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

Xander
Meaning: “Defender of the people” (Greek origin)
Ken
Meaning: Form of Kendrick (son of Henry—Irish Gaelic; royal ruler—Old English).
Naim
Meaning: Arabic origin, meaning “comfort”
Nemiah
Clouis
Meaning: Blend of two names such as Clovis (great fighter; famous warrior—French; Old German; Teutonic) and Louis (great fighter; famous warrior; warrior prince—French; Old German).
Lavon
Meaning: “Young warrior” (modern American origin)
Dreasjon
Meaning: Meaning and origin unknown.
Woldeyohannes
Meaning: Meaning unknown (Amharic, Ethiopia); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Dewey
Meaning: Form of Dewi, Welsh form of David: Beloved one (Hebrew; Old Testament—King of Israel).
Kweisi
Meaning: Form of Kwasi or Kwesi: Born on Sunday (Akan, Ghana; Ewe, Ghana).
Blythe
Meaning: Merry one (Old English); more often a female name.
Jupiter
Meaning: Supreme deity in Roman mythology; fifth planet from the sun (Latin).
Rob
Meaning: Form of Robert: Bright or shining with fame (Old English).
Mpolondo
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Asaad
Montea
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Maverick
Meaning: “Independent” (American origin)
Elix
Meaning: Modern African American name
VaShon
Meaning: Unique African American name
Timothy
Meaning: He who honors God (Greek; New Testament).
Hayward
Meaning: Keeper of the enclosed hedge (Old English).
Alfred
Meaning: “Wise counselor” (English origin)
Sanford
Meaning: Dweller at the sandy ford (English).
Brentton
Meaning: Form of Brent: Dweller by the burnt land (English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Hugh
Meaning: Intelligence; spirit (Old English).
Nassau
Stanley
Meaning: Dweller at the rocky meadow (Old English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Luther
Meaning: Famous warrior (German).
Sequan
Jabari
Meaning: Fearless person, brave one; comforter, bringer of consolation (Muslim; Swahili, East Africa).
Lemarcus
Meaning: Combination of “Le” and “Marcus”
Malvin
Meaning: Polished chief (Irish Gaelic).
Rayshard
Meaning: Meaning and origin unknown.
Addison
Meaning: “Son of Adam” (English origin)
Undre
Meaning: Form of Andre: Strong, manly (French).
Aubrey
Meaning: Blond ruler, elf ruler, spirit ruler (Old French).
Mo
Meaning: Form of Maurice or Morris: Moorish; dark-complexioned one (Late Latin).
Braxton
Meaning: “Brock’s town” (English origin)
Lamarcus
Laelim
Cordell
Meaning: English origin, meaning “maker of cords”
Ormond
Meaning: Descendant of the red-haired one or the rosy-cheeked one (Irish); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Chadwick
Meaning: Place name—Various places in England.
Elvan
Millard
Meaning: Flattering, winning, and strong (Old French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Deinaba
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Xavion
Meaning: Unique blend of “Xavier” and “-ion” suffix
Othella
Meaning: Form of Othello: From the title character in Shakespeare’s play.
Lavar
Meaning: Unique African American name
Barry
Meaning: Great spearsman or marksman; spearlike or pointed (Irish Gaelic).
Eyton
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Nyshawn
Meaning: Blend of “Ny” and “Shawn”
Xolani
Meaning: “Peace” (Zulu origin)
Mansa
Meaning: “King” (Malian origin)
Blakely
Meaning: From the black meadow or hill (English; Irish; Scottish); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Demonte
Meaning: An African American variation with “De” prefix; means “mountain”
Spottswood
Meaning: Place name—a town in the parish of Gordon, Berwickshire, in Scotland; surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Stephon
Meaning: Form of Stephanos: Crowned one (Greek).
Jeffrey
Meaning: Divinely peaceful (Old French).
Roosevelt
Meaning: “Field of roses” (Dutch origin)
Brown
Meaning: Dark, reddish complexion (Middle English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Antwaun
Meaning: Unique spelling variation of “Antoine”
Heathcliff
Meaning: From the heath cliff (Middle English).
Janale
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Khalik
Meaning: Modern African American name
Lemuel
Meaning: Hebrew origin, meaning “devoted to God”
Damar
Meaning: Meaning and origin unknown.
Bambarra
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Level
Meaning: Form of Levell: Beloved ruler (Old English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Pierpont
Meaning: Stone bridge (English; Old French); surname or family name given as a first or middle name.
Deron
Meaning: Belongs to God (Armenian).
Briton
Meaning: Form of Brittany: Place name—A peninsula in northwestern France (Latin).
Shannon
Meaning: “Wise river” (Irish origin)
Nigel
Meaning: Dark one (Latin).
Tremon
Reginal
Zakari
Zayvion
Meaning: Unique blend of “Zay” and “-vion” suffix
Abubakari
Meaning: Noble (Swahili, East Africa).
Quinlan
Meaning: “Fit, strong” (Irish origin)
Dimaggio
Meaning: Form of Maggio, referring to the month of May (Italian); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
O'shea
Meaning: Fine, fortunate (English, from the Irish Gaelic); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Trent
Meaning: “Gushing waters” (Latin origin)
Navier
Ellis
Meaning: English form of Elijah: Jehovah is my God (Hebrew; Old Testament—Prophet who was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire.
Ewin
Meaning: Form of Ewan: Born of the yew tree (Scottish, from the Gaelic).
Donnell
Meaning: Form of McDonnell (MacDonnell): Son of Donhnall (or Donald)—mighty ruler (Irish Gaelic; Scottish Gaelic); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Jahmiah
Grady
Dekari
Meaning: Modern African American name
Thelton
Meaning: Blend of two names such as Thaddeus (one who praises—Latin; gift of God; stouthearted; courageous—Greek; New Testament) and Shelton (from the settlement near the shelf or high plateau—English; surname or family name given for a first or middle name).
Miguel
Meaning: Spanish form of Michael: Who is like God? (Hebrew).
Darryl
Meaning: “Darling, beloved” (English origin, adapted)
Jerry
Meaning: Form of Jerome: Sacred or holy name (Greek; Latin).
Wayland
Meaning: English origin, meaning “land by the road”
Tawiah
Meaning: Form of Tawia: Next child after twins (Akan, Ghana; Ga [Gao], Ghana). In the Ga language, the name can be either male or female.
Ernest
Meaning: “Serious, determined” (German origin)
Cordell
Meaning: Form of Cordier: Make or seller of cord (French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Mostofa
Meaning: Form of Mustafa: The chosen one (Arabic, North Africa; Swahili, East Africa).
Hughie
Meaning: Form of Hugh: Intelligence; spirit (Old English).