“Ethnic” Name or “American” Name?

“Ethnic” Name or “American” Name?
“Ethnic” Name or “American” Name?

“Ethnic” Name or “American” Name?

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Choosing a name for your child is a huge decision. Sometimes it just clicks. But more often than not, there are discussions, followed by lists, followed by more discussions. And for any parent of any number of backgrounds that aren’t white or Anglo, choosing that name comes with a big question attached: Do you choose the “ethnic name” or the so-called “American name.” Journalist and playwright Wajahat Ali wrote about this in a recent opinion column for the New York Times called “For Muslim-Americans, Baby Aidan or Baby Muhammad?” Ali is co-host and digital producer of the daily talk show The Stream on Al Jazeera America and author of “Domestic Crusaders,” a play that tells the story of a day-in-the-life of a Pakistani-American family in the wake of 9-11.