Aswad

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Aswad

Pronounced AS-wad /ˈæs.wɑːd/Low

Meaning: Aswad is an Arabic name meaning 'black,' the color. It is a long-established given name in the Arabic-speaking world and appears in early Islamic history as the name of several figures. In the United States it is used chiefly among Muslim and African American families, carrying its plain color meaning.Medium

In 30 seconds: Aswad is an Arabic name meaning 'black,' a traditional given name. Rare in the U.S., it peaked around 1973 (said AS-wad).

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Origin MediumArabic

MeaningAswad is an Arabic name meaning 'black,' the color. It is a long-established given name in the Arabic-speaking world and appears in early Islamic history as the name of several figures. In the United States it is used chiefly among Muslim and African American families, carrying its plain color meaning.

U.S. rank (1995)#7870 ↘ Falling

1995 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1973

Total births (all-time)≈ 129

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Aswad is an Arabic name whose meaning is simply 'black,' the color. It is a traditional name in Arabic-speaking regions and turns up in early Islamic sources as the name of several people. In American records it appears mainly among Muslim and African American families, and we present its color meaning plainly and accurately.

Aswad has always been rare in the United States, given to only about fourteen boys a year around its 1973 peak. A boy named Aswad then is in his early fifties today, his name reflecting a period of growing interest in Arabic and African heritage names among American families.

Did you know? Aswad appears in early Arabic history as a personal name, and the word also names the color black in everyday Arabic.

Overall data confidence 58%

References - Aswad — Arabic 'black' (color); traditional given name; U.S. use among Muslim/African American families; peaked 1973.

Variations

AswaddAswed

Nicknames

AsWadi

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If you like Aswad…

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Malik— another Arabic name in the same American cohort

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By themearabic heritage 1970s color-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Aswad mean?

It is an Arabic name meaning 'black,' the color, and a long-established given name.

How do you pronounce Aswad?

It is said AS-wad /ˈæs.wɑːd/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Aswad a boy or girl name?

Aswad is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Aswad?

It has always been rare in the United States, given to only about fourteen boys a year at its peak in the early nineteen-seventies.