"Shaniqua" goes global

What I thought was the uniquely black American exercise of giving our children exotic faux-African/Arabic sounding names is becoming the norm in indigenous (Aboriginal) parts of Australia.



Article here - Move over Mary Concepta, Bquinda's on the scene

I just thought this was fascinating. And they are giving their kids these names for the same reasons that growing up in Southwest Atlanta, I ran into more Jaheems, Rakeems, Maleeks etc. than the almost year I lived in the Middle East -- as a way to differentiate themselves dramatically from the dominant, oppressive white culture.

Aboriginals are considered black here in Australia. It's strange the way that they denote "race" here. Anyone with brown skin is black. You could be Indonesian, African, Sri Lankan, Aboriginal etc. but to many Aussies, you're just "black."

is it just a trendy fad for now? or will it catch on permanently?

within Aboriginal communities for 20 years, which coincides nicely with when hip hop truly started to go global.

The whole concept of "black power" and the civil rights struggle had a tremendous impact on indigenous Australia. Up until that point, I think that many Aboriginals couldn't even imagine that non-white persons did not automatically feel inferior to their white counterparts. Museums here in Australia have documented the profound impact that the Civil Rights movement in America had on Aboriginals, with some marches even having "Black Power" and "White Australia has a Black History" signs.

The emulation of Beyonce and Queen Latifah I thought was fantastic, but it would be even better if Aboriginal girls could have a plethora of strong, female role models that reflect their own culture and racial history.

:thumbsup: in claiming a basic part of culture, your name. I don't think it matters if it's faux or not to those who choose to. At least, I think, their surnames survived. As soon as colonialism was "over," it was natural for my parents and many others to quickly revert to their original names instead of the ones forced upon them in school. We used to have big fun in my family laughing at what their Western names were :rofl: because it just did not fit who they are.

The "Tyeeshas" in America are just happy to have a name that is as far from "Betty" or "Jane" as is humanly possible. The downside to that, of course, is the number of people who discriminate against people with names like that.

As soon as colonialism was "over," it was natural for my parents and many others to quickly revert to their original names instead of the ones forced upon them in school.

That is FANTASTIC. :) Your family sounds wonderful.

I've disappointed many perspective employers by not being Japanese, some even were accusatory, like I was trying to fool them by switching up my ethnicity or something :crazy:

What's so important about the subject of names to me is that all of our names have meaning, and in my culture, the meaning is taken directly from the circumstances in which one is born. As simple as knowing from a name that a person is a twin, or knowing a beloved grandparent has passed, to just plain old gratitude.
For instance, when my mom was pregnant with one of my sisters, we had a fire in our house forcing her and us kids to jump out a 2nd floor window. My sister survived and her name means Oh, God I thank you and the hope is that she will keep gratitude for life in her heart. So knowing her name you know immediately something interesting happened surrounding her birth. May not know what but the parents had to thank God for something.
My name means born on the road. It's nicer than the literal translation :rofl: It's a long story but a kindly taxi driver helped my mom when she went into labor prematurely. Luckily, the driver's wife was a midwife. The lore is that those so born can't wait to get started experiencing life and will have many journeys, and so the blessing is for safe journeys.

You're right, I've had many disappointments because of the unusual name. But on the other hand, for me, I've found that it's also about about attitude and finally owning it, accepting I have a right to exist, as is, without approval from anyone.

I LOVE reading about your family!! I still think about how your family mourns the relative that was captured during the slave trade. And it makes me happy that you seem to appreciate the gift of being a part of your amazing family.

What's so important about the subject of names to me is that all of our names have meaning,

But see, that's just the thing. For alot of black parents during the 60's and 70's, I don't think alot of MEANING went into the names that they gave their kids. Sure, I'm sure alot did -- Lord knows I've lost count of the number of "Ebonys" and "Kenyas" I've met. But for every kid with a legitimate African or "black pride" name, there were just as many "Oranjellos" or "Deondres." I even knew a black girl named Zsa Zsa.

I think the plan was just to be different. To alot of black parents, naming their kids "Jane" or "Michael" would have been like saying "slavery was great!" or "I hate being black!" There was no way that they would give their kids those ordinary read: "white" names. Giving their kids the most distinctively NON-white name they could think of was a badge of honor and it was a way of spitting in the face of "the man." But like I said, mainstream discrimination against people with those types of names has been the price paid for their distinctiveness.

The lore is that those so born can't wait to get started experiencing life and will have many journeys, and so the blessing is for safe journeys.

Oh, I'm keeping that one close to my heart. :) My daughter, my precious angel was born 15 weeks prematurely. She is almost 3 now and the apple of both of her parents eyes.