John Negroponte...something about the name...

What exactly does Negroponte mean? I think it's Greek or something, but I'm not all too sure. I look at it, in Latin, and see "Black Leader". Call me crazy.

And what's this I hear about contras?

This guy sounds scary.

I think it's closer to "black bridge"

As far as I understand it, 'negro' means something like black in latin/italian, and ponte would probablty be acurately considered as bridge.

The top roman religious office, for example, was pontifex maximus, the Great Bridge or Big Bridgemaker or somesuch.

But, honestly, its his family name, your family name doesn't isn't secret code for your personality.