List of things named after Barack Obama explained

This is a list of things named after Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States. This list includes proposed name changes.

Organisms

Biota

Barack Obama has been commemorated in the scientific names of at least 14 species, the most of any U.S. president.^{[1] [2]}

Animals

• Aptostichus barackobamai, a species of water trapdoor spiders
• Baracktrema obamai, a blood fluke found in Malaysian turtles
• Desmopachria barackobamai, a diving beetle from French Guiana^[3]
• Etheostoma obama, a darter species
• Lasioglossum obamai, a Cuban bee^[4]
• Nystalus obamai (western striolated puffbird), a bird from the Amazon
• Obamadon gracilis, an extinct lizard
• Paragordius obamai, a parasitic worm from phylum Nematomorpha^[5]
• Placida barackobamai, a sea slug^[6]
• Spintharus barackobamai, a Cuban spider^[7]
• Teleogramma obamaorum, a cichlid, honoring Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama
• Tosanoides obama, a fish discovered in the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument
• Obamus coronatus, an Ediacaran organism

However, the genus name Obama (flatworm)^[8] and in particular the invasive species Obama nungara^[9] were not named after Barack Obama. The name "Obama" in this case is a coincidence and is derived from the Tupi language (which is spoken in the same area where the flatworm was discovered) where it comes from the words "oba" ("leaf") and "ma" ("animal"), which is a reference to the body shape of species in this genus.^[10]

Plants

• Solanum tuberosum, a tuber species potato variety. Also known as Obama Potato

Fungi

• Caloplaca obamae, a lichen species

Individual animals

• Barack Obama, a horse which competed in endurance games^[11]

Schools

California

• Barack Obama Academy – Oakland, California – Alternative Learning Community renamed after Barack Obama in March 2009^[12]
• Barack Obama Global Preparation Academy – Los Angeles – Built in mid 2010^[13]
• Barack Obama Charter School – Compton, California – Qued Charter Elementary School renamed after Barack Obama in January 2009^[14]

Connecticut

• Barack H. Obama Magnet University School – New Haven, Connecticut – Connecticut school to be named after former President Obama^[15]

Georgia

• Barack H. Obama Elementary Magnet School of Technology – Atlanta, Georgia – Opened in January 2017
• Barack and Michelle Obama Academy – Atlanta, Georgia – Renamed in November 2016

Illinois

• Barack Obama School of Leadership and STEM – Chicago Heights, Illinois

Maryland

• Barack Obama Elementary School – Prince George's County, near Upper Marlboro^[16] – Prince George's County Public Schools – Named after Barack Obama in June 2009 while under construction^{[17] [18]} In the 2010 U.S. Census, it was in the Westphalia census-designated place,^[19] but was moved to the Brown Station CDP in the 2020 U.S. Census.^[20]

Michigan

• Barack Obama Leadership Academy – Detroit, Michigan – Timbuktu Academy, which has been open since 1997, will become Barack Obama Leadership Academy^[21]

Minnesota

• Barack and Michelle Obama Service Learning Elementary – Saint Paul, Minnesota^[22]

Mississippi

• Barack Obama International Baccalaureate Elementary School – Jackson, Mississippi – Renamed as of October 2017, from Jefferson Davis, the Confederacy's only president^[23]

Missouri

• Barack Obama Elementary School – Pine Lawn, Missouri – dedicated as Barack Obama Elementary School in August 2011.^[24]

New Jersey

• Barack Obama Elementary School – Asbury Park, New Jersey – Asbury Park Public Schools – Formerly Bangs Avenue Elementary School^[25]
• Barack Obama Academy – Plainfield, New Jersey – Plainfield Academy for Academic & Civic Development renamed to Barack Obama Academy^[26]
• Barack Obama Green Charter High School – Plainfield, New Jersey – Charter high school opened in September 2010^[27]
• Barack Obama Elementary School – Jersey City, New Jersey – Jersey City Public Schools^[28]

New York

• Barack Obama Elementary School – Hempstead, New York – Ludlum Elementary School renamed to Barack Obama Elementary School^[29]

Ohio

• Barack Obama Elementary School – Maple Heights, Ohio – 4–5

Pennsylvania

• Obama High School – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Pittsburgh IB World 6–12 renamed to Pittsburgh Obama High School^[30]

Texas

• Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy – Dallas, Texas – all male, grades 6–10^[31]

Virginia

• Barack Obama Elementary School – Richmond – Renamed in 2018, formerly named after J. E. B. Stuart^[32]

Wisconsin

• Barack Obama School for Career and Technical Education – Milwaukee, Wisconsin – PK-12^{[33] [34]}

Streets

Spain

• Avinguda Barack Obama – In 2008, a street in the town of Nàquera in Valencia, Spain, was named in honor of Barack Obama for being "an icon of multiculturalism".^{[35] [36]} The street was formerly named after José Antonio Primo de Rivera, founder of the fascist party Falange and son of Spanish dictator Miguel Primo de Rivera.

