Discover Beautiful African American Names

“Exalted brother” (Hebrew origin)

Hebrew origin, meaning “God is my light”

No meaning available

French form of Peter: Rock or stone (Latin; New Testament).

Meaning and origin unknown. Name found among free black men during the eighteenth century.

“God’s gift” (variation of Jesse)

Meaning and origin unknown.

No meaning available

English form of Denis, the French form of Dionysos, Greek mythological God of wine and revelry.

“Gravelly homestead” (Scottish origin)

“One who divides goods fairly” (Arabic origin)

Unique blend of “Jah” and “Sir”

Form of Glenn: Dweller in a glen or valley (Irish Gaelic).

Combination of “Le” and “Shawn”

All-knowing; wise one (Latin).

No meaning available

Form of Bertram: Brilliant raven; he shall be famous (English; German).

Scottish form of John: God is gracious (EE-an—New Testament; Hebrew).

English form of Alan: Handsome, cheerful, harmonious one (Irish Gaelic).

Form of Halbert: Brilliant hero (Old English).

No meaning available

“God is good” (Greek origin)

No meaning available

“Warrior” (African origin)

Blond one (Old Flemish).

“King” (Malian origin)

Dark, reddish complexion (Middle English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Spanish form of Robert: Bright or shining with fame (Old English).

To wander (Latin).

Unique African American name

“The king” (French origin)

Helped by God, saved by God (o-SHE-ah—Hebrew).

“Peace” (Igbo origin)

Chalk ridge (Scottish); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Form of Philip: Lover of horses (Greek).

Unique blend of “De” and “Quarius”

Genuine; of excellent quality (English).

Son of the right hand (Hebrew; Old Testament).

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

Form of Philon, a form of Philemon: Loving, friendly (Greek; New Testament).

Created name from African-American culture.

Modern African American name, often with “De” prefix

Blend of “Ja” and “Monte”

Created name from African-American culture.

No meaning available

Place name—city in New Hampshire. Name given to enslaved men in eighteenth-century New Hampshire.

No meaning available

“Warm” (Scottish origin)

Blend of “Ja” and “Quell”

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

Consecrated to God; devoted to God (Hebrew; Old Testament).

Created name from African-American culture.

Form of Quinton: Fifth child (Latin).

Form of Donald: Mighty world ruler (Scottish Gaelic).

Form of Robin, a form of Robert: Bright or shining with fame (Old English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

“Cart driver” (English origin, widely used)

Form of William: Resolute protector (Old German).

“Come home” (Yoruba origin)

No meaning available

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

“Watchful” (Greek origin)

Bold one; dog; one with a bold stance and faithful affection (Old Testament—a leader of the the Israelites; Hebrew).

Modern African American name

Form of Devin: Poet; a man of learning (Irish Gaelic).

Gentle, lovable (Irish Gaelic).

Resolute, brilliant one (Old German).

Behold, a son (Hebrew; Old Testament—eldest son of Jacob and Leah).

No meaning available

Son of William: Resolute protector (Old German); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Form of Ebenezer: Stone of help (Hebrew: Old Testament).

Unique African American name

Elder; intermediary (Middle English).

Created name from African-American culture.

Form of Claudius, an old Roman family name: Lame one, suggesting that a handicap may be the stimulus for great achievement, as with the two Roman emperors with the name Claudius (Latin).

Variation of “Emmanuel,” meaning “God is with us”

Field of spears (English).

Blend of “Trey” and “Devonte”

Unique modern name

“Fertile upland” (Welsh origin)

Form of Humphrey: Peaceful Hun; peace-support (Old German).

Blend of “Rae” and “Kwon”

Blend of “Deon” and “Trey”

Master (Arabic, North Africa).

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

Created name from African-American culture.

Form of Terrell: Ruler of thunder (Old English).

Form of names beginning with “Ben”: Benedict (blessed one—Latin); Benjamin (son of the right hand—Hebrew; Old Testament); Bennett (little blessed one—Latin-French).

“God leads” (Igbo origin)

“Manly, brave” (modern African American origin)

No meaning available

Form of Linwood: Dweller from the pool or waterfall near the forest (English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Created name from African-American culture.

Keeper of the enclosed hedge (Old English).

Son (Hebrew).

Modern African American name

Sacred or holy name (Greek; Latin).

“From Scotland” (Scottish origin)

“Rock” (Scottish origin)

Unique blend of “Or” and “Ane”

Created name from African-American culture, a form of Ulysses: Wrathful; hater (Latin form of the Greek hero Odysseus).