Discover Beautiful African American Names

“Gift of God” (modern African American name)

Created name from African-American culture.

No meaning available

Meaning and origin unknown.

Variation of “Ulric,” meaning “wolf power”

No meaning available

Name that honors Saint Elmo, an early bishop and martyr of the Christian faith. He is the patron saint of sailors.

Friend of all; noble friend; friend of the elves (Old English).

From the willow farm (Dutch).

Blend of two names such as Laurence (from the place of the laurel tree; laurel-crowned one—English, Latin; place name—small town in Italy) and Maurice (Moorish; dark-complexioned one—Late Latin).

Form of Arnold: Strong as an eagle (Old German).

No meaning available

Unique blend of “Ka” and “rell” suffix

Created name from African-American culture.

“Power of God” (Igbo origin)

Strong, manly (French).

Hero of God; God gives him strength (GAY-bree-el—Old Testament; Hebrew).

No meaning available

Created name from African-American culture.

“Sword” (German origin)

Mighty with the spear (Old English).

Brother (Latin).

Form of names beginning with “Vin,” such as Vincent (conquering one—Latin) and Vinton (from the wine town—English).

Form of Festus: Meaning and origin unknown. In the New Testament, the procurator of Judea through whom Paul made his famous appeal to Caesar.

Form of Nikolaos: Victorious army; victorious people; victorious one (Greek).

Form of Otha: Prosperous (German).

“Protection, stronghold” (English origin)

Calf herdsman (English).

Hebrew origin, meaning “strength of God”

Variation of “Marvel,” meaning “miracle”

Created name from African-American culture.

Long stick; a tall, thin person (Middle English).

“God listens” (Hebrew origin)

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

Meaning and origin unknown. Possibly derived from the name of botanic gardens in Jackson, Mississippi—the Mynelle Gardens.

No meaning available

Farmer; burning spear (Kikuyu, Kenya).

Created name from African-American culture.

Created name from African-American culture.

“By the ash tree” (English origin)

Bringer of light and knowledge (Latin).

Form of Dion or Dennis, from Dionysos: God of wine and revelry (Greek).

A creative variation of “Antoine,” meaning “priceless”

No meaning available

“Leaves” (Malawian origin)

Blend of “Ra” and “Shawn”

Blend of two names such as Simeon or Simon (heard by God; hearing; one who hears—Hebrew; New Testament) and Samuel (his name is of God—Hebrew; Old Testament).

“Healer” (Greek origin)

Strong (Fulani, West Africa).

“Son of Nicholas” (English origin)

“God is with us” (Spanish origin)

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

No meaning available

Blend of “Tre” and “Shawn”

Form of Jordan: Descender (Hebrew); also a female name.

Place name—A town near the thicket (English); city or town in 10 states in the United States: Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, four in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and two in Virginia.

Unique blend of “O” and “Vell”

“Youthful” (Latin origin)

Combination of “Ray” and “Sean”

From St. Denis, France (Old French).

Spanish origin, meaning “wise power”

No meaning available

Meaning unknown (English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name—sometimes the name is given to honor the surname of the late great bandleader Count Basie.

English origin, meaning “spear ruler”

Created name from African-American culture, a form of Cornelius: Like a horn (Latin).

No meaning available

Variation of “Ishmael,” meaning “God will hear”

Variation of “Aaron” with “La” prefix

Dweller at the brook in the hollow (Old English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Meaning and origin unknown.

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

Lion (Latin).

On the toes (French).

Clothmaker (English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

No meaning available

Blend of “Ja” and “Quan,” commonly used in African American communities

“Brave counsel” (German origin)

Noble staff; God’s staff (Swedish).

Created name from African-American culture.

“Independent” (American origin)

Form of Tyrone: Sovereign (Greek).

Form of Gerald: Rules by the spear (German).

No meaning available

Variation of “Armando,” meaning “army man”

“Steward” (Scottish origin)

Blend of “De” and “Montae”

“Strong” (Swahili origin)

No meaning available

Spanish variation of “Ezekiel”

Modern African American name

“Son of James” (English origin)

Dark one (Latin); from Adria, an ancient town in central Italy.

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

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

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

Latheworker; woodworker (Latin; Middle English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

No meaning available

Modern African American name

“One who is like God” (Hebrew origin, popularized in African American culture)

From the iron one’s estate (Old English).