[colorcountry]

The author does make a valid point....you've just taken it a little too far IMHO.

To say that someone named L'Shonda or Quieshianiquita doesn't have a chance is pushing it. Will they be treated differently? It's possible, maybe probable, but it is NOT inevitable.

It has been shown on this thread, that names that are mainstream and popular can quickly become unfashionable and quaint. It might be detrimental to name my daughter after my mother, Hazel, or my son after my father Wally. Those were good, down-to-earth names in their day.

Who knows what the future will bring for people named LaShawn or LaPrielle or Janeisha. Time will tell. I suppose those who are smart, talented and driven will rise to the top.

[Redcloak]

I would like it to be true that "L'Shonda Jones" will be treated no differently than "Sharon Jones", but wishing for a thing does not make it so.

"L'Shonda" could have graduated from Beverly Hills High, but any prospective employer will assume, in the first millisecond after reading her name, that she more likely went to Compton. There is a difference in the quality of education one gets at these two L.A. area high schools. That difference is understood by employers and goes a long way toward whether or not a potential employee is desirable. (It's kinda like showing up for an interview with purple hair and a nose ring; only worse. Hair grows out and jewely can be removed.)

Do you know that old saw about not having second chances to make a first impression? Like it or not, this is as true for "L'Shonda" as it is for anyone else. But in her case, it will have been her mother who made that first impression.

[DejaJude]

Who knows what the future will bring for people named LaShawn or LaPrielle or Janeisha. Time will tell. I suppose those who are smart, talented and driven will rise to the top.

I agree. Since my husband and I had a very common last name, we named our first born with a first name that we made up. This was in the 1970's We were thinking how that name would sound in the NFL (we decided it was great). Since then, that name has showed up in the top 1000 in the Social Security Administration's names for newborns. I have to admit that our son did not appreciate his name while in grade school. However, when he got older, he refused to use his "ordinary" middle name and was glad that he stood out. He and his wife have also given their son an unique name (at this time). Who knows, it may be common soon. As it turned out, he was never interested in the NFL, but, at this time, is involved with teens that are confined to group homes. I couldn't be prouder.