African American First Names

Khadir

Meaning: Arabic origin, meaning “powerful”

Paki

Meaning: “Witness” (Egyptian origin)

Silas

Meaning: “Wood or forest” (Latin origin)

Kordell

Linden

Meaning: “Linden tree hill” (English origin)

Reno

Bronell

Meaning: Modern variation of “Bruno” with “-ell” suffix

Wendall

Meaning: Variation of “Wendell,” meaning “wanderer”

Najeem

Tymere

Meaning: Modern African American name

Sharquay

Masamba

Meaning: “Leaves” (Malawian origin)

Rylan

Meaning: “Island meadow” (English origin)

Rion

Zamani

Meaning: “Of the past” (Swahili origin)

Romaine

Meaning: Variation of “Roman,” meaning “from Rome”

Jaydee

Jasen

Jefferson

Meaning: “Son of Jeffrey” (English origin)

Usain

Meaning: “Beautiful” (Arabic origin, inspired by sprinter Usain Bolt)

Vytal

Ian

Meaning: “God is gracious” (Scottish origin)

Xavy

Meaning: Shortened form of “Xavier”

Ricardo

Meaning: “Strong ruler” (variation of Richard)

Keion

Meaning: Blend of “Ke” and “-ion” suffix

Renardo

Meaning: Spanish origin, meaning “wise power”

Sage

Meaning: “Wise” (Latin origin)

Dante

Meaning: “Enduring” (Latin origin, often used in African American culture)

Rajan

Meaning: Sanskrit origin, meaning “king”

Malcolm

Meaning: “Disciple of St. Columba” (Scottish origin)

Leotis

Meaning: Unique African American name

Ulric

Meaning: German origin, meaning “wolf power”

Jalal

Jamalion

Meaning: Unique African American name with “-ion” suffix

Remy

Meaning: “Oarsman” (French origin)

Tycen

A'dez

Tylon

Meaning: Modern African American name

Landon

Meaning: “Long hill” (English origin)

Torion

Meaning: Blend of “Tor” and “-ion” suffix

Norris

Meaning: “Northerner” (French origin)

Darell

Meaning: Variation of “Darrell,” meaning “beloved”

Caelum

Meaning: Latin origin, meaning “heaven”

Harold

Meaning: “Army ruler” (English origin)

Lloyd

Meaning: “Gray” (Welsh origin)

Trivelle

Garrell

Jaxson

Meaning: Modern variation of “Jackson,” meaning “son of Jack”

Mandela

Meaning: Inspired by Nelson Mandela, meaning “one who speaks in words of wisdom”

TreKell

Harwin

Meaning: Unique blend of “Har” and “Win”

Xolani

Meaning: “Peace” (Zulu origin)

Nyshawn

Meaning: Blend of “Ny” and “Shawn”

Bronson

Meaning: “Brown’s son” (English origin)

Revan

Meaning: Unique modern name

Killion

Darious

Meaning: Blend of “Dar” and “Darius”

Eldrick

Meaning: Unique modern name

Lekan

Meaning: “To be pampered” (Yoruba origin)

Jack

Meaning: “God is gracious” (English origin)

Bankston

Arlis

Meaning: Unique African American name

Cedric

Meaning: “Bounty” (Celtic origin, adapted in African American culture)

LaRon

Meaning: Combination of “La” and “Ron”

Isiah

Dashon

Meaning: Variation of “Shawn” with “Da” prefix

Lashawn

Meaning: Combination of “La” and “Shawn”

Ralph

Meaning: “Wolf counsel” (English origin)

Tremon

Daquon

Meaning: Blend of “Da” and “Quan”

Victor

Meaning: “Conqueror” (Latin origin)

Solomon

Meaning: “Peace” (Hebrew origin)

Lemuel

Meaning: Hebrew origin, meaning “devoted to God”

Harmen

Vantrel

Meaning: Unique African American name

Akeem

Meaning: “Wise, intelligent” (Arabic origin)

Tharen

Meaning: Variation of “Theron”

Leondre

Meaning: Combination of “Leon” and “Andre”

Herold

Markael

Zykel

Meaning: Unique modern name

Jacobi

Meaning: “Supplanter” (variation of Jacob, modern American origin)

Arvell

Meaning: Unique African American name

Milton

Meaning: “Mill town” (English origin)

Cadarius

Meaning: Blend of “Ca” and “Darius”

Davarius

K'eon

Kendall

Meaning: “Valley of the River Kent” (English origin, adapted)

Howard

Meaning: “High guard” (English origin)

Ernest

Meaning: “Serious, determined” (German origin)

Rannier

Jarek

Meaning: Slavic origin, meaning “spring”

Mordell

Jarmal

Faizon

Meaning: Unique blend of “Fa” and “Zon”

Dontrall

Tavion

Meaning: Unique African American name

Yazen

Gus

Meaning: “Great” (short form of Augustus)

Qasim