Discover Beautiful African American Names

Elf ruler (English).

Ethiopian form of the biblical David: Beloved one (Hebrew; Old Testament—King of Israel).

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

Noble (Swahili, East Africa).

Created name from African-American culture.

Form of Dewi, Welsh form of David: Beloved one (Hebrew; Old Testament—King of Israel).

Created name from African-American culture.

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

“Manly, brave” (modern African American origin)

From the French Sylvestre and the Latin Silvester: Dweller from the forest.

Meaning and origin unknown. Possibly derived from the name of botanic gardens in Jackson, Mississippi—the Mynelle Gardens.

Place name—state in the central United States.

“Power of God” (Igbo origin)

“Wealthy” (Hebrew origin)

Form of Ewan: Born of the yew tree (Scottish, from the Gaelic).

Representative of the initials “B.B.”

“Son of the right hand” (shortened form of Benjamin)

Form of Charles: Strong, manly (Latin; Old German).

Charming, clever, beguiling (English).

To destroy (English, from the Greek Perseus); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Little falcon or hawk (Old French).

Created name from African-American culture.

Learned (se-KOO—Guinea).

“Exalted father” (Hebrew origin)

He came in a joyful time (ah-DEH-bah-yo—West Africa; Yoruba, Nigeria).

Modern African American name

“Land of the spear” (French origin)

Form of William: Resolute protector (Old German).

No meaning available

No meaning available

Form of Hubert: Brilliant mind or spirit (Old German).

Form of Quinton: Fifth child (Latin).

Blend of two names such as Moses (mercy; saved from the water—Egyptian; Hebrew; Old Testament—referring to the biblical Moses) and Keziah, a form of Ketziah: (a type of cinnamon—(Hebrew; Old Testament—second daughter of Job, born to him after his great affliction).

A town on a hill (English).

Meaning and origin unknown.

“Son of Jordan” (English origin)

No meaning available

Praise (Hebrew; Old Testament).

“Priest’s town” (English origin)

Blend of “Kenyon” and “-te” suffix

Spanish variation of “Ezekiel”

Form of Bert: Shining brightly; glorious one (Old English).

Meaning and origin unknown.

Meaning and origin unknown (mal-a-VEE-ya).

No meaning available

Form of Siegmund: Glorious protector (Old German).

Modern African American name

Created name from African-American culture.

Form of Hugh: Intelligence; spirit (Old English).

Dweller at the brook in the hollow (Old English); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Created name from African-American culture.

Created name from African-American culture, a form of Darius: King, kingly; one who is wealthy (dah-RI-us—Hebrew).

Form of Oren: Pine tree, cedar tree, ash tree (O-ren—Hebrew).

Dweller by a fortified stronghold (Dutch); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

No meaning available

World daring; life adventuring (Gothic).

“Hugh’s town” (Scottish origin)

Form of Chapman: Merchant (Middle English; Old English).

Form of Otis: Acute hearing (Greek).

No meaning available

From the pear tree (Middle English).

“At the cross” (English origin)

“Gentle, patient” (Arabic origin)

Another variation of “Shawn” with “De” prefix

Form of Basil and Bazil: Kingly; magnificent (Latin).

A modern twist on “Aldric,” meaning “old and wise ruler”

No meaning available

Form of Regin: Judgment (reeg-un—Old Norse).

Blend of “Terry” and “-ion” suffix

“Mountain” (modern American origin)

No meaning available

“Woodcutter” (English origin)

Merchant; storekeeper (French).

Form of Thaddeus: One who praises (Latin).

Courageous protector (German).

Spanish origin, meaning “nobleman”

Meaning and origin unknown. Name used among free black men since the 18th century.

Form of Finley: Little fair-haired valorous one; fair soldier (Irish Gaelic).

“Strong decision” (French origin)

Meaning and origin unknown; surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

No meaning available

Blend of two names such as Sayyid (master, lord—Arabic, North Africa) and Vaughn (small one—Old Welsh).

Form of Quincy: Dweller at the fifth son's estate (Old French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Word name—the street (French); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Noble staff; God’s staff (Swedish).

Shortened form of “Montel” or “Montez”

Grain grinder (English; Scottish); surname or family name given for a first or middle name.

Form of Ronald: Mighty power (Old Norse).

“Renowned warrior” (German origin)

“Works with a lathe” (English origin)

No meaning available

“Youthful” (Latin origin)

Handsome, cheerful, harmonious one (Irish Gaelic).

Commander, leader, ruler; prince (ah-MEER-ee—Swahili, East Africa).

“Son” (Scottish origin)

Unique modern name

Giver of light (Greek; New Testament).

Army man, soldier (Old German).

Form of John: God is gracious (Hebrew; New Testament).

Modern variation of “Xavier”