Do these names sound "black"?

Question

My husband and I have already agreed what we plan to name our first daughter, but we're having trouble with boys' names. I have a few names I love, but when I told them to my husband, he immediately said, "Those sound too black." When I mentioned them to his sister, she immediately said, "But you're white!"

The names are Julius and Miles. Do those names strike you as particularly African-American? What is it about them? Is it the S ending? (They strike me as very Roman, in the first case, and very British, in the second.)

How do you feel about parents choosing names that are more common on another race? Should it matter?

Answer 1

I'm planning on giving Miles as the middle name to my son. Except I plan on spelling it Myles.

Liam Myles.

it doesn't sound "black" to me at all.

go for it.

Answer 2

Even if it was African-American who cares! That  doesn't matter!

Answer 3

They don't sound like it to me. Rachelle and Shaniqua do. I don't like the name Julius though. I like Miles.

Answer 4

I don't think they sound "black" in the slightest. In fact i would find it odd if a black kid was named any of these names.

If anything they sound british, which you already highlighted.

Julius is a lovely name by the way,

Good luck :)

Answer 5

umm we are in the year 2008 no one cares any more there is no such thing as a black or white name a name is a name it doesnt describe a person and besides that america is well known for the originality of names. most countries have very common names and no original ones i think you should name your son whatever you want... think of the names that all the superstars come up with are they automatically black names because they arent common... come on now...

Answer 6

I don't see anything wrong with those names at all! They don't sound black to me, but they wouldn't sound wrong on a black child either. I don't think race really matters with names. I think ethnicity and heritage are more important, which are separate from race to me. I think a Hispanic child named Oscar sounds funnier than a  white guy named Tyrone, because they're both Irish names, even if Oscar is stereotypically Hispanic, and Tyrone is considered black.

Answer 7

They may be thinking of Julius Irving (aka Dr. J) who is a former professional basketball player. As for Miles, they may be thinking of Miles Davis, the late jazz legend.  Both of these individuals just happen to be African-American.  I think parents should pick whatever names they like within reason.  You wouldn't want to pick a name where the child's initials spell out something with a negative connotation, for example, Frank Ulysses King.  

Answer 8

Miles=No

Julius=Yes

-Savannah

Answer 9

Julius just a little but miles not really i have a black friend named miles. I don't htink it matters but think about your childs future with those names like in middle school.

Answer 10

I've never known a Julius, period, so I couldn't say if it sounded one way or the other.  However, I've known two Myles(es).  Both were white.  I don't think of Myles as a black name at all.  Isn't Julius part of OJ's name?  Maybe that has something to do with it.

Answer 11

You know, I think that you should choose the names you like and not worry about what other people think. My mom told me that she regrets not naming my sister 'Jasmine' because my fathers dad thought it sounded 'black'. It is your child and you are the one naming it, if you like the name, I say go for it. Julius is a very cute name.

I wish people would not put so much emphasis on race.

Well, good luck!

(sorry if I ranted a bit)

Answer 12

Wow, your husband is a racist if you ask me...

You can't put a color to a name... thats pretty disrespectful.

And for you to post what your husband said is awful.

Julius and Miles could be a chinese person for all you know..

So please dont post things like that?!?!!

Answer 13

i'm with you. Julius sounds very Roman and Miles is definitely British. it doesn't matter what race the names sound like. if you like them, go for it. Daniel is a Hebrew name, but it isn't only Jewish people who name their child this very handsome name.

Answer 14

I think they are cute names, and don't sound particularly black or white.

It shouldn't matter anyway!

Answer 15

I've heard of blacks and whites with both names. However you and your husband should come up with names that both of you can agree on if it's going to create problems in your relationship. Personally, I think both names are universal and fine.

Answer 16

I suppose I can understand the reaction to Julius - the only adult Julius I know is, as it happens, black.  (He's also Julius III.)  But that's kinda crazy - after all, the best known Julius ever was Caesar and he was, well, an ancient Roman.

And Miles?  No way!  The only Miles I know is white - and a toddler.

Years ago, friends of ours lived overseas when their children were young.  The only Canadians they knew happened to be black, but from that experience, their kids assumed that all Canadians were black.  When they saw white Canadians competing on TV during the Olympics, they were flummoxed.

