Why do some black people give their children strange names?

Question

I hate to sound racist, and I don't mean it that way at all. Some of my best friends are Black, and I've even dated Black men. However, I am curious as to why some (not all, just some) Black people give their kids the strangest names?

Some examples are:
Starquisha, Shaniqua, KeShawn, Shenaqua, Ray Ray (or is that a nickname?), etc etc. You know what I mean.

Why do some Black parents do this?

Dolores is a very old Spanish name, so it's not new. The names I'm talking about seem to be made up, like Loquisha, KeShandra, Kwontrelle, etc.

Rather than seeing defensive answers, like, "Oh, you mean strange names like Dolores?" or "What's so strange about it? What about White people who name their kids Dweezil and Apple?" I'd like to actually get an answer, preferably from a Black person.

I mean no insult or anything like that, I really am curious. Why such names? Are they made up? If so, why?

Rhonda, that was insulting and not necessary. Dolores is a very old name, and in Hispanic culture, it's considered to be a very beautiful one. Btw, my Dad named me, but he didn't make it up. The name existed already.

I'd like more answers from Black people. This question is meant respectfully. I like the answer about taking on the Master's name... or not. I think I'd rather not as well.

I totally appreciate the answers from the African American ladies below. Great insight, thank you very much.

Robert Shelton, you are MAJORLY getting reported for hatred mongering. Oh, and EXCUSE YOU, but you have NO IDEA what race I am, nor do you have ANY IDEA how I conduct myself (abstinent, EXCUSE YOU!!!) when it comes to personal relations with others.

EXCUSE YOU!!!

For the record, I'm not White either. You are a know-it-all who doesn't know anything, and you're choking on the other foot.

Jeez loueez, why are some people so paranoid and defensive and toward this question? It's an honest question peoples, get a grip. Why do I care to ask? Because I'm curious. No crime in asking an honest question.

Not everyone is like this, but some have been pretty biting in their answers. What's my point in asking? I have no point, this is not a loaded question, it's merely a simple question.

Why do some folks treat this question like it's some bomb? Why the defense?

Sure, people of all different ethnicities give their kids strange names, my "folks" included. I mean come on, names like Inocencio and Perfecto are downright stupid in my book. However, I'm not asking about strange names from all ethnicities, just names that some African Americans give their kids.

Lighten up folks, you can't say you haven't noticed the same thing.

I appreciate the honest answers, I really do.

Answer 1

For the same reasons some white parents do the same.

Dweezil Zappa and Moon Unit Zappa (Frank Zappas Son & Daughter),
Peaches Honeyblossom Michelle Charlotte Angel Vanessa Geldof and Little Pixie Frou-Frou Geldof (Bob Geldof/Paula Yates daughters),
Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily Hutchence (Michael Hutchence (INXS)/Paula Yates daughter)
Zowie Bowie (David Bowies son) etc

It's all down to personal choice.

EDIT, nice to see the Thumbs Down trolls are out in force today

Answer 2

Why do prejudice people always have to try and justify it by saying "I know black people.... I have black friends... etc" That doesn't mean anything.

A strange name is in the eye of the beholder. Some people may think your name is strange. Some people may be giving their child a swahili name or a name from another language. One person pointed out that whites have different names as well.

Kianni, it's "ghetto?" You need to shut your racist and prejudice *** up. You are an odor of vomit to me. You are prejudice against your own people. When other people turn their nose up at you and judge you by videos and the like, know that you deserve it b/c you do the same to your OWN people. I'm ashamed to know that you're black. I'm not mad or upset. I'm just being honest about what I think of your kind. You're worth less than a piece of gum stuck on the bottom of a "ghetto" person's shoe.

Answer 3

Too much ether. I'm joking! It is an attempt to give a child a unique name. A child is born every day. To distinguish a child from another a name is given to them. In some instances it is a failed attempt at giving a child an African sounding name. Unfortunately in some cases they are not realizing they are setting their children up to get made fun of. Now this is not limited to African Americans. There are some white people out their with some wild names as well. Gwenyth Paltrow named her daughter "Apple". Who would name their kid after a fruit. Garth is a different name too. Sounds like you are about to vomit or bark.

