African American First Names: Cultural Heritage & Modern Identity

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.