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Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
African-American Name for White Child?
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Anonymous
|
it may not be right, but it's definitely something to keep in mind:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/us/01race.html?_r=1 |
Anonymous
| Well, we're asian and we named our son a name that is more traditionally associated w/ african americans. All the famous people with that name are all black. But, we liked the name, it's not trendy or weird, so, we chose it. So I'm gonna say, yes, it's fine. |
Anonymous
| Stephen? Marcus? |
Anonymous
| Kwame; DaQuan? What????? |
Anonymous
|
OP, certain names may be ASSOCIATED with African-American culture but there are by no means only "African-American."
I'm not sure why you think this is not a "good idea." Do you feel it will hurt his future economic chances, like getting a job? Or do you simply feel it is inappropriate? That strikes me as a bit racist. |
Anonymous
| To the extent that names are primarily found within certain groups the generalization can be made that is a "German/Latino/Biblical/Southern- whatever" name. OBVIOUSLY there are exceptions, but when the vast majority of examples of the name are within one particular group, people simply their own lives and categorize. No big deal. Anyone who claims there is not "such and such" kind of name had their head in the sand or is not very observant. And to the poster about Bianca, I believe that is one of the Briattanyesque names that is quickly trending down in socioeconomic status. CHeck the Freakonomics chapter on naming. |
Anonymous
| I am black and the only criterion for me is beauty. Incidentally, I really dislike any name ending in a variant or -Isha or -Ila, which to me, sound Arabic. Give me Rachel or Pauline or Claire any day. |
Anonymous
| "Ruby" is now getting to be very popular. In my childhood, it was almost exclusive associated with the black community. Who knows what this child's name will be associated with when he grows up. |
Anonymous
|
I think people are giving OP a hard time. I love, love, love the name Finnegan. My husband and I are both Hispanic with a very Hispanic last name. Our son looks like very hispanic. While I know that it would be perfectly okay to name our son Finnegan (Finn for short!), I am sure people would look at him when he is older and be like, "huh? Finnegan Lopez-WTF? Then he would have to explain, No, I'm not Irish, (just one look would confirm that!), blah blah blah.
So, I don't think OP is automatically being rascist and people cannot seriously believe that there are some names that are so associated with a race/nationality that a person outside that race/nationality so named would at least cause some puzzlement. I think that is all the OP was trying to get across. |
Anonymous
|
On the one hand, I'm all for people trying new and different things and expanding their horizons.
On the other hand, sometimes when people do it, they're just being pretentious -- so it would depend on the reason for naming the child this. Is it because they like the name or because they want everyone to see how liberal they are? (I'm very far left but I hate this kind of showboating regardless of the politics behind it.) On the third hand, research has shown that when identical resumes are sent out, some with white-sounding names (e.g., Laura) and some working-class, black-sounding names (e.g., Rakeshia) that the white-sounding names get a higher rate of request for interviews. Sad but some people think you're more qualified if you're named Matthew than if you're named Kwame. All things to think about. But I say if they like the name for the right reasons, go for it. And give the kid a conventional Anglo/white middle name in case they want to use that when they get older. |
Anonymous
| Is the proposed name Tyrone Mallone? |
Anonymous
| Are we not going to return to the question of rhyming names? I think it's important to give your child a name that they can grow into with dignity. A name that rhymes is generally not a good idea. |
Anonymous
| Labron McVaughn? |
Anonymous
I get your point (esp about Finnegan Lopez, when the first name contrasts with the last name), but I still disagree. I love a lot of Hispanic names and may use one even though DH and I are not Hispanic. Just because it's out of the norm doesn't mean it will cause puzzlement. Joaquin Phoenix, anyone? And I know a guy with a very Irish first name and very Indian last name, and I think it's great--unique. I don't care how typically African-American the name is--it's still fine for a white boy. |
Anonymous
| Kwame Brawny? |