African American Baby Names
293 African American names with researched meanings, U.S. popularity, and audio pronunciation on every page.
Explore 293 African American baby names below. Every name links to a full page with its sourced meaning, origin, popularity chart, famous bearers, and a clear audio pronunciation so you can hear it said correctly. Names are listed most-popular first.
African American Girl Names
Amiyah#620 in the U.S.Creative variant of Amaya (Japanese 'night rain') or Amia/Amia (Hebrew/Latin 'beloved' or 'my p▶Nairobi#1535 in the U.S.Place name used as a given name, from Maasai 'Enkare Nyrobi' meaning 'cool/cold water'.▶Sanai#1584 in the U.S.Brilliance, radiance, splendour (linked to Arabic sana)▶Irie#1646 in the U.S.From Jamaican Patois 'irie', meaning good, fine, or a positive harmonious feeling.▶Jalayah#1750 in the U.S.Small, little, young, child▶Janiya#1774 in the U.S.On my way▶Kamiya#1866 in the U.S.Modern coined name using the Ka- prefix, likely built on Maya/Mia; no single established lexica▶Iyanna#1881 in the U.S.Beautiful flower▶Naliyah#1884 in the U.S.High, lofty, sublime▶Khalia#1897 in the U.S.Modern variant of Kalia, used in African American naming; influenced by Arabic khalil 'friend',▶Alaysia#2034 in the U.S.Nobleness, nobility▶Legaci#2086 in the U.S.Something inherited from a predecessor, heritage▶Lovely#2088 in the U.S.Lovely▶Amiracle#2108 in the U.S.Wonder, marvel▶Janyla#2137 in the U.S.Fury, passion▶Jelani#2171 in the U.S.Mighty▶Zaliyah#2210 in the U.S.High, lofty, sublime▶Jaleah#2217 in the U.S.High, lofty, sublime▶Emoni#2460 in the U.S.love, harmony▶Keisha#2566 in the U.S.Cassia, cinnamon▶Precious#2570 in the U.S.Price, worth▶Normani#2837 in the U.S.Northman▶Deja#2850 in the U.S.Already▶Miyah#2906 in the U.S.Origin uncertain▶Janai#2934 in the U.S.Uncertain▶Janaya#2935 in the U.S. Yahweh is gracious▶Tamia#3107 in the U.S.A variant of Tamara or Thammia meaning date palm (Hebrew/Aramaic); also interpreted as a stand-▶Taniyah#3108 in the U.S.A variant spelling of Tanya or Tania, the Russian diminutive of Tatiana meaning fairy queen or ▶Kimani#3417 in the U.S.A Kikuyu (Kenyan) name, traditionally masculine, adopted in the U.S. mainly for girls; popular ▶Tamija#5105 in the U.S.Tamija is a rare coined name built on the popular Ta- prefix, closely echoing Tamia and Tamika.▶Lubertha#5649 in the U.S.Lubertha reads as an early-twentieth-century American coinage, joining a decorative Lu- prefix ▶Telesha#6630 in the U.S.Telesha is an invented name of the 1970s to 1990s, built from the Te- prefix and a -lesha sound▶Sharnise#6984 in the U.S.Sharnise is a coined name pairing the Shar- prefix with a -nise ending drawn from Denise, the F▶Dazhane#7054 in the U.S.An invented American name joining the popular 'Da-' prefix with a '-zhane' ending whose 'zh' so▶Letasha#7212 in the U.S.Letasha is a coined name pairing the popular Le- prefix of the era with the -tasha of Natasha. ▶Loukisha#7618 in the U.S.Loukisha is a rare coinage joining a Lou- prefix to the Kisha/Keisha element of the late-centur▶Dejanee#8121 in the U.S.Dejanee blends the De- prefix of African American naming with the -janee ending heard in Janae,▶Chaniqua#8199 in the U.S.Chaniqua is a coined American name using the distinctive -iqua ending shared with Shaniqua and ▶Chekesha#8375 in the U.S.Chekesha is a Swahili-inspired name from African American Afrocentric naming; it is often linke▶Iyanla#8662 in the U.S.Iyanla is drawn from Yoruba, where iya means 'mother' and nla means 'great' - read together as ▶Latayna#8669 in the U.S.Latayna is a modern invented American name, built from the fashionable La- prefix and a -tayna ▶Laconda#8712 in the U.S.Laconda joins the La- prefix, popular in mid-century African-American naming, with a resonant -▶Lacresha#9745 