Hi I’m having twins soon and having trouble deciding on these names. I’m mixed race and my husband is African American, we love these two names but my family said they are “white trash names” and that they can only imagine the names on blonde blue eyed white girls. I’m unsure whether to go with my instinct or listen to my family. I would like your opinions on whether or not they will suit my black girls or are they too associated with white girls?
Also I think they are both maybe a little dated is amber too 80s and Emily too 2000s vibes?
No, I think that any name can suit someone of any race! (The exception would be cultural appropriation, but that isn’t the case here.) Use the names that you love, and congrats on your girls!
2 Likes
I think you are totally fine using both names. I don’t think a name won’t suit someone just because of their race. [name_f]Amber[/name_f] isn’t my style and I do think its a little dated. [name_f]Emily[/name_f] is definitely still in style. A little overused, but a nice name in general. I wouldn’t consider either “white trash names”. For me, that would be names misspelt or overly unique. These are your children and all that matters is your opinion. Good luck with your sweet girls!
Disclaimer: I am not black. I also do not particularly like either of those names. But they are your babies, and I believe your opinion should be the only one that matters when naming them. I don’t think it would be fair to give them “black” names that you don’t like just because they happen to be black. Now, like I said, I am not black, so I do not have any understanding of trying to maintain that identity. But I do believe you can raise proud black girls without having a traditionally black name. As for them being dated, that would be a valid concern you’d have to decide on. I do think they’re slightly dated, but not as much as many other names, and I know [name_f]Emily[/name_f] has been coming back and used a lot more.
I don’t think either [name_f]Emily[/name_f] or [name_f]Amber[/name_f] is an exclusively white name. I’ve met Emilys and [name_m]Ambers[/name_m] of many different races.
I don’t like calling any names trashy, but these certainly aren’t. And while they may be a little dated, I don’t think that’s a problem. [name_f]Amber[/name_f] is more dated in my mind, but it’s not unfashionable or anything like that.
I think if you and your husband love the names you should use them.
1 Like
I think [name_f]Emily[/name_f] and [name_f]Amber[/name_f] would be lovely for your daughters.
1 Like
[name_f]My[/name_f] sister is named [name_f]Emily[/name_f]. She’s [name_m]Black[/name_m]. No one has ever said a thing about it.
I say go for it. They’re both lovely names and there’s no reason for them to be gatekept!
(As a disclaimer: I am not [name_m]Black[/name_m] myself, and cannot speak for the [name_m]Black[/name_m] identity myself.)
2 Likes
I’ve known Emily’s whose families were more affluent than my own and Amber’s who weren’t white. The only poor Emily I knew was half Mexican, red headed with brown/hazel eyes. One of my best friends in elementary school was a black girl named Amber.
As far as naming your children goes I learned I just have to do my thing and not worry about trying to please people who may disagree. My husband tried telling me not to worry about it but it took me a while to realize that as long as I know my intentions are good I shouldn’t worry about other people’s complaints.
I think they could both suit girls of any race 
The first [name_f]Amber[/name_f] I ever met was black, if that helps.
1 Like
I know way more black Amber’s than white, and way more white Emily’s than black.
I think this one also kinda depends on where you live. I am a black woman and so I think understand what you mean when you say “too white” and that worry usually stems from not wanting your child to be alienated by a group, this is especially worrying when you have mixed race children because you want them to feel accepted among both groups. I wouldn’t worry too much about this, their names will fit them regardless. That said, if you are in the southern US [name_f]Amber[/name_f] and [name_f]Emily[/name_f] are names you would typically see on more white girls. Up north I would say [name_f]Amber[/name_f] is more used in the black community than [name_f]Emily[/name_f].
I personally think they are both classic names that don’t strike a negative chord one way or the other and I can easily see fitting a girl of any race honestly
4 Likes
I know at least three or four African-American girls/women named [name_f]Amber[/name_f], for what it’s worth. I think both those names are common enough that they could fit anyone of any background. [name_f]Amber[/name_f] is definitely a little dated, while [name_f]Emily[/name_f] is still very popular, but I don’t think either of those are bad things. If you really like them, I think you should use them and they sound very good together!
1 Like