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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

  • August

    Meaning: Form of Augustine or Augustus: Exalted one, imperial, revered (Latin).

  • Quamell

    Meaning: Unique African American name

  • DeMarcus

    Meaning: “Of Marcus” (modern American origin)

  • Sammy

    Meaning: Form of Sam: To hear (Hebrew).

  • Eugene

    Meaning: “Well-born” (Greek origin, widely used)

  • Alleuious

    Meaning: Form of Aloysius, a form of Louis: Famous warrior (al-oh-WIH-shus—French; Late Latin).

  • Za'Darius

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture, a form of Darius: King, kingly; one who is wealthy (dah-RI-us—Hebrew).

  • Benji

    Meaning: Form of Benjamin: Son of the right hand (Hebrew; Old Testament).

  • Deqavious

  • Valentine

    Meaning: Strong, valorous, healthy (Latin).

  • Daran

    Meaning: Variation of “Darren,” meaning “great”

  • Scottie

    Meaning: Form of Scott: Dwells in Scotland (English).

  • Romain

    Meaning: Form of Romanus: Man from Rome (French; Latin).

  • Hayne

    Meaning: Place name—from Haynes, Bedfordshire, England; surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Postell

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.

  • O'shea

    Meaning: Fine, fortunate (English, from the Irish Gaelic); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Burke

    Meaning: Dweller at the fortress or stronghold (Old English; Old French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Andres

  • Damon

    Meaning: Form of Damian, a form of Damianos: Tamer; one who makes men gentle (Greek).

  • Woldeyohannes

    Meaning: Meaning unknown (Amharic, Ethiopia); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • deGrasse

    Meaning: Form of the French surname Degrasse, a name first found in Provence.

  • Bayden

  • Crockett

    Meaning: One wearing a curly hairstyle (English; Scottish); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Theodore

    Meaning: Gift of God (Greek).

  • St. George

    Meaning: Name that honors Saint George, Roman military tribune, who was martyred in C.E. 303. He is the patron saint of Boy Scouts, England, Germany, Portugal, and soldiers.

  • Molineaux

    Meaning: Dweller by the mill (French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Garret

    Meaning: A good spear thrower (Old English).

  • Vida

    Meaning: Form of Vidal: Full of life (bee-DAHL—Spanish).

  • Chavez

    Meaning: Form of Chaves: From the place near the waters of Flavius (Portuguese); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • JaKhel

  • Jamyron

  • Terrance

    Meaning: “Tender” (variation of Terrence)

  • Leon

    Meaning: Form of Leo: Lion (Latin).

  • Keitiaunna

    Meaning: Form of Keita: Place name—town in Niger, a country in West Africa.

  • Innocent

    Meaning: Word name: Free from sin or wrong (Latin).

  • Ajigunwa

    Meaning: Meaning unknown (Yoruba, Nigeria).

  • Darren

    Meaning: “Great” (English origin, adapted in African American culture)

  • Heggie

    Meaning: Form of Mackeggie or Mackaggie: Son of Adam (Scottish Gaelic). Surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Kelly

    Meaning: Lively, aggressive; strife (Irish Gaelic); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Noah

    Meaning: Rest; comfort (Hebrew; Old Testament).

  • Levar

    Meaning: Form of Levardis, a form of the word veritas: Truth (Latin).

  • Turry

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.

  • Cato

    Meaning: All-knowing; wise one (Latin).

  • Rashard

    Meaning: Blend of “Ra” and “Shawn”

  • Akbar

    Meaning: Greater, greatest (Arabic; Muslim).

  • Kadir

    Meaning: Capable; one of the ninety-nine attributes of Allah (kay-dir—Arabic, North Africa).

  • Bankston

  • Daryl

    Meaning: Form of Darrell: Little dear or beloved one (French).

  • Jaivon

  • Jovaun

    Meaning: Modern African American name

  • Lester

    Meaning: “From Leicester” (English origin)

  • D'Quan

  • Gregory

    Meaning: “Watchful” (Greek origin)

  • Fernando

    Meaning: Spanish form of Ferdinand: World daring; life adventuring (Gothic).

  • Tavon

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.

  • Kelford

  • Frederick

    Meaning: Peaceful ruler (Old German).

  • St. Elmo

    Meaning: Name that honors Saint Elmo, an early bishop and martyr of the Christian faith. He is the patron saint of sailors.

  • PheontĂ©

  • Dupree

    Meaning: Form of Dupré: Dweller of the meadow (French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Turan

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.

  • Evan

    Meaning: Well-born one; young warrior (EV-an—Irish Gaelic; Old Welsh).

  • Gerard

    Meaning: Brave spearman (German).

  • Jacoby

    Meaning: “Supplanter” (modern African American origin)

  • Devajee

  • Javontez

    Meaning: Variation of “Javonte” with “-ez” suffix

  • Jasper

    Meaning: Jasper stone (Old French).

  • Jashaun

    Meaning: Blend of “Ja” and “Shaun”

  • Simon

    Meaning: “He has heard” (Hebrew origin)

  • Walli

    Meaning: Form of Wallace: Man from Wales (Old English).

  • Yale

    Meaning: “Fertile upland” (Welsh origin)

  • Tecumseh

    Meaning: Goes through one place to another, referring to a shooting star (Shawnee, Native North American).

  • Irvin

    Meaning: “Green or freshwater” (Scottish origin)

  • Judah

    Meaning: “Praised” (Hebrew origin)

  • Renardo

    Meaning: Mighty, brave (Old German).

  • Jahmiah

  • Knox

    Meaning: “Round hill” (Scottish origin)

  • Chislom

    Meaning: Form of Chuslum: Bull (chuh-sluhm—Nez Percé, Native North American).

  • Dace

  • Chandler

    Meaning: Candlemaker; he provides light (Middle English; Old French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Cesar

    Meaning: Form of César, Spanish form of Caesar: Long-haired or hairy; through use, emperor (Latin).

  • Alexandre

    Meaning: Helper and defender of humankind (French).

  • Garth

    Meaning: From the garden (Old Norse).

  • Jaquel

    Meaning: Blend of “Ja” and “Quell”

  • Clifton

    Meaning: From the cliff estate or town (English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Antwon

    Meaning: “Priceless” (variation of Antoine)

  • Lema

    Meaning: Form of Lamar: Famous for land (Old German).

  • Kennin

  • Jawaad

    Meaning: Generous (Swahili, East Africa).

  • Dan

    Meaning: Judge (Hebrew; Old Testament—fifth son of Jacob by Bilhah, Rachel’s maidservant).

  • Alain

    Meaning: Handsome, cheerful, harmonious one (French; Irish Gaelic).

  • Elroy

    Meaning: English form of Leroy: King; person given the title of king for his royal bearing or for the part played in a religious pageant (French).

  • Finley

    Meaning: Little fair-haired valorous one; fair soldier (Irish Gaelic).

  • Gentry

    Meaning: “Noble, courteous” (English origin)

  • VaShon

    Meaning: Unique African American name

  • Stephen

    Meaning: Form of Stephanos: Crowned one (Greek).

  • Sephaniah

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.

  • Trevin

    Meaning: Form of Trevor: Prudent, discreet, wise (Irish Gaelic).

  • Willie

    Meaning: Form of William: Resolute protector (Old German).

  • Channing

    Meaning: Knowing (English).