[Rashid]

First, you have to realize that names such as Malik, Ahmir, Tariq and Jamal are Arabic, rooted in Islam, so there are already many people with these names who are not black. These names became popular in the black community when knowledge of Islam grew, particularly when the Nation of Islam became popular. Anyway, I would not be offended if I met a white couple with a child with one of these names, because no one would name their child out of hate. In fact, it would probably indicate that their parents were very open-minded.

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Name : Rashid, Gender : M, Race : mixed race, City : Washington, State : DC, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 

[Sunny27762]

I’m not offended, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there was someone somewhere claiming that the white couple ‘stole’ something from them – as if an African-American couple with no Arabic roots wouldn’t be ‘stealing’ that name themselves.

User Detail :  

Name : Sunny27762, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Age : 23, City : New Orleans, State : LA, Country : United States, Occupation : student, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[AbduSalaam]

The names listed are Arabic/Islamic names first and foremost, not African-American names per se. I know that it offends some Muslims that some people in the West not only have those names but that they mangle the pronunciation. There are people named Tariq/Malik/etc running around who can’t even say their own name correctly.

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Name : AbduSalaam, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : South Asian, Age : 22, City : New York, State : NY, Country : United States, Occupation : Teacher, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 

[Jay31089]

Why would African Americans be offended that whites give their kids Middle Eastern names? I don’t even know why so my African Americans give their kids Middle Eastern names, being that they’re neither from the Middle East nor of Middle Eastern descent.

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Name : Jay31089, City : New York, State : NY, Country : United States, 

[Jahny]

Those names are actually of Islamic origin, most likely coming from the Arabic language. There are Muslims of every color who speak many languages. While you may not be Muslim, neither are many blacks. They still choose Islamic names for their children. By the way, did you know that names like Malcom and Tyrone are actually of Celtic origin? After all, ‘Malcom in the Middle’ worked out well. I have a black friend name Yoko, but it doesn’t make her a wannabe Japanese girl. My final word of advice is to choose a name based on its meaning.

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Name : Jahny, City : New York Metro Area, State : NY, Country : United States, 

[Amber31559]

I have a white coworker named Mario and a Scottish friend who called her daughter Tameka. When asked why she chose that name, she said ‘I just liked it’

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Name : Amber31559, Gender : F, Race : Human, Age : 42, City : Cambridge, State : MA, Country : United States, Education level : 4 Years of College, 

[Amarda31528]

Not all the names are Arabic,Ahmir is Persian and Persians are basically white,as are many arabs. These names are not really specifically muslim names they are first and foremost arabic/Persian names and most muslims take an arabic or persian name but most of these names pre-date Islam so you will find many christians in the middle east who bear these names too. I don’t think anyone should be offended if you choose one of these names,I think it shows you have an appreciation for different cultures.

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Name : Amarda31528, Gender : F, City : Gold coast, State : NA, Country : Australia, 

[Julie27037]

My name is Julie… Anyway-Blacks are not Arabs, so if it’s OK for Blacks to use Arab names, why can’t Whites?

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Name : Julie27037, Gender : F, Race : Black/African American, Age : 32, City : Woodbridge, State : VA, Country : United States, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 

[Jane]

Actually, these names are not even African American, these names are Arabic and Muslim names, it’s just that many African Americans have adapted these names from the Muslims. If there was going to be some animosity towards this, it should really come from the Arabs, but Arabs would not have a problem with this because many are friendly and considerate people, they wouldn’t care.

User Detail :  

Name : Jane, Gender : F, City : Baltimore, State : MD, Country : United States, 

[Nik]

I met a White woman named ‘Ashanti’ once. I thought it was pretty strange and I assumed her parents were hippies, but I wasn’t offended at all.

User Detail :  

Name : Nik, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Bisexual, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Atheist, Age : 24, City : San Francisco, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class, 

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