Time to drop names

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Two years ago, I wrote about my collection of first names given to children, many of whom are black, that I considered to be somewhat unusual.

I pointed out that an ABC documentary did a piece that showed blacks may be losing out on good-paying jobs and advancing in their careers because of their first names.

The purpose of that column was to encourage black parents to think twice before giving their children names that are hard to pronounce and spell.

Over the past two years, I continued my name collection, getting these gems from schoolteachers, reporters, birth announcements, college and high school graduation lists, college and professional sports, and, sadly, police reports. As you will see below, people have chosen to name their children:

After a 1970s R&B band.

After a nationally known brand of gelatin.

After the first five letters of the alphabet.

After a character in "The Thorn Birds."

After the summer capital of Kublai Khan's Mongol Empire (Xanadu).

I also noticed people's propensity for putting apostrophes and dashes in many of these children's names. What's up with that?

I understand anyone's attempt to be unique and stand out from the crowd. Body piercing readily comes to mind.

But parents ought to think long and hard before giving a child a name, which, in some cases, can give a child a source of identity and pride.

I am not advocating giving your child a "white-sounding" name. I am saying, however, that you should give the child a name that is at least pronounceable.

I just hope the parents who read this and are considering what to name their bundle of joy remember that the hard work of being a parent must not end when they come up with a moniker few, if any, can pronounce or spell.

Johnny Cash once sang about life not being easy for a boy named Sue. I suspect that also rings true for little Knowledgeborn and Ximena.

Female names

Adalateshia, Sex, A------ (pronounced Ash-Show-Lay), S------- (pronounced She-Thee-Add), Arquinnona, Acquinetta, Shanetti, Fire, Abcde, (pronounced Ab-Suh-Dee), Baguette, Drewkena, Antikqua, Taazmayis, Chawana, Chinique, Diabolique, Querida, Amoy, Blondelle, Bergundy, Lorneeshia, Canchata, Dwendolyn, Shenequa, Tekila, My'Kea, Yanique, Shaun'dea, Yuronda, Secret, Delicious, Kysonia, Lacreshia, Amillya, Obiribea, Ruqayya, Nikkilah, Shawnese, Mistique, Chuntivia, Antwanette, Ar-Qualia, Alitha, Veneice, DeEva, Hugunette, Luchrita, Sincearae, De'Aira, Shakeeba, Antia, Lanayzia, Puella, Dawacia, Eno, Lamprini, LaConthea, Glois, Gerine, Gercie, Neina, Honie, LuBertha, Luchrasyre, LeEra, Twelvena, Tali, Tyelanae, Shawntinicie, Maeouida, My'lissa-Rae, Ja-Brayasia, Sybrenia, September, Schneeke, Au'Zua, Sha'dale, Alhona, Mirgonetta, Ricciesha, Ruthsheka, Shanetia, Jastaszia, Heven, Shamhmoneke, Shaquanna, Tanikua, Tahesia, Teawhanna, Tawonne, Tomorrow, Lugenia, Xernona, Missus, Epiphanny, Ambra, Wonakee, Calandra, Nakeei, Maudestine, Azziatay, Lady, Malaysia, De'it, Tye'sha, DeWanna, D'Lesha, Yahchika, Qyauna, Oshae, Oumba, Tawinka, Twinella, Snetha, Utah, Dewellah, Sharayah, Ma'Shama, Leorabelle, Ricktoria, Wanisha, TeAuno, Theodaysha, Psalmbrea, Da'Mareya, Cherith, Creelyn, Tareeka, Taegeana, Shalika, Grazia, Warenettier, Taasia, Female (pronounced Fe-MAH-LAY), Ximena, Altoya, Sakinah, Snow-ake, Laquandra, TySheema, Ninetta, Luvely, CestWaila, Darketa, Auborey, Ra'keedia, Radiance, Teierra, Johnndalyn, Raenesha, Kaydine, Xayla, Aquaia, La'Taja, Nefertari, Dierica, NyTara, Ti'Airrah, Xyle, Zhaquaya, Ashshena, Secquora, Cyleen, Tishje, Trayshawna, Ta-Kierra, Martiffany, Char'Kayla, T'Lissa, Jacksira, Shatyra, Jetta, Chequandra, Tishee´, LeGrace, Tizjai, Iceleya, Ishia, Quala Searra, Saunte, Sentarion, Tivoli, Virgerrenia, Tonithia, Rapunzel, Kortinia, Roccsanne, AyNessha, Ama-Efura, Illatia, Temargia, Yocasta, Perstephanie.

Male names

Knowledgeborn, Algern, Adremy, Armez, Ato, Ambiorix, Seven, D'Qwell, Lemonjello, Orangejello, Dwaune, Deletaire, Sebron, Golden, Hebron, Mowry, Perverlyn, Mister, Markle, Tahndieka, Lura, Juqua, Kuream, Kawika, Letwan, Dashone, Johnta, Je'Kel, Rochefort, Earthwind, Jahsha, Eulis, Etianne, BenJarvus, Tamba, Plaxico, Tjawonher, Tuvern, Urban, Netanel, DeQuendo, Taquan, Jhmo, Tyee, Traykwan, Da Mun, Da'am, Melsherrod, SanJuan, Ceyanie, Jabreeze, JaJuan, Tiangelo, Duniek, Nijonjo, Milkanoe, Wanszol, Charad, Orinsiel, Tyjuan, Quander, Edwing, Berquan, Yeremiah, Darmetrus, Dude, Kenyatta, Triandos, Kenoy, Lousaka, Ty'Th'in, Thirty, Tahfaren, JaMarcus, Croix, Tebucky, DeMayne, Darnerien, Te'Shaun, Siburt, D'Brickashaw, Samkon, Melshavious, Leontre, Teandre, Ceaonnie, Quadzel, D-Von, Qyntel, Monquantae, Deon'te, Undrey, Clordie, Grecol, Kyjuan, JaQuan, C'Than, Maroon, Quante, Desstre, Zetheran, Magnum, Folarin, Jai, Melkanoe, Kibwe, RaiTwann, Montherm, Ceridwyn, DomiQue, BDuente, Oleeka, Kyren, Quamerion, Enovwo, Xzabian, Chumil, Ioan, D'Treal, Tuerei, Zikome, Thimoty, Lastings, Rahee, Tshombe, Juisone, Lefteris, Siejuan, Kinx, Buckshaw, Lakeith, Darre'el, Delrecco, J'Abneb, Jeronn, Ta'Shon, M'Jele, Lyglenson, Te'Kquan, Kwan, Ajith, Lewayne, Donteill, Lattish, Kenyoda, Timmogene, Quisi, Genesis, Marvallous, Vandy, Radame, Sir Henry, Vontez, Kilan, Crarumelle, Atiyyah.

ebrown@vindy.com

Saturday, October 7, 2006