Discover Beautiful African American Names

“Companion” (modern American origin)

Form of Donnell, a form of McDonnell (MacDonnell): Son of Donhnall (or Donald)—mighty ruler (Irish Gaelic; Scottish Gaelic); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

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

Form of Honorius: Man of honor (Latin).

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

No meaning available

“Joyful stone” (English origin, commonly used in African American culture)

Unique spelling variation of “Antoine”

“God is gracious” (variation of Sean, adapted)

Unique blend, with roots in “Zaire”

No meaning available

“Hedged area” (English origin)

“Bounty” (Celtic origin, adapted in African American culture)

“Firebrand” (French origin)

Form of Errol: To wander (Latin).

No meaning available

“Bright pledge” (German origin)

Help of God (az-ah-RY-ah—Old Testament—a king of Judah; Hebrew).

Irish form of John: God is gracious (Hebrew: New Testament).

Broad clearing (Old English).

No meaning available

Created name from African-American culture.

Word name—Question; doubt (Latin).

Meaning and origin unknown. Name used among free black men since the 18th century.

Unique African American name

Upright, just one (Old French).

Form of Husain or Husayn, a form of Hasan or Hassan: Good, handsome, beautiful (Arabic, North Africa; Swahili, East Africa).

Meaning unknown (African-American); name found among enslaved men in New England at the time of the Revolutionary War.

Son of Edward (Old English).

“Settlement of free men” (English origin)

Stylized form of “Javon”

“River crossing” (English origin)

“Wisdom” (Ghanaian origin)

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, a form of Edwin: Prosperous friend; rich in friendship (Old English).

No meaning available

Blend of two names such as Lonnie (form of Tsalani—goodbye, farewell—Ngoni, Southern Africa; form of Alonzo, a Spanish form of Alphonso—noble, ready for battle—German) and Lionel (young lion—English; French; Latin—surname or family name given for a first or middle name).

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

No meaning available

Word name—A young rabbit (English).

Form of Milton: Dweller at the mill town (Old English; Scottish); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

English origin, meaning “spear ruler”

Form of Augustus: Exalted one, imperial, revered (Latin).

Form of Ford: River crossing (Old English).

Form of Rufus: Red-haired or ruddy-complexioned one (Latin); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

No meaning available

Spanish form of Charles: Strong, manly (German; Latin).

Created name from African-American culture.

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

No meaning available

Form of Adolphus, a Swedish form of Adolph: Noble wolf; noble hero (Old German).

From the watch hill (Old English).

Dweller by a fortified stronghold (Dutch); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

No meaning available

Blend of two names such as Kala (the black one—Sanskrit; the sun—Hawaiian) and Akamu, Hawaiian form of Adam (mortal, man of the red earth, first human created by God—Hebrew; Old Testament).

Created name from African-American culture, a form of Felix: Happy; fortunate, lucky one (Latin).

Form of Mackeggie or Mackaggie: Son of Adam (Scottish Gaelic). Surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

No meaning available

Unique African American name

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

Meaning and origin unknown.

Created name from African-American culture.

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

Modern take on “Alden,” meaning “old, wise friend”

Form of Oliver: Kind, affectionate one (Old Norse; Scandinavian).

No meaning available

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

No meaning available

“Badger” (English origin)

Word name—Term used to address a young boy.

No meaning available

Meaning and origin unknown.

Upper estate or town (Old English).

Red-haired or ruddy-complexioned one (English, from the French).

Place name—a river in Africa (NY-jer).

“From Leicester” (English origin)

Who is like God? (Hebrew).

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

Dweller in the valley (Old English).

“Son of Jordan” (English origin)

Form of Kalif: Holy boy (Muslim; Somalia).

Variation of “Antoine,” meaning “priceless”

Combination of “Cha” prefix and “Rod”

The earl’s shelter (English). Name found among descendants of slaves in Maryland during the late nineteenth century.

Form of Chico: Boy, lad (Spanish).

Form of Darius: King, kingly; one who is wealthy (dah-RI-us—Hebrew).

Kind, affectionate one (Old Norse; Scandinavian).

“Industrious ruler” (German origin)

No meaning available

Homestead near a river (English).

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

“Fifth born” (French origin, popularized by Quincy Jones)

No meaning available

Variation of “Javonte,” a unique African American name

Form of Kenneth: Handsome one (Irish Gaelic).

Dweller at the gates (Middle English).

Form of Bacchus: In Roman mythology, the god of wine and revelry (Roman).

No meaning available

Created name from African-American culture, a form of Jalal: Greatness (jah-LAL—Arabic, North Africa).

Created name from African-American culture.