The article explores how popular television shows and movie characters influence baby name trends. It highlights how names like Dawson, Chandler, Keanu, and Ethan surged in popularity following the successful launches of their respective characters in 'Dawson's Creek,' 'Friends,' 'Speed,' and 'Dead Poets Society.' It underscores how actors' charisma and roles can elevate names from obscurity to the top 1000 list, emphasizing the cyclical connection between media and naming conventions among new parents.
Dawson quickly became a top name after Dawson's Creek hard-launched James Van Der Beek - a certified hottie if Tiger Beat ever saw one - as the dreamy teen series' title character.
Chandler Bing also sent this name up on the charts after the hit sitcom Friends premiered in 1994. That year, the baby name Chandler was #348 for boys out of the top 1000 baby names.
Keanu was already a known actor, but come on - there's nothing like Keanu in Speed. Up until 1994, the name wasn't even in the top 1000.
Denzel Washington has been nominated for many awards, is considered one of the greatest actors of all time, and is an absolute force to be reckoned with.
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