I suspect that your SiL has that kind of experience - she's coincidentally met a black Julius (as have I) and a black Miles.  And so those names read "black" to her.

My husband and I had the same argument about Dante.  To me - I'm Italian - it's a valid heritage choice.  To my husband, it's the name of countless pro athletes, all of them black.  He thinks it would be a tough name for a potentially bookwormish white boy to wear.

I do think its fair to consider race when choosing a name.  A white girl called Ebony?  That would be strange.  Ditto Imani.  But it's certainly not the only characteristic.

And it must be said that *most* names have notable bearers both black and white.  So with the exception of a handful of heritage names, I don't think anything is really off limits - and I think your SiL is off base.

Answer 17

ummmmm i don't know any black guys named those names but i dont think it should matter i know many white boys named miles and if you like them go for it. who ever said that just sounds ignorant. i am naming my first daughter serenity and alot of people says that sounds ghetto. why? because its not ugly as fukc and boring like katherine or becky. dont give a fukc what people say

Answer 18

ppl think julius is a black name b/c of the guy off of remember the titans.... it doesnt mean it is a "black" name...

I dont get why ppl would think miles is a black name.... i know lots of white people named miles.... a good example is Miles O'brian off of CNN hes white!!!

Answer 19

Today, people choose names that are meaningful and for the most part disregard early "ethnic" tendencies. Miles is traditionally a very British name, traditionally, but our next door neighbor is of Polish descent and has given the name Miles to his little son. My family is of Jewish-German descent and I have an Gr-Gr Uncle Julius. I'd be inclined to be careful of names that rhyme (let's avoid the playground taunt) and names that are not gender specific (Leslie and Lynn I'd avoid for a boy)

Hope this was helpful.  

Answer 20

ummm, please tell me that your husband does not have a thing against names that sound BLACK! my Lord no! why don't you go with something like Cole or Chase? maybe that would satisfy him, but Julius and Miles are not BLACK names. A name is a name no matter the color of the person. I suggest you go through a baby name book and decide.

Answer 21

Miles doesn't sound black at all. I know four guys named Miles, and they are all white, actually. Julius reminds me of either Julius Caesar, or the character from Remember the Titans.

I say go for the Miles, but switch from Julius if your husband doesn't like it.

Answer 22

They do sound black. I don't know why they just do.

But if you like them the race shouldn't matter!

Good luck!

Answer 23

i no a miles and a julius and their both white. they sound white 2 me.

Answer 24

I agree with you.. I think that the first choice is very Roman and the second is very British. I wouldn't worry to much. I happen to like those names for a little boy.. Growing into them might be a little hard..

Good Luck!

Answer 25

Julius or Miles do not sound black at all, at least to me.  I would do Julius because it sounds better than Miles.

Answer 26

Miles is a great name. Julius is just like J. Caesar.

I think that both names are race-neutral. Seriously, they don't "sound black", they sound human!

It shouldn't even be a concern. The fact that you're husband thinks so and is turned off by it, is simply ...sad  

Answer 27

Haha I can see where both of you are coming from.

It's really in the eyes of the beholder, and I do like Miles by the way.

If you're having troubles agreeing with a name, why not go to Babynames.com?

It's a great site with a variety of names, and it even tells where the name originated from and is also rated by peers too.

Personally I like the names Virgil and Savvy (I'm a fan of uncommon names), but that's just me :)

Answer 28

I don't think they sound "black." And yes, Julius sounds roman and Miles reminds me of the Mexican race. But that's only because I have a friend named Miles who's Mexican. Anyways, choosing names that are common in a different race really shouldn't matter. That's my opinion.

Answer 29

I don't think either sound "black" and I agree that they, especially Julius, sound Roman which I do like. As they are brother and sister they may known someone with those names who is black which could be the reason.

I don't think they sound british because I am british and have never met or heard of anyone in England with those names!

If he really doesn't like the names there isn't much you can do about it because people often don't grow to like names they hate.

Answer 30

No. Shaniqua is black. Not Julius, and not Miles. And that's terrible that your husband would ever turn down a name because he thinks theyre 'too black'. should never ever even be a factor.

Answer 31

I don't think they sound black, and besides if that's what you want to name your child then people who know you will associate those names with your child and nobody else. I've been so shocked since I became pregnant to find out how many people overstep their boundaries when offering their opinion about your child's name. Don't pay attention to them.