Born Mahala (she later added the "i" herself), she was affectionately called "Halie" by her family and close friends. This nickname was a diminutive form of her birth name and a tribute to her older aunt Mahala "Duke" Paul. You could say she was the thirteenth person to move in with Aunt Duke, earning her the charming nickname "Little Halie." Until she was five years old, Halie considered herself the family "pet" — how cute is that? Even as an adult, "Halie" remained a familiar name used by her loved ones.
Another notable nickname was "Hooks." This came from her childhood, when her older brother Peter called her "Fishhooks" because of her bow legs. It may not sound very flattering at first, but Mahalia didn't let it get her down. Despite this physical peculiarity, she rarely complained about her fate, and her radiant smile made others forget their worries. It is important to emphasize that this name was purely related to her childhood and her legs and had nothing to do with the later judge Ben Hooks, who was to play a role in her business ventures.
“Warpee” – This name has an interesting history that is deeply rooted in her childhood and dates back to her early fascination with certain media content.
The nickname came about because Mahalia developed a great enthusiasm for a series about Native American village life. This series was shown by a certain Mr. Hine and featured a character named "Warpee," who always appeared barefoot, as Mahalia often did in her childhood. Although the subtitles of the program were not really legible for the young Mahalia, she was captivated by the portrayal of Native American life and especially by the character of "Warpee." Her intense fascination with this program led to her being given this nickname.
Sources confirm the use of the nickname and describe how young Mahalia "absorbed every word, from the woe to the wonder, not believing or disbelieving, but fascinated." This underscores her attentive and profound way of taking things in.
In addition to the media connection, there are further indications of Mahalia's connection to Native American roots, which make the origin of the nickname "Warpee" plausible. Studs Terkel mentioned that Mahalia's mother was Creole and her father was a "Native American," which could indicate a family connection.Later in life, Mahalia also bought genuine Native American moccasins, not as souvenirs, but because she found them comfortable.
©Thilo Plaesser