Dear readers,
to those of you wish to understand the history of the African American name, welcome to the second publication of Black Ghetto Baby Names, a site ironically specified to grow pride for the naming conventions of our people.
For many of the white folk out there, certain names certainly resonate as black names: “DeWayne”, “Shaniqua”, “Shanene”, etcetera. However, very few historically black names resonate through the American conscious as “Willis” So today the topic is Willis
The name Willis
“What you talkin’ bout, Willis?”
The name “Willis” is only a recent addition to the set of historically black names, and it may even be a stretch that anyone identifies it as among the “Black Ghetto Baby Names”. As far as I can place it, the name was introduced into our national vernacular by the actor Todd Bridges playing Willis Jackson on “Diff’rent Strokes.” However, the name was in use by famous blacks long before that time.
Willis Johnson – Inventor of the mixing machine. (1884)
Willis created an egg beater “wherewith eggs, batter, and other similar ingredients used by bakers, confectioners, &c., can be beaten or mixed in the most intimate and expeditious manner.”
Mr. Johnson was just one cog in the great machinery of African Americans who have contributed to the science and engineering of the culinary arts in the United States. Another notable, George Washington Carver, was the inventor of both the potato battery and peanut butter.
As for the history of the name Willis itself, it is no invention of the African American community. As you may recognize from the famous actor Bruce Willis, the name originated in Britain. The family originated in Berkshire, England, where they were granted a seat at Hungerford Park by King Charles I. The first known Willis in the new world was William Willis in Quidividi, Newfoundland, in 1703.
Epilogue
As we have learned, the names we hear around us today, shouted between the corridors and out the portals of the world and into the street, are really just the leaves of an enormous and dense tree of human names. As you might find out, no name is purely “White” or “black” but a mottled quilt of all the colors in the world. “India”, is that name truly black? Or “Jasmine”, which according to Freakonomics is the most popular African American name? The human pool of names is rich and diverse, and here at Black Ghetto Baby Names we simply hope to explore those leaves whose colors were born a little more brown in this recent day and age.
Welcome young brother and sister, father and mother to be,
Thank you for visiting Black Ghetto Baby Names. Despite the site’s title, the purpose of my web page is to excite and inform my readership of not only the beautiful names frequently used by speakers of African American Vernacular English, but also the history of the names, and notable individuals that have shared them.
However, today I wish to simply introduce myself and ramble a bit. As a first example of “black ghetto baby names” , I will dispel the myth of the name being ghetto and bring my own name to the forefront. My name is DeShawn Roberts, which means “God is Gracious”… Roberts. Yes, these syllables may seem random but they are indeed laden with meaning, meaning enough that I could not imagine, nor my parents, nor their parents before them, imagine their roots.
See, in a certain way, every name both HAS and IS its own story, its own magic, and a root system that travels deep into the wet earth of history, through bone dry soil, and into the source of the nile of East Africa, from a time when man and wilderness were inseparable. In times like those, to have someone’s name was to gain their power. And in a certain way, this same primeval sentiment has continued with us today in names like Tanginika, Lake Goddess, or Tyronica, Goddess of Battle.
To sign off for today’s post, I remind all that a name is not a right. Thousands of children grow up without even that one syllabic kernel to which they can hitch their wind-tossed existence. Take the time to think about your name, and wonder at its meaning which plumbs the depths of human history, whose meaning you comprise but a particle: a dirt-swept sidewalk puddle in the eye of the earth’s vast underground ocean.
We appreciate your readership at Black Ghetto Baby Names. Please return in short order to share in our celebration of knowledge and humanity, and the African American name.
Could Giving Your Child The Wrong Name Make Him Unpopular, Untalented, or Unable to Earn a Good Living?
From: DeShawn Roberts, 10:23pm
Dear Friend,
On a beautiful late spring afternoon, thirty-five years ago, a humble Baltimore couple was blessed with twins: one boy and one girl.
The children both had a fairly similar upbringing, were quite personable, and they had great dreams for their futures. And their parents loved them both dearly, caring for them throughout their entire lives as only loving parents could.
After spending over 10 years apart, they recently returned home for a family
reunion.
They were still very much alike. Both were happily married. Both had two children. And both, it turned out, had gone to work for the same Virginia-based security company after graduating college, and were still there.
But there was a difference. Dahckwonne - the twin boy - was manager of statewide operations. Aina - the twin girl - was its president.
Have you ever wondered, as I have, what makes this kind of difference in people’s lives? It isn’t a native intelligence or talent or dedication. It isn’t that one person wants success and the other doesn’t.
