Here's the significance behind each name:
Yolanda Denise (1955-2007):
- Yolanda: Named after Yolanda Davis, a civil rights activist and friend of the Kings. Yolanda Davis was actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement and worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr.
- Denise: Taken from the Spanish word "Dios," which means "God." Coretta Scott King wanted her daughter's name to reflect the spiritual aspect of their lives.
Martin Luther King III (born 1957):
- Martin Luther: Named after his father, Martin Luther King Jr., the revered civil rights leader who advocated for racial equality and nonviolent resistance.
Dexter Scott (born 1961):
- Dexter: Derived from the Latin word "dexter," which means "right-handed" or "skillful."
- Scott: In honor of Coretta Scott King's father, Obie Scott, who inspired his daughter's pursuit of social justice.
Bernice Albertine (born 1963):
- Bernice: Named after Bernice Fisher, a civil rights activist who organized the Albany Movement alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and played a crucial role in the Civil Rights Movement.
- Albertine: In tribute to Albertina Theodora Williams King, Martin Luther King Jr.'s mother and a prominent civil rights activist in her own right.
Each of the King children's names carries a meaningful connection to individuals who made a significant impact on civil rights and social justice movements. By choosing these names, Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King honored the legacy of those who fought for equality and instilled in their children a sense of purpose and responsibility to uphold the values they cherished.