[Don-G25591]

Many black Americans have what I would call ‘mainstream’ names, with a definable origin, whether American, African, or Muslim: James, Ellis, Kwame, Mfume, Yussuf, Ali. What is the origin of names such as ‘Laukesha,’ ‘Mercural,’ ‘Meshawn’ and the like? These seem, to me, like an artificial construct, but I may be bound by my traditional White Male Anglo-Irish ways. At any rate, peace and love to all, whatever your name.
Original Code R546. Click here to see responses from the original archives. Click “to respond” below to reply.

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Name : Don-G25591, Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, City : Cleveland, State : OH, Country : United States, 

[Floyd L.]

Most “mainstream” names have been around for centuries. What we are seeing is a historically and culturally significant phenomenon – the creation of not just one or two, but a whole set of new names within a single generation. I would not label these names “artificial constructs.” They are new constructs, new names. All names, regardless of whether they can be associated with a “definable origin” in the context of your usage, were once new names, embraced as such for a variety of reasons. Some, in African cultures, for example, were constructed to be imbued with special meanings; some in Christian-influenced cultures took on special meanings after having been in use (Jezebel, Delilah, Judas); some originated out of Christian religious fervor (Christian, Chastity, Prudence, Faith, Hope); others, created for the appeal of their sound, may or may not have taken on further meanings.

Spelling has been optional in the “mainstream” names (Ann, Anne or Caroline, Carolyn, Carol Lynne), as it is with the new names. While some of these new names will be more widely embraced than others, their “definable origin” will be African American.

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Name : Floyd L., Gender : M, Age : 59, City : Memphis, State : TN, Country : United States, 

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