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Help[Opinions] American names
Given that it's the Fourth of July, America's Independence Day, and I see we're discussing uniquely British names below (or at least, names that are more strongly associated with Britain than anywhere else), I thought perhaps we could discuss uniquely American names as well.
Which frankly begs the question, Are there any uniquely American names? I would argue that there are. For example, Dakota and Cheyenne, being of Native American origin. There are also many, many, many variants of black American names, as that is a subculture which encourages and rewards creativity above meaning when choosing names (and I am by no means sayin that's a bad thing); for example, Shaniqua and Keshaun. Surely these are uniquely American.
Then there's the infamous Nevaeh, which, like it or lump it, was kre8tymhed in the good ol US of A. And Qiana, which was actually created by some guys at DuPont Chemical, of all things.
But surely our friends around the world must have opinions as to which names seem most strongly associated with America. Clint? Condoleezza? Bubba? What do y'all think?
Just to round up - so far...
Dakota
Cheyenne
Shaniqua, et al
Keshaun, et al
Nevaeh
Qiana
Clint (?)
Condoleezza (? perhaps in the same category with Shaniqua? or not, given its ultimately Italian origin?)
Who can think of more?
Which frankly begs the question, Are there any uniquely American names? I would argue that there are. For example, Dakota and Cheyenne, being of Native American origin. There are also many, many, many variants of black American names, as that is a subculture which encourages and rewards creativity above meaning when choosing names (and I am by no means sayin that's a bad thing); for example, Shaniqua and Keshaun. Surely these are uniquely American.
Then there's the infamous Nevaeh, which, like it or lump it, was kre8tymhed in the good ol US of A. And Qiana, which was actually created by some guys at DuPont Chemical, of all things.
But surely our friends around the world must have opinions as to which names seem most strongly associated with America. Clint? Condoleezza? Bubba? What do y'all think?
Just to round up - so far...
Dakota
Cheyenne
Shaniqua, et al
Keshaun, et al
Nevaeh
Qiana
Clint (?)
Condoleezza (? perhaps in the same category with Shaniqua? or not, given its ultimately Italian origin?)
Who can think of more?
Archived Thread - replies disabled
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Replies
I haven't seen any of these names....
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Duke Ellington? Earl Woods?
And there's Uncle Duke from Doonesbury, and here's the page of people with the first name Earl - all Americans with 2 or 3 Canadians http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_%28given_name%29, while Prince and Majesty (Jermajesty...) are more contemporary names, largely in the black community.
And there's Uncle Duke from Doonesbury, and here's the page of people with the first name Earl - all Americans with 2 or 3 Canadians http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_%28given_name%29, while Prince and Majesty (Jermajesty...) are more contemporary names, largely in the black community.
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Cheyenne
Georgia
Reagan
Georgia
Reagan
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Bill, Daisy, and Pocahontas come to mind.
...Bill and Daisy because of this poem, even though they are not "exclusively" American, this is what I immediately thought of:
Immigrants wrap their babies in the American flag,
feed them mashed hot dogs and apple pie,
name them Bill and Daisy,
buy them dolls that blink blue
eyes or a football with tiny cleats
before the baby can even walk,
speak to them in thick English,
hallo, babee, hallo,
whisper in Spanish or Polish
when the babies sleep, whisper
in a dark parent bed, that dark
parent fear, "Will they like
our boy our girl, our fine american
boy, our fine american girl.
And then, of course, Pocahontas is fairly self-explainitory :0)
My opinions on the names are:
Dakota - Really dislike it for a girl, but it's okay on a boy.
Cheyenne - I've always thought this was kind of pretty.
Shaniqua - Nmsaa.
Keshaun - Nmsaa.
Nevaeh - I think that if you're going to name your kid Heaven, just name them Heaven... Not backwards.
Qiana - Okay.
Clint - Really dislike it.
Condoleezza - I love the way this looks! :D
...Bill and Daisy because of this poem, even though they are not "exclusively" American, this is what I immediately thought of:
Immigrants wrap their babies in the American flag,
feed them mashed hot dogs and apple pie,
name them Bill and Daisy,
buy them dolls that blink blue
eyes or a football with tiny cleats
before the baby can even walk,
speak to them in thick English,
hallo, babee, hallo,
whisper in Spanish or Polish
when the babies sleep, whisper
in a dark parent bed, that dark
parent fear, "Will they like
our boy our girl, our fine american
boy, our fine american girl.
