African American First Names: Cultural Heritage & Modern Identity

Explore our comprehensive collection of 100 authentic African American first names, each representing a unique blend of cultural heritage, personal identity, and historical significance. These names showcase the rich tapestry of Black American naming traditions that have evolved over generations.

The Evolution of African American Naming Traditions

African American naming practices experienced a significant transformation during the mid-20th century. The 1950s and 1960s marked a pivotal period when Black families began embracing names that reflected their cultural pride and heritage, moving away from the previous era of assimilation-focused naming conventions.

Prior to this cultural renaissance, many African American families adopted European-influenced names as a means of integration into mainstream American society. This practice gradually shifted as the Civil Rights Movement empowered communities to celebrate their distinct cultural identity through meaningful name choices.

Today's African American names draw inspiration from diverse global traditions, incorporating elements from French linguistics, Arabic heritage, Islamic culture, Biblical references, and innovative modern creations. This beautiful fusion represents both historical connection and contemporary creativity.

🌍 Cultural Diversity

Names spanning from ancient African kingdoms to modern American innovations, reflecting the vast cultural landscape of Black communities.

📚 Meaningful Origins

Each name carries deep significance, often honoring ancestral traditions while embracing contemporary American identity.

Whether you're seeking a name that honors African heritage, celebrates American innovation, or bridges traditional and modern elements, our curated list offers authentic choices with detailed meanings and cultural context to help you make an informed decision.

Want to discover more names or create custom combinations? Use our interactive name generator to find the perfect African American name for your child.

African American Name Generator
  • Zackary

    Meaning: “Remembered by God” (variation of Zachary)

  • Kunal

  • DeAngelo

    Meaning: Italian origin, African American variation meaning “angel”

  • Sullivan

    Meaning: Black-eyed one (Irish Gaelic); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Jarmal

  • Vinton

    Meaning: From the wine town (English).

  • DeShon

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

  • Conroy

    Meaning: “Wise advisor” (Irish origin)

  • Ezzard

    Meaning: Form of Ezra: Salvation (Hebrew; Old Testament—prophet for whom a book in the Old Testament is named).

  • Archie

    Meaning: Form of Archibald: The truly bold; noble; sacred prince; genuine (Anglo-French; German).

  • Yannick

    Meaning: French origin, meaning “God is gracious”

  • Lawrence

    Meaning: From the place of the laurel tree; laurel-crowned one (English; Latin).

  • Arna

    Meaning: Form of Arnaud, a form of Arnall, from Arnhold: Eagle-gracious (Old German).

  • Khari

    Meaning: Kingly (Swahili, East Africa).

  • Gustavus

    Meaning: Noble staff; God’s staff (Swedish).

  • Jimi

    Meaning: Form of Olujimi: Given by God (o-loo-JEE-me—Yoruba, Nigeria).

  • Patrick

    Meaning: Noble one (Latin).

  • Hecky

    Meaning: Meaning and origin unknown.

  • Valerio

    Meaning: Italian origin, meaning “strong”

  • Raiden

    Meaning: Japanese origin, meaning “thunder and lightning”

  • Asadata

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.

  • Devoreaux

  • Randolph

    Meaning: “Shield wolf” (English origin)

  • Quintin

    Meaning: Form of Quinton: Fifth child (Latin).

  • Javari

  • Stanton

    Meaning: From the stony estate (Old English).

  • McCoy

    Meaning: Son of Fire, the name of a Celtic pagan god (Gaelic); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Query

    Meaning: Word name—Question; doubt (Latin).

  • Remy

    Meaning: “Oarsman” (French origin)

  • Arlo

    Meaning: “Fortified hill” (Spanish origin)

  • Ndidi

    Meaning: “Patience” (Igbo origin)

  • Jaquis

    Meaning: Unique blend of “Ja” and “Quis”

  • Ronnell

    Meaning: Form of Ronald: Mighty power (Old Norse).

  • Willard

    Meaning: Resolute and brave (Old English).

  • Ossawa

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.

  • Nnamdi

    Meaning: “My father is alive” (Igbo origin)

  • Bross

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.

