Discover Beautiful African American Names

Arabic origin, meaning “helper”

Noble, famous (English).

Created name from African-American culture.

Beloved, famous, and resolute (German).

Blend of “De” and “Monte,” meaning “mountain”

Blend of “Ra” and “Shawn”

Follower of Christ, a Christian (Ecclesiastic Greek; Late Latin).

Son of James, English form of Jacob from the Old Spanish Jayme: Supplanter; one who takes the place of; protector (Hebrew; Old Testament).

Variation of “Rod” with “-ell” suffix

Meaning and origin unknown.

No meaning available

No meaning available

Modern African American name

Created name from African-American culture, a form of Troy: At the place of the curly-haired people (Old French).

Created name from African-American culture.

Great king of the Zulus who, in 1818, united the people of South Africa against colonial control; also called Shaka (Zulu, South Africa).

Form of Ellis or Elliott, English and French forms, respectively, of Elijah: Jehovah is my God (Hebrew; Old Testament—Prophet who was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire.

No meaning available

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

Word name—the street (French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Form of Ruggero, the Italian form of Roger: Famous spearman (Old German).

Combination of “Quan” and “-trell”

Noble (Swahili, East Africa).

Form of Anthony: Inestimable, priceless one; worthy of praise (Latin).

Variation of “Niles,” meaning “son of Neil”

Form of Desmond: Gracious protector (English).

No meaning available

Form of Aloysius, a form of Louis: Famous warrior (al-oh-WIH-shus—French; Late Latin).

Form of Maurice: Moorish; dark-complexioned one (Late Latin). Rooted in the legendary Christian soldier from the island of Mauritius off the east coast of Africa, who served as captain of the Roman army’s Theban Legion; the patron saint of armies.

No meaning available

No meaning available

No meaning available

No meaning available

“One who builds” (modern American origin)

“Enduring” (Latin origin, often used in African American culture)

English origin, meaning “son of Ellis”

No meaning available

Form of Piers, an Old French form of Peter: Rock or stone (Latin; New Testament).

“Small” (Welsh origin, often used in African American culture)

Form of Niall: Champion (Irish Gaelic).

Form of Marquis: Nobleman (mar-KEE—French; MAR-quis).

Mighty, brave (Old German).

“Blessed” (Latin origin)

Form of Marcus: Little hammer; little warlike one (Latin). Rooted in Mars, the Roman god of war.

No meaning available

Form of Hugh: Intelligence; spirit (Old English).

Moorish; dark-complexioned one (Late Latin). Rooted in the legendary Christian soldier from the island of Mauritius off the east coast of Africa, who served as captain of the Roman army’s Theban Legion; the patron saint of armies.

No meaning available

“Good” (French origin)

Form of Philip: Lover of horses (Greek).

Form of Muhammad: Worthy of praise; the Blessed (after the Prophet); thankful (Arabic, North Africa; Sudan; Swahili, East Africa).

Visitor (TAH-rik—Swahili, East Africa).

Meaning and origin unknown.

“Nature’s son” (modern African American origin)

Form of Almerich: Work-power (German).

“Counsel power” (variation of Reginald)

Wise ruler (Old English).

No meaning available

Form of Ace: Unity; first in luck or accomplishment (Latin).

Handsome lord (Greek). From Greek and Roman mythology.

Meaning and origin unknown.

No meaning available

Form of Richard: Powerful ruler (English, from the Old French and Old High German).

Battle chieftain (Old English).

No meaning available

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

In mythology, a Titan compelled to hold the world on his shoulders (Greek).

Long-haired or hairy; through use, emperor (Latin).

Form of Anthony: Inestimable, priceless one; worthy of praise (Latin).

“Sea protector” (Welsh origin)

Scottish origin, meaning “fair hero”

No meaning available

Form of Germain: Brother (French, from the Late Latin).

Unique blend of “La” and “Quan”

“High mountain” (Hebrew origin)

Dispenser of provisions; provider (Middle English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Created name from African-American culture.

Bold, courageous one (Latin).

“God is salvation” (Hebrew origin)

Blend of “Von” and “-tez” suffix

Grain thresher; dweller near the grain-winnowing fans or marshlands (Middle English).

French origin, meaning “wool worker”

Unique African American name

Spanish form of Joseph: God will add or increase (Hebrew).

Unique African American name

Form of Reginald: Mighty and powerful; judicious; wise counselor (Latin; Old English; Old German).

The master (Hindi, India).

Famous warrior (German).

He came in a joyful time (ah-DEH-bah-yo—West Africa; Yoruba, Nigeria).

Form of Jeremiah: God will uplift (Hebrew; Old Testament).

Form of Jonah: Peace, dove (Hebrew).

Form of Golding: Son of the golden one (Old English).

Form of Jeffrey: Divinely peaceful (Old French).

“From Scotland” (Scottish origin)

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

From an unattested Old Norse personal name: Farmstead, settlement; surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

“River man” (Scottish origin)

Servant of God (Arabic, North Africa; Swahili, East Africa).

Well-known and noble (Latin).

From the estate of a noble one (English).