And then, of course, Pocahontas is fairly self-explainitory :0)
My opinions on the names are:
Dakota - Really dislike it for a girl, but it's okay on a boy.
Cheyenne - I've always thought this was kind of pretty.
Shaniqua - Nmsaa.
Keshaun - Nmsaa.
Nevaeh - I think that if you're going to name your kid Heaven, just name them Heaven... Not backwards.
Qiana - Okay.
Clint - Really dislike it.
Condoleezza - I love the way this looks! :D
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I would generally consder all the kre8tiv, 'trendy' names (McKinley, Brynlee, Jaidyn, etc.) to be pretty much uniquely American. I don't know about other countries, but here in Britain you would usually only hear those sort of names in (trying not to sound too snobby) kind of 'trashy', lower class families, and only VERY rarely.
There are also names such as Alyssa and Madison that I would consider to be very American names, but it's not that they couldn't be used here, they just haven't really caught on. That also applies to the whole thing of unisex names and surnames used as first names (Parker, Riley, Carter, Keegan, etc.)
There are also names such as Alyssa and Madison that I would consider to be very American names, but it's not that they couldn't be used here, they just haven't really caught on. That also applies to the whole thing of unisex names and surnames used as first names (Parker, Riley, Carter, Keegan, etc.)
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"...here in Britain you would usually only hear those sort of names in (trying not to sound too snobby) kind of 'trashy', lower class families, and only VERY rarely."
Oh, dont' get America wrong my friend. 'Trashy' lower class families are really the only families who use creative names here in the US as well. I don't know any truly sophisticated families that have anyone with a creative name. So, in reality, the Brits and Yanks aren't that different.
Oh, dont' get America wrong my friend. 'Trashy' lower class families are really the only families who use creative names here in the US as well. I don't know any truly sophisticated families that have anyone with a creative name. So, in reality, the Brits and Yanks aren't that different.
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Don't know about that... there's no accountin for taste
I think the tryndee, kre8tymh names have gained considerable ground in the solid middle class, and even the lower ranks of the upper classes (if that makes sense!). I personally know a doctor with daughters Makenzie and McKenna (yes, both, not even twins, and both interchangeable with McKinley, imo) and a lawyer with a daughter named Jaedyn and a son named Bailey.
Blech, all around!
I think the tryndee, kre8tymh names have gained considerable ground in the solid middle class, and even the lower ranks of the upper classes (if that makes sense!). I personally know a doctor with daughters Makenzie and McKenna (yes, both, not even twins, and both interchangeable with McKinley, imo) and a lawyer with a daughter named Jaedyn and a son named Bailey.
Blech, all around!
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Yes, but what is their background?
And his wife's background?
My brother has daughters named Brianna and Lillyanna, both fairly lower-class to me. However, his wife is from the Midwest, and though educated, she's not educated if you know what I mean. She's a nurse, but she's not well-read, and her background is pretty working-class. Hence the names...they reflect her background. Her children's names, however, will reflect their background - and probably be more upper class. My brother wanted to name Brianna Amanda. Liliana was misspelt just for idiotic reaons imho - It's closer to Lynn (which is middle name, and his first daughter's middle name, and the children's initials spell his name...), and because it matches Brianna.
Yes, my brother is a bit of an egotist.
And his wife's background?
My brother has daughters named Brianna and Lillyanna, both fairly lower-class to me. However, his wife is from the Midwest, and though educated, she's not educated if you know what I mean. She's a nurse, but she's not well-read, and her background is pretty working-class. Hence the names...they reflect her background. Her children's names, however, will reflect their background - and probably be more upper class. My brother wanted to name Brianna Amanda. Liliana was misspelt just for idiotic reaons imho - It's closer to Lynn (which is middle name, and his first daughter's middle name, and the children's initials spell his name...), and because it matches Brianna.
Yes, my brother is a bit of an egotist.
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Agreed
My boyfriend's aunt and uncle have a good amount of money - they're probably upper-middle class, I'd say - and they have a daughter named Shaedra. (Their other kids' names are nms, but they're not bad: Brianna, Kristina, and Brody.) Then again, they're Mormon, and I remember reading somewhere (on a Mormon naming site, I believe) that it's fairly common among Mormons to make up names. Not sure how true that is, though. :/
My boyfriend's aunt and uncle have a good amount of money - they're probably upper-middle class, I'd say - and they have a daughter named Shaedra. (Their other kids' names are nms, but they're not bad: Brianna, Kristina, and Brody.) Then again, they're Mormon, and I remember reading somewhere (on a Mormon naming site, I believe) that it's fairly common among Mormons to make up names. Not sure how true that is, though. :/
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Hmm... maybe surnames on girls is uniquely American? After all, Taylor is a top 100 BOYS name is britain. But, also, it was a practice in the south long before the trend hit the rest of the country, was it not? Girls named Sullivan and... other surnames. Yeah, I really don't know much about it, aside from that it happened.
