[peteram]

I used to try to be open minded about some of these names, thinking that maybe they have some roots in African culture (i.e.: common names in certain areas/countries of Africa). But after seeing this, I'm beginning to re-think my observation.

[summer]

I felt the same way at one time. But, I too have been forced to rethink that.

BTW, in my school, with respect to white girls' names, we have NOT one "Sue" but several "Briannas," "Ashleys" and "Madisons."

[Stultis]

I used to try to be open minded about some of these names, thinking that maybe they have some roots in African culture

I always assumed that too, that these were African names or something, but apparently this isn't so. They are just made up. There is a certain "sound" to them though, especially the girls' names. I still think it must come from some where -- have been patterned, originally, on something -- but I have no idea what.

[Amelia]

I used to try to be open minded about some of these names, thinking that maybe they have some roots in African culture (i.e.: common names in certain areas/countries of Africa). But after seeing this, I'm beginning to re-think my observation.

No, no, no! They make them up. Seriously. They may combine the parents' names, or just choose something that "sounds pretty", but they make them up.

I used to teach high school biology in a largely minority area. In human genetics there was the "create a baby" lab, in which coins were flipped to determine which genes the baby would inherit. After all the characteristics were determined, the students could name the child and draw a picture of it. I got to watch the process first hand.

Summer, out of 100 students last semester, I had exactly one "David". I don't teach many Asians, so I couldn't comment on that part, but the article is pretty dead-on for the black & white students I teach.

[SauronOfMordor]

I used to try to be open minded about some of these names, thinking that maybe they have some roots in African culture

More likely from a desire to have a name that will be likely to be mis-typed as a search query is entered into the police database