How do you pronounce Kamala? Why it matters for her and Usha Vance

With Joe Biden quitting the 2024 presidential race, Kamala Harris has become the front-runner for the Democratic nomination.

As she steps further into the spotlight, you’ll be hearing her name said more — both correctly and incorrectly.

How do you pronounce Kamala?

Kamala Harris’s name is pronounced “COM-mah-lah,” with the emphasis on the first syllable. It sounds like comma-la when said correctly and aligns with the Sanskrit origins of her name — meaning lotus — Harris has explained at times throughout her public life.

In a 2016 video during her Senate campaign, Harris had a cast of kids explain what other pronunciations weren’t correct for saying her name.

Pronouncing names correctly and respecting how people choose to be identified will likely play a role in the election. It has before.

Despite her efforts, Harris’s name has been mispronounced by political opponents, sometimes perceived as deliberate disrespect. For example, at a 2020 rally, Sen. David Perdue mockingly mispronounced her name, which drew criticism for what many saw as an intentional slight.

And the issue of personal identifiers — including preferred pronouns and names — has been used as a rallying cry and a weapon in politics.

It’s not a one-party concern. Donald Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, has used different surnames at various times in his life, and his wife’s name isn’t a familiar one for American tongues.

Born James Donald Bowman, Vance adopted his stepfather’s surname, becoming James David Hamel. Eventually, he chose to adopt his maternal grandparents’ surname, Vance, who played a significant role in raising him.

He and his wife legally took the name Vance when they were married in 2014.

How do you say Usha Vance?

Vance’s wife, Usha Vance also has a name that can be difficult to pronounce.

— born Usha Chilukuri — and reflects her Indian heritage. Her first name, Usha, is pronounced “OO-shah,” and her maiden name, Chilukuri, is typically pronounced “chee-loo-KOO-ree,” with the emphasis on the third syllable.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: How do you pronounce Kamala? Getting hers, Usha Vance’s names right