Names are the first gift a person receives! Many people may overlook the importance of names, but culturally, names have a lot of meaning and value. Specifically, Black Americans have several beautiful and meaningful naming practices for their children, despite the negative perceptions of their names. There are several distinct naming practices that Black people use to name their children. From La’Keisha to Tyrone to Assata- this Ted talk explores the meaning, origin, and naming practice related to these Black names. Destin is a fourth-year Counseling Psychology Ph.D. candidate from College Park, GA. Destin's research interests broadly include racial socialization, social justice, mental health disparities in Black communities, and Black American cultural appreciation. Specifically, Destin is interested in celebrating African American naming patterns and examining the psychological effects of bearing Black Sounding Names. Through the lens of Liberation Psychology, and interdisciplinary collaboration, Destin's primary goal is to improve Black Americans' spiritual, physical, and mental well-being while appreciating their traditions, culture, and history. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx