Using data parameter of _.template to pass an array of values

Using data parameter of _.template to pass an array of values

Hi,
    Am new to backbone.js and was trying to pass an array to the view via the data parameter of the template. I did the following:

Template:

<% _.each(names, function(name){ %>
<li> <%= name %> </li>
<% }); %>

View:

var MyView = Backbone.View.extend({

template:_.template($('#NamesListPage').html(), names : ['a', 'b', 'c']),

render:function (data) {
      $(this.el).html(this.template);
}

});

This code works perfectly fine and a list with item values a, b and c come up in the screen.

However I want the array of names to be dynamically populated (maybe as part of the initialize method) and not hard-coded values. How do I achieve this? Any reference to a variable like as in  ._template($('#NamesListPage').html(), names : myArray), throws error saying myArray is not defined even if I define this array in the view.

Appreciate any help.

Thanks and Best Regards,
    Sandeep