Would "hippie" names be uniquely American? I really don't know much about the 60s in Britain and Europe. Did any other county have Rainbows and Moonflower?
Thats all I have for now - but I will be back! Maybe. This is fun :-)
Would "hippie" names be uniquely American? I really don't know much about the 60s in Britain and Europe. Did any other county have Rainbows and Moonflower?
Thats all I have for now - but I will be back! Maybe. This is fun :-)
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We have had hippies in Australia since the 60s
With plenty of Rainbows, Clouds and Daffodils and Oceans in that time. Nimbin in NSW is still a hippie town surviving from the 60s and a cousin of mine lives there at the moment because he works in a nearby town and according to him a little Madison or Emma would be unheard of there. The kids typically still have hippie-ish names
With plenty of Rainbows, Clouds and Daffodils and Oceans in that time. Nimbin in NSW is still a hippie town surviving from the 60s and a cousin of mine lives there at the moment because he works in a nearby town and according to him a little Madison or Emma would be unheard of there. The kids typically still have hippie-ish names
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:) nice.
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southern names.
I have a Pinckney in my Southern family tree, but other than that, no surnames on girls. However, lots of odd names -nicknames like Algae and Dee and invented ones like Galynn and Erla and Rasmass.
I have a Pinckney in my Southern family tree, but other than that, no surnames on girls. However, lots of odd names -nicknames like Algae and Dee and invented ones like Galynn and Erla and Rasmass.
This message was edited 7/4/2007, 5:47 PM
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Good point! I should have remembered that (category? aspect? trend?), bein the mother of a Scarlett! *LOL*
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Oh...(m)
I didn't even consider "hippie" word names. That is a good suggestion as uniquely American.
I didn't even consider "hippie" word names. That is a good suggestion as uniquely American.
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ITA
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Dakota and Cheyenne, along with Indiana and Montana, seem to show up pretty regularly in the Australian BA's people post on here. I wonder why that is?
I agree with all your ideas of American names. Qiana could also be considered a variation of Kiana, which is Hawaiian, and thus you might call that aspect of it totally American too. Not to say that Hawaii isn't its own distinct culture.
I wouldn't call Bubba a real name, but yeah, you'd never run across a British or French person called Bubba. (Lucky them, right?)
All the over-the-top combos we see in Sabrina's BA's, like Trinity Angel Hope or My Treasure Son (just made those up) seem uniquely American. At least I honestly cannot imagine anybody else doing that.
Wynona/Wenona would also strike me as uniquely American. It's a Native American word/name, and also the Judds' singer would lend Americanicity to it.
I agree with all your ideas of American names. Qiana could also be considered a variation of Kiana, which is Hawaiian, and thus you might call that aspect of it totally American too. Not to say that Hawaii isn't its own distinct culture.
I wouldn't call Bubba a real name, but yeah, you'd never run across a British or French person called Bubba. (Lucky them, right?)
All the over-the-top combos we see in Sabrina's BA's, like Trinity Angel Hope or My Treasure Son (just made those up) seem uniquely American. At least I honestly cannot imagine anybody else doing that.
Wynona/Wenona would also strike me as uniquely American. It's a Native American word/name, and also the Judds' singer would lend Americanicity to it.
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I agree
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I think your points are good. I think "cowboy" names, too. You know, Hank and such like. Winona is a genuinely native American name. I tend to think more of the states with Dakota, and the Cheyenne were a tribe. Also American place names... Dallas, Montana and Georgia. I think Washington could arguably be an American name since most people use it after our first president. Sierra is after the mountain range.
This message was edited 7/4/2007, 10:33 AM
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While I concede the origin of the word buck, as it applies to a deer, is Old English, I find it hard to believe there were any men walking around in 800AD Scotland named Buck.
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No, both Hank and Buck were solely nicknames.
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Washington is almost always a last name
And for some reason, you never see anybody but black people with it as a surname.
And for some reason, you never see anybody but black people with it as a surname.
