What is Rachel Dolezal's new name?

CONTROVERSIAL educator and activist Rachel Dolezal had her life turned upside down when she was exposed for faking her black ancestry.

As a result of her appropriation, she sparked outrage amongst Americans which continued when she changed her name.

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What is Rachel Dolezal's new name?

In October 2016, Dolezal changed her name to Nkechi Amare Diallo, which is often associated with West African culture.

Nkechi, short for Nkechinyere, comes from the Igbo language of Nigeria and means "gift of God," according to Complex.

Diallo also has symbolic meaning, stemming from the Fula people, and means "bold."

At this time, it is unclear why Dolezals changed her name.

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What have people said about Rachel Dolezal's new name?

Shortly after Dolezal's new name was revealed, several quickly criticized the decision.

Among the people who voiced their opinion on the name change was The Independent's Nishaat Ismail, who wrote an essay explaining why the name choice was wrong.

"She will never be able to relate to those who have had to grapple their way through their entire lives to get those who hold the power to determine the fate of their education and careers to look beyond their names," Ismail explained.

Author Luvvie Ajayi also criticized the decision, and claimed that Dolezal continues to appropriate black culture.

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“I would like to take this time to speak on behalf of Nigerians everywhere to say we do not claim, nor one-third claim Rachel Dolezal and her new name," Ajayi wrote in a blog post.

"We reject her attempt to attach herself to our glory, through that first name. And we bind it by holy ghost fire that this classless wonder of a being will not prosper at sullying our country name.

"It is not my portion to know this woman as my country kin, as she is an enemy of progress.”

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Is Rachel Dolezal married?

Due to Dolezal's controversy, she has stayed out of the spotlight in recent years so details of her dating life are unclear.

However, before the controversy, she was married to physiotherapist Kevin Moore.

The two tied the knot in 2000 but were divorced by 2005.

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During that time, they welcomed a son, Franklin Moore.

Dolezal later welcomed her second son, Langston, in 2016.