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

Gene
Meaning: Form of Eugene: Well born, noble (Greek).
Wyees
Faizon
Meaning: Unique blend of “Fa” and “Zon”
Henry
Meaning: “Ruler of the household” (German origin)
LeBron
Meaning: “King” (French-inspired modern origin, popularized by LeBron James)
Miller
Meaning: Grain grinder (English; Scottish); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Phelix
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture, a form of Felix: Happy; fortunate, lucky one (Latin).
Yajeel
Pierpont
Meaning: Stone bridge (English; Old French); surname or family name given as a first or middle name.
Travis
Meaning: “To cross” (French origin)
Moses
Meaning: Mercy; saved from the water (Egyptian; Hebrew; Old Testament—referring to the biblical Moses).
Bradley
Meaning: Broad clearing (Old English).
Elijah
Meaning: “My God is Yahweh” (Hebrew origin, widely used in African American communities)
Theron
Meaning: Hunter (Greek).
Hawthorne
Meaning: One from the field of hawthorns (English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Ameen
Meaning: Form of Amin: Trustworthy and honest (ah-MEEN—Arabic, North Africa).
Turan
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Dawoo
Meaning: Form of Daw: Light (Arabic, North Africa).
Wilfred
Meaning: “Desiring peace” (German origin)
Eleo
Meaning: Form of Eli: High (Hebrew).
LeRoy
Meaning: “The king” (French origin)
Foster
Meaning: “Forest worker” (English origin)
Hosewell
Meaning: Form of Haswell: From the spring near the hazelnut tree (English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Ulis
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture, a form of Ulysses: Wrathful; hater (Latin form of the Greek hero Odysseus).
Sekani
Meaning: “Laughs” (African origin)
Ruford
Meaning: Dweller at the red ford (English).
Jimmy
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.
Owen
Meaning: “Young warrior” (Welsh origin)
Willis
Meaning: Form of William: Resolute protector (Old German).
Gobo
Meaning: Meaning unknown (South Africa).
Draydan
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Marshall
Meaning: “Horse keeper” (French origin)
Lennon
Meaning: “Lover” (Irish origin)
Coolridge
Meaning: Form of Coolidge or Coleridge: Dweller from the ridge where charcoal was made (Old English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Naquan
Meaning: Meaning and origin unknown.
Wayne
Meaning: “Wagon maker” (English origin)
Tamonte
Washington
Meaning: From the estate of the keen one’s family (Old English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Kelvin
Meaning: From the narrow river (English; Irish Gaelic; Scottish).
Hasan
Meaning: Good, beautiful, handsome (hah-sahn—Arabic, North Africa; Swahili, East Africa).
Jerin
Meaning: Blend of two names such as John (God is gracious—Hebrew; New Testament) and Karen (pure—Greek).
Parren
Meaning: Meaning and origin unknown.
Renard
Meaning: Mighty, brave (Old German).
Demond
Meaning: Form of Desmond: Gracious protector (English).
Quintrell
Isiah
Taylen
Granville
Meaning: From the great estate or town (French).
Alfred
Meaning: Elf counselor; good counselor; counselor with wisdom and diplomacy (Old English).
Dinard
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Wynton
Meaning: Form of Winton: Dweller at the friend’s estate (Old English).
Quaylon
Meaning: Blend of “Quay” and “-lon”
Curt
Meaning: Form of Curtis: Courteous one; court-bred (Old French).
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).
Omarion
Meaning: Blend of “Omar” and “-ion” suffix
McCoy
Meaning: Son of Fire, the name of a Celtic pagan god (Gaelic); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Aaron
Meaning: “High mountain” (Hebrew origin)
Duane
Meaning: “Dark” (Irish origin)
Malyk
Meaning: Unique spelling of “Malik,” meaning “king”
Marico
Meaning: Variation of “Mario,” meaning “warlike”
Mansa
Meaning: Sultan (MAHN-sah—Mande, Mali).
Marquis
Meaning: French origin, meaning “nobleman,” popular in African American culture
Ignatius
Meaning: Fiery or ardent one (Latin).
Plummer
Meaning: Dweller near a plum tree; dealer in feathers; maker of lead pipes, plumber (Anglo-French; Old English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Horace
Meaning: Keeper of the hours; light of the sun (Latin).
Oree
Meaning: Corncake (Bini).
Decatur
Meaning: Place name—towns in seventeen U.S. states.
Lyman
Meaning: Man of the meadow (Middle English).
Zackary
Meaning: “Remembered by God” (variation of Zachary)
Garfield
Meaning: Field of spears (English).
Glenn
Meaning: Dweller in a glen or valley (Irish Gaelic).
Glen
Meaning: Form of Glenn: Dweller in a glen or valley (Irish Gaelic).
Tylon
Meaning: Modern African American name
Elias
Meaning: Greek form of Elijah: Jehovah is my God (Hebrew; Old Testament—Prophet who was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire). New Testament spelling of the Old Testament prophet’s name.
Finis
Meaning: Word name: The end (Latin).
Germaine
Meaning: Form of Germain: Brother (French, from the Late Latin).
Byron
Meaning: “Barn for cows” (English origin)
Armel
Adolph
Meaning: Form of Adolf: Noble wolf; noble hero (Old German).
Roscoe
Meaning: “Deer wood” (English origin)
Donnie
Meaning: Form of Donald: Mighty world ruler (Scottish Gaelic).
LeVaughn
Meaning: Unique spelling variation of “Vaughn” with “Le” prefix
Quamir
Meaning: Unique modern name
Adisa
Meaning: One who makes himself clear; one who makes his meaning clear; one who is precise (ah-dee-SAH—Yoruba, Nigeria).
Priss
Meaning: Old, primitive (Latin; New Testament).
Kenyon
Meaning: Swahili origin, meaning “blond”
Asante
Meaning: “Thankful” (Swahili origin)
Cairo
Meaning: “Victorious” (Arabic origin, popularized in African American culture)
Justyn
Meaning: Unique spelling of “Justin”
Faron
Meaning: English origin, meaning “adventurous”
Dominique
Meaning: French form of Dominic: Belonging to God (Latin).
July
Meaning: Seventh month; fifth month of the Roman calendar; the month Gaius Julius Caesar was born (Latin).
Nnamdi
Meaning: “My father is alive” (Igbo origin)
Wise
Meaning: Learned person (English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Farrel
Meaning: Irish origin, meaning “courageous”
Judson
Meaning: “Son of Jordan” (English origin)
Yassim
Meaning: Meaning and origin unknown.
Brandon
Meaning: From the brushwood hill (English).
Nardo
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Izear
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.