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Maybe they are descendents of Booker T. Washington or some other slave with an owner of the surname Washington?
This is what wikipedia says anyway:
In the Americas, the family names of many African-Americans have their origins in slavery. Many of them came to bear the surnames of their former owners. Many freed slaves either created family names themselves or else adopted the name of their former master. Others, such as Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X, changed their name rather than live with one they believed had been given to their ancestors by a slave owner.
This is what wikipedia says anyway:
In the Americas, the family names of many African-Americans have their origins in slavery. Many of them came to bear the surnames of their former owners. Many freed slaves either created family names themselves or else adopted the name of their former master. Others, such as Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X, changed their name rather than live with one they believed had been given to their ancestors by a slave owner.
This message was edited 7/4/2007, 12:03 PM
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okay, but how come...
You never see any white people with the surname of Washington? Did they all die out? Or did they discard it?
You never see any white people with the surname of Washington? Did they all die out? Or did they discard it?
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Oh, I am sure there are Washington's somewhere. Ned Washington was white, but that is the only white person I can think of with the surname Washington. If there are any Washington's out there, speak up!
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Agree about "cowboy" names
Though probably at least some "classic" cowboy names are legitimately associated with other nations than the US. I would have thought Hank was too British? But perhaps not. How about Buck? Does any other nationality lay claim to him?
And must agree about Washington - originally British or not, I think we Yanks have coopted it for all time. :D
Though probably at least some "classic" cowboy names are legitimately associated with other nations than the US. I would have thought Hank was too British? But perhaps not. How about Buck? Does any other nationality lay claim to him?
And must agree about Washington - originally British or not, I think we Yanks have coopted it for all time. :D
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Surname names are often seen as American names because often parents want to honor a surname from a relative who came from the "old country" but over time it has become just trendy and the names have no meaning to the individual who bestows it.
Creative names are definately American (even though I truly hate to say it) although they have been infiltrating Europe and Australia. I don't know many caucasian people with unique names, although I know that is becoming more popular as well. Normally, I see creative names on hispanic and black children.
Southern and 40/50's conjugated names such as Billy-jo, Betty-Lou, Marie-Claire seem to be very uniquely American but have also infiltrated other parts of the world...namely the UK.
I know there are more 'categories' so to speak, but I can't think of them at the moment.
Creative names are definately American (even though I truly hate to say it) although they have been infiltrating Europe and Australia. I don't know many caucasian people with unique names, although I know that is becoming more popular as well. Normally, I see creative names on hispanic and black children.
Southern and 40/50's conjugated names such as Billy-jo, Betty-Lou, Marie-Claire seem to be very uniquely American but have also infiltrated other parts of the world...namely the UK.
I know there are more 'categories' so to speak, but I can't think of them at the moment.
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Surnames
Not just names from 'the old country', surnames have a long history of use as first names in America. I have several in my family tree, on the old New England and Southern lines, not the more recent immigrants.
Not just names from 'the old country', surnames have a long history of use as first names in America. I have several in my family tree, on the old New England and Southern lines, not the more recent immigrants.
This message was edited 7/4/2007, 5:47 PM
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Agree about Betty-Lou, forgot about that whole category
like Bobbie Anne, for another example (which I love). But I think Marie-Claire would be entirely French. I could be wrong.
like Bobbie Anne, for another example (which I love). But I think Marie-Claire would be entirely French. I could be wrong.
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Dakota - I dislike this debate, but this and Cheyenne were never really names at all.
Cheyenne - see above
Shaniqua, et al - could be seen as American
Keshaun, et al - shock horror, I know a British one :p
Nevaeh - even worse, I know a British Neveah. When she explained to her friends it was Heaven bakwards and a popular name, they were confused. How is NevEAH (as she spells it) HEAven backwards? But I agree, it was probably created in America.
Qiana - agree on thr DuPont point.
Another name I see as "American" is Madison, though it's used all over the place. I think the thing about America is, the names commonly used today over there derived from other countries, unless your using legit Native American names, not Dakota.
Oh, and happy Independance day to all! :) Hope you had a good day over there.
Cheyenne - see above
Shaniqua, et al - could be seen as American
Keshaun, et al - shock horror, I know a British one :p
Nevaeh - even worse, I know a British Neveah. When she explained to her friends it was Heaven bakwards and a popular name, they were confused. How is NevEAH (as she spells it) HEAven backwards? But I agree, it was probably created in America.