One of the difference lies in the person’s name and how that name affects not only how people treat him, but also his character.
The Wrong Name Could Make Your Child Up to 6x Less Likely to Succeed.
Recent studies at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) looked at the relationship between having a black name and getting job interviews and getting promoted.
Resumes with white-sounding names were 2-6 times more likely to get interviews than ones with black names.
And once they got hired, they were 10 times more likely to get promoted.
Naming Your Child is one Decision You Can Never Undo
Yes, choosing a name is scary when you know your child’s future rests on your shoulders.
You want to choose a name that sounds beautiful and respects our traditions… but you don’t want to damage his or her chances for getting into school, getting jobs, and getting promoted.
Here’s a secret you won’t believe: you don’t HAVE to choose. You can have both!
The Right Black Name Can BRING SUCCESS to Your Child
Aina didn’t face any problems because she had a black name - she became president of her company! But Dahckwonne never made it that far… even though he also had a black name.
Their problem?
Their parents didn’t understand the importance behind a child’s name. There was no tradition behind the name “Dahckwonne”, no thought was put in to how the name would affect the child’s future success. His father just selected the name on a whim.
He should have named Dahckwonne differently. He should have named him with Authority.
You’re Already Half-Way There
You knew Dahckwonne’s father’s mistake before I said it. Over the course of our conversations in Naming With Authority you’ve shown tremendous initiative in studying how a black name effects a child’s character and the society around him.
But you’re still nervous, and you need to get it right the first time.
And that is why I am writing to you and parents like you about Aaliyah to Zenobia: the Guide to African American Names and Their Heritage.
That is the whole purpose of Aaliyah to Zenobia: to give its readers the power to name their children with authority and prepare them for success at an early age.
A Publication Unlike Any Other
You see, Aaliyah to Zenobia: the Guide to African American Names and Their Heritage is a unique publication. It’s the world’s only guide zeroed in on naming your child with authority.
I don’t need to tell you that young black children like Aina succeed every day in America. Or that thousands of others lose themselves on the way.
Their fate was built by their parents. Naming with authority is your first chance to take responsibility and steer your child into success. And I’d like to help you do just that.
I won’t get your hopes up: even with my scholarly background, I can’t tell you the perfect name for your child. That will always be your responsibility.
But my book Aaliyah to Zenobia: the Guide to African American Names and Their Heritage can put you on the path to naming with authority.
Before you order Aaliyah to Zenobia, let me just show you what you’ll get:
* A list of 352 African and Modern American Names
* 52 detailed articles on the history and role in Black America of many different names.
* 10 African and Black American “Naming Traditions” and ceremonies including:
* The Yoruban Naming Ceremony
* Faith-based Naming Traditions
* Ancestral Naming Ceremonies
* And many more!
* Countless tips on how to name your child for future success.
* All of this in an 80-page electronic download. The book is in PDF format, so you can start reading NOW and there are no shipping fees!
30-Day 100% Money-back Guarantee
Check out Aaliyah to Zenobia risk-free for two weeks. If you’re not satisfied, your money comes right back to you.
If you’re not happy with the advice, with the articles or the list of names, if you feel like my book is not helping you name your child with authority…simply ask for your money back, and it will be refunded.
No hassle, no problem.
That’s right: you keep the guide and get your money back if you are unsatisfied for any reason.
Name Your Child with Authority Today
Research has shown that there are two kinds of parents: those that work for their child’s success and those that wait, hoping success comes to them.
You’ve already proven that you’re part of the first group, so I hope you’re ready to take action on building your child’s future and character, right now.
I invested months of time worth thousands of dollars into making this easy-to-read guide on black names.
That’s why my colleagues think I’m crazy to offer the book for only $4.97, but here it is.
| YES! DeShawn, the more I think about it, the more I realize how this risk-free investment will directly improve my child’s future. Please send me Aaliyah to Zenobia NOW for $4.97 so I can start Naming my child With Authority. I understand that once I start using this book, and in the unlikely event that it doesn’t help me find the perfect name for my child, I still have the option to get a refund. |
.Now go out and do it! I wish you all the best in your journey to Name your child With Authority.
With Love,
DeShawn
P.S: Remember, this is an electronic document so you get everything delivered to you right away. No wait, no hassle, no shipping or handling to worry about
P.P.S: As an added bonus to readers who take action now, you will receive free lifetime updates to the material - so as my list of names expands, and I write more articles, you get all of them delivered to you. Automatically.
P.P.P.S: As I mentioned, my colleagues think I’m crazy for pricing my book so low. I’ll keep them off of my back for as long as I can!
« go back