Tanzania

• Barack Obama Drive – A road in the Tanzanian city Dar es Salaam was renamed in honor of Obama's visit to the country in July 2013.^[37] The road, located by the Indian Ocean, leads to the Tanzanian State House.^[38] It was previously known as Ocean Road.

United States

California

• Obama Way – Seaside, California – renamed from Broadway Avenue effective September 15, 2010.^[39]
• Obama Boulevard – Los Angeles, California – renamed from Rodeo Road officially on May 5, 2019.
• President Barack H. Obama Highway – Glendale, California, Pasadena, California, and Los Angeles, California – renaming of a section of California State Route 134 (part of the "Ventura Freeway", officially signed on December 20, 2018.^[40]
• Barack Obama Boulevard – San Jose, California – Rename portions of Bird Avenue, South Montgomery Street, South Autumn Street and North Autumn Street to Barack Obama Boulevard, approved January 5, 2021,^[41] and signposted August 21, 2021^[42]

Florida

• Barack Obama Avenue – Opa-locka, Florida – City commission approved the renaming of Perviz Avenue effective Presidents' Day, February 2009.^{[43] [44]}
• Barack Obama Boulevard – West Park, Florida – City commission approved the renaming of SW 40th Ave, Effective July 2009.^[45]
• President Barack Obama Parkway – Orlando, Florida – approximately miles in length; includes sidewalks and bike lanes.
• Barack Obama Boulevard – Pahokee, Florida^[46]
• President Barack Obama Highway within the limits of Riviera Beach, Florida^[47]
• Barack Obama Boulevard – Quincy, Florida^[48]

Georgia

• Barack Obama Boulevard – Valdosta, Georgia --On July 22, 2021, the Valdosta city council approved the renaming of Forrest Street, previously named for Nathan Bedford Forrest, to Barack Obama Boulevard.^[49]

Illinois

• South Barack Obama Avenue – East St. Louis, Illinois – City council approved the renaming of a half mile section of 4th street to Barack Obama Avenue in August 2012.^[50]
• Barack Obama Presidential Expressway – In July 2017, the Illinois General Assembly voted to name a section of Interstate 55 the Barack Obama Presidential Expressway.^[51]

Indiana

• Barack Obama Way – New Albany, Indiana – a section of Reas Lane was renamed in the last week of Obama's presidency to honor the fact that "Obama's stimulus plan has helped the city create new jobs and facilitate economic development."^[52]

Missouri

• President Barack Obama Boulevard – St. Louis, Missouri – Part of Delmar Boulevard given honorary renaming to Obama Boulevard, even though the postal address will retain Delmar Boulevard.^[53]

Mississippi

• Barack Obama Avenue – Ruleville, Mississippi^[54]

Ohio

• President Barack Obama Avenue – Cincinnati, Ohio – Cincinnati City Council approved a project to rename Reading Road from Downtown Cincinnati to Reading, pending private donations;^{[55] [56]} all 30,000 signs were installed by September 2021^[57]

Topographical features

• Mount Obama in Antigua and Barbuda – renamed from Boggy Peak on Obama's birthday, August 4, 2009.^[58] The name was changed back to Boggy Peak in 2016.^[59]
• Obama Kissing Rock in Chicago, Illinois^[60]

Other facilities

• The Barack Obama Plaza – a motorway service area in Moneygall in County Offaly, between Dublin and Limerick. It has a visitor centre that provides information on Obama's connections to Moneygall, the birthplace of his great-great-great-grandfather.^[61]
• President Barack Obama Main Library – St. Petersburg, Florida renamed its main library in 2018.^{[62] [63]}
• Michelle and Barack Obama Sports Complex - a sports complex in Los Angeles on Obama Boulevard
• Barack Obama Presidential Center – a planned museum and library in Chicago

Holidays

• Obama Day – Kenyan holiday honoring Obama's 2008 election victory
• Barack Obama Day – state holiday celebrated in Illinois

