where did the name of the black panther party come from

Lauraine says:

The exact origin of the Black Panther Party’s name isn’t entirely clear, but there’s a strong connection to a recent symbol used in the Civil Rights Movement:

• Inspiration from the Lowndes County Freedom Organization: The most likely source of inspiration is the Lowndes County Freedom Organization (LCFO) in Alabama. Founded in 1965 by Stokely Carmichael, the LCFO used a black panther as its symbol. This association with Black Power and a strong visual image likely influenced the founders of the Black Panther Party.

• Lack of Confirmation from the Founders: Unfortunately, neither Huey P. Newton nor Bobby Seale, the founders of the Black Panther Party, ever explicitly explained their reasoning behind the name. There might have been additional factors at play, or they might have simply liked the powerful imagery of the black panther.

Additional Notes:

• It’s important to note that the Black Panther ( Panthera pardus ) is a powerful and elusive animal, often seen as a symbol of strength and resistance. This symbolism likely resonated with the goals of the Black Panther Party.
• There’s a misconception that the Black Panther character from Marvel Comics was named after the Black Panther Party. However, the character’s original name was “Coal Tiger,” and the switch to Black Panther happened in 1966, the same year the Black Panther Party was founded. It’s more likely that both the comic book character and the Party drew inspiration from the rising tide of Black Power movements and the symbolism of the black panther.