I started watching NFL football a few years ago. Started off watching the Chiefs games with Barb but now watch three or four games in a week. From the beginning I was fascinated by the names of many of the Black players. I asked Perplexity to give me some examples:

1. Deommodore Lenoir
2. DeMarvion Overshown
3. KaVontae Turpin
4. Dontayvion Wicks
5. SirVocea Dennis
6. Rhamondre Stevenson
7. Qwan’tez Stiggers
8. Ji’Ayir Brown
9. K’Lavon Chaisson
10. Jahmyr Gibbs
11. Ja’Marr Chase
12. De’Von Achane
13. Ja’Tavion Sanders
14. TreVeyon Henderson
15. Calijah Kancey
16. Quinyon Mitchell
17. Azareye’h Thomas
18. Aireontae Ersery
19. LaJohntay Wester
20. Devontez Walker

How, I wondered, did their parents decide on these names? A relative? A favorite movie star? A character from a novel? Or maybe they just liked the sound of the name. And since every parent remembers how they decided, how about a podcast that features a brief interview with one or both parents in which they recount that important moment in the life of their son.

“Tell us, Mr. Thomas, how did you decide on the spelling of Aireontae?”

I can see the appeal of having a unique —or nearly unique— name. These days I suppose it would be as simple as asking your favorite AI to give you some names that are unique in spelling and pronunciation.