Why do african americans name their daughters names like Laquisha or similar?

Question

I was just wondering because as far as i know these aren't traditional names. When and why are these names become so popular?

Answer 1

My name and my sister's names are extremely traditional. It all started in the late 70's when everybody in America watched Alex Haley's "Roots." After seeing Kunta Kinte (I believe it was...I was young) whipped into saying that his name was now "Toby, " many, MANY black mothers decided they were no longer naming their children any traditional names, which came to be known as "slave names", and began using African or Muslim names. You see the same thing among white mothers today who don't want their children having traditional names. So they name their children: Granola, Fiona, Appel, Tyler (for girls) and Zayne, which I heard today in the post office. Everybody wants something unique for their children, and all races proudly feel they've picked the best for name for their child. Who can fault them?

Answer 2

Ok, I think a lot of people don't understand that African-American culture is it's own distinct, and very legitimate culture. Africans were brought here against their will, split apart from their families and members of their tribes, stripped of their original religions and cultures. When they arrived in America, the way to cope was to create a culture that was a blend of what they could remember from Africa, as well as their new home in America. Therefore they have a distinctive culture, and distinctive cultures have distinctive names. Just like Yoko or Toshi are Japanese names, Jose and Lucia are Hispanic names, etc, there are also 'African American' names, i.e. "Laquisha", though more commonly names like Keisha, Jamal, etc. These names largely became popular during and after Civil Rights movements when there was a surge in Afro pride. These names are relatable to Muslim or African names. Just because they sound "silly" to you, does not mean they are a symbol of a "lack of intelligence" on the part of African Americans. They are as legitimate a name to African Americans as Joseph and Mary are to whites.

Answer 3

They are names that people make up many times when the mothers and fathers names combined, or just names that are made up and they the parent (s) like the way they sound. And this is not exclusive among the African American culture, it is going on all over America by many different races. You should get out more. God bless****

Answer 4

To many of these parents, the names aren't unusual. I went to do a teaching observation at an inner-city, primarily African American school, and honestly, I would have been surprised to meet a "Josh." Every single child had a name that to others would be untraditional.

Answer 5

This isn't always the case. I went to school with girls called Naomi who was white and Siobhan (an Irish name) who was black. My name is French and Latin in origin. If you like a name, you like a name. Anyway, what's wrong with Laquisha? It's nice.

Answer 6

I like non traditional names, but we do tend to go overboard every now and again; Furthermore, who wants to be like everyone else? Would you like everyone to be like you? No, because then you don't stand out, there's nothing that makes you different or special from the next person and that's boooring! My name is Tasha and I get more compliments on my name from white people than any other race. They always tell me that they hate there traditional names and that it sounds to old.

Answer 7

Why is your name Greg? Are you a brady? When people have children, they name them whatever they want. Alot of time it is based on family namesakes, or things relevant in the lives of the parents at the time. Not to be judged by anyone else really.

Answer 8

To me, those names are tantamount to double barrel names such as

Mary Sue
Becky Luann
Jim Bob
Amy Joe
Willie Mae
Fannie Mae- Lol, the list goes on and on!

Answer 9

It seems parents of all races have been giving their kids names that no one should ever have to try to pronounce, much less spell.
It's because the parents think of the kids as possessions/trophies instead of thinking of what they will suffer because of having a weird name.

Answer 10

We don't want to name our kids after slave names.We want to give them unique names that aren't boring like Paul or Tiffany even though some ppl still name there kids w/e.