in the U.S.Lacresha is a coined American name that pairs the popular La- prefix with the -cresha sound of ▶Kadeesha#9993 in the U.S.Kadeesha belongs to the Keisha and Lakeisha family, joining a Ka- opening to the -eesha sound. ▶Donesha#11025 in the U.S.Donesha is a modern African-American coinage that pairs a soft Do-/Da- prefix with the popular ▶Moeisha#11062 in the U.S.Moeisha is a spelling of Moesha, a coined name most often read as Mo- plus Aisha, the Arabic na▶Reneasha#11084 in the U.S.Reneasha blends Renee, the French feminine of Rene from Latin renatus 'reborn', with the -asha ▶Lachandra#11171 in the U.S.Lachandra is a coined American name pairing the popular La- prefix with Chandra, a name from Sa▶Ahniyah#11197 in the U.S.Ahniyah is an ornate spelling of Aniyah or Aniya, a modern American name that rose sharply in t▶Ashaunti#11211 in the U.S.Ashaunti is a coined name that echoes Ashanti — the name of a people and region of Ghana, and o▶Alazay#11216 in the U.S.Alazay is a coined American name with no single traditional root. It opens with the graceful A-▶Lasheena#11251 in the U.S.Lasheena pairs the popular La- prefix with Sheena, the anglicized Scottish Sìne, itself a form ▶Chardae#11470 in the U.S.Chardae is a coined name that spells out the 'shar-DAY' sound associated with the singer Sade, ▶Kesa#11516 in the U.S.Kesa is most naturally read as a trimmed form of Keisha, the popular African American name that▶Shawntee#11602 in the U.S.Shawntee is a coined name that pairs the familiar Shawn (from the Irish Sean, 'God is gracious'▶Rakayla#11631 in the U.S.Rakayla adds the Ra- prefix to Kayla, a name that rose to great popularity in the 1980s and 199▶Tenishia#11680 in the U.S.Tenishia is an invented American name in the family of Tanisha, Latisha and Keneisha. It pairs ▶Toneka#11727 in the U.S.Toneka is a modern invented American name, close to Tanika, Taneka and Shaneka. It was coined f▶Shewanda#12021 in the U.S.Shewanda is a 1960s and 1970s American coinage built from the She- prefix and the name Wanda. W▶Zykia#12131 in the U.S.Zykia is a coined American name pairing the striking Zy- opening with the -kia ending shared by▶Dewanda#12201 in the U.S.Dewanda is a mid-century American coinage, especially in African-American families, joining the▶Shamiah#12282 in the U.S.Shamiah is a coined name pairing the Sha- prefix with a -miah ending shared by Amiah, Jamiah an▶Laquida#12353 in the U.S.Laquida joins the fashionable La- prefix, common in mid-century African-American names, with a ▶Kenniya#12421 in the U.S.Kenniya is a modern invented American name, joining the Ken- opening with the popular -niya end▶Lotoya#12431 in the U.S.Lotoya is a spelling of Latoya, a coined African American name built from the La-/Lo- prefix an▶Denasia#12454 in the U.S.Denasia is a coined American name that joins the De- prefix to the fashionable -asia ending see▶Sheronda#12491 in the U.S.Sheronda is a coined name joining the fashionable She-/Sha- opening (as in Sharon and Shauna) t▶Marteka#12760 in the U.S.Marteka is a coined African American name pairing the Mar- opening with an -eka ending, sitting▶Makisha#12764 in the U.S.Makisha joins a Ma- prefix to the Kisha/Keisha element of the late-century -isha family, whose ▶Mikeshia#12804 in the U.S.Mikeshia is a coined African American name joining the Mi- opening to Keshia, part of the widel▶Derionna#12826 in the U.S.Derionna joins the productive De- prefix to a -rionna ending, close to Rionna and Deonna. Both ▶Taijah#12889 in the U.S.Taijah is a modern name in the Taija/Taja family, worn mainly by Black American girls around th▶Shermeka#12905 in the U.S.Shermeka is an invented American name built from a Sher- opening (as in Sheryl or Sherita) and ▶Quantisha#12951 in the U.S.Quantisha is an invented name of the 1980s and 1990s, formed from the Quan- prefix and a -tisha▶Nekesha#12974 in the U.S.Nekesha is a coined name pairing a Ne- prefix with the -kesha ending of Keisha. Keisha rose in ▶Adasia#13172 in the U.S.Adasia is a coined name that joins a soft A- opening to a -dasia sound echoing Asia, and it als▶Shavonte#13255 in the U.S.Shavonte is a modern coinage built on Shavon, an American respelling of the Irish Siobhan. Siob▶
