While in South Africa last week to headline the World Cup Kick-Off Concert in Johannesburg, Alicia Keys and fiance Swizz Beatz (can I just call him Kasseem Dean?) had their unborn child blessed in a “traditional” Zulu ceremony near Durban, on the country’s eastern coast.
Wearing tribal beads, Alicia and the baby were given Zulu names, a blessing in return for her work with local children’s charity Bobbi Bear. The names were kept private, but it’s said they were chosen to reflect Alicia’s character. Though Alicia and Kaseem probably already have names picked out for their child, I’m sure the Zulu names gave them something to think about…
I named my daughter Sascha (she was born in January 2006) to reflect a sassy attitude I somehow knew she was going to need. I was also randomly drawn to names that ended in the letter “a”.
The name first struck me while flipping through a newspaper and I saw comedian Jerry Seinfeld and his daughter, yep, Sascha. Then the name wouldn’t stop coming at me: I remembered that relatively unknown candidate for US Senate who spoke so eloquently at the 2004 Democratic National Convention had a daughter named Sasha, and actress Vanessa Williams daughter with former Los Angeles Laker Rick Fox was also a Sasha.
Though I take a little credit for being up on the name Sascha (Sasha, Sacha), I was ahead of most Americans who have been naming their daughters “Sasha” after the younger first daughter moved into the White House. According to the Social Security Administration, the name jumped in popularity in 2009, ranking as the year’s 23d fastest rising name.
It’s actually the Obama’s daughter Malia who is leading more Americans when it comes to naming their children. According to data released by the SSA in May, “Maliyah” was the fastest growing name in popularity in 2009 and while the first daughter’s name is spelled “Malia,” the SSA says that the big jump is most likely related to the popularity of the presidential family. Malia is a Hawaiian name that means “peaceful,” and in Swahili (one language of Kenya) it also means “queen.” [I’m sure Barack and Michelle are well aware of this.]
Different cultures honor the arrival of a newborn in different ways, they include:
- The Japanese baby naming ceremony is traditionally held on the seventh day after the baby’s birth.
- Infant Jewish girls undergo the Zeved Habat ceremony (led by the mother and includes a name giving prayer) and boys the Berit Milah ceremony (a naming and circumcision ceremony together).
- For Hindus, the naming ceremony is often commemorated with a havan or sacred fire on the 12th day after the baby’s birth.
- In Sierra Leone, a baby is named only after the umbilical cord has dropped off. Prior to that, it is believed that the baby does not yet have an identity of its own.
How did you come to name your children? Do you already have names picked out for your future child?
