ABC Everyday Cultural appropriation is defined as taking or using things from a culture other than your own, especially without showing you understand or respect it. ( Print text only Cancel When Kerry French was pregnant with her son 27 years ago, she was inspired to name him something in a book she was reading. "Comanche's name was chosen for him after I was reading a book about native American tribes," the 47-year-old from Bendigo says. "We already had one son — Storm. We wanted an equally strong name with a connection to nature for our second child." She says they admired the cultural values and beliefs of native Americans — some of which reflected her own passion for the environment.