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

Ell
Meaning: Form of Ellis or Elliott, English and French forms, respectively, of Elijah: Jehovah is my God (Hebrew; Old Testament—Prophet who was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire.
Taye
Meaning: “Seen” (Yoruba origin)
Godwin
Meaning: Good friend; friend of God (Old English).
Mordell
Chase
Meaning: “Hunter” (English origin)
Dawrence
Meaning: Blend of two names such as David (beloved one—Hebrew; Old Testament, King of Israel) and Lawrence (from the place of the laurel tree; laurel-crowned one—English; Latin).
Maynard
Martez
Meaning: “Warlike” (Spanish origin, modern American adaptation)
Asbury
Meaning: Form of a place name—Astbury in Cheshire, England: Dweller from the east manor (Old English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name—sometimes given to honor the eighteenth-century Methodist preacher and circuit rider, Frances Asbury.
Keidrick
Meaning: Form of Kedrick: Gift of splendor (Irish).
Roscoe
Meaning: From the deer forest (Old Norse).
Simeon
Meaning: Hebrew origin, meaning “God has heard”
Augustine
Meaning: Form of Augustinius, a form of Augustus: Exalted one, imperial, revered (Latin).
Leonell
Dwane
Jerrauld
Meaning: Form of Jerrold, a form of Gerald: Rules by the spear (German).
Thoroughgood
Meaning: Son of Thurgod, an ancient font name (Anglo-Saxon). Surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Jestie
Meaning: Form of Jessie, a form of Jesse: Gift; wealth; the Lord exists (Hebrew; Old Testament).
Aksum
Meaning: Place name—The original name of ancient Ethiopia; the name of an Ethiopian city from the first to the eighth centuries CE.
Laurice
Meaning: 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).
Kermit
Meaning: Free man (Irish Gaelic).
Dickey
Meaning: Form of Dick, a form of Richard: Powerful ruler (Old German).
Shannon
Meaning: Old, wise (Irish).
Mark
Meaning: Form of Marcus: Little hammer; little warlike one (Latin). Rooted in Mars, the Roman god of war.
Sephaniah
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Will
Meaning: Form of William: Resolute protector (Old German).
Jojuan
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture, a form of Juan, the Spanish form of John: God is gracious (Hebrew; New Testament).
Damar
Meaning: Meaning and origin unknown.
Grady
Dameon
Zykel
Meaning: Unique modern name
Gari
Meaning: “Mighty warrior” (African origin)
Andrek
Meaning: Variation of “Andre”
Darrell
Meaning: Little dear or beloved one (French).
Enoch
Meaning: Consecrated, dedicated (Hebrew; Old Testament).
Donte
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture, a form of Donald: Mighty world ruler (Scottish Gaelic).
Alex
Meaning: Helper and defender of humankind (English).
Denito
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture, a form of Dennis, the English form of Denis, the French form of Dionysos, Greek mythological God of wine and revelry.
Fleetwood
Meaning: Name of a Cadillac automobile model.
Remington
Jaimeson
Burghardt
Meaning: Form of Burkhard: Hardy protection; strong as a castle (German).
Shamari
Meaning: Unique African American name
Pointe
Meaning: On the toes (French).
Jahmiah
Judson
Meaning: English form of Jordan: Descender (Hebrew); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Ceola
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Sigbee
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Houston
Meaning: “Hugh’s town” (Scottish origin)
Elmer
Meaning: Noble, famous (English).
Ivertus
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Treshawn
Meaning: Blend of “Tre” and “Shawn”
Adonal
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture, a form of Adonis: Handsome lord (Greek).
Braxton
Meaning: “Brock’s town” (English origin)
Delonte
Meaning: Modern African American name
Smith
Meaning: A worker in metal (English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Cortell
Meaning: Unique blend of “Cor” and “-tell”
Carlos
Meaning: Spanish form of Charles: Strong, manly (German; Latin).
Trevell
Meaning: Unique blend of “Tre” and “Bell”
Arnold
Meaning: Strong as an eagle (Old German).
Rylon
Meaning: Blend of “Ry” and “-lon”
Quavean
Mifflin
Meaning: English form of Merlin: Dweller in the fortress by the sea (Welsh); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Vernell
Meaning: Form of Verdell: Flourishing, green (French).
Nur
Meaning: Light; to illuminate (Arabic, North Africa; Islam—one of the ninety-nine names of Allah).
Brackston
Preston
Meaning: Dweller at the priest’s place (Old English).
Aaron
Meaning: Form of Aharon: Lofty or exalted (Old Testament—brother of Moses and Miriam; Hebrew).
Eltan
Meaning: Unique modern name
Langston
Meaning: Named after Langston Hughes, the famous poet (English origin)
Vince
Meaning: “Conquering” (shortened form of Vincent)
Charles
Meaning: Strong, manly (Latin; Old German).
Kadrick
Witherspoon
Meaning: Dweller from a narrow strip of land (English; Scottish); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Dontrall
Carvel
Meaning: From the estate in the marshes (English).
Ismael
Meaning: Variation of “Ishmael,” meaning “God will hear”
Williard
Meaning: Form of Willard: Resolute and brave (Old English).
Gibbons
Meaning: Surname or family name given for a first or middle name: Hostage, noble youth; bright, famous (Early Medieval English).
Defield
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
D'Ante
Lott
Meaning: Form of Lot: To cover (Hebrew; Old Testament).
Zaire
Meaning: Place name—Short form of the former Republic of Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Clayton
Meaning: From the earth; from the settlement near the clay pit; mortal (Old English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Lunsford
Meaning: Place name—a manor house in Echingham, Sussex, England; surname or family name given for a first or middle name (English).
Bambarra
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Charod
Meaning: Combination of “Cha” prefix and “Rod”
Lenox
Meaning: Form of Lennox: Abounding in elm trees (Scottish Gaelic); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Mumtaz
Meaning: Meaning and origin unknown.
Ezequiel
Meaning: Spanish variation of “Ezekiel”
Patrick
Meaning: Noble one (Latin).
Jackie
Meaning: Form of John: God is gracious (Hebrew; New Testament).
Oree
Meaning: Corncake (Bini).
Monti
Meaning: Form of Montague: Dweller at the pointed hill (English, from the French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Sloan
Meaning: “Warrior” (Irish origin)
Turry
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Dorian
Meaning: Name created by writer Oscar Wilde for his title character in The Portrait of Dorian Gray—thought to be influenced by inhabitants of Doris (Dorians), a mountainous region of Greece (English).
Ricardo
Meaning: “Strong ruler” (variation of Richard)
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).
Yinka
Meaning: Meaning unknown (Nigeria).