poet and polemicist, who has been called "Latin America's most scintillating poet." Meaning peace, Paz is a Spanish unisex favorite, and is currently represented on the international screen by two attractive actresses: Paz Vega and Paz de la Huerta.
Octavio Paz was a leading Mexican poet and polemicist, who has been called "Latin America's most scintillating poet." Meaning peace, Paz is a Spanish unisex favorite, and is currently represented on the international screen by two attractive actresses: Paz Vega and Paz de la Huerta.

Tennyson

Alfred Lord Tennyson was one of the most popular English poets of all time, the Poet Laureate throughout most of Queen Victoria's reign. Russell Crowe made the bold choice of Tennyson as the name of his first son, and you have only to hear the brawny actor speak tenderly of "Tenny" to see the great charm of the name.
Alfred Lord Tennyson was one of the most popular English poets of all time, the Poet Laureate throughout most of Queen Victoria's reign. Russell Crowe made the bold choice of Tennyson as the name of his first son, and you have only to hear the brawny actor speak tenderly of "Tenny" to see the great charm of the name.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.