Answer 4

Hey Del, the whole name thing goes way back i guess. I guess becuz we're different. My little girls name is Nakeya Ta'Janey, I guess you can say its made up. He name is different. Not all BLACK pple go for the ridiculous names, just the ones who go by thre living! Most black pple name there kids after what they know. My name is Britney...which is a uni-race name! Nakeya was adopted, her bio mom named her, but my bio little girls name is BrinaJae What about that one? There isn't a black name dictionary, just as there is a white one. I just think because black pple have already been sterotyped about the name thing they just kept it up. As ignorant as it may sound its partially true. Just as white pple name ther kids abby and summer, and hispanics name thre babies Hoolio and Conswelo. There isn't a reason they just do. I think that the names that these pple come up with now days are unique, tho some are strange but to sit and come up with it is rather unique and says alot about a person!!! Maybe you should name you child something other than a hispanic name....

Answer 5

I often wondered why my people do this. I notice a lot of female names end with -sha and a lot of male names end with -an or -quan. I think both endings have african roots, and then the parents just tend to make up whatever to put in front of -sha or -quan.

Hey, whatever rocks their boats. I just knew that when I had a kid, I did not want to do that, I just don't prefer those types of names personally.

So. My child's name is Gabriel Elijah Caleb...all Bible names. I think you asked a good question though, because I often wondered the same thing. Once I got pregnant and started looking up baby names, I noticed that -sha and -quan (as well as other endings like -qua and -yana, etc)) often have african roots, so that's probably why they do this.

Edit. Why do I see a lot of white people (and also, not all, just a whole bunch on new baby shows like "a baby story" and "birthday") name their little boys "Jack"? I think that a child is a wonderful opportunity to put your creative juices to work and come up with an absolutely wonderful name for an absolutely wonderful baby, and the best they could come up is "Jack"??

Answer 6

First of all, why do you care again? Second of all, I could pose the same question to you about white people, because they tend to name their kids "strange names" too or is that just the white celebrities or does it even matter whether they're famous or not??? Now to your question...the African American mothers or fathers or whoever, who choose to name their kids Starquisha, Shaniqua, KeShawn etc., have simple chosen a name that is probably absolutely made up, and yes, is filled w/multiple syllables that does not sound like the typical mainstream "White American" name, and are sometimes hard as heck to pronounce, but who is to say that they're strange?? Black people, as you stated, sometimes take two names and put them together or they take the beginning of a first name and add "niqua", "quita", or "isha" to the end etc. Don't get me wrong, some of the names are absurd, but it's not my child or anyone in my family so I don't worry about. Little do these parents know, if they even care, that these names are crippling their futures unfortunately. I don't subscribe to the notion that we give our children names that "convey pride in their Arfican Heritage", because a lot of times we're way off the mark. People w/the kind of names you mentioned are automatically relegated in the minds of many to second-class citizenry, because when they hear the name, they instantly categorize you as ignorant, ghetto, incompetent, uneducated, and not worthy of much respect or basic human considerations. I don't advocate naming all our children Bobby and Susie either, but a name is a name, and people should be able to name their child what they want, no matter how hard they are to pronounce, how funny they sound, or how long they are. By the way...Ray Ray would be considered a nickname, and as you probably know, I'm Black, but my name is Ashley Lynn Douglas :-)

Answer 7

like in evry race some pople just go no clss and no taste,, some mexicans give thier males name of females,like guadalupe or isabel,, it sounds stupid to see a latino girl, short, dark skin, native indian feautures named kathelyn, or Britney, I have a couple of black friends named Juan and Lorenzo and they are darker than my keyboard, I even met a black guy named Jesus, white peopel try to be creative and give weird names to their kids, I think parents should be more considered with the future of their kids, Its a sahme for a kid to have a name and dont be proud of that name plus kids making fun of them all the time

Answer 8

I notice that a lot of cultural groups, including whites are trying to think of unique names for their children. A lot of people try different spellings as a way to help the name stand out. I think people are generally trying to be different.

Answer 9

Er. People of any ethnicity can be VERY creative when it comes to naming their children.

I'm "white", and I have distant cousins, also "white", who are named Cletus Cleora, Ermentrude, and some other really bizarre names.

I honestly don't know why anyone would give their child a name that might result in the kid being mocked in school....but it's really not up to me, and I don't care all that much.

Heck, can you imagine naming your kid "Chastity" or "Moon Unit"?

Answer 10

We name our children unique names because we think our children are special and deserve special names. Some do go too far with the names though. I knew a lady that names her daughter Jasinthia Alexandra Ebony, and about 2-3 other middle names. All to one kid. LOL. I'm not bragging, but I love my Black race. We can sing and dance and come up with some far out names that are hard to spell. LOL.

Answer 11

Though I am black-African American- , I chose to name my child a unique name so that he would feel unique. I did not choose to give him a name common to others.