Ian♡
Meaning: “God is gracious” (Scottish origin)
African American Names for Boys Starting with I
I - Authentic African American Boys Names & Their Meanings
Browse our curated list of African American boys names that start with the letter "I". Each name includes its meaning, cultural significance, and pronunciation help.
49 Names Found•African American boys Names•Starting with "I"
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Idris♡
Meaning: “Interpreter” or “fiery leader” (Arabic origin)
Iman♡
Meaning: Arabic origin, meaning “faith”
Imani♡
Meaning: “Faith” (Swahili origin)
Imari♡
Meaning: Unique variation of “Amari”
Immanuel♡
Meaning: Variation of “Emmanuel,” meaning “God is with us”
Irvin♡
Meaning: “Green or freshwater” (Scottish origin)
Isaac♡
Meaning: “Laughter” (Hebrew origin)
Isaiah♡
Meaning: “God is salvation” (Hebrew origin, widely used)
Ishmael♡
Meaning: “God listens” (Hebrew origin)
Isiah♡
Meaning: “God is salvation” (Hebrew origin)
Ismael♡
Meaning: Variation of “Ishmael,” meaning “God will hear”
Isreal♡
Meaning: Unique spelling of “Israel,” meaning “God perseveres”
Ivan♡
Meaning: “God is gracious” (Russian origin)
Iverson♡
Meaning: “Son of Iver,” popularized in African American culture
Izaak♡
Meaning: Variation of “Isaac,” meaning “laughter”
Izaiah♡
Meaning: Unique spelling of “Isaiah,” meaning “God is salvation”
Izell♡
Meaning: Unique variation of “Israel”
Irvin♡
Meaning: No meaning available
Ishaq♡
Meaning: No meaning available
Isiah♡
Meaning: No meaning available
Itrez♡
Meaning: No meaning available
Ian♡
Meaning: Scottish form of John: God is gracious (EE-an—New Testament; Hebrew).
Ibn♡
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Ibrahim♡
Meaning: Father is exalted (EE-bra-heem—Hausa, Nigeria).
Idris♡
Meaning: Good, wise man; prophet of Islam (Arabic, North Africa; Islam).
Ifa♡
Meaning: The god of divination; a tool for removing pulp of green calabash; good luck, gain (ee-FEH, EE-fay—Yoruba, Nigeria).
Ignatius♡
Meaning: Fiery or ardent one (Latin).
Ike♡
Meaning: Form of Isaac: He laughs (Old Testament; Hebrew).
Ilandus♡
Meaning: Meaning and origin unknown.
Illinois♡
Meaning: Place name—state in the central United States.
Imamu♡
Meaning: Faith leader (Swahili, East Africa).
Imani♡
Meaning: Form of Iman: Faith (ih-MAHN-ee—Arabic, North Africa; Swahili, East Africa).
Imhotep♡
Meaning: A prime minister during the Third Egyptian Dynasty who was the mastermind behind the step pyramid.
Innocent♡
Meaning: Word name: Free from sin or wrong (Latin).
Ira♡
Meaning: Watchful one (Hebrew).
Irvin♡
Meaning: Sea friend (Old English).
Irving♡
Meaning: Sea friend (Old English).
Isaac♡
Meaning: He laughs (Old Testament—son of Abraham and Sara; Hebrew).
Isaiah♡
Meaning: Salvation of God (Old Testament—prophet; Hebrew).
Isham♡
Meaning: From the iron one’s estate (Old English).
Ishmael♡
Meaning: The Lord will hear (Old Testament; Hebrew).
Isiah♡
Meaning: Form of Isaiah: Salvation of God (Old Testament—prophet; Hebrew).
Isom♡
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Israel♡
Meaning: The name given Jacob by the Lord (Old Testament; Hebrew).
Ivan♡
Meaning: Russian form of John: God is gracious (New Testament; Hebrew).
Ivertus♡
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.
Ivory♡
Meaning: Precious substance from the tusks and teeth of slaughtered elephants (Latin).
Izear♡
Meaning: Created name from African-American culture.