"Stop Naming Your Kids Jayden and Biden" – Actor Bayo Bankole Advocates for Traditional Names

Nigerian comic actor Bayo Bankole, popularly known as Boy Alinco, has sparked a conversation on cultural identity by advocating for traditional African names over foreign ones.

Speaking on the Teju Babyface podcast, Bankole emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage through names. He urged parents to embrace rich Yoruba names like Oluwaseun, Oluwapamilerinayo, and Oluwasoromidayo instead of opting for Western names like Jayden and Biden.

"They call Dutch names, they call Russian names, they even call long Indian names, but we Africans change our names. Why?"

According to him, names hold historical significance and serve as a link to one's roots, just as they do for the Indians, Jews, and other cultural groups who preserve their naming traditions.

The Cultural Identity Debate: Are Foreign Names a Problem?

His comments have sparked mixed reactions, with some agreeing that names carry cultural significance, while others argue that parents should have the freedom to name their children whatever they choose.

While it's true that globalization has made foreign names more popular, does it come at the cost of losing African identity? Should parents balance modernity with cultural preservation?

Opinion: Should Parents Reconsider Western Names?

While there’s nothing wrong with adopting foreign names, Bankole raises a valid point—many African Americans struggle to trace their ancestry because their original family names were erased through history.

If names are a powerful connection to our roots, should African parents rethink the growing trend of replacing traditional names with Western ones?

What do you think? Do names really shape cultural identity, or is this just a matter of preference? Let’s discuss! 🔥👇🏽