“Hard to Remember, then Hard to Forget”: A Qualitative Exploration into the Attitudes and Lived Experiences of Black People With Black Names

Naming practices within the Black American community are vibrant, deeply rooted in cultural traditions, and reflect shared values. Like other ethnic groups, these names tell stories, honor heritage, and connect individuals to their community. However, due to systemic anti-Blackness, Black Americans often have a complex relationship with their names. While prior research has focused on negative associations using quantitative methods, this qualitative study amplifies the voices of Black people with Black names. Using reflexive thematic analysis, this study examines the attitudes and lived experiences of Black people with Black names regarding their names. Five key themes emerged: From Name to Black Name, Say My Name, Balancing Creativity and Caution When Naming, Black Names as Identity Anchors, and You’re Not Sure, But You Wonder. Together, these themes highlight how personal experiences, family influences, and community connections shape one’s evolving relationship with their name. Findings suggest names may play a significant role in racial-identity development, capturing both pride and complexities associated with Black names. This study offers practical implications for understanding the social, cultural, and psychological significance of names within Black-American communities.