By: Jordan Meadows | Staff Writer
Names are more than mere labels; they carry the weight of history, culture, and identity. For African Americans, names have long been a way to assert individuality, heritage, and pride. Yet, throughout history, names such as Lynishia, Laquisha, Shaqueen, Marquise, Neveah, Lucinda, and Felicia have sometimes been unfairly labeled as "black" or even "ghetto."
These names are far more than social stereotypes—they are deeply rooted in cultural significance. To understand the evolution of distinctively Black names, one must explore the complex history of naming practices for African Americans, stretching back to the time of slavery.
When enslaved Africans were brought to America, their names were often stripped away. In many cases, slave owners renamed their slaves to reflect their own cultural identity or biblical traditions, distancing them from their African roots.
Common names given to enslaved people included those from the Bible, such as Ruth, Joseph, Mary, and Noah. For a long time, African Americans were expected to carry names similar to those of white Americans, effectively erasing their original identities.
However, as African Americans gained some freedom and agency, the power of names began to shift. The names given to African Americans began to carry a new sense of meaning and identity, particularly as Black Americans sought to reclaim their heritage and assert their place in society.
Even before emancipation, during the antebellum period, names like Alonzo, Israel, and Presley were popular among enslaved people and their descendants. This shows that the practice of adopting Black names predates the Civil War and was tied to the development of a distinct African American culture.
For some, choosing a surname like Freeman or Washington was a way to affirm their newfound freedom. Others chose names from notable figures in Black history, such as Frederick Douglass. In addition, many formerly enslaved people chose to retain their enslaver's surname, either due to familial connections or because it provided a sense of stability in a world that was still hostile to Black people.
Names were also a tool of survival during Reconstruction. As Brandi Brimmer, a historian at the University of North Carolina, points out, many people changed their names to protect themselves from the threat of violence, particularly from groups like the Ku Klux Klan.
A significant turning point in the evolution of Black names came during the 1970s. According to the 2004 study, The Causes and Consequences of Distinctively Black Names by Roland G. Fryer and Steven D. Levitt, a profound shift in naming conventions took place within seven years. This change was particularly notable in racially isolated neighborhoods, where Black Americans began to assert their identity more boldly, influenced by the cultural movements of the time.
One of the key influences on this shift was the Black Power Movement, which grew out of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. The Black Power Movement emphasized self-determination, independence, and pride in Black culture. This newfound sense of pride led many African American parents to choose names that reflected their roots and cultural heritage—many choosing names of Arabic origins.
Black Americans began tracing their roots back to Africa, and with that, names with Arabic and African origins gained popularity. Names like Aaliyah, Jamal, and Tariq became symbols of Black pride, linked to a sense of history and ancestral connection.
Though the use of Arabic names declined over time, by the late 1980s and early 1990s, a resurgence in distinctively Black names emerged. At the same time, some names started to be associated with socioeconomic status and even negative stereotypes. In particular, names like Mercedes, Lexus, and Chanel became linked to an idea of conspicuous consumption, with Black parents choosing names that reflected dreams of prosperity and success.
Despite these associations, the creativity and cultural roots behind names like Lakesha, Rashawn, and Shaquan are undeniable. These names often carried unique, poetic sounds and were influenced by African and Swahili traditions, as well as the rhythms and fluidity of jazz and hip-hop music.
While some view contemporary Black names as modern inventions, historical research shows that Black names have deep roots in American history. In fact, scholars have traced distinctively Black names back to the early 1900s, using census records and other historical documents.
For example, the names Booker and Perlie were nearly exclusively Black names, with the majority of individuals with those names in the early 20th century being African American. These names were often rooted in both empowerment and religion, with biblical names such as Elijah, Moses, and Isaac being common choices among Black families.
Rather than dismissing these names as symbols of negativity or inferiority, we should understand them as powerful markers of identity, reflecting the history of people who have constantly fought to define themselves on their own terms.
