Hmmm forgive me for that I didn't intend to press submit. If I may continue with my theory of what names seem to be most appealing to African Americans

2. the length of the name {two syllables with the accent on the first
                           syllable, or three syllables with the
                           accent on the next to the last syllable.*
                        
3. the positive association- {names of stars that meet the other
   of the name with someone   criteria are adopted; negative
   or something in popular    associations
   culure   

4. the use of established
   prefixes and or suffixes {this probably refers back to #1: for
                               example "La"; as opposed to the older
                               "Le" as a prefix for females:
                               "ika" as opposed to "ous" as a
                               suffix- contemporary "ika"
                               female: "ous" older, basically
                               retired suffix for males such as
                               "Theodous"      

5. the look of a name       {this appears to be much more importance
                              in the late 20th century and now; I
                              am referring to the use of
                              capitolizations {for instance DeAndre
                              instead of Deandre}; accent marks,
                              hypens
                              
                              
6,7, 8 ect I'm sure there are more; this is just a beginning
   
*Maybe all these criteria are the same as in mainstream America except that I think that we {African Americans} may not have the
same sound preferences and also may not have the same positive/negative associations. Furthermore, I think that African American culture values improvisation more than mainstream [non-African American culture}. IMO, we excel in creating things whole cloth and making creative use of already existing material to fashion something new. Thus the plethera of "new" or different "African American" personal names.

As to the use of Arabic names: IMO, religion is low on the reasons why we {African Americans} select names. Islam came to Western Africa in the 11th century as conquerors but the same could be said for the Anglos and the Saxons and Vikings [which ever group or groups conquered which ever...But English people have no problem using the names of their long ago conquerors, is that not so?

There are historical documents that prove that some Africans who were enslaved came from Muslim parts of West Africa. Some enslaved Africans were Muslim and gave Muslim {Arabic names, or Africanized Arabic names such as the female name "Habibatu" instead of "Habiba"}to their children}. Arabic names were [and still are] more known to us [and other Americans than traditional African names. For example wasn't [isn't?] there a White US General Omar Bradley? and what about "Ali Baba and the 30 Theives"? and Princess Shaharazade]. The Moorish American movement in the 1940s or so sparked the reintroduction of Arabic names [since followers of that religion give their children and themselves Arabic names and hyphenate their European last name with an Arabic suffix {Bey, Ali, or El}. The rise of Sunni Islam among African Americans and the adoption of Arabic names by famous African American jazz musicians and sports figures promoted their use among other African Americans, many of whom were not {and are not}Muslim.

As more African Americans learn traditional African names we have adopted them as they are and have adapted them to suit our preferences.

Language is alive for us, and change is a part of being alive.



Azizi