Why aren't more African-American boys named Martin or Martin Luther?

Question

Shouldn't Martin Luther King be honored this way?

To "The Indigo Cobra"

If you would study history, you would find thousands of people named in honor of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. George Washington Carver being one. So put down the PlayStation controller and pick up a book!

There seem to be a lot of whites bringing their prejudices to this question.

Answer 1

Wow! I'm surprised by all these answers. I love the idea of honoring someone by naming your child after them and to name them after someone so influential and positive and a hero to so many.... I think the idea is wonderful for any child. Some have answered that the child would get teased - Why? There are so many crazy names out there right now Martin is almost old-fashioned. And old-fashioned names are on the rise, Will, Charlie, Eddie, Sam, Jacob, Nathan, George and Henry. There are two celebrities that have even named their sons Homer. Martin is a wonderful choice, not only because of the name itself but because of Martin Luther King, Jr. May he rest in peace. Lord knows he worked for peace.......(and tolerance!!!!!!) I think this world could use some tolerance and it starts at home. God bless and take care!

Answer 2

I'm not trying to be mean or anything, I really like the name Martin, but the original Martin Luther was white, Martin Luther started the Protestant church a few centuries ago, Martin Luther King Jr. and his father were probably named after him. I don't see any problem with African American boys being named after Martin Luther King Jr., but there are other great African American men too, like Fredrich Douglas, Bill Cosby, Duke Ellington, Jacob Lawrence, I hope you don't take my coment as racist, because I'm not, there are just as many good African American people as there are Irish American people like me. Thanks for reading, good luck with the name thing. God bless!

Answer 3

Simple-- MLK was a Jr, first off, so you'd be naming your kid after some other guy's dad (you can't use Jr as part of the middle name, can you?). Second off, MLK Sr was named after the 16th C Theologist, so to name your kid after MLK Jr, you're now naming him after three people. It just doesn't work...

So to name your boy after the correct Martin Luther, his name would end up being Martin Luther King Junior Smith. Kinda unwieldy, eh?

Answer 4

WHOA WHOA...what about Martin Luther...the WHITE guy that broke away from Catholicism?! I pretty much figured he was first...and perhaps Martin Luther KING was named after him.

why don't YOU pick up a history book....and put down Uncle Tom's Cabin!!!

Answer 5

Martin Luther King Jr. told them to work their way out of poverty and that sounds a lot harder to a lot of them than screaming for welfare and reparations, so they use African sounding names to remind everyone that their ancestors were slaves and try to con today's white people into feeling guilty for something someone else did a long time ago.

Answer 6

I agree my grandfather name is George his Dad is Abe, my granson will be born in may his name is George.
I think African american went back to there roots from africa and thats what they name there kids?

Answer 7

Martin Luther king shoul be honor. i think they already forgot about it.

Answer 8

Maybe you can start by naming your son Martin or Martin Luther.
and if you don't name your son this, then you'll know why it's not done.

Answer 9

You mean authentic names for boys that quite come from Africa or the made-up names quite a number of people use the following? i can not say that i understand of any. attempt searching up authentic names from Africa on the internet.

Answer 10

Or a girl named Martina. I haven't met very many Martins and Martin Luther reminds me of the German Priest who began the Reformation. I don't think I would name my son Martin.

Anyway, I guess it would be more popular with us blacks if it had a La or Ra in front...LaMartin or RaMartin. Or Martineamon. (Just a joke people.)