What’s in a name? It is the way we navigate the world, and it is often the first way that people make impressions when they are unable to see our faces. Consider the following. What are your opinions when you see each of these names; Shaniqua, Daevon, Gabriela, Jose, Isabelle, Matthew, Mai, and Hieu? It is more than likely that for each name, you hold some preconceived notion of the person that the name belongs to, even if you did not realize that you had such ideas. Each of these names represents a particular ethnic identity in this country, and therein, biases and racism can sneak under most people’s noses without them even being conscious of it.

For example, let us take a situation such as a job interview. According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, a candidate with a Black-sounding name, such as Shaniqua or Daevon, is 50% less likely to get a callback for an interview. As such, there is apparent name-based discrimination occurring in such situations. Names can also be a source of assigned prejudice; for example, a workplace may note that a person has an Asian-sounding name and determine that they cannot speak fluent English.

You, the reader, may even hold some of these biases yourself, and it is okay to notice that these biases exist. However, it is NOT okay to pass discrimination against people based on their names. If you note that you are engaging in such behaviors, ask yourself why you think this way. What are your beliefs about this population? Does it have something to do with how you were raised or the demographics of the area you live in?

A name is something that a person should not have to change about themselves to “fit in” or be more accepted by American society. Names represent decades, if not centuries, of culture and ethnic identity and should be respected for what they are instead of forced into submission for a more “American” or “White” sounding name. If you are a target of name discrimination, don’t be afraid to speak up. Ask the person why they treat you unequally or consider using any of the Five Ds discussed in the Hollaback section. Together, we can work to ensure a more fair and just society where names do not hold the same stigma they do today.