Posted on 12/08/2012 12:50:55 PM PST by NYer
Living and working the African American Catholic Community I have been subject to some time with names that are often unpronounceable. It is a controversial practice even in the Black community for parents to name their children all sorts of crazy, made-up names that are often intentionally misspelled.
DeQuanna, Sharkeisha, LaDarrius, Shamyra, Marketta, Shontella, LaRochelle, Shandrika, Charmonique, Myosha, LaKeisha, DeQuan, Rhondella, Raviona, Rominthia, Tomika, LaVenia, Trishela, LaTasha, ABCDE, Tyeisha, Mootron, Knoshon, Keyshawn, Tarquisha, Q’J'Q’Sha, Laquintas, Jamarcus, JoNathans, et al.
I trip over this especially at Baptisms when I am supposed to solemnly pronounce the name of the child. Even after the irritated mother tells me the third time, I still can’t get it right. But why be angry with me? Why name your child such a strange name? Its all so crazy. They put in apostrophes where none are needed and there seems a minor obsession with the letters ‘Q’ and ‘K’.
Now some may speak of racism, but I have been in the Black community too long to be deaf to the fact that an awful lot of African American folks hate the practice too.
Oddities are spreading to other ethnic groups too. In a recent article in The Atlantic Phillip Cohen writes:
The number of girls given the name Mary at birth has fallen 94 percent since 1961…..The modernization theory of name trends, advanced most famously by the sociologist Stanley Lieberson, sees the rise of individualism in modern naming practices. “As the role of the extended family, religious rules, and other institutional pressures declines,” he wrote, “choices are increasingly free to be matters of taste.” Mary—both a traditional American name and a symbol religious Christianity—embodies this trend.
Second, America’s Christian family standard-bearers are not standing up for Mary anymore. It’s not just that there may be fewer devout Christians, it’s that even they don’t want to sacrifice individuality for a (sorry, it’s not my opinion) boring name like Mary. In 2011 there were more than twice as many Nevaehs (“Heaven” spelled backwards) born as there were Marys. (If there is anything more specific going on within Christianity, please fill me in.)
The Full article can be read here: Why Don’t Parents Name their Daughters Mary Anymore
I have referred in this brief article to the “curse” of individualism, because frankly I think some of these names become a hindrance later in life and mothers trying to be creative and individualistic, often saddle their kids with troubles later. Frankly people don’t like to be embarrassed, and when someone tells you their name and you can’t pronounce it, or have to ask again, and even a third time, social relations, and things like job interviews tend to go badly. I mean how do you even pronounce Q’J'Q’Sha? A lot of things break down when you can’t even pass the “go” of exchanging names.
As you might expect, many of these children given strange names, end up going by other nick names. Like “Q” or Shawn or something easier. But really they should not have to, and their strange names will still have to come up at formal occasions and all the awkwardness. And even some of the names that are more pronounceable convey a kind of strangeness that makes people uncomfortable. While not necessarily fair, strange names convey an impression of the person who carries it. We tend to read a lot more in to names that perhaps we should, but the tendency is pre-conscious and is unlikely to change that much.
Interestingly, in Biblical times people were more creative with names than currently. However, they were careful to name their children with a name that was intelligible, that actually meant something. For example, Jesus means “God saves,” Michael means “Who is like God?” Sarah means “princess” and so forth. Thus, observing the essence of a child, the parents named the child on the eighth day after birth.
Controversial article? Sure. But don’t turn it into a race thing, there’s plenty of divided opinion in the African American community as well. Also if you feel offended, try not to take it personally. It is a cultural trend that is being critiqued, not you. The bottom line, in a culture where strange forms of individualism are increasing and exotica is proudly displayed by more and more, it’s good every now and then to ask about limits and encourage some moderation.
By the way, my name almost backward is Epop Selrach if your looking for a clever new name….for your pet, that is. 
I was at a McDonalds in Baltimore many years ago, and the girl behind the counter had a name tag that read,
“Baby Girl”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I suspect she still works there. Unless she went to court - and obtained a real name - she’ll be forever stuck at minimum wage jobs because her parents were stupid.
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My husband used to worked with a man named Void Guess his wife is named Null? |
Annnndddd.... they both FReep here
While I can’t prove it, I’m certain “Plaxico” as in Plaxico Burress the NFL star player, was named after a medical product that his parents saw in the hospital.
Wiki, says he was named after his “uncle”.
No relation...
and I wonder why white Catholics name their kids: Madison, tyler, parker, blake, dillon, dallas, amber, brittany,
“id just as when I hear of a girl named Reagan, I think of the 40th POTUS and not the possessed girl from the Exorcist.
Why? The girl in the exorcist was Regan,as was King Lear’s daughter.
Regan is an old name.
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One of the latest I have heard is La-a(pronounced Ladasha). I wish I was making this up.
The most popular baby names now are pretty traditional: Sophia, Emma, Isabella, Olivia, and Ava for girls; Jacob, Mason, Ethan, Noah, and William for boys.
Yes ... thank you ... it is indeed fascinating. I taught computers in a catholic elementary school for a short while. My 7th grade class was composed of: Christines, Christinas, Kristines and Christophers. I still recall the age of the “Jennifer’s and Lisa’s” and now, my neighbor’s 1st grader is named “Ava”. Somewhere in between, though, I recall a spate of odd names - there was a girl named ‘Stardust’ in one shop and I know several African Americans who caved to the notion of giving their children “unique” identities with unpronounceable names. I guess it is all part of the circle of contemporary life. One disadvantage, though, is the impact on ancestral research. In trying to locate family records, the process was facilitated by the fact that during the 19th century, the common practice was to name children for their grandparents. That proved most beneficial in sifting through hundreds of records, trying to pinpoint which one might be a relative.
How bout Placenta.
I believe you. A few years ago, a woman gave birth to her first child and named her hash-tag. Try going through life with that name ... better yet, don't.
One of the latest I have heard is La-a(pronounced Ladasha). I wish I was making this up. >>
you’re not, I’ve heard it too.
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