Qiana - agree on thr DuPont point.
Another name I see as "American" is Madison, though it's used all over the place. I think the thing about America is, the names commonly used today over there derived from other countries, unless your using legit Native American names, not Dakota.
Oh, and happy Independance day to all! :) Hope you had a good day over there.
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And forgot to say ITA about Madison, quite right
Happens to be a name I cannot stand! Yuck!
Happens to be a name I cannot stand! Yuck!
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A20374-2003Sep16
you might find this link intresting on the name madison! if you can't open it from here go to the posted message below "intresting article"
you might find this link intresting on the name madison! if you can't open it from here go to the posted message below "intresting article"
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Why are these not legitimate names, in your opinion?
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I don't know if they are legit or no,t but I like them, I wouldn't use them though [don't like them enough]. My nephew & niece I come find out are partly Native American (Don't know what tribe)! I thought that was neat. My brother-in-law doesn't mind when people use tribe names (I asked just to make sure) cause if I ever "used" one I'd feel comfy. lol. I doubt I would though.
Do you think they are legit Lillian? :)
Do you think they are legit Lillian? :)
This message was edited 7/4/2007, 10:37 AM
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Yes, Sabrina, I do
as I was just saying below, they seem like mere word names to me, perfectly legitimate. Not trying to make a fuss over it.
as I was just saying below, they seem like mere word names to me, perfectly legitimate. Not trying to make a fuss over it.
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fine by me, lol just curious [m]
that are more word names now that I think of it, kind of like place names IMO, many people dislike them because they aren't "names", but I personally look at it as they are "names" of a place, so there are names IMO.
that are more word names now that I think of it, kind of like place names IMO, many people dislike them because they aren't "names", but I personally look at it as they are "names" of a place, so there are names IMO.
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You and I clearly have a broader sense of what are "legitimate" names than others might
Obviously you and I feel, if I may say, that legitimacy is largely conferred by the namer, regardless of others' opinions, though I know I don't, and I presume you don't, choose names that others consider "illegitimate" just to piss them off. ;p
I don't intend to speak for anyone else, including you, when I say that, to me, Dakota and Cheyenne are as legitimate as Saxon (tribe name) and Paris (place name). Nor do I intend to start an argument (though I don't see why it's such a big deal that it could start one).
Obviously you and I feel, if I may say, that legitimacy is largely conferred by the namer, regardless of others' opinions, though I know I don't, and I presume you don't, choose names that others consider "illegitimate" just to piss them off. ;p
I don't intend to speak for anyone else, including you, when I say that, to me, Dakota and Cheyenne are as legitimate as Saxon (tribe name) and Paris (place name). Nor do I intend to start an argument (though I don't see why it's such a big deal that it could start one).
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oh I agree good points :)
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Yes, the names Sakota and Cheyenne are as legitimate as Saxon or Paris but what I think some people might want to convey is whether they should be used as names or not based on the offense it may/may not create for people.
I think it is good that you mentioned other names besides tribal names though.
I think it is good that you mentioned other names besides tribal names though.
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I always believed them to be names of tribes, and not actually names of people. Sorry if that's incorrect.
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But how does that make them not ligit? It might make them disrespectful in your eyes, but regardless of your opinion these names are being given to children and used as names. Hence, they're names. Whether one feels they should be or not.
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I meant, that people did not use them before. People use them, and in some cases people are ignorant about them. I guess they are legit names, but not names Native Americans used themselves, at least to my knowledge. There's been a lot of arguments about it on this board before, and it's not a subject I am fully aware on, sorry if my comments offended anyone.
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No, no, you gave no offense, and I hope I didn't either
(if I may butt in here; sorry, Arcadia)
I was just curious as to your rationale, jeziana. I have no vested interest in the names, and took no offense.
It does strike me odd, though, that these names in particular seem to be "hot button" names that spark controversy, when the arguments against them can usually be applied to so many other "acceptable" names. I am always interested when I perceive a double standard (not singlin you out, I'm just sayin).
Thank you for answering our question.
:-)
(if I may butt in here; sorry, Arcadia)
I was just curious as to your rationale, jeziana. I have no vested interest in the names, and took no offense.
It does strike me odd, though, that these names in particular seem to be "hot button" names that spark controversy, when the arguments against them can usually be applied to so many other "acceptable" names. I am always interested when I perceive a double standard (not singlin you out, I'm just sayin).
Thank you for answering our question.
