African American Names GeneratorAfrican American

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.

đź“š 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

  • Carter

    Meaning: Cart driver (Old English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Miles

    Meaning: “Soldier” (Latin origin)

  • VaShon

    Meaning: Unique African American name

  • Lamonte

    Meaning: Form of Lamont: Law man (Scottish, from the Old Norse); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • J'waun

  • Bernard

    Meaning: “Strong as a bear” (German origin)

  • Dantrell

  • Derek

    Meaning: Ruler of the people (Old German).

  • Gay

    Meaning: Form of Gale: Lively one (Old English).

  • Voshon

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.

  • Zachary

    Meaning: “Remembered by God” (Hebrew origin)

  • Jarrett

    Meaning: Brave with a spear (English).

  • Carvel

    Meaning: From the estate in the marshes (English).

  • Farrell

  • Rashard

    Meaning: Blend of “Ra” and “Shawn”

  • Gene

    Meaning: Form of Eugene: Well born, noble (Greek).

  • Oshane

    Meaning: Unique blend of “O” and “Shane”

  • Edouard

    Meaning: French form of Edward: Prosperous guardian (English).

  • Anderson

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

  • Rashaun

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

  • Tyriek

    Meaning: “Gift of God” (modern African American origin)

  • Dameon

  • Sahib

    Meaning: The master (Hindi, India).

  • Danez

  • Havana

    Meaning: Place name—city in Cuba (Spanish).

  • Earvin

    Meaning: Handsome (Irish).

  • Newport

    Meaning: Place name—city in Rhode Island. Name found among free and enslaved black men in late eighteenth-century New England.

  • Glenn

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

  • Jarvase

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture, a form of Jarvis: Conqueror (English).

  • Donal

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

  • Caesar

    Meaning: Long-haired or hairy; through use, emperor (Latin).

  • Zyhir

    Meaning: Modern name with unique spelling

  • Defield

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.

  • Desharious

  • Dandridge

    Meaning: Judge from the hill (English; Hebrew; Old Testament); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Tyson

    Meaning: “Firebrand” (French origin)

  • Ka'jai

  • Halson

    Meaning: Son of Hall: Dweller at the hall or manor house (Old English).

  • Roderick

    Meaning: Famous ruler; rich in fame (Old German).

  • Darwin

    Meaning: Dear friend (English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Jim

    Meaning: Form of James, the English form of Jacob from the Old Spanish Jayme: The supplanter or one who takes the place of—Hebrew; Old Testament.

  • Price

    Meaning: Son of the ardent one (Old Welsh).

  • Golden

    Meaning: Form of Golding: Son of the golden one (Old English).

  • Jaimeson

  • Cayden

    Meaning: Variation of “Caden,” meaning “fighter”

  • Kareem

    Meaning: Generous (kah-REEM—Arabic, North Africa).

  • Azaire

    Meaning: Unique blend, with roots in “Zaire”

  • McKinley

    Meaning: Son of the white-skinned warrior (Gaelic); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Newton

    Meaning: From the new estate or town (Old English).

  • Dashaud

  • Penny

    Meaning: Copper color (African-American).

  • Torion

    Meaning: Blend of “Tor” and “-ion” suffix

  • Benner

    Meaning: 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).

  • Tanner

    Meaning: Leathermaker (English; German); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Portsmouth

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

  • DeShon

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

  • Maurice

    Meaning: Moorish; dark-complexioned one (Late Latin). Rooted in the legendary Christian soldier from the island of Mauritius off the east coast of Africa, who served as captain of the Roman army’s Theban Legion; the patron saint of armies.

  • Rhett

    Meaning: “Counsel” (English origin)

  • Lesesne

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.

  • Cedrick

    Meaning: Form of Cedric: Battle chieftain (Old English).

  • Malcolm

    Meaning: Disciple of St. Columba (Scottish Gaelic).

  • Allen

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

  • Malcolm

    Meaning: “Disciple of St. Columba” (Scottish origin)

  • Ron

    Meaning: Song, joy (male or female name—Hebrew).

  • Abe

    Meaning: Form of Abram: Exalted father (Hebrew; Old Testament—Abraham’s name before God changed it). Name found among enslaved men in the South during the mid-nineteenth century.

  • Terrance

    Meaning: “Tender” (variation of Terrence)

  • Raji

    Meaning: “Hopeful” (Arabic origin)

  • Sheldon

    Meaning: “Steep valley” (English origin)

  • Damonte

    Meaning: “From the mountain” (modern American origin)

  • Gerry

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

  • Benedict

    Meaning: “Blessed” (Latin origin)

  • Osborne

    Meaning: Divinely strong (German).

  • Keshawn

    Meaning: “God is gracious” (modern American origin)

  • Helmut

    Meaning: Courageous protector (German).

  • Donto

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

  • Leroy

    Meaning: “The king” (French origin)

  • Gray

    Meaning: Bailiff (Middle English).

  • Kyrton

  • Holbrook

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

  • Davarius

  • Bruce

    Meaning: Dweller at the thicket or woods (Scottish form of Old French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Lin

    Meaning: Form of Lynn: From the lake, pool, or waterfall (Old Welsh); predominantly a female name.

  • Naheem

    Meaning: Variation of “Naeem,” meaning “gracious”

  • Quincy

    Meaning: Dweller at the fifth son's estate (Old French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Renardo

    Meaning: Mighty, brave (Old German).

  • Elston

    Meaning: From the estate of the noble one (English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Yorel

    Meaning: Modern African American name

  • Kione

  • Brad

    Meaning: Form of Bradford: From the broad river crossing (English).

  • Branford

    Meaning: Form of Bran: Raven—a symbol of continued life or rebirth (Old Celtic).

  • Oshea

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

  • Dazhawn

  • Valerio

    Meaning: Italian origin, meaning “strong”

  • December

    Meaning: Twelfth month of the Gregorian calendar (Latin).

  • St. Julian

    Meaning: Name that honors Saint Julian the Hospitaler, legendary patron of travelers, boatmen, innkeepers, and the like.

  • Raylon

  • Ansel

    Meaning: “God’s protection” (German origin)

  • Canada

    Meaning: Place name—a country in North America.

  • Micajah

    Meaning: A blend of two names such as Micah (like unto the Lord—Hebrew; Old Testament prophet) and Elijah (Hebrew; Jehovah is my God—Old Testament).

  • Napoleon

    Meaning: Lion of the new city; lion from the woodland (Greek).