African American Boy Names
Jamari#576 in the U.S.Likely derived from Arabic jamil or related roots meaning 'beautiful' or 'handsome,' adapted as▶Jamir#592 in the U.S.Likely derived from Arabic jamil ('beautiful,' 'handsome') or related to Arabic zameer ('full,'▶Jakari#613 in the U.S.Creative African American given name likely combining Arabic or Swahili roots — possibly from j▶Davon#1559 in the U.S.Modern name, likely an elaboration of David▶Zamari#1565 in the U.S.A modern American name, possibly influenced by the Hebrew/Arabic root z-m-r ('song, music') as ▶Jahmari#1610 in the U.S.Modern invented African American name, a variant of Jamari built on the popular 'Ja-' prefix.▶Deion#1614 in the U.S.a modern American variant of Dion/Deon, ultimately from the Greek Dionysios, related to the god▶Kentrell#1642 in the U.S.modern American coinage blending Ken- with the -trell suffix, without an established older etym▶Tyree#1670 in the U.S.Modern coined name, sometimes linked to the place name Tiree▶Devonte#1675 in the U.S.a modern African American coinage, likely combining the name Devon with the popular suffix -te/▶Xavion#1705 in the U.S.a modern American coinage, an elaboration of Xavier (which means 'new house' from a Basque plac▶Deangelo#1729 in the U.S.Messenger▶Pharaoh#1756 in the U.S.Palace, pharaoh▶Xavian#1770 in the U.S.The new house▶Savior#1800 in the U.S.One who saves▶Jaylon#1821 in the U.S.Holder of the heel▶Namari#1841 in the U.S.Beauty▶Xavien#1846 in the U.S.The new house▶Camari#1859 in the U.S.Beauty▶Trevon#1926 in the U.S.Three▶Zavion#1928 in the U.S.The new house▶Massiah#1941 in the U.S.Saviour▶Donte#1969 in the U.S.Enduring▶Jyaire#1971 in the U.S.Modern coined name patterned on Zaire/Ziaire and Jair; no single fixed lexical meaning, sometim▶Kemari#1986 in the U.S.Beauty▶Makhi#1987 in the U.S.Modern variant of Mekhi/Mehki, associated with Micah/Michael 'who is like God?'; a coined name ▶Jayvion#1999 in the U.S.Hope; expectation▶Jakhari#2014 in the U.S.Almighty, powerful▶Keyon#2018 in the U.S.Lion▶Nyaire#2019 in the U.S.Modern coined name in the -aire rhyming family; no documented historical etymology▶Damani#2027 in the U.S.Wishes▶Jahari#2029 in the U.S.Almighty, powerful▶Namir#2032 in the U.S.Leopard▶Kahari#2063 in the U.S.To subdue, to use force▶Amare#2071 in the U.S.One who lives a long life, one who builds▶Jaquan#2078 in the U.S.Modern African American coinage, Ja- + -quan; associatively linked to Juan/John 'God is graciou▶Ziaire#2090 in the U.S.Modern coined name in the -aire family, likely a respelling of Zaire; no documented historical ▶Zyir#2091 in the U.S.Modern coinage, respelling of Zaire/Zahir (Arabic 'shining, visible'); associative meaning▶Cyaire#2096 in the U.S.Modern coined name in the -aire family (Cy- + -aire); no documented historical etymology▶Emari#2098 in the U.S.Favour, benefit▶Javari#2100 in the U.S.Spear▶Ramir#2123 in the U.S.Wedge▶Demarcus#2151 in the U.S.Bane, ruin▶Symere#2163 in the U.S.Modern African American invented name with no established traditional meaning.▶Jahkari#2172 in the U.S.Modern African American coined name with no documented traditional meaning.