The Name "Jalen" Never Existed Until Black Americans Created It
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same for Laquisha an 'em
Not sure about this one, but I may look into it.
i know 4 jalens and all 4 are dumb as fuck...
This one also seems to be modern.
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Jaden is a modern, popular unisex name of American origin, developed from the Hebrew name Jadon, meaning "thankful," "grateful," or "God has heard/will judge". It gained massive popularity in the late 20th/early 21st centuries, partly due to celebrities like Will Smith naming their son Jaden, and is part of a trend of "-aden/-aden" names (like Jayden, Aiden).
- Origin: Modern American, derived from Hebrew.
- Meaning: "Thankful," "grateful," or "God has heard" (from Hebrew Jadon).
- Biblical Connection: Relates to the biblical figure Jadon, who helped rebuild Jerusalem's wall.
- Popularity: Rose significantly in the 1990s and 2000s, becoming a trendy, gender-neutral choice with many spellings (Jayden, Jaiden).
Pablo Torre broke this down for ESPN
In all seriousness its a Greek name
Always
He inspired the current Jalens but he wasn’t the original. It was a white and he had him on his show. Still don’t why they ended Jalen & Jacoby.
I know a few Juwan
Never understood why black folk create those stupid ass names for their kids. Seems foolish.
Interesting, never knew this.
I know some Jalens.
Never knew that he was the first.
I know some Jalens.
Never knew that he was the first.
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Humans have been creating names since the beginning of time.
If you look at the etymology of names, names are always changed/modified over time to fit different languages and peoples.
Distinct groups have always put their own spin on names.
Folks just get offended when black Americans do it because being as CAC adjacent as possible is a goal for some and/or "black Americans have no culture".
He wasn't the FIRST first. But he damn near the most important and the reason the name is what it is.
Crazy how influential Blackness is to the world yet they still hate us.
Humans have been creating names since the beginning of time.
If you look at the etymology of names, names are always changed/modified over time to fit different languages and peoples.
Distinct groups have always put their own spin on names.
Folks just get offended when black Americans do it because being as CAC adjacent as possible is a goal for some and/or "black Americans have no culture".
^^^^^
And I like it was a simple yet loving combination of his parents first name.
Born in 1973, his mother Jeanne created the name by combining James (father) and Leonard (uncle).
Something which the black community probably also invented ar least popularized the practice in modern society.
That's the dumbest excuse for handicapping your child with a non-standard name because of "culture". The vast majority of Jalen's aren't successful exactly because of their name. You can find anecdotal evidence in news stories and on YT. It ain't about being "CAC adjacent". It's about helping your child put their best foot forward in a society that will do anything/everything to hinder them. The last thing black folks need is an excuse to give crackas for disenfranchising them. And yes, I understand that a standard, "CAC adjacent" name as you call it, is no guarantee a black man/woman will be successful, but it's definitely one less stumbling block.Humans have been creating names since the beginning of time.
If you look at the etymology of names, names are always changed/modified over time to fit different languages and peoples.
Distinct groups have always put their own spin on names.
Folks just get offended when black Americans do it because being as CAC adjacent as possible is a goal for some and/or "black Americans have no culture".
Also, "Jalen" wasn't conceived as cultural. The mom in the video just wanted a name to honor her husband and his brother. Black folk who take actual muslim or african names are cultural, not that made up LaQuanna, Keef, Sheronda, and Mercedes bullshit.
Following his success at Michigan and in the NBA in the 1990s, the name exploded in popularity, leading to over 30 players with variations of the name in the NBA/NFL by 2021.
ESPN fuckery... and contracts and life.
Then it was difficult to bring them both over to the Ringer which was Bill Simmons dream. Then other deals popped up for them individually etc etc
I really hope they still do it one day.
Never heard anyone called anfernee b4
Lot of people hate people that are the most desirable, the most innovative, the most creative, the most influential, cause it makes them feel more weaker, insecure, acknowledge how incapable they are... Alpha/ beta relationship... If the alpha male of the animal show his face , the more likely the beta will get no buns, which means no next generation, which means extinction of their bloodline... It's simply nature.. when you see the point of view of the beta you understand the hatred of the superior being.. not saying it's right but now you know what you up against.. it's simply nature.. when you understand nature and math you will understand why the world is what it is and why the people in power go against both nature and math in order to fuck up humanity
I actually think I have!!!
Bro you do not want to know the names I done heard before - especially coming ftom the Caribbean. Let's just say thank the Lord they aint popular.
Your first sentence speaks to exactly what I was talking about.... a "need" to be CAC adjacent.
It is what it is, bruh.
Only defeatist black Americans have this disillusionment that naming your child something will handicap them for life.
This is because we have lived in an anti-black culture for generations.
