Singer-songwriter Donna Adrian Gaines — known professionally as Donna Summer — passed away on May 17, 2012 at the age of 63.
Summer gained global prominence in the ‘70s, earning her the name “Queen of Disco”. 32 of her singles made the Billboard Top 100 charts throughout her career, with her voice dominating across the popular disco clubs of the decade.
While Summer is an excellent stage name in and of itself, Donna’s decision was not pulled from thin air. While working on a German production of the musical Hair, she met and married Austrian actor Hellmuth Sommer in 1973.
Their marriage was short-lived, but Donna kept Summer as her professional name for the entirety of her career.
Whether parents were inspired by glamorous Donna, or whether the singer was simply right on trend, the name Summer began its quick climb up the charts that same year in 1973.
By 1977 Summer ranked #119, its highest position to date. Summer has been one of the most steady names over the last few decades, never rising or falling drastically, and keeping in that ultra-cool zone of familiar but not overused.
As summer (the season) approaches, it may be time to give this bright and sunny name another look!