▶Quadir#2177 in the U.S.Capable, powerful, mighty▶Zyion#2204 in the U.S.Variant of Zion; from Hebrew Tziyon, a hill in Jerusalem, symbolizing the holy city or promised▶Romello#2276 in the U.S.from Rome, strong man▶Stephon#2541 in the U.S.Crown, wreath▶Trayvond#2549 in the U.S.Trayvond is an invented American name from the early 1990s, built by joining the popular Tray- ▶Antwan#2553 in the U.S.Flower▶Lamont#2607 in the U.S.Law man▶Tyrus#2623 in the U.S.Rock▶Devante#2634 in the U.S.Achieve, arrive at, intelligent▶Jocqui#2721 in the U.S.Jocqui is a rare coined spelling that most plausibly restyles Jacques or Jackie, pet forms in t▶Javonte#2757 in the U.S.Hope; expectation▶Amarii#2782 in the U.S.One who lives a long life, one who builds▶Asante#2784 in the U.S.Thank you▶Charleston#2791 in the U.S.Origin uncertain▶Jayven#2800 in the U.S.Hope; expectation▶Montez#2811 in the U.S.Mountains▶Myheir#2812 in the U.S.River swallowing rivers▶Imani#2838 in the U.S.Faith▶Jayvian#2844 in the U.S.Hope; expectation▶Kevon#2847 in the U.S.Beloved birth▶Nylo#2855 in the U.S.Fury, passion▶Jameer#2886 in the U.S.Beauty▶Davonte#2912 in the U.S.Achieve, arrive at, intelligent▶Devontae#2914 in the U.S.Achieve, arrive at, intelligent▶Tayvion#2931 in the U.S.To cut▶Trayvon#2935 in the U.S.Three▶Cashmere#2950 in the U.S.Origin uncertain▶Dontae#2952 in the U.S.Enduring▶Dayquan#5997 in the U.S.Dayquan is a coined American name that joins the Day- prefix to the -quan ending popular in Daq▶Tacuma#6307 in the U.S.Tacuma is an American name of African heritage, a form of Tacuma or Takoma. It is linked in usa▶Tyreck#6500 in the U.S.Tyreck is a variant spelling of Tyreek or Tyrique, a coined African American name built on the ▶Jamarkus#8512 in the U.S.Jamarkus joins the popular African-American Ja- prefix to Marcus, the Roman name derived from M▶Larell#8555 in the U.S.Larell reads as a coined name built from the fashionable La- prefix and the -rell ending shared▶Dantrell#9002 in the U.S.Dantrell is a coined American name that joins Dan (from Daniel, 'God is my judge') to the -trel▶Daquane#9155 in the U.S.Daquane joins the Da- prefix common in African American coinages to a -quane ending that echoes▶Gavon#9163 in the U.S.Gavon is a coined American boy's name, formed on the -von pattern of Davon and Javon and echoin▶Deavion#9176 in the U.S.Deavion joins the De- prefix to the Avion sound heard in Davion and Davian, a family that plays▶Jaiquan#9181 in the U.S.Jaiquan is a modern African-American coinage, pairing the productive Ja- prefix with the popula▶Chaka#9449 in the U.S.Chaka in American use is tied above all to the singer Chaka Khan, who took the name in the earl▶Dvonte#9843 in the U.S.Dvonte is a coined name compressing the Devonte/Davonte pattern, a D- opening plus the -von sou▶Davarius#9966 in the U.S.Davarius joins the popular Da- prefix to a Latinate -varius or -arius ending, sitting beside Da▶Cadarius#9994 in the U.S.Cadarius joins the Ca- prefix common in African American coinages to Darius, an old Persian roy▶Demontray#10128 in the U.S.Demontray is best read as an invented American name rather than an inherited one: the fashionab▶Jaymere#10166 in the U.S.Jaymere is a modern invented American name, joining the fashionable Jay- prefix with a -mere en▶Shamarion#10424 in the U.S.An invented American name joining the popular 'Sha-' prefix with a '-marion' element seen in Ja▶Kesan#10482 in the U.S.A very rare modern American name with no established etymology. Reads as a coinage, possibly a ▶Tyquavious#10675 in the U.S.Tyquavious is a modern invented American name that pairs the popular Ty- prefix with an ornate ▶Dayshon#11116 in the U.S.Dayshon is an invented American name that pairs the Day- element with the popular -shon ending ▶Jailin#11289 in the U.S.A spelling of Jaylen/Jalen, a modern American coinage pairing the 'Jay-' element with an '-len/▶Jadarious#11290 in the U.S.Jadarious is an invented American name that fuses the popular Ja- prefix with Darius. Darius co▶Jabron#11291 