Discover Beautiful African American Names

“City of the moon” (Hebrew origin)

Meaning and origin unknown. Named found among enslaved men in the South during the nineteenth century.

“Noble friend” (English origin)

Form of Oren: Pine tree, cedar tree, ash tree (O-ren—Hebrew).

Form of Jabari: Fearless person, brave one; comforter, bringer of consolation (Muslim; Swahili, East Africa).

Torrent; rapid stream (Latin).

“Happy, blessed” (Hebrew origin)

Word name—From khayim: Life (Hebrew); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

“Wide island” (French origin)

Fierce chief or fierce lord, red-haired; ruddy one (Old Welsh).

Form of Juan, the Spanish form of John: God is gracious (Hebrew; New Testament).

Brother (Latin).

Dweller near the wood; woodsman; woodworker (French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

From the marsh farm or estate (Old English).

Unique blend of “Mar” and “Tavious”

Unique modern name

Form of Emlen, a form of Emlyn: Common Welsh name of unknown meaning (EM-lin).

“Youthful” (Latin origin)

“Generous” (Arabic origin)

Variation of “Avant,” meaning “forward”

Form of Emery: Industrious ruler (English, from the Old German).

“Gushing waters” (Latin origin)

Created name from African-American culture.

Virile or masculine one (ar-SEE-nee-oh—Greek; ar-SAY-nee-o—Spanish).

“Desiring peace” (German origin)

Dweller at the hedge by the forest (Old English).

Pulling the branch of a tree; troublemaker (Xhosa, South Africa).

“My messenger” (Hebrew origin, popular in African American culture)

“Gentle, patient” (Arabic origin)

Modern African American name with a unique sound

No meaning available

No meaning available

Created name from African-American culture.

Blend of “Ra” and “Shawn”

“Brave as a wild boar” (English origin)

One who has excellent character; one who has excellent manners (Arabic, North Africa).

“Dyer” (shortened form of Dexter)

Created name from African-American culture, a form of Shawn or Sean, the Irish form of John: God is gracious (rah-SHON—Hebrew; New Testament).

Form of Michael: Who is like God? (Hebrew).

“Gray-haired” (English origin)

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

Wheelmaker (Old English).

“Counsel power” (variation of Reginald)

Song, joy (male or female name—Hebrew).

“Warrior” (Irish origin)

French origin, meaning “nobleman,” popular in African American culture

Powerful, brave (Old German).

No meaning available

Farmer; burning spear (Kikuyu, Kenya).

Peaceful (sah-LEEM—Swahili, East Africa).

No meaning available

Form of Sharp: Keen, active, quick (English; Irish; Middle English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

“Oarsman” (French origin)

Form of Erik: Ever powerful; ever ruler (Old Norse).

Dweller from Pincino's village (Old French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Form of Henry: Ruler of the home or private property (Old English; Old German).

Created name from African-American culture.

“West meadow” (English origin)

“Strong ruler” (variation of Richard)

Variation of “Devonte” with “-tay” ending

No meaning available

Created name from African-American culture, a form of Sean, the Irish form of John: God is gracious (Hebrew; New Testament).

“Young wolf” (Irish origin)

Place name—Two cities in the United States: Boise, Idaho; Boise City, Oklahoma.

Form of Dumisani: Praise (Xhosa, South Africa).

Form of Desmond: Gracious protector (English).

One wearing a curly hairstyle (English; Scottish); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

From the Scandinavian country Denmark (Old Norse).

No meaning available

Descendant of the hound of valor (Gaelic); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Form of Omari: Flourishing, thriving; long life (Swahili, East Africa).

Created name from African-American culture.

“Beautiful” (Arabic origin, inspired by sprinter Usain Bolt)

Combination of “Zay” and “-len”

Form of Willard: Resolute and brave (Old English).

“Bright pledge” (German origin)

“Speckled” (English origin)

“Brave, powerful” (English origin)

No meaning available

Modern African American name with a unique sound

Word name—the French word tres (tray): Three.

“Valley of the River Kent” (English origin, adapted)

Field of spears (English).

Blend of “Ja” and “Quell”

Form of Emmett: Industrious, strong (Old German).

Variation of “Octavius,” meaning “eighth”

“Fortress” (French origin)

Form of Haile: Meaning and origin unknown (HY-lee).

“Ruler” (Italian origin)

The name given Jacob by the Lord (Old Testament; Hebrew).

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

The king is ruler; king of kings (RAH-jesh—Sanskrit).

Handful; open hand (Swahili, East Africa).

Christ-bearer; one who carries Christ in his heart (Greek).

Blend of “Trey” and “Devonte”

Portuguese and Spanish form of Peter: Rock or stone (Latin; New Testament).

Modern African American name

Place name—from Orsay in Seine-et-Orne, France; surname or family name given for a first or middle name (English, from the French).

From the wine town (English).

No meaning available