ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Slave name

Slave names were the names given to enslaved people by their owners when they were taken away from their homes and families. These names were usually taken from their owners and were often made up. The names were used to identify them and to keep track of them. They were often changed, so that the enslaved people would all have different names. The enslaved people were not allowed to keep their own family names.
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