What really matters are the family's social standing, their integrity, their goals, and their family dynamic....not a goddamn name.
I have a Muslim name since those names were popular in the 70s. Matter of fact, my kindergarten class had my name, a Rahsaan, and a Riyad. You'd argue that these names have "culture", but CACs wouldnt care because it's not their culture.
My dad who was born outside of Memphis in the 50s had a plain biblical name that you would assume was acceptable for CACs. He still had to deal with hella racism that hindered his upward mobility.
My point is that CACs are going to be CACs. If your CAC adjacent name gets you the interview, but the interviewers are racist anyway and see that you are black, do you think that your anglo sax name matters? Are you are going to win over a racist during an interview, bruh?
Anyway, my son has a very unusual ancient Egyptian name and he is in the top of his class in a city that is full of people from different cultures and countries.
Im not from this city, but being here and seeing the names of people who you would consider successful, youd realize that naming black children "ghetto" names was never the problem. The problem was the culture of CACs practicing racism white supremacy to keep resources and prosperity from black people in America.
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This conversation just brought up memories, bruh.
This shit is personal.
I have a quick story.
I had just finished my masters degree and was applying to positions. I chose to use my dad's name for my resume and would tell people that I go by my dad's name. (Of course that was a lie). I even had an email address using my dad's name.
So I got an interview with the city of Toronto (in Canada) for a junior professional position. (The field that I was looking to get into had like 0% black people). I met the interviewer, started the interview, and was doing my best to show what I knew.
This CAC bitch who was interviewing me was impressed with my credentials, knowledge, and understanding of the field.
But for some reason, she couldn't get over that I was from Flint, Michigan. (This was before the water crises BTW).
Seriously, she was obsessed with it and mentioned me being from Flint multiples times during the interview.
I saw the face that she made when I said it.....She literally cringed.
Of course, I didnt get the position. I forgot what bullshit excuse that they gave me, but I knew that, during the interview, I had it in the bag.
After that experience, I went back to using my real name on my resume because CACS ARE GONNA CAC.
If they don't filter you out during the process of examining your resume, they will filter you out later during the hiring process for whatever reason.
Why the fuck would I want to work at place that filters out people by the names on their resumes anyway?
That is as discriminatory as it gets and would not be where I would want to work.
That CAC bitch would have found any reason that she could to make sure that I didn't get the job.
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i know 4 jalens and all 4 are dumb as fuck...
The trend started in 1970s.
Lots of traditional Boys name was trending to be Girls names like ‘Tracy’ and ‘Casey’.
And following the Black Power movement and ‘Roots’ being a popular book/TV mini-series.
That combination had Black folks creating what they thought was ‘Afro-Centric’ names with odd spellings.
If you feel a parent giving their child a normal name in a society that only values culture they can profit from, i.e. rap/hip-hop music, hair products, etc, is CAC adjacent and that the only real social currency is family standing, integrity, etc, you're entitled to your opinion, although it's a bit naive. I can dig up reports of employers not giving a fuck about a black candidate's character; they look at the name on the resume and throw it away when they see Trevon.Your first sentence speaks to exactly what I was talking about.... a "need" to be CAC adjacent.
It is what it is, bruh.
Only defeatist black Americans have this disillusionment that naming your child something will handicap them for life.
This is because we have lived in an anti-black culture for generations.
What really matters are the family's social standing, their integrity, their goals, and their family dynamic....not a goddamn name.
I have a Muslim name since those names were popular in the 70s. Matter of fact, my kindergarten class had my name, a Rahsaan, and a Riyad. You'd argue that these names have "culture", but CACs wouldnt care because it's not their culture.
My dad who was born outside of Memphis in the 50s had a plain biblical name that you would assume was acceptable for CACs. He still had to deal with hella racism that hindered his upward mobility.
My point is that CACs are going to be CACs. If your CAC adjacent name gets you the interview, but the interviewers are racist anyway and see that you are black, do you think that your anglo sax name matters? Are you are going to win over a racist during an interview, bruh?
Anyway, my son has a very unusual ancient Egyptian name and he is in the top of his class in a city that is full of people from different cultures and countries.
Im not from this city, but being here and seeing the names of people who you would consider successful, youd realize that naming black children "ghetto" names was never the problem. The problem was the culture of CACs practicing racism white supremacy to keep resources and prosperity from black people in America.
To your point about the racist employer, there's levels to racism for crackas. They see a name like Trevon or similar on a resume, they think stereotypically that the candidate will be too aggressive, or have an unwillingness to follow hair and attire guidelines and we've seen/heard of reports of black folk doing just that. A cracka sees a name like George, they're disarmed and are willing to invite the candidate for the interview. I'm not saying this is right; but I'm saying it's reality some black folk have to navigate.
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