Arts and culture

Art pieces

• President Barack Obama
• Barack Obama "Hope" poster
• Barack Obama "Joker" poster

Films

• Obama Anak Menteng
• Obama Mama

Music

• Barack Obama vs. Mitt Romney
• Crush on Obama
• There's No One as Irish as Barack O'Bama

Literature

• Barack the Barbarian
• The Obama Identity

Proposed renamings

• Pembroke Park Road – Hollywood, Florida – portion of (or all of) road proposed to be renamed Barack Obama Boulevard^[64]
• Midway International Airport – Chicago, Illinois – In 2015, then-Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel proposed renaming the airport after Obama in 2015.^[65]
• I-57 – Illinois – U.S. Congressman Bobby Rush introduced the Barack Obama Highway Act in 2019 to rename the entire portion of I-57 in Illinois as Barack Obama Highway.^[66]
• Barack Obama Boulevard – Milpitas, California – Milpitas City Council approved the renaming of a section of Dixon Landing Road to Barack Obama Boulevard but later shelved the plan^[67]

See also

• List of topics related to Barack Obama
• List of places named for George Washington
• List of places named for Thomas Jefferson
• List of places named for James Monroe
• List of places named for Andrew Jackson
• List of places named for James K. Polk
• List of things named after Ronald Reagan
• List of things named after George H. W. Bush
• List of things named after Bill Clinton
• List of things named after George W. Bush
• List of things named after Donald Trump
• List of things named after Joe Biden
• List of educational institutions named after presidents of the United States
• Presidential memorials in the United States

