A president named Obama changes the name game

[babylonsister]

A president named Obama changes the name game

By DEEPTI HAJELA
Associated Press Writer


NEW YORK (AP) -- Zenas Ackah has heard it all his life: What kind of name is that? You must not be from here. You must be foreign.

Actually, no. Born in the United States, the 22-year-old college senior with the Greek first name and the Ghanian last name grew up in Philadelphia.

But Ackah is hopeful that change is coming, that the idea of an "American" name will expand beyond monikers like Tom and Harry and Sally and Jane and Smith and Jones. He figures he's got a strong weapon on his side - for at least the next four years, when people look to the most powerful American in the country, the "uber-American" if you will, they'll be looking at President Barack Hussein Obama.

"I think it will help people understand that people in America aren't just John, Jack, Mary," Ackah said. "They're Zenas and Barack."

Obama's name gave him his share of trouble during the campaign. He acknowledged its unfamiliarity to most Americans, and there were times when supporters of his opponent made a point of using his middle name, which was seen as an attempt to cast doubt on his background and faith.

But the next four years will ensure that his name is no longer unfamiliar.

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBAMA_WHATS_IN_A_NAME?SITE=CONGRA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[Unsane]

1. It sure does.

[biscotti]

2. I keep thinking of history books not yet written

that list former presidents and their endeavors. The plain American names, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Harry Truman, etc. and then Barack Obama! Fabulous! i am so proud of my country!

[AllentownJake]

3. Something tells me if Barack is as good as a President as I believe he will be

Barack won't be such an uncommon name in America in 50 years.

:-)