Two names inspired by the “Yellowstone” universe have soared in popularity since 2021, according to data released by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
The names “Dutton” and “Kayce” skyrocketed in popularity between 2021 and 2022, the SSA data shows. “Dutton” is the most popular, and the given name of the fictional family created by Taylor Sheridan to run the Yellowstone Ranch throughout the extremely popular cowboy drama series.
The name jumped up 986 places on the list, going from number 1,821 to number 835. It is the first time the name has ever appeared in the U.S. Top 1,000 baby names for U.S. parents, according to HuffPost.
“Most parents absolutely discovered Dutton on ‘Yellowstone,'” baby name blogger Abby Sandel told the outlet. “Dutton doesn’t appear in the U.S. Social Security Administration data at all before the series’ 2018 premiere.”
‘Yellowstone’ Ending Could Have Huge Consequences For Montana, Experts Say via @DailyCaller https://t.co/I2IG5BqbMe
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The SSA data contains every name given to a minimum of five U.S. newborns in any given year. It’s pretty evident that Americans feel inspired to bring the “Yellowstone” universe into their own homes through more than just their television.
“As parents look for more unique and unusual names, they’ll hear a name like Dutton, that they’ve never heard used as a baby name before, and feel they’re being ‘cutting edge’ by being the first,” BabyNames.com founder Jennifer Moss said, according to HuffPost. “They just don’t realize that hundreds of other parents are thinking the exact same thing. I suspect Dutton will rise quickly on the charts, depending on how long the series lasts.” (RELATED: Taylor Sheridan Releases First Images Of New Drama Series ‘Lioness’ With A Surprise Casting Update)
Although the hit show is set to end after the six-episode second half of season five, America will clearly keep “Yellowstone” alive for decades to come. There are also serious talks of an immediate “Yellowstone” spin-off series featuring much of the original cast, and hopefully Matthew McConaughey. Something tells me we definitely haven’t seen the full impact of the Dutton family just yet.