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Maat · (#62 (**permalink**))

Hey Kunjufu,

I'm quite proud to have read about your choices to change your name to what you felt was right for you. I agree that names are important and do need to have meaning not just for the person you are at birth but also the person you will live to be.

I have several names some were given to me and one I have chosen. The names given to me when I was older mean "she who is agreeable" and "just soul". The name I chose for myself before receiving these was Talibah "seeker of knowledge. I don't mind as much when people call me by my "christian" name because that's what they know me as. I keep my cultural side and my dunya side seperate sometimes just to stay away from the ignorance. Those that know and need to call me by my Nubian names and I prefer it that way.

Allmy children have Nubian and Ashuric names although my daughters first name is a combination of mine and hubby's grandmothers names out of respect for them.All their names are on their birth certificates too but we have made theNubian names their middle names so that if they choose when they are older to use those names so be it.

At home and around family we call them by their Nubian names though. It's quite funny to hear the other family members get used to pronouncing them but they know what to expect from us by now LOL. We also have a naming ceremony7 or 8 days after each child is born and we decide based on how their characters seem once they're born.

It does help to know that these things do have a high level of importance to so many of us. It's just a shame that we still have what seems like a weight of judgement haning over us as to whether or not we recalim some form of culture. Geez sometimes it's like we can't have anything of our own. Take your name yes!