Shaniqua
Shaniqua (also Sheniqua) is a female given name in the English language, originating in the African-American community during the 1970s to 1980s Afrocentrism movement.[1][2]
Gender | Female |
---|---|
Language(s) | English |
Origin | |
Word/name | African-American |
Meaning | Invented |
Region of origin | United States |
Other names | |
Variant form(s) | Chineequa,[1] Sheniqua, Shanique |
Related names | African-American names |
It often given as the prototypical example of a ghetto name, names likely to belong to low-income African-Americans.[3][4][5] It has been used in racism-related incidents to symbolize black women.[6][7]
2016 documentary
The name was the namesake of the 2016 documentary Searching for Shaniqua, directed by an Old Dominion University English language professor.[1] According to Vibe Magazine journalist Sheniqua Golding, the documentary was well-received, exploring the stereotypes surrounding this name often given to black children and the difficulties faced by those bearing the name. It won the 2016 HBO Best Documentary at Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival.[8]
People with the name Shaniqua or close variations
- Linda Miles (born 1978), American professional wrestler who went by this name mononymously
- Shaniqua Okwok, British actress
- Sheniqua Ferguson (born 1989), Bahamian sprinter
- Sheniqua Thomas (born 1998), Barbadian netball
- Sheniqua S. "Nikki" Greene (born 1990), American basketball player
See also
- Shaniqua (song), a hip-hop song bearing the name but unrelated to its connotation which achieved minor commercial success in the early 2000s.
References
- https://www.pilotonline.com/2016/11/17/your-names-shaniqua-how-a-name-can-affect-your-life/
- https://www.thebump.com/b/shaniqua-baby-name
- https://blavity.com/new-doc-searching-for-shaniqua-whats-in-a-name-will-tackle-impact-of-names-fundraising/
- https://www.thegeorgiavirtue.com/local-news-south-georgia/picture-with-decorated-trash-bin-prompts-apology-diversity-training-in-jenkins-county/
- https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna25419359
- https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-08-24/racist-shaniqua-postings-show-students-stomping-black-doll
- https://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/li-naacp-head-chastises-levy-for-shaniqua-remark-v23617
- https://www.vibe.com/news/movies-tv/searching-for-shaniqua-documentary-452847/