“Jamila? Where are you from?”
“I’m from New York.”
“And what about your name?”
“It’s Arabic; my father is Muslim.”
“Oh, how… interesting!”
I’ve had this conversation countless times throughout my life. After I clarify the origin of my name, I often receive a knowing nod, as if the other person sensed there must be a deeper story. The frequent question, “Where are you from?” suggests a belief that a non-Anglicized name can’t belong to someone from the U.S. Spoiler alert: I have never left the country, despite my “exotic” name.
When people learn that my father, who grew up in Brooklyn, embraced Islam two decades before my arrival, a lightbulb seems to go off for them. It’s as if they can’t fathom the possibility that my parents simply liked the name. Growing up with a distinctive name can be challenging, but the hurdles can be even more pronounced for people of color.
In season three of the show Black & White, there is a whole episode dedicated to the difficulties black parents face when choosing a name for their child that sounds distinctly African American. The character, Malik, is set on naming his son Khalil, but his family isn’t on board. In a household with siblings named Mia and Jordan, Khalil feels out of place.
The mother, who is accustomed to her own unique name, hesitates for various reasons, one being that people may hesitate to hire someone named Khalil. This concern is echoed by Malik’s friend, who admits that if he were on a flight and the pilot was named Khalil Thompson, he’d get off the plane. Ouch. Yet, this reaction is not uncommon for names perceived as ethnic.
In the end, they settle on the name Khalil James Thompson, providing him with a more “acceptable” fallback option. But why is Khalil viewed with skepticism while names like Carter or Grayson are often embraced? The answer lies in cultural perceptions. Names like Carter or Grayson are often seen as trendy and unique, while names like Khalil or Darnell are categorized as “ethnic” and thus viewed as less desirable or inherently tied to stereotypes.
It’s unfortunate but true that names can affect one’s career trajectory. Research by Marianne Bertrand and Sendhil Mullainathan, published in a paper titled “Are Emily and Greg More Employable than Lakisha and Jamal? A Field Experiment on Labor Market Discrimination,” confirms what many people of color already know. They submitted resumes to job listings in Boston and Chicago, varying only the names—some were distinctly African American, while others were more traditionally white. Unsurprisingly, candidates with white-sounding names were 50% more likely to receive callbacks.
As someone with a unique name, I often wonder how much of a barrier my name has been in my job search. When I applied for positions as a receptionist in upscale areas like Beverly Hills, I noticed that my interview rate didn’t reflect my qualifications. It made me question if potential employers would prefer a name like Jamila over something like Madison. Based on both research and my experience, the answer seems clear.
We rarely consider how our assumptions about people based solely on their names shape perceptions. If you hear a name like Willow, you might think of nature-loving parents. However, names like LaShonda often lead to unfair stereotypes. Society has conditioned us to make these judgments, which are almost always unfounded.
Parents choosing unique names for their children shouldn’t have to worry about societal biases affecting their kids’ futures. But the reality is that such biases persist, evident in every LaShawn or Darnell who faces obstacles despite their qualifications. We can’t afford to ignore this issue.
If you’re interested in exploring names for your future child, check out our comprehensive guide on baby naming. For more insights on conception and family planning, visit Home Insemination Kit and Make a Mom. For further reading on assisted reproductive technology, In Vitro Fertilization is an excellent resource.
Summary:
This article explores the impact of having a unique name on personal experiences and career opportunities, particularly for people of color. It highlights the biases associated with names and the societal perceptions that come with them. The piece emphasizes the need for awareness of these biases and provides resources for readers interested in naming their children or learning about family planning.