Early African-American Names
Early American slave rolls are filled with classical and biblical names designed to show off the slave-owners' education and not normally used for whites; variations of African day names and place-names; along with other unusual names more closely identified over the years with black than white American culture. Some of the most notable:
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Temperance
Not too long ago, Temperance was found only on lists of Puritan baby names.
With increased increase in virtue names, and Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan on long-running television... Read More -
Tyra
High profile supermodel/entrepreneur Tyra Banks has put this name in the spotlight, endowing it with her confident, superattractive image. Read More
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Venus
The name of a heavenly planet and the Roman goddess of beauty and love was an intimidating no-no until tennis champ Venus Williams put an athletic, modern spin on it.
Associated with... Read More -
Wesley
Wesley is one of a group of W-starting surname names reminiscent of the Old West that are making a comeback, now in the Top 120 -- though not as well used as it was in the 1970s, when he ranked as... Read More
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York
This British royal family name is rather formal and brusque. Read More
