BabyNames.com pays tribute to black lives lost with list of ‘somebody’s baby’ names
A site known for offering the public a peek into the country’s top baby names has altered its site to reflect the names of black people who died, in many cases while in police custody.
BabyNames.com has become the go-to for browsing the most popular names, name meanings and other interesting name listings. The baby-naming website made a statement earlier this week by changing its front page to reflect the names of more than 100 black people who died in controversial incidents that often involved police officers. People previously supported by racial justice organizations such as Black Lives Matter were listed prominently on the site.
The list begins with the header that reads: “Each one of these names was somebody’s baby.”
"SANDRA BLAND - ALBERT JOSEPH DAVIS - DARRIUS STEWART - BILLY RAY DAVIS - SAMUEL DUBOSE - MICHAEL SABBIE - BRIAN KEITH DAY - CHRISTIAN TAYLOR - TROY ROBINSON - ASSHAMS PHAROAH MANLEY - FELIX KUMI - KEITH HARRISON MCLEOD - JUNIOR PROSPER - LAMONTEZ JONES - PATERSON BROWN - DOMINIC HUTCHINSON - ANTHONY ASHFORD - ALONZO SMITH - TYREE CRAWFORD - INDIA KAGER - LA'VANTE BIGGS - MICHAEL LEE MARSHALL - JAMAR CLARK - RICHARD PERKINS - PHILLIP PANNELL - NATHANIEL HARRIS PICKETT - BENNI LEE TIGNOR - MIGUEL ESPINAL - MICHAEL NOEL - KEVIN MATTHEWS - BETTIE JONES - QUINTONIO LEGRIER" -- an excerpt from the list of names
The first name listed is that of Emmett Till, who was lynched in Mississippi in 1955 and accused of coming on to a white woman. The last name listed is that of George Floyd, a Minneapolis man who died after a police officer kneed him during an arrest.
“Babynames.com stands in solidarity with the black community,” a message reads at the end of the list.
In response, several people retweeted the site this week and wrote about being amazed and tearful from the tribute.
About the Author
Stephanie has been telling stories her whole life. Her interest in the written word started with short stories and journal entries about run-ins with classroom bullies as a child and matured to writing for her high school newspaper over the years. She has written and edited for The Tennessean, Augusta Chronicle and American City & County.
