Discover Beautiful African American Names

“Cliff” (English origin)

Modern African American name

No meaning available

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

Meaning and origin unknown.

“Of the sea” (Spanish origin, adapted)

Sea friend (Old English).

Form of Darrell: Little dear or beloved one (French).

Variation of “Alonzo”

Beautiful open country (English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

From the north forest (Old English).

No meaning available

Variation of “Lamont” with an “e” ending

Unique blend of “Ed” and “Rick”

Son (Hebrew).

Italian origin, African American variation meaning “angel”

One who lives by a stream; one who lives in the county of Cumberland; surname or family name given for a first or middle name (Scottish).

No meaning available

Calf herdsman (English).

Dweller at the priest's meadow (Old English).

From the pool or waterfall (Old Welsh).

Created name from African-American culture, a form of Leroy: King; person given the title of king for his royal bearing or for the part played in a religious pageant (French).

“Sun child” (Hebrew origin)

Happy; fortunate, lucky one (Latin).

Blend of “Da” and “Marcus”

Little dear or beloved one (French).

Variation of “Antoine,” meaning “priceless”

Dangerous undertaking.

“Candlemaker” (French origin)

Created name from African-American culture, a form of Donald: Mighty world ruler (Scottish Gaelic).

Strong and ardent; battleworthy (French).

Form of Stephanos: Crowned one (Greek).

Blend of two names such as Fay (raven—Irish Gaelic) and Bernard (brave as a bear—Old German).

Meaning and origin unknown.

From the Welsh "du": Black; dark one.

No meaning available

A prime minister during the Third Egyptian Dynasty who was the mastermind behind the step pyramid.

English origin, meaning “maker of cords”

“Generous” (Arabic origin)

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

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

“Scribe, bookbinder” (English origin, popularized by Booker T. Washington)

Courageous; valiant, warlike one (Irish).

All wise (Scandinavian).

The pilgrim (Swahili, East Africa).

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

Place name—places in England and France: Ancient power; surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Place name—Three towns in France.

“Peace” (Igbo origin)

Form of McNeil: Champion (Gaelic); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

“Gatekeeper” (English origin)

Rocky hill (Old English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

“Noble friend” (English origin)

To destroy (English, from the Greek Perseus); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

No meaning available

No meaning available

“Pilgrim” (English origin)

Modern African American name

Form of Xavier, a village in Navarre in the Basque region of Spain: New home (hah-bee-AIR—Spanish).

Created name from African-American culture, a form of Uther: According to medieval legend, a king of Britain who was the father of King Arthur (Old English).

“Sacred name” (Greek origin, popularized in African American culture)

“Moonlight” (African origin)

Modern African American name

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

Created name from African-American culture.

Created name from African-American culture.

Arabic origin, meaning “lamp, light”

Form of Kendrick: Son of Henry (Irish Gaelic).

No meaning available

Freeman, peasant, man (English).

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

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

Great spearsman or marksman; spearlike or pointed (Irish Gaelic).

Meaning and origin unknown.

Spanish origin, meaning “courteous”

Lover of horses (Greek).

Act of ill will (Old French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Form of Morgan: Dweller near the bright, white sea (Welsh).

Form of Heinrich: Ruler of a home or private property (Old German).

Form of Terence: Smooth, polished one; tender (Latin).

Unique African American name

Quiet warrior (ka-MAH-oo—Kikuyu, Kenya).

Keeper of the enclosed hedge (Old English).

Light; to illuminate (Arabic, North Africa; Islam—one of the ninety-nine names of Allah).

“Supplanter” (variation of Jacob, modern American origin)

Form of Winton: Dweller at the friend’s estate (Old English).

Greatest in excellence; great pool or spring (Irish; Latin; Scottish); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Unique blend of “Mar” and “Quavious”

Form of Wallace: Man from Wales (Old English).

Blend of “De” and “Montae”

“Famous” (English origin)

Form of Forrest: Dweller or worker in a forest (Old French).

Pilgrim carrying a palm (Latin).

No meaning available

Form of Stephen, a form of Stephanos: Crowned one (Greek).

Firm, strong, steadfast, reliable (Hebrew).

“River crossing” (English origin)

Speckled; freckled (Celtic; Scottish).

“Pledge” (English origin)

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