Discover Beautiful African American Names

Form of Dion or Dennis, from Dionysos, Greek mythological god of wine and revelry.

“Dedicated” (Hebrew origin)

Variation of “Jager,” meaning “hunter”

Variation of “Cameron”

Unique African American name

“Lame” (Latin origin, adapted)

No meaning available

Meaning and language unknown (South Africa).

No meaning available

“Handsome or beautiful” (modern American origin)

“God is with us” (Spanish origin)

“Mind, intellect” (German origin)

Created name from African-American culture, a form of Anthony: Inestimable, priceless one; worthy of praise (Latin).

“Famous ruler” (German origin)

Form of Herman: Army man, soldier (Old German); high-ranking person (Latin).

“Western town” (English origin)

“Flourishing, prosperous” (Arabic origin)

Italian origin, African American variation of “Dante”

Healer (Greek). In Greek mythology, Jason was a prince who led the Argonauts on a quest to find the Golden Fleece.

Cloth finisher; sheepshearer (English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

No meaning available

Dweller of the province of Lorraine (Scottish, from the French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

No meaning available

Champion (Irish Gaelic).

Form of Wilton: From the spring farm (Old English).

Form of Ahmed: Highly praised (Arabic, North Africa).

Form of Oved: Servant, serving (Hebrew).

Form of Honorius: Man of honor (Latin).

Strong (Fulani, West Africa).

Player of the rote—an early medieval stringed instrument (Old French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Form of Alphonso: Noble and ready; eager for battle (Old German).

“Land of the noble” (Irish origin, popularized in African American culture)

“Desiring peace” (German origin)

Form of Hadi: Religious guide or leader (hah-dee—Arabic, North Africa).

No meaning available

Arabic origin, meaning “owner of dates”

Variation of “Javonte” with “-ez” suffix

Handsome, cheerful, harmonious one (Irish Gaelic).

Form of Jameel, Jamil, Jamili, or Jamiil: Physically and morally attractive (jah-MEEL—Arabic, North Africa; Swahili, East Africa).

Meaning and origin unknown. Name found among free black men who lived and worked in late eighteenth-century New England.

Blend of two names such as Clovis (great fighter; famous warrior—French; Old German; Teutonic) and Louis (great fighter; famous warrior; warrior prince—French; Old German).

Arabic origin, meaning “luminous”

Bringer of light and knowledge (Latin).

Form of Vincent: Conquering one (Latin).

Handsome (Irish).

Son of Thurgod, an ancient font name (Anglo-Saxon). Surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

No meaning available

Unique blend of “Gi” and “-on”

Unique blend of “Jah” and “Sir”

Modern African American name

“Blessed” (Latin origin)

Form of Andrew: Strong, manly (Greek).

Meaning and origin unknown.

From Roman mythology; the twin of Romulus, founder of Rome.

Disciple of St. Columba (Scottish Gaelic).

Form of Ewan: Born of the yew tree (Scottish, from the Gaelic).

Another variation of “Shawn” with “De” prefix

No meaning available

Divinely strong (German).

Learned (se-KOO—Guinea).

God is my judge (Hebrew; Old Testament—major prophet).

“Prince” (Irish origin)

Unique African American name

Variation of “Romeo” with an “l” added

Place by the spring (Scandinavian).

Patient, tolerant; one who overlooks the fault of others (Muslim).

Ruler of thunder (Old English); rooted in Thor, the mythological Norse god of thunder (Old Norse).

Created name from African-American culture.

Form of Jacques, the French form of Jacob: Supplanter; one who takes the place of; protector (Hebrew; Old Testament).

No meaning available

“Dark-skinned” (Latin origin, widely used in African American communities)

Salvation (Hebrew; Old Testament).

“Stream” (Swahili origin)

Form of Quincy: Dweller at the fifth son's estate (Old French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

No meaning available

“Gift of God” (Hebrew origin)

Combination of “Le” and “Marcus”

Twelfth month of the Gregorian calendar (Latin).

Place name—towns in seventeen U.S. states.

Form of Coleman: Coal worker (English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Form of Quinn: Wise; intelligent (Irish Gaelic).

The god of divination; a tool for removing pulp of green calabash; good luck, gain (ee-FEH, EE-fay—Yoruba, Nigeria).

Created name from African-American culture.

Keeper of the grains (English; French).

“Son of Edward” (English origin)

Place name—a town in Germany (Slavic).

Dweller near the wide riverside meadow or from the wide island in the river (Old English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Form of Dewi, Welsh form of David: Beloved one (Hebrew; Old Testament—King of Israel).

“Little hills” (variation of Terence)

Dweller from the island of Lelli, Lealla—Lindsey, Lincolnshire, England (Anglo-Saxon); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

“Red-haired” (English origin)

Blend of “Ja” and “Quan,” commonly used in African American communities

No meaning available

From the lake between the towns (English).

Coal worker (English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

“Lover of the earth” (Greek origin, adapted)

No meaning available

Form of Alexander, Sanders (son of Alexander), Sandor (form of Alexander): Helper and defender of humankind (Greek).

Form of Charles: Strong, manly (Latin; Old German).

“Fair-haired” (English origin, modern American adaptation)