

Essential Reading: Emily Bernard on Names, Race, Gifts, and Burdens
"A name is a map," writes Emily Bernard in The American Scholar, "a link to the past as much as it is a claim on the future."
Museum of Names
Dec 1, 2025


Climbing the Walls of Our Phonemic Chasm
Have you ever heard of a Phonetic Chasm? Because it’s surprisingly easy to fall into one, and the stakes can be high.
Kaomi Taylor
Sep 12, 2025


Your Name Is A Wake Word, Part 2: On Being Perpetually Lit
How many times does the average person hear their name in an ordinary day? Does it matter? It might.
Museum of Names
Aug 11, 2025


Name Interview: How to Own a Big Name
We asked a young woman named Independence what she'd like people to know about her name. Her response was candid and wise.
Kaomi Taylor
Aug 1, 2025


Guest Post: What's in a Pen Name? (Identity and Branding)
Reading through this thought-provoking reflection on one woman's exploration of personal, cultural, social, and professional identity, I...
Kaomi Taylor
Jun 15, 2025


Your Name Is a Wake Word (Part 1 - The Science)
Just imagine you’re in danger. What single word would be most likely to seize your attention and avert tragedy? Do you have any smart...
Museum of Names
Jun 5, 2025