  • Lenox

    Meaning: Form of Lennox: Abounding in elm trees (Scottish Gaelic); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Percival

    Meaning: “Pierces the valley” (French origin)

  • Kenard

    Meaning: Blend of “Ken” and “Ard”

  • Moses

    Meaning: Mercy; saved from the water (Egyptian; Hebrew; Old Testament—referring to the biblical Moses).

  • CevontĂ©

  • Ahmaud

    Meaning: Form of Ahmad: Praiseworthy, more commendable (Arabic, North Africa; Swahili, East Africa).

  • Benedict

    Meaning: Blessed one (Latin).

  • Reno

    Meaning: “Ruler” (Italian origin)

  • Takeo

  • Miller

    Meaning: Grain grinder (English; Scottish); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • DeJohn

    Meaning: Unique African American name

  • Arvine

    Meaning: Form of Arvin: Friend of the people (German).

  • Lansing

    Meaning: Son of Lans (Dutch); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Lequon

    Meaning: Combination of “Le” and “Quon”

  • Latrell

    Meaning: “Noble, loyal” (modern American origin)

  • Turan

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.

  • Rondell

    Meaning: Modern African American name with unique spelling

  • Leonardo

    Meaning: Lion-hearted, brave as a lion (Old Franco-German; Old High German).

  • Reuban

  • Bradley

    Meaning: “Broad clearing” (English origin)

  • Cottrell

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.

  • Onest

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture, a form of the word honest: Free from fraud or deception (Latin).

  • Robby

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

  • Quinton

    Meaning: Latin origin, meaning “fifth,” adapted in African American communities

  • Rakeem

  • Marvin

    Meaning: “Great Lord” (Welsh origin, popularized in African American culture)

  • Malcus

    Meaning: Blend of two names such as Malcolm (disciple of St. Columba—Scottish Gaelic) and Marcus (little hammer; little warlike one—Latin).

  • Scott

    Meaning: Dwells in Scotland (English).

  • Thayne

  • Hadari

    Meaning: Form of Hadi: Religious guide or leader (hah-dee—Arabic, North Africa).

  • Vernell

    Meaning: “Place of alder trees” (French origin)

  • Poncho

    Meaning: Form of Alfonso, Alonzo: Noble, ready for battle (Spanish form of the German Alphonso).

  • Rhomie

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.

  • Mordecai

    Meaning: Hebrew origin, meaning “warrior”

  • Gordon

    Meaning: From the triangular or gore-shaped hill; from the marshes (Old English).

  • Teion

  • Ulrick

    Meaning: Variation of “Ulric,” meaning “wolf power”

  • LeShaun

    Meaning: Combination of “Le” and “Shaun”

  • Shiloh

  • Jean

    Meaning: French form of John: God is gracious (Hebrew; New Testament).

  • Qwantez

  • Manute

    Meaning: Meaning unknown (muh-NOOT—Sudan). Name common among Dinka males in Sudan.

  • Oman

  • Parker

    Meaning: “Keeper of the park” (English origin)

  • Leroyce

  • Darell

    Meaning: Variation of “Darrell,” meaning “beloved”

  • Masamba

    Meaning: “Leaves” (Malawian origin)

  • Shanton

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

  • Sequan

  • Jalen

    Meaning: “Calm” (modern African American origin)

  • Henley

    Meaning: Dweller in the high meadow (Old English).

  • Brock

    Meaning: Badger (English).

  • Irvin

    Meaning: Sea friend (Old English).

  • Sheldon

    Meaning: “Steep valley” (English origin)

  • Landon

    Meaning: “Long hill” (English origin)

  • Ellington

    Meaning: Ellis's town (English). Surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Glen

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

  • Uthaw

    Meaning: 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).

  • Houston

    Meaning: Hugh’s town; dweller from a town with a heart or spirit (Scottish); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Quade

    Meaning: “Born fourth” (Irish origin, adapted in African American culture)

  • Whitney

    Meaning: From the white-haired one’s island (Old English).

  • Lyman

    Meaning: Man of the meadow (Middle English).

  • Sir

    Meaning: Word name—Title of respect or honor (English).