Notes and References

1. Boddy. Jessica. These nine different creatures have been named after Barack Obama. Science. December 29, 2016. 10.1126/science.aal0558.
2. Web site: Foley. Katherine Ellen. Scientists love president Obama so much they've named nine different animals after him. Quartz. December 30, 2016.
3. Makhan. Dewanand. Desmopachria barackobamai sp. nov., a new species of waterbeetle from French Guiana (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae). 2015. Calodema. 361. 1–2. 10.13140/RG.2.2.23166.38728.
4. Julio A.. Genaro. Especies nuevas y nuevos registros de abejas para las Antillas (Hymenoptera: Anthophila; Colletidae, Halictidae. Novitates Caribaea. 2016. 10. 10. 38–51. 10.33800/nc.v0i10.28. free.
5. Web site: UNM Researchers Find When Mates Are Hard to Find, Males Are First to Go . Carr . Steve . April 18, 2012 . . May 13, 2013.
6. Web site: Peters . Cynthia . Marine Biologist Discovers Three New Species of Sea Slugs . PolyCentric . California State Polytechnic University, Pomona . December 11, 2017.
7. News: Thomsen. Jacqueline. Scientists name new species of spiders after Sanders, Obamas. TheHill. September 26, 2017.
8. Carbayo . Fernando . Álvarez-Presas . Marta . Olivares . Cláudia T. . Marques . Fernando P. L. . Froehlich . Eudóxia M. . Riutort . Marta . Molecular phylogeny of Geoplaninae (Platyhelminthes) challenges current classification: proposal of taxonomic actions . Zoologica Scripta . Wiley . 42 . 5 . 2013-05-20 . 0300-3256 . 10.1111/zsc.12019 . 508–528. 85286215 .
9. Carbayo . Fernando . Álvarez-Presas . Marta . Jones . Hugh D. . Riutort . Marta . The true identity of Obama (Platyhelminthes: Geoplanidae) flatworm spreading across Europe . Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society . Oxford University Press (OUP) . 177 . 1 . 2016-04-17 . 0024-4082 . 10.1111/zoj.12358 . 5–28. 88391925 . free .
10. Carbayo . Fernando . Álvarez-Presas . Marta . Olivares . Cláudia T. . Marques . Fernando P. L. . Froehlich . Eudóxia M. . Riutort . Marta . Molecular phylogeny of Geoplaninae (Platyhelminthes) challenges current classification: proposal of taxonomic actions . Zoologica Scripta . Wiley . 42 . 5 . 2013-05-20 . 0300-3256 . 10.1111/zsc.12019 . 508–528. 85286215 .
11. News: Horse named Barack Obama competing in FEI World Equestrian Games euthanized in Tryon. Davis. Dillon. Asheville Citizen-Times. September 15, 2018. September 27, 2018.
12. News: Oakland School Renamed Barack Obama Academy. March 26, 2009. KTVU. March 26, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090330212636/http://www.ktvu.com/news/19024811/detail.html. March 30, 2009. dead.
13. Web site: Barack Obama Global Preparation Academy . Bogpa-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com . May 7, 2011 . August 19, 2011.
14. News: Compton school is named for Barack Obama, a first in California. Song. Jason. January 16, 2009. Los Angeles Times' "L.A. Now" local news blog. January 19, 2009.
15. News: Connecticut school to be named after former President Obama. June 16, 2018. Associated Press. June 16, 2018.
16. https://www.pgcps.org/barackobama/ Home
17. Web site: School board approves Barack Obama Elementary name . June 26, 2009 . The Gazette.
18. News: Prince George's County Board of Education May Name Upper Marlboro School After Obama. The Washington Post.
19. "2010 CENSUS – CENSUS BLOCK MAP (INDEX): Westphalia CDP, MD." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 27, 2018. Pages: 1, 2, 3, and 4.
20. Web site: 2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Brown Station CDP, MD. U.S. Census Bureau. 2024-02-05. - Compare to the school's address.
21. Web site: Detroit School Changes Name To Honor Barack Obama. August 15, 2019 . CBS Detroit.
22. News: St. Paul elementary school to get Obama name. June 4, 2015. Star Tribune. May 19, 2009.
23. Web site: School named after Confederacy's only president renamed for Barack Obama. October 19, 2017. October 19, 2017. ABC Inc., KABC-TV Los Angeles, California.
24. Web site: Welcome to the Normandy School District Website. . Normandy.k12.mo.us . August 19, 2011.
25. Web site: Home. Barack Obama Elementary School. January 28, 2020.
26. Web site: Epa/Matthew Cavanaugh . Plainfield high school named after President Obama | New Jersey Real-Time News . February 19, 2009 . NJ.com . February 20, 2010.
27. Web site: New Barack Obama Green Charter High School is coming to Plainfield | Star-Ledger. April 11, 2010. NJ.com. Walsh, Jeremy. August 23, 2010.
28. Web site: Jersey City Board of Education OKs naming School 34 after Obama. October 22, 2016. NJ.com.
29. News: New York Elementary School Renamed After Barack Obama – Local News | News Articles | National News | US News . Fox News . November 21, 2008 . February 20, 2010.
30. Web site: South Florida Street Expected To Be Renamed For Obama – Miami News Story – WPLG Miami . Local10.com . November 22, 2008 . August 19, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110926235131/http://www.local10.com/news/18039672/detail.html . September 26, 2011 . dead .
31. News: Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy: DISD All-Male School Opens With High Expectations. Williams. Shawn P.. August 24, 2011. Dallas South News. September 3, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120323193446/http://www.dallassouthnews.org/2011/08/24/barack-obama-male-leadership-academy-disd-all-male-school-opens-with-high-expectations/. March 23, 2012. dead.
32. News: Richmond's J.E.B. Stuart Elementary School — honoring a Confederate — will be renamed for Barack Obama. Mattingly. Justin. June 18, 2018. Richmond Times-Dispatch. June 19, 2018.
33. News: 'Barack Obama School' name change splits Milwaukee board. jsonline.com. October 17, 2016.
