What's In A Name? (3)

Fascinating subject (to me - third time at the bat)

This morning, I read an article in the NYT (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/12/fashion/12names.html?th=&adxnnl=1&emc=th&adxnnlx=1160655010-/qdueI3USczo/kDjHkVfzA) that was just what I was looking for. As America is embracing its diversity, foreigh-sounding names are no longer shunned. Less new citizens are choosing to anglicize their name and people are reverting to their "ethnic-sounding" names as they age. It has to do with coming to terms with their identity and embracing their cultural heritage.
An African friend of mine was given the name "Joan of Arc" when she was in school. (Can you imagine being called "Joan of Arc"? What were they thinking?) Her "normal" name was inadequate for the nuns, I guess. She emigrated to Canada, where people called her Jenny, a further departure from her real name (which she used as her last name). Where she comes from, there is no last name.
As a young adult, she reclaimed her African name as her own. Now this trend is growing, much to my relief. I don't believe in homogeneity at all costs for people. What is it supposed to achieve? Aren't we losing the salt of life? (I know, I know. Salt is bad for you, right?)
Well, I want salt. And pepper, please.