in the U.S.Jabron is a coined American boy's name joining the very productive Ja- prefix to a -bron ending▶Jaquille#11324 in the U.S.Jaquille is a coined name in the same mold as Shaquille, pairing a Ja- opening with the -quille▶Jvion#11405 in the U.S.Jvion is a coined American boy's name that reads as a streamlined spelling of Javion or Davion,▶Jurell#11502 in the U.S.Jurell reads as an invented American name in the -rell family that includes Terrell, Darrell an▶Levonte#11598 in the U.S.An invented American name using the productive '-vonte' ending seen in Devonte and Davonte, her▶Martavion#11734 in the U.S.Martavion joins the Mar- opening, familiar from Marquis and Martez, to the -tavion ending seen ▶Shawntez#11889 in the U.S.Shawntez is an invented boys' name of the 1980s and 1990s, formed from Shawn plus the stylish -▶Sequan#11900 in the U.S.Sequan is a coined American name built from the flexible Se- opening and the -quan ending that ▶Traevion#11957 in the U.S.Traevion joins the Trae- opening, related to Trey and Travon, with a -vion ending in the family▶Shavon#12000 in the U.S.Shavon is a sound-spelling of the Irish Siobhán, a Gaelic form of Joan/Jane and so ultimately f▶Treshon#12007 in the U.S.An invented American name joining the popular 'Tre-' element with the '-shon/-shawn' ending (as▶Tyrease#12026 in the U.S.Tyrease is a spelling variant of Tyrese, a modern African-American coinage that became popular ▶Traquan#12038 in the U.S.An invented American name pairing a 'Tra-' opening with the productive '-quan' ending seen in D▶Trashawn#12103 in the U.S.Trashawn joins the Tra- prefix, a cousin of Tre and Tray, to Shawn, the phonetic English spelli▶Tykeem#12116 in the U.S.Tykeem joins the Ty- prefix, popular in African American naming, to the -keem ending shared by ▶Voshon#12232 in the U.S.An invented American name joining a 'Vo-' opening with the '-shon/-shawn' ending (as in Deshawn▶Quindon#12293 in the U.S.Quindon is an invented American name that joins the Quin- of Quinton and Quincy to the -don end▶Davione#12500 in the U.S.Davione is an invented American name that pairs the Da- prefix with a -vione ending, echoing Da▶Delvonte#12651 in the U.S.Delvonte joins the Del- prefix to the -vonte ending heard in Devonte and Donte, a family that t▶Dquan#12711 in the U.S.Dquan is a coined American boy's name pairing a clipped D- prefix with Quan, in the same invent▶Daejon#12724 in the U.S.Daejon joins the Dae- prefix, a cousin of Da- and Day-, to -jon, the John sound, from Hebrew Yo▶Dwan#12725 in the U.S.Dwan is a modern American name, a trimmed reshaping in the Dwayne and Antwan family that also e▶Deovion#12729 in the U.S.Deovion is an invented American name pairing the productive De- prefix with an ending that reca▶Jaleen#12945 in the U.S.Jaleen is a coined name in the Jalen/Jaylen family, a Ja- opening with a -leen ending; a modern▶Jacorian#12978 in the U.S.Jacorian is a modern African-American coinage, pairing the very productive Ja- prefix (as in Ja▶Jaishon#12999 in the U.S.Jaishon is a coined African American boy's name joining the very productive Ja- prefix to the -▶Jaquavius#13151 in the U.S.An invented American name pairing the popular 'Ja-/Jaqu-' element with a mock-Latin '-avius/-vi▶Kendarrius#13154 in the U.S.Kendarrius fuses the familiar Ken- (as in Kenneth or Kendrick) with Darius. Darius comes from t▶
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Frequently Asked
What are popular African American baby names?
Popular African American baby names include Jamari, Jamir, Jakari, Amiyah, Nairobi, Davon. Each page has the meaning, popularity, and an audio pronunciation.
How many African American baby names are here?
More4Kids lists 293 African American baby names, each with a sourced meaning and audio pronunciation.