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
  • Delashaun

  • Kent

    Meaning: “High, coastal land” (English origin)

  • Shaka

    Meaning: Great king (Zulu, South Africa).

  • Naim

    Meaning: Arabic origin, meaning “comfort”

  • LeBaron

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture, a form of Baron: A title of nobility (English; French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Daran

  • Riddick

    Meaning: Form of Riddock: From the smooth field (Irish Gaelic).

  • Chukwemeka

    Meaning: Meaning and language unknown (Nigeria).

  • Wilmer

    Meaning: English origin, meaning “famous”

  • Duke

    Meaning: Noble leader (English).

  • Ramakrishna

    Meaning: Pleasing to Krishna, the name of a popular Hindu deity (Sanskrit).

  • Chancellor

    Meaning: Keeper of records (English and Scottish, from the Old French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Mpolondo

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.

  • Willi

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

  • Adegboyega

    Meaning: The child is like a crown that brings honor to a king (Youruba, Nigeria).

  • Garnett

    Meaning: Keeper of the grains (English; French).

  • Ario

  • Gregory

    Meaning: Vigilant; watchful one (Greek; Latin).

  • Stevie

    Meaning: Form of Steven, a form of Stephen, a form of Stephanos: Crowned one (Greek).

  • Jamie

    Meaning: Form of James, the English form of Jacob from the Old Spanish Jayme: Supplanter; one who takes the place of; protector (Hebrew; Old Testament).

  • Maxwell

    Meaning: “Mack’s stream” (Scottish origin)

  • DeJuan

    Meaning: “God is gracious” (modern African American origin)

  • Dan

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

  • Scott

    Meaning: “From Scotland” (Scottish origin)

  • Randall

    Meaning: A form of Randolf: Shield wolf (Old English). The wolf suggests courage.

  • Claude

    Meaning: Form of Claudius, an old Roman family name: Lame one, suggesting that a handicap may be the stimulus for great achievement, as with the two Roman emperors with the name Claudius (Latin).

  • Zyrell

  • Silas

    Meaning: Asked for (from the Aramaic; Latin; New Testament—missionary friend of Paul and Timothy).

  • Gustavus

    Meaning: Noble staff; God’s staff (Swedish).

  • Trevonte

    Meaning: Blend of “Trey” and “Devonte”

  • Sterling

    Meaning: “Little star” (English origin)

  • Hadrian

    Meaning: Latin origin, meaning “from Hadria”

  • Kenny

    Meaning: Form of Kenneth: Handsome one (Irish Gaelic).

  • D'Ante

  • Bob

    Meaning: Form of Robert: Bright or shining with fame (Old English).

  • Wheeler

    Meaning: Wheelmaker (Old English).

  • Craig

    Meaning: “Rock” (Scottish origin)

  • Garrell

  • Gayraud

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.

  • Kalix

    Meaning: Modern name with “x” suffix

  • Fernando

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

  • Shaquille

    Meaning: Arabic origin, meaning “well-developed,” popularized by Shaquille O’Neal

  • Keane

    Meaning: “Sharp” (Irish origin)

  • Tolliver

    Meaning: Strong man; ferocious warrior (Americanized form of the Italian family name Taliaferro; English form of Telfer from the Old French taille(r); Scottish); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Mumtaz

    Meaning: Meaning and origin unknown.

  • Samuel

    Meaning: His name is of God (Hebrew; Old Testament).

  • Belal

  • Cain

    Meaning: “Acquired” (Hebrew origin)

  • Sunrise

    Meaning: Word name—The time of day when the sun appears above the horizon.

  • Whitman

    Meaning: “White-haired man” (English origin)

  • Archie

    Meaning: Form of Archibald: The truly bold; noble; sacred prince; genuine (Anglo-French; German).

  • Trever

  • Booker

    Meaning: Scribe; one who copies books (English).

  • Jeep

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.

  • Davin

    Meaning: Bright, intelligent (Scandinavian).

  • Miles

    Meaning: Soldier, warrior (Late Latin).

  • Alfred

    Meaning: Elf counselor; good counselor; counselor with wisdom and diplomacy (Old English).

  • Dawayne

    Meaning: Unique spelling of “Dwayne,” meaning “dark or swarthy”

  • Nurid-Din

    Meaning: Meaning and origin unknown.

  • Zyvon

    Meaning: Unique blend of “Zy” and “Von”

  • Kyyam

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.

  • Pete

    Meaning: Form of Peter: Rock or stone (Greek; Latin; New Testament).

  • Xavion

  • Quadir

    Meaning: Arabic origin, meaning “powerful, capable”

  • Elisha

    Meaning: The Lord is my salvation (ee-LY-sha—Hebrew; Old Testament). Name found among free black men in late eighteenth-century New England.

  • Lesesne

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.

  • Quinton

    Meaning: Latin origin, meaning “fifth,” adapted in African American communities

  • Em

    Meaning: Form of Emlen, a form of Emlyn: Common Welsh name of unknown meaning (EM-lin).

  • Latrell

    Meaning: “Noble, loyal” (modern American origin)

  • Fred

    Meaning: Form of Frederick: Peaceful ruler (Old German).

  • Sterling

    Meaning: Genuine; of excellent quality (English).

  • Gerald

    Meaning: “Ruler with spear” (German origin)

  • Berry

    Meaning: Botanical name used for both boys and girls (Old English).

  • Godfrey

    Meaning: Of God’s peace (English).

  • Wilfred

    Meaning: Determined peacemaker (German).

  • Jeffrey

    Meaning: Divinely peaceful (Old French).

  • Jaden

    Meaning: “Thankful” (modern African American origin)

  • Hiram

    Meaning: Most noble one; of noble birth (Hebrew; Old Testament).

  • Fendrel

    Meaning: Unique African American name

  • Michel

    Meaning: French form of Michael: Who is like God? (Hebrew).

  • Leeshawn

  • Wilkins

    Meaning: Son of Wilkin, an Old English form of William: Resolute protector (Old German); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Norwood

    Meaning: From the north forest (Old English).

  • Salem

    Meaning: Hebrew origin, meaning “peace”

  • Londer

    Meaning: Dweller in the country (German); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Kendrick

    Meaning: “Royal power” (Scottish origin, commonly used in African American culture)

  • Cormac

    Meaning: “Son of defilement” (Irish origin)

  • Littleton

    Meaning: Small settlement (Anglo-Saxon; Old English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

  • Emiel

  • Josiah

    Meaning: God supports; God heals (jo-SY-ah—Hebrew; Old Testament).

  • Rafael

    Meaning: Spanish form of Raphael: Healed by God (Hebrew).

  • Kirk

    Meaning: “Church” (Scottish origin)

  • Garrick

    Meaning: English origin, meaning “spear ruler”

  • Alfred

    Meaning: “Wise counselor” (English origin)

  • Comer

    Meaning: Form of Gomer: Complete; to end; vanishing (Hebrew).

  • Cuba

    Meaning: Place name—Island of the West Indies archipelago, located off the coast of Florida (Spanish).

  • Harden

  • Edouard

    Meaning: French form of Edward: Prosperous guardian (English).

  • Solomon

    Meaning: Peaceful (Hebrew; Old Testament—son and successor of King David).

  • Etheyo

    Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.