34. Web site: Barack Obama School of Career and Technical Education. Milwaukee Public Schools. February 5, 2017.
35. News: Spanish street to be named after *Barack Obama. https://web.archive.org/web/20090201192704/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/barackobama/3533664/Spanish-street-to-be-named-after-Barack-Obama.html. dead. February 1, 2009. Govan. Fiona. November 28, 2008. The Daily Telegraph . UK. January 19, 2009.
36. News: La localidad de Náquera dedica una calle a Barack Obama y elimina el nombre de 'José Antonio' . Europa Press . December 27, 2008 . February 27, 2018.
37. News: Obama to Join With Political Foe Bush as Africa Trip Winds Down . Margaret . Talev . Julianna . Goldman . . July 1, 2013 . July 2, 2013.
38. News: Obama courts African businesses, is greeted by massive crowds in Tanzania on final leg of trip . https://web.archive.org/web/20130701232633/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/obama-and-bush-both-heading-to-tanzanias-capital-city-but-the-question-is-whether-they-meet/2013/07/01/d88fb242-e21d-11e2-8657-fdff0c195a79_story.html. July 1, 2013. . July 1, 2013 . July 2, 2013 . dead.
39. Web site: Seaside to Unveil "Obama Way" . https://archive.today/20120905145932/http://www.kcba.com/Global/story.asp?S=13158681&clienttype=printable . dead . September 5, 2012 .
40. Web site: Signage Up for Section of 134 Highway Renamed After President Barack Obama. December 20, 2018.
41. Web site: San Jose will rename this street as Barack Obama Boulevard. January 6, 2021 .
42. News: Barack Obama Boulevard dedicated in San Jose. Sal. Pizarro. The Mercury News. San Jose, California. August 21, 2021. August 22, 2021.
43. Web site: South Florida Street Expected To Be Renamed For Obama – Miami News Story – WPLG Miami . Local10.com . November 22, 2008 . February 20, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110926235131/http://www.local10.com/news/18039672/detail.html . September 26, 2011 . dead .
44. News: Obama to join literary characters in Florida. Carey. Clay. January 4, 2009. USA Today. January 11, 2009.
45. Web site: Topic Galleries – South Florida . Sun-sentinel.com . February 20, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090614064406/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/community/news/west_park/sfl-obama-boulevard-061109%2C0%2C578587.story . June 14, 2009 .
46. Web site: Pahokee renames streets in honor of president and . December 22, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151223040321/http://florida.newszap.com/belleglade/120223-113/pahokee-renames-streets-in-honor-of-president-and-local-nfl-star?printerfriendly=true . December 23, 2015 . dead .
47. Web site: Old Dixie Highway renamed in honor of Obama in Riviera Beach. Skyler. Swisher. sun-sentinel.com. October 18, 2017.
48. Web site: Quincy street renamed after Barack Obama. August 16, 2018. WTXL-TV.
49. News: Ethridge. Bryce. 22 July 2021. Forrest Street renamed Barack Obama Boulevard. The Valdosta Daily Times. Valdosta, Georgia. 28 July 2021.
50. Web site: East St. Louis city council minutes . City of East St. Louis, IL . March 30, 2014.
51. News: Illinois Highway To Be Named After Barack Obama. Mackey. Brian. February 16, 2018. en.
52. News: New Albany names street after Obama. The Courier-Journal. April 5, 2017. en.
53. Web site: Renamed schools, streets mark early tributes to Obama - USATODAY.com. usatoday30.usatoday.com. October 18, 2017.
54. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Barack+Obama+Ave,+Ruleville,+MS+38771/@33.7292771,-90.5538167,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x862a5443ca53c445:0x8ce694a3e2454d2c!8m2!3d33.7292771!4d-90.551628|Google Google Street View
55. News: DiTirro. Tessa. 2020-09-30. Renaming Reading Road: Council approves "President Barack Obama Avenue". 2020-10-01. WKRC.
56. News: Portion of Cincinnati's Reading Road to Be Renamed President Barack Obama Avenue. Maija. Zummo. Cincinnati CityBeat. Euclid Media Group. October 2, 2020. August 22, 2021.
57. Web site: White House Dinners and Street Names: The Story of Price's Career in Politics. Justin. Bjorseth. Concordia University Cougars. Concordia University Chicago. River Forest, Illinois. June 18, 2021. August 22, 2021.
58. News: Antigua's highest peak renamed 'Mount Obama' . Kentish . Anika . August 5, 2009 . August 15, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090813114950/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hsY4UIwbd8NllHORBvhjCRpttEnQD99S8NSG1 . August 13, 2009 .
59. Web site: May 29, 2019 . Boggy Peak Could Become A Protected Area . August 16, 2023 . Antigua News Room.
60. Web site: Obama Kissing Rock Historical Marker . 2023-04-24 . www.hmdb.org . en.
61. News: Unexpected things named after Obama. BBC News . October 18, 2017. October 18, 2017.
62. News: Ann Moore. Waveney. St. Petersburg library to be named for former President Obama. November 21, 2018. April 27, 2018. Tampa Bay Times.
63. Web site: Glasser. Eric. February 26, 2021. St. Petersburg renames its main library in honor of former President Barack Obama. 2021-07-27. WTSP. en-US.
64. News: Down the road: Obama Boulevard in Florida?. Rodriguez. Ihosvani. December 29, 2009. Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Florida). January 11, 2009.
65. https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-rahm-emanuel-raises-idea-of-renaming-ohare-midway-airports-20150325-story.html Obama International Airport? Emanuel floats idea of renaming O'Hare, Midway
66. Web site: H.R.45 – Barack Obama Highway Act. United States Congress. January 3, 2019. July 4, 2021.
67. Web site: Milpitas votes to create Barack Obama Boulevard despite landfill worries. September 17, 2019. The Mercury News.