African American Names

Garmai
is proud of her name. She says, “It’s an African name,
it means truth in my heart.”

And so is Dionndria. “I love my name. I get a lot of compliments
on it. My mom made it up,” she explains.

But new research from the University of Florida found students
with African American-sounding names scored lower on standardized
tests than their brothers and sisters who had more common names.
The difference? Researchers say, teacher expectations. Dr. Don
Rice, chair of the psychology department at the University of West
Georgia says, “The teachers may (think to) themselves subtly,
that this child is not even interested in learning. That this is
something that’s not even important to this child. That names
like this should be playing basketball.”

21-year-old Roderick Jones says, “They might look at your
name, and say, ‘Okay, he’s from the ghetto’,
just by looking at the name.”

So should parents give their children ethnic names?

Dr. Debra Lewis, a psychologist in metro-Atlanta says, “I
don’t think it’s right to ask a person to try and change
who they are to try to fit somebody else’s expectation and
culture. And so I think parents can be free to name their kids
Moon Glow, you know, whatever they want to in the world.”

She says the burden is on educators, not parents, to change.
Dr. Lewis says, “I think that this should be brought to teachers
to say, if you have students who have names that are unique, that
are different, that are new to you, you have to become more self-aware
of what you are doing, of the messages that you are giving to these
students.”

But other experts still caution parents that… right or
wrong, names can be a burden. Dr. Rice says, “I’m still
the individual with the name who has to make a way in life. Given
that extra burden, I would have to realize that okay, I’m going
to have to put in more effort here, to in some sense prove myself.”

Baby names tend to be like everything else in life – they go in cycles.
However, there are some names that have stood the test of time. Consider the
following list compiled by the Social Security Administration of the ten most
popular names of both sexes over the last 125 years:

• Boys (in order of popularity, from one to 10):
  • Jacob
  • Michael
  • Joshua
  • Matthew
  • Ethan
  • Andrew
  • Daniel
  • William
  • Joseph
  • Christopher
• Girls (in order of popularity, from one to 10):
  • Emily
  • Emma
  • Madison
  • Olivia
  • Hannah
  • Abigail
  • Isabella
  • Ashley
  • Samantha
  • Elizabeth

Naming a child is a very important step in the process of
parenthood. In most instances, the child will live his/her entire life with
that name, as well as the positives or negatives that go along with it. The
experts at The New Parents Guide have developed the following list of suggestions
for parents trying to decide on a name:

• Popularity of the name – The popularity of a name can affect
  the child in good and bad ways. With some names being very popular,
  your child might have several classmates with the same name. Your
  child might feel like he fits in better with the more popular name
  and might be accepted more by his fellow classmates. If a child has
  a very uncommon or unique name, he or she might feel special from
  the rest of his friends because the name is uniquely his or hers.
  On the other hand, the unique name might be looked upon as a strange
  and weird name by his or her classmates. As you see, it can go both
  ways (good and bad). The main thing to do is take your time, consider
  all the following bullets and make your decision. With a little thought
  and research, you will find the perfect name for you baby. 
• Gender – While some parents feel that a unisex name – like
  Robin, Dana and Chris – allow them to pick a name before the
  baby’s sex is known, and that these types of names don’t “typecast” the
  child in sexual roles and expectations as much as traditional boy
  or girl names, others argue over this point. Some believe that it
  is unfair and harmful to have a child explain his or her sex. Girls
  will typically not be bothered or insulted as much as boys when they
  are presumed to be the other gender.
• Meaning of the name – While most people do not know the
  meaning of their own name, the meaning of the name is something to
  consider. With most names having a direct meaning, some names are
  derived from other names or the combination of other names. If you
  have chosen a name that means something embarrassing or funny, you
  shouldn’t immediately change your mind, because it will not drastically
  affect your child’s life. After all, how many times in your life
  have you been asked about the meaning of your name? If you have chosen
  a couple of names that are equally attractive to you, the meaning
  of the name may help you in your final decision.
• Uniqueness of the name (alternate spellings) – While an
  unusual or unique name has the advantage of making the child stand
  out, you should also consider that a very unique name that is hard
  to pronounce or of which no one has heard can bring unwanted attention
  to the child. One thing to consider is the complexity or uniqueness
  of the last name. If you have an unusual or lengthy last name, consider
  choosing a familiar first name. If you have a familiar last name
  consider choosing a unique first name. Alternate spellings are another
  way to make a name unique. Instead of Emily or Blake, you could choose
  an alternate spelling of the name, such as Emalee, Emillie, Emeli,
  Blaik, Blayke or Blaike.
• Sound, rhythm, and compatibility – How the name sounds when
  it’s said out loud is very important to think about. Is the name
  harsh? Does it go well with your last name? A general rule to consider
  is longer first names go well with shorter last names, and vice versa.
  You shouldn’t try to be cute with choosing names that rhyme. While
  it will be cute for a while, your child will have to live with it
  for the rest of his or her life. Most naming experts agree that unequal
  numbers of syllables create pleasing rhythms. When first and last
  names have equal numbers of syllables, a middle name with a different
  number will make a nice sounding name. A final consideration is that
  combining a first name that ends in a vowel with a last name that
  starts with a vowel is usually not the best choice.
• Initials and nicknames – When choosing a name, think about
  what the initials of the name will be. You wouldn’t want to name
  your daughter Hannah Alexis Gannon (HAG). The possible nicknames
  of the name you are considering should also be thought about. Children
  can be very creative and cruel when it comes to nicknames. Think
  ahead and try to anticipate some of the embarrassing nicknames that
  might come up. If you like the name Madison, but don’t think your
  child would like to be called Mady, then you might consider another
  name. Also, names will tend to go through a cycle in the child’s
  life. Your son’s name might be Michael, but as a child he might be
  called Mikey, then as a teenager he might be called Mike, and finally,
  as an adult, he might go by Mike or Michael. Just take a little extra
  time and consider these things.
• Pronunciation of the name – Take into consideration the
  complexity of the pronunciation of the name. Nobody likes to have
  the name constantly mispronounced. For example a child named J’esus
  (Hay-soos) might be called Jesus (Gee-sus).
• Religions, ancestry (nationality) and heritage – Your religious
  preference, nationality and heritage may steer you toward a particular
  group of names, but try not to make the name unpronounceable or unspellable,
  which can be a burden on your child. Your child’s heritage, nationality
  or religion might be very important to you, but if the names you
  are considering for a first name do not go well with the last name,
  think about using it as a middle name while giving the child a more
  familiar first name or vice versa.
• Family names and friends (namesakes) – While a lot of parents
  choose to name their baby after their father, mother, grandparents,
  relatives or friends, some people believe this might not always be
  the best choice. It is the opinion of some people that exact reproductions
  of names, even when followed by Jr. or II, are often confusing and
  can make the child feel as if he or she has no identity of his or
  her own. You will also find that everyone wants to give you suggestions
  on what the name should be. It is sometimes best not to discuss the
  names you are considering; this is between the parents. Take in the
  ideas and be thankful for the suggestions, but keep the final name
  to yourself until your baby is born or about to be born. At this
  point, it is to late for people to give you negative feedback about
  the name. Finally, do not let anyone ever pressure you into a name
  you do not like!
• Stereotypes – For most people, names call to mind a certain personality
  trait that often comes from a well-known namesake, be it fictional or
  real. For instance, a name like Adolph will never outlive the terrible
  association that comes with this name. Since the name will forever affect
  its owner’s self-image, always consider what associations come
  to mind as you are deciding on a name.