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

Keane
Meaning: “Sharp” (Irish origin)
Luther
Meaning: “Army of the people” (German origin, associated with civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.)
Tyquan
Meaning: Blend of “Ty” and “Quan”
Lyonel
Cyrrale
Meaning: Form of Cyril: Lordly one (Greek).
Amari
Meaning: “Strength, builder” (African origin)
DeJohn
Meaning: Unique African American name
Edward
Meaning: Prosperous guardian (English).
Martinez
Meaning: Spanish form of the name Martin, the English form of the Latin Martinus: Warlike one; surname or family name given for a first or middle name. Rooted in the mythological god of war, Mars.
Rashard
Meaning: Blend of “Ra” and “Shawn”
Javorius
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Tijani
Wilfred
Meaning: “Desiring peace” (German origin)
Arvell
Meaning: Unique African American name
Gough
Meaning: Red-haired person (Welsh); surname or family name given for a first or middle name:
Tonell
Kristoff
Meaning: Form of Christopher: Believer in Christ; anointed one; Christlike (Greek).
Tyriek
Meaning: “Gift of God” (modern African American origin)
Randall
Meaning: “Wolf shield” (English origin)
KaLail
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture, a form of Kalil: Crown, wreath, garland (KAY-lil—Hebrew).
Sigmund
Meaning: Form of Siegmund: Glorious protector (Old German).
Cuba
Meaning: Place name—Island of the West Indies archipelago, located off the coast of Florida (Spanish).
Jafari
Meaning: “Stream” (Swahili origin)
Zakie
Meaning: Form of Zachariah: Jehovah has remembered (Hebrew; Old Testament).
Hosewell
Meaning: Form of Haswell: From the spring near the hazelnut tree (English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Jerry
Meaning: Form of Jerome: Sacred or holy name (Greek; Latin).
Odell
Meaning: English origin, meaning “woad hill”
Marcus
Meaning: Little hammer; little warlike one (Latin). Rooted in Mars, the Roman god of war.
Ja’von
Meaning: Stylized form of “Javon”
Khadir
Meaning: Arabic origin, meaning “powerful”
Herriford
Meaning: Meaning unknown (Norman); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Arnold
Meaning: “Ruler, strong as an eagle” (German origin)
Keywon
Jamonte
Meaning: Blend of “Ja” and “Monte”
Garland
Meaning: From the spearland (Old English).
Quillin
Kolby
Meaning: “Dark-haired” (English origin)
Burghardt
Meaning: Form of Burkhard: Hardy protection; strong as a castle (German).
Onest
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture, a form of the word honest: Free from fraud or deception (Latin).
Eldzier
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
A'dré
Wayne
Meaning: Wagonmaker (Old English).
Early
Meaning: The earl’s shelter (English). Name found among descendants of slaves in Maryland during the late nineteenth century.
Gideon
Meaning: “Mighty warrior” (Hebrew origin)
Rahsaan
St. Elmo
Meaning: Name that honors Saint Elmo, an early bishop and martyr of the Christian faith. He is the patron saint of sailors.
Darwin
Meaning: “Dear friend” (English origin)
Robison
Meaning: Form of Robin, a form of Robert: Bright or shining with fame (Old English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Antoine
Meaning: Form of Anthony: Inestimable, priceless one; worthy of praise (French; Latin).
Aldonis
Meaning: Unique blend of “Aldon” and “-is”
Colin
Meaning: Young and manly (Irish Gaelic).
Weston
Meaning: “Western town” (English origin)
Kimberly
Meaning: Male form of Kimberley: From the royal fortress meadow (Old English).
Joe
Meaning: Form of Joseph: He shall add (Hebrew).
Emery
Meaning: “Industrious ruler” (German origin)
Everson
Clinton
Meaning: “Hill settlement” (English origin)
Channing
Meaning: “Young wolf” (Irish origin)
Lester
Meaning: Dyer (Middle English).
Daronté
Danté
Meaning: Enduring, lasting, steadfast (Italian). From Dante Alighieri, born Durante Alighieri, thirteenth-century Italian poet who wrote the Divine Comedy.
Jaquon
Meaning: Combination of “Ja” and “Quan”
Paki
Meaning: “Witness” (Egyptian origin)
Coy
Meaning: Form of McCoy: Son of fire (Irish; Manx; Scottish); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Carvin
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture, a form of Marvin: Famous friend; sea friend (English).
Walter
Meaning: “Army ruler” (German origin)
Kankan
Meaning: Meaning unknown (Mali).
Karl
Meaning: Form of Charles: Strong, manly (Latin; Old German).
Destin
Damar
Meaning: Modern African American name
Wilbert
Meaning: “Will-bright” (German origin)
Ousley
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Norris
Meaning: “Northerner” (French origin)
Clyde
Meaning: “Warm” (Scottish origin)
Wylie
Meaning: Charming, clever, beguiling (English).
Jadarius
Meaning: Blend of “Ja” and “Darius”
Stuart
Meaning: “Steward” (Scottish origin)
Upton
Meaning: Upper estate or town (Old English).
Mukamba
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Khalik
Meaning: Modern African American name
Dandridge
Meaning: Judge from the hill (English; Hebrew; Old Testament); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Turan
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Weldon
Meaning: Dweller by the spring hill (Old English).
Raymond
Meaning: Mighty or wise protector (Old German).
Monte
Meaning: Shortened form of “Montel” or “Montez”
Dazhawn
Brice
Meaning: “Speckled” (English origin, modern American adaptation)
Maulana
Meaning: Our master (Swahili, East Africa).
Faris
Meaning: Arabic origin, meaning “knight, horseman”
Sephaniah
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Tharen
Meaning: Variation of “Theron”
Aris
Meaning: Form of Aristaeus: One pertaining to a noble (ahr-ih-STAY-us—Greek). From Greek mythology.
Kissiedu
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Miguel
Meaning: Spanish form of Michael: Who is like God? (Hebrew).
Robby
Meaning: Form of Robert: Bright or shining with fame (Old English).
Devonte
Meaning: Variation of “Devon” with “te” suffix, meaning “protector”
Lindsey
Meaning: Dweller from the island of Lelli, Lealla—Lindsey, Lincolnshire, England (Anglo-Saxon); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.
Toussaint
Meaning: All saints (French); bestowed on those born on or near All Saints' Day.
Prince
Meaning: First, chief (Old French).
Prenell