Discover Beautiful African American Names

Enduring, lasting, steadfast (Italian). From Dante Alighieri, born Durante Alighieri, thirteenth-century Italian poet who wrote the Divine Comedy.

Son of Anders, the Scandinavian form of Andrew: Strong, manly (Greek); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Gracious protector; protected by God’s grace (Old English).

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

“Blessed” (Latin origin)

No meaning available

“Valley” (English origin)

“Fragrant oil” (Greek origin, widely used in African American communities)

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

No meaning available

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).

No meaning available

Meaning and origin unknown.

“Righteous, fair” (virtue name, widely used)

“God is with us” (Spanish origin)

No meaning available

“Interpreter” or “fiery leader” (Arabic origin)

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

Young lion (English; French; Latin); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Form of Otha: Prosperous (German).

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

Created name from African-American culture.

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

“Dyer” (shortened form of Dexter)

Modern African American name

Watchful one (Hebrew).

No meaning available

No meaning available

English origin, meaning “son of Harry”

No meaning available

Place name—a town in Germany (Slavic).

Player of the rote—an early medieval stringed instrument (Old French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

No meaning available

Form of Montague: Dweller at the pointed hill (English, from the French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Helper and defender of humankind (French).

Lime-tree wood (English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

“Born at dawn” (Ugandan origin)

“Dove” (Scottish origin)

Form of Domingo: Of the Lord (Italian; Spanish); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Blend of “Ke” and “Monte”

Christ-bearer; one who carries Christ in his heart (Greek).

Stoneworker (Middle English; Old French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Created name from African-American culture.

No meaning available

Wise one; wisdom (Greek).

No meaning available

Prophet; messenger (Arabic, North Africa; Swahili, East Africa).

Place name—city in Cuba (Spanish).

From the stony estate (Old English).

Meaning and origin unknown.

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

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

Created name from African-American culture.

Form of Douglas: From the black or dark water (Scottish Gaelic).

Form of Isaiah: Salvation of God (Old Testament—prophet; Hebrew).

“Church land” (English origin)

No meaning available

“From the farm” (English origin)

King (Old French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Unique blend of “Ja” and “Quis”

No meaning available

Blue jay (Old French).

No meaning available

Gift of God (Greek).

Elevated, greatest, noble, exalted (Arabic, North Africa; Swahili, East Africa).

Dweller at the thorny estate (English; Scottish); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Created name from African-American culture, a form of Ron, a form of Ronald: Mighty power (Old Norse).

Created name from African-American culture.

A military man (Latin).

Form of Ford: River crossing (Old English).

“Little fire” (Celtic origin)

No meaning available

Form of Ahmed: Highly praised (Arabic, North Africa).

“King” (French-inspired modern origin, popularized by LeBron James)

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

Form of Halsall: Nook of land (Old English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Little warrior (Old French).

Place name—A village in the state of Gujarat in India.

“Wolf shield” (English origin)

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

“Son of Jordan” (English origin)

Rebel (Hebrew; Old Testament).

God is my judge (Hebrew; Old Testament—major prophet).

“Valley” (French origin)

Lively, aggressive; strife (Irish Gaelic); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

“Scribe, scholar” (English origin)

Modern African American name

“Laughter” (Hebrew origin)

“Nobleman” (English origin)

No meaning available

“Hero” (English origin)

Modern African American name with a unique sound

Vigilant; watchful one (Greek; Latin).

“Ruler, strong as an eagle” (German origin)

“Son of Nicholas” (English origin)

Italian origin, short for “Lorenzo”

Homestead near a river (English).

No meaning available

No meaning available

Brilliant mind or spirit (Old German).