:-)
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I think it's because so many people use them with ignorance. If I were to use another word name, say Grace, then it wouldn't be as bad as to use Dakota "just because it sounded nice" and I think that is what annoys so many people, of course people have there own individual reasons, or it may offend them that such names are being used just because they are in fashion, instead of considering what the name truly is. Sorry is my argument is a bit hard to understand.
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Now, that's interesting too
I find it interesting that you used Grace as your example of just another word name, and said "it wouldn't be as bad as to use Dakota 'just because it sounded nice.'" That makes it sound as though Dakota is too special or sacred to be used lightly, whereas Grace (your example) is not. The irony for me being, I find Grace an extremely sacred name(/word/thing), God's Grace being His greatest Gift to Mankind (in my estimation and that of some others). I realize that Grace also refers to the Greek Graces, as well as to the trait of human grace, as in movement, or courtesy, or whatever, but for me, Grace is incredibly special and sacred, whereas Dakota is not. Which is not to say I don't respect that others feel the word Dakota is special.
My point is that I don't think Dakota and Cheyenne deserve to be singled out as hot button names arbitrarily, which they very often are, mystifyingly to me.
I don't mean to babble. Perhaps I should just leave it alone, but I sincerely want to understand.
I find it interesting that you used Grace as your example of just another word name, and said "it wouldn't be as bad as to use Dakota 'just because it sounded nice.'" That makes it sound as though Dakota is too special or sacred to be used lightly, whereas Grace (your example) is not. The irony for me being, I find Grace an extremely sacred name(/word/thing), God's Grace being His greatest Gift to Mankind (in my estimation and that of some others). I realize that Grace also refers to the Greek Graces, as well as to the trait of human grace, as in movement, or courtesy, or whatever, but for me, Grace is incredibly special and sacred, whereas Dakota is not. Which is not to say I don't respect that others feel the word Dakota is special.
My point is that I don't think Dakota and Cheyenne deserve to be singled out as hot button names arbitrarily, which they very often are, mystifyingly to me.
I don't mean to babble. Perhaps I should just leave it alone, but I sincerely want to understand.
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this reminds me of the Jesus debate. Are some names to loaded that to use them on your child would be disrespectful? Some feel that it is disrespectful, while others feel that nameing a child Jesus (for example, mind you) is highly respectful as they are naming their child- the most prexious person in their lives- in homage to their savior. It's interesting that people go two oposite ways.
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As I understand it, word names like Grace and Jade, et al., are obviously words, and their meanings are clear. Word names like Dakota (and many place-names) are used solely for the sound (in many, not all, cases) and usually the giver is ignorant of the meaning and history. I think that's where the distinction lies.
This message was edited 7/4/2007, 5:48 PM
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I agree. It isn't just Cheyenne and Dakota that are hot button names. There are also other hot button names, but many people don't tend to bring them up as there are not hundreds of people who want to name their kid Saxon (mentioned in another part of the thread along with any following names), as there are who want to name their kid Cheyenne or Dakota. Paris is not a hot button name because it is a character in a Shakespeare play. Grace is also a hot button name for me, but I don't worry too much about it because it has so many other meanings to it and not just the God's grace part.
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But why does that eliminate them as legitimate names?
Honestly, I'm just curious as to your reasoning. The fact that they are the names of tribes only makes them word names, to me, at the bottom line. There are so many legitimate word names, why not these two? How do you feel about word names in general?
Honestly, I'm just curious as to your reasoning. The fact that they are the names of tribes only makes them word names, to me, at the bottom line. There are so many legitimate word names, why not these two? How do you feel about word names in general?
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I agree that they are names of tribes and not people, and are therefore not legitimate in my opinion either. They can also be seen as offensive, not just illegitimate. I think for the sake of keeping this conversation civil you may just want to pop over to one of the many conversations (or feuds as some may think) on the name.
Here is one:
http://www.behindthename.com/bb/arcview.php?id=782408&board=baby
Enjoy!
Here is one:
http://www.behindthename.com/bb/arcview.php?id=782408&board=baby
Enjoy!
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Thanks for that, but...
no one is being uncivil.
no one is being uncivil.
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Oh, I know no one is uncivil, but I just thought it might get out of hand like all the other past conversations about those names being "offensive" or "illegitimate." I just thought that since this post was about American names, and not about whether Cheyenne and Dakota are okay or not that those that wanted to talke about them may want to check out the previous post about those names.
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Thanks again, kind of you to do the legwork for us :-)
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