What's in a name? Kids' future

My wife was shopping a year or so ago, and while looking around for bargains, she saw an adorable baby boy.
A few other women shoppers also noticed how cute the child was. They asked the mother what the child's name was.
"G-Baby," said the mother.
My wife and the other women paused for a second.
They then asked the mother to repeat the child's name.
"G-Baby," the mother replied, and she spelled the name for them. "That's what his father wanted to name him."
Thus began my quest to compile a list of unusual first names for men and women.
I see more young boys today named Hunter, Heath or Thorn. Young girls now bear the first names of Chastity, Cara or Skyler.
Black Americans, however, seem to have gone the most creative when naming their offspring, as you will soon see when I print my condensed list.
Is there a problem?It's put to the test
Will that pose a problem for these black children later, however?
In August, ABC's television news magazine "20/20" did a piece on whether blacks were losing out on good-paying jobs and advancing their careers because of their first names.
The premise was whether corporate America preferred to employ people with the names of Kathleen, Jason and Edward as opposed to someone named Tiqua, Tayquan or Shanequiea.
To test the theory, based on a University of Chicago study, the newsmagazine selected six black professionals with the first names of Tavoria, Orpheus, Tremelle, Arsenetta, Ebony and Carita. Included in that group was a lawyer, an educator, a financial adviser and a statistician.
They were to submit r & eacute;sum & eacute;s to prospective employers on job-search Web sites bearing their names and those same r & eacute;sum & eacute;s with Caucasian-sounding names.
Guess what?
The employers made more contact with the r & eacute;sum & eacute;s with the Caucasian names in every case. Tavoria and the others reported that, in most cases, they were not contacted at all by the prospective employers.
Here's my advice;don't get me wrong
So what am I saying? Until society changes in America, black folks may want to name their children with less-obvious ethnic or, in some cases, made-up names.
Sure, we've learned to pronounce Shaquille and Condoleezza, but, for now, they are the exceptions.
Should blacks fully assimilate and dissolve who we are as a proud people of African descent? No way.
All I'm saying to black parents is think twice before naming your child.
Here is the partial list of first names I've accumulated:
Women: Belladelphia, Bodacious, Chinique, Auntavia, Alafair, Ameerah, Brittish, Tyehsa, Takeila, Nimela, Lasenia, Devor, LaTaya, Secret, Snetha, Snowflake, Dawniqucia, Ebanae, Enojli, Serecia, Sparkle, DeFinest, Letarionne, Ranayja, Hadiya, Chakenya, Docina, Preshush, Chuntivia, Tae'Ona, Latonyn, Hardre, Deja, Desylin, Nacomth, Da-Kisha, Maleeha, Kiswania, Phiniska, Perstephanie, Amethyst, Deazanae, Shaemieika, Diouana, Kwinette, Ticarra, TaKara, Nakarah, N'kara, Elkie, Artshayla, Keniceia, Primple, Mocha, Wonakee, Shelika, Cestwaila, Ra'Sheeda, Danajah, Nesheka, Adaleteshia, Rhiannon, Roux'je, Jame'ca, Diija, Antikqua, L'Teya, Johneeckquia, Joloquinda, De'Asia, Tieranny, Shequanda, De'Rae, Tachieka, Turquoise, Zoella, Litsa, Odailiar, Maisha, Kateia, Sinceara, Keyairrah, Diamond, Coreijh, Diamonique, Ypapanti, Perverlyn, Twintella, Kippi Sue, Laqueshia, Na'Keya, Fontasia, Qyauna, Mi'Kesee, Akaia, Marquasha, Teirria, VonCeil, Thursa, Inestia, Gelsomina, Madesyn, Lushush, Tsukasa, Yaraldean, Unyque, DaShawnta, Munyela, Unika, Willie Doll, Quinetra, Jeshaia, Reahiah.
Men: Alpha Omega Jedidiah, Arlequs, Aqutwan, Acy, Beun'Trae, Bammie, Ciatrick, DeQuan, Courvoisier, Darnerien, Tiant, Nimala, Jaa-Bone, Juisone, Rontelli, Wickie, Lewendo, Haspen, Kaqun, Monquantae, Stand Up, Kibwe, Daqyuan, Devonte, Vandy, Johnta, Zachris, Juaquin, Marquell, Vaschon, Roceme, Shaheedan, Tyme, Tuvern, S.Q. Apostle, Essique, Sinorice, Tefawn, O'Del, Frostee, Rahsie, Paityn, LaTowan, Sentenial, Dymond, Island, Jerametrius, KaRon, Corlandt, Tray-Born, Taladance, R-Kal, Odger, Melsharrod, Dontarrious, Jammy, Tella, Darayland, Ciji, Twoson, Ronyale, Mewelde, Stashan, DeAndra, Kay-Jay, Keyon, Ladairis, Donjarious, Onyx, Craphonso, Jerricho, Romondo, Cols, Leareese, Tawhon, Antwyne, King Midas, Lousaka, Dethrell, Jermyl, King Tawquin Visanthe, Alrick, Turhahn, Tyreek, Chanon, Nucommus, Erm, Sears, Devney, Melvia, Quincetuna, Felepa, Field, Romain, Danyale, Mon-T, Governor, Tshombe, Latike, Kulwant, Fruto, Maxra, Antwone, Pharrell, Pharaoh, Bobb'e, Javaughtae, Suadonte, Tekquan, Najibulla, Twanan, Deavery, Savaughn, Shawentae, Truere, Esstie, Antjuan, Andrick, Eandra, LaJuane, Arceleus, Saunte, Gerjuan, Octrous, Xzavius, Sesselpius, Tiothiemma, Anfeny, Quay, Daquaan, Tovy, Tyee, Jayjuane, Craigory, Tadley, Adbel, Dezjheaun, Ketuan, Jawwaad, Thijs, Lilrob, Hashawjuan.
ebrown@vindy.com