Why do so many black people have unusual names?

Question

It's a known fact, and it's even noted in the best-seller Freakonomics. But if I remember correctly the book doesn't explain why black people tend to name their kids with such uncommon names.
Latisha, Majda, Clarisha, Ebony, Latifa, Shannel, Oprah, etc...
Of course, it's not always the case but it's enough to be noted.
Does anyone know exactly WHY that is the case?
Do black people feel the need to differentiate themselves?
Is it to do with socio-economic facts that by giving them a fancy name they perhaps think themselves as more important somehow?
I know that in Brazil poor people can often be distinguished from their names, much like black people in the US and UK they tend to name their kids with unusual names.
Statistically black people are poorer than white - so is this maybe a economic reason rather than a racial one? Or do rich and well-educated black people also name their kids this way? If so, why? Why be different if all we want is for everyone to be treated as equals?

I see your points. The reason I ask was simply out of curiosity. If as many white people did it, then I wouldn't have asked, but because it's so noticeable amongst black people I wondered if there was any good explanation for it. Which there probably is. Either one which is cultural and comes from many decates ago or one which is psychological - like the need to be different.
Unfortunately, I still don't quite have the answer to my question.

To everyone interested in the subject I actually highly recommend reading the relevant chapter on Freakonomics. It explains quite more than I remembered and according to it there's a strong social impact and racial reason behind the naming of a child.
And to those who think that you can't tell a black person from a white person just from their names, the statistics shown in this highly regarded book say otherwise.
Of course there are thousands of black girls called Jessica, Amy and Claire. But statistically they are more likely to be called more distintive names like Imani, Ebony or Shanice.

If the chapter wasn't so long I'd type it up here for all to see - I might type bits of it later - but for now you'll have to drag yourselves to a book shop and take a peak - or buy yourselves a copy online, it's well worth it!
Very interesting stuff indeed.

I really fail to understand why people feel the need to insult each other in Yahoo Answers. People are entitled to opinions and to debate their questions politely. I am not trying to insult anyone here. I am just trying to get an answer to my question. I am sorry if I have a general interest in the society and culture I live in.

For the record:
Unique:
2.having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable: Bach was unique in his handling of counterpoint.
5.not typical; unusual: She has a very unique smile.

Unusual:
not usual, common, or ordinary; uncommon in amount or degree; exceptional: an unusual sound; an unusual hobby; an unusual response.

Not that much difference in meaning. And certainly nothing derogatory about the choice of word "unusual" to spark your apparently insatiable need to insult someone.
If there's one idiot in this discussion it is not me.

Answer 1

some of those names that you mentioned....have meaning. Imani means faith....and Ebony means black. i have an Afrocentric name....and really a lot of African Americans are now researching and looking for names to give their children that they themselves were denied b/c of assimilation...

we really were not meant to have euro centric names so we began to create pseudo African names just so that we(blacks) could have a separate identity...since everything else was pretty much stripped away from us.

there are African American baby naming books that are out now and you won't see the typical Christopher or Catherine...you may see names like Malik and Aeysha...their meanings and origins are also listed.

btw...my names means the 'beautiful one' and it is origin is Swahili and the region is Ethiopian.

Answer 2

Why Do Black People Have Weird Names

Answer 3

I understand you guys are wondering why some black people name their children such outlandish names. However, what may seem odd and weird to you may not be for someone else. I have met plenty of people from different walks of life who had names I couldn't even pronounce to this day properly, however, it is just a damn name for goodness sake. Now the extreme names like daquanisha or some crazy name like that I feel is ridiculous and stupid but saying it is a black thing as a whole clearly shows the intellect levels of the participants of yahoo answers.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why do so many black people have unusual names?
It's a known fact, and it's even noted in the best-seller Freakonomics. But if I remember correctly the book doesn't explain why black people tend to name their kids with such uncommon names.
Latisha, Majda, Clarisha, Ebony, Latifa, Shannel, Oprah, etc...
Of course, it's not...

Answer 5

Weird Black People

Answer 6

I've sometimes wondered if it was from a secret desire to bring out racial prejudice amongst non-black employers. "Not gonna even look at this one. Name is La-Quon. Uh-uh. No way."

Some of the names are truly sad. How on earth could anyone name a child Latrina? (They're out there. I checked!)

Answer 7

I'm black but I have a really common name, Joseph.Honestly I think that only ghetto blacks have those names ( ending with quan,rome,eisha etc). I know that I'm not the only one thinking it but I'm the only one who isn't afraid to say it. You can only find names like that in a black ghetto community.I'm not being stereotypical and saying that all ghetto blacks have those names but I am saying that they're most common in those places.

Answer 8

Who does it bother? Certainly not the parents who name their baby. How do people get off thinking they should have any input in what someone else names their child. Keep your nose in your own business. The incredible number of names, created and traditional, show the incredible diversity which is humanity.

Answer 9

Why is everyone with blond, why can't you just have jet black curly hair with some blonde or blonde hair with some jet black hair. Right now you don't have to choose.

Answer 10

I really don't know. But it seems like black people purchase a create your own "Stupid *** baby name(s) catalog." Just add either on, o, eisha, or more at the end of the name(s) you like. Enjoy!!!

Answer 11

I'm glad they do because when I read a news story I know the race just by their stupid names.