African American First Names: Cultural Heritage & Modern Identity

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).

Cevonté

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).