[Carl W.]

Do you think it would be appropriate for a white couple to give their child a name like Malik, Ahmir, Tariq, Jamal, etc.? My assumption is that it would not be appropriate and would be offensive to African Americans, but I would like to know how people of African-American background would feel if this actually happened.

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Name : Carl W., Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 22, City : Davis, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Johnny29348]

I can’t judge whether African Americans would be insulted, but it might help you to know that the names you’ve listed are actually all Arab names. ‘Malik’ is the word for ‘king’ and ‘jamal’ is the word for ‘camel’. However, even though I had 2 years of Arabic at university, I’ve since forgotten what meaning Tariq and Ahmir have, if any. In fact, my own great-grandmother who was from a part of Syria, which later became Lebanon, was named ‘Leila’. That means ‘Night’.

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Name : Johnny29348, City : Silver Spring, State : MD, Country : United States, 

[Elaine25287]

It’s funny that you should ask if African Americans mind if whites call their kids Malik etc because those are not even African names!!! You should be asking if MIDDLE EASTERN people mind African Americans naming their kids after THEM. Or, you could ask if the French mind African Americans calling their kids french names ie Monique, Antwon, La Tonya, Lateisha – but spelling them incorrectly!!!

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Name : Elaine25287, City : n/a, State : FL, Country : United States, 

[Matt]

The names you listed are all of Arabic origin. If I met a white person with one of the names you mentioned, I would assume he either was from a Muslim family or at least partly Arab.

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Name : Matt, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Christian, Age : 25, City : Oxford, State : GA, Country : United States, Occupation : Engineer, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Ivana21248]

If you look at it, Ahmir and Tariq aren’t ‘black’ names. They look Arabic to me. No one should be allowed to claim names. Black people can name thier kids Emily and John and Molly if they want to.

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Name : Ivana21248, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, City : Lancaster, State : PA, Country : United States, 

[Ramonna30224]

I can’t speak for all African Americans. People usually name their children something that has meaning for them and their family (and they also might think of the child that will have to bear the name). If I came upon a white person with a name I normally associate with African Americans I might be curious. Whether a name is ‘appropriate’ depends on the situation. Did you know and respect someone named Malik and chose to honor that person by naming a son (or daughter?) after them? What’s not appropriate about that? Do you just like the sound of a name? I think that’s legitimate too? The child might just get some questions about the name. This could be a good or bad thing, again, depends on the circumstances. It could be embarassing or be a conversation starter, especially if there is a good story about the name.

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Name : Ramonna30224, Gender : F, Race : Black/African American, City : Macon, State : DE, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, 

[Victoria24559]

Actually some of the names that you mentioned come from the Arabic language and are therefore used mostly by Arabs and Muslims. They are not just ‘African American names.’ If it is not innapropriate for Black Christians in the United States then I don’t think it should be deemed inappropriate for Whites. It just might seem different that’s all.

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Name : Victoria24559, Gender : F, Race : Spanish/Black, Age : 21, City : Wshington, State : DC, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, 

[Kevin26324]

I’d find it a bit peculiar if I met a Caucasian with a name like Tyrone, Melvin, Maulik, etc. Most peoples tend to name their children after someone from their own unique culture or a name that is common within their own unique culture U ask would it be appropriate? You’d have to ask the Caucasian community, honestly. It matters little what Blacks would think, but I can speak for myself that I’d only find it peculiar.

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[Me21913]

You can name your offspring WHATEVER you wish and if anyone has a problem with that, then it is THEIR problem, not yours. Why is it not an issue when Black people give their offspring ‘white’ ‘All-American’ names???

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[Khalid]

First, these names are Arabic/Muslim names and not only Black Americans use the name, those from Arabic countries use them also. The reason we as African Americans use these names are because of our heritage as Muslims some being from Arabic countries over east. . Would it be appropiate? It depends on how you see things, do you think an Arabic name will find the white child? I personally have never met a white person with any other name than a caucasian name.

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[ED25464]

Why wouldn’t it be appropriate? The names you mentioned sound more Arabic than black. No black person I know would be offended. My guess is you’d probably get more negative reactions from your fellow whites.

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Name : ED25464, Gender : F, Race : Black/African American, Age : 46, City : Kansas City, State : MO, Country : United States, 

[Frank25182]

As the names you have listed are Arabic and not specifically ‘black’ names, the reason behind giving a child the name would play a part. And as Arabs come in all colors (including blond and blue-eyed), you can find a Jamal who is ‘white’ looking.

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[keimo]

I wouldn’t care. It’s no different than a white person being named Antonio or Carlos. If you like the name, use it. However, you also have to take into consideration that most black people won’t be as open-minded as I am, so think about what your child might go through.

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[Denisia25843]

I don’t see how it wouldn’t be appropriate. I think having a ‘black name’ might give the person a disadvantage if they are applying for a job because black people still experience discrimination, and having a ‘black name’ might make the person be passed over.

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Name : Denisia25843, Gender : F, Race : Black/African American, City : Fairfax, State : VA, Country : United States, 

[Karim]

Given the fact that these are Arabic names, some Arabs (many of whom are white) are already called Malik, Gamal, Tarek, Amir, Latifah, etc.. Actually I think most Arabs find it very weird that African Americans use Arabic names.

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