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As an expectant mom, are you searching for beautiful and meaningful African-American baby names for your little one? Well, I have put together a list of beautiful African American baby names that will be perfect for either your baby boy or girl.
African-American Girl Names
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Capria
Italian
Windlass
This is a lovely name considered for one who loves music.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Akilah
Arabic
Intelligent
Akilah is the variation of Aaliyah.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Braelin
English
A wise person
People in the Christain religion are known to bear this name
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Brianna
Irish
Exalted
This cute name is the feminine variation of Brian.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Ezra
Hebrew
Helper
The popular Prophet Ezra in the Bible wrote the book of Ezra. I am very sure you will want your daughter to grow into a girl and woman that is caring, loving, and helps.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Gabrielle
French
God is my strength
This is the French version of the Hebrew name Gavri’el
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Destiny
Latin
To determine
Giving your child this name will help her decide her fate.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Hanita
Indian
Divine Grace
This name will set your baby ahead for a blessed life
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Dazzline
English
Glowing life of the young
Dazzline is another way of spelling dazzling
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Edith
English
Prosperous
This is a popular baby girl name that has an awesome meaning.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Dallas
English, Scottish
The valley meadows
It is a popular name for girls’ name that is sometimes used for boys.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Kimani
Kenyan
Adventurer
Kimani ranks among the top African -American baby names. It also has a Jamaican origin with the meaning “beautiful”.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Fayth
English, French, and Latin
Belief, Loyalty
Fayth is a spelling variation of Faith. This unique name will keep your little one close to God and make her powerful.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Ida
German
Work, labor
The name ‘Ida’ is used excessively in Spanish, Dutch, and English countries.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Hazzell
British
The hazelnut tree
This name is a spelling variation of Hazel. This name is often given to girls with colored eyes.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Gail
Hebrew
My father rejoices
Gail is the short form of Abigail. Another variation spelling of the name is Gaille.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Jashanna
Hebrew
Celebration
A variation of this African American baby name is “Jashn”
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Hannah
Hebrew
Grace, Favor
Hannah became popular by the actress and pop singer Hannah Montana. The other pelling variations of this name are Hana, Hanna, or Chana.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Cedrica
Irish
A battle chieftain
Cedrica is a female version of Cedric. It is an African American name that is certain to help your daughter develop the attitude to be strong and brave.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Liana
French
Youthful
Liana is the feminine form of Julian.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Makayla
Latin
Who is like God
The name is the Latin form of Michael.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Sheniqua
Africa-American
God is gracious
The name is a version of the name Shanika.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Rhianna
Welsh
Great queen
This is another version of the name Rhiannon-goddess of fertility and the moon.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Nevaeh
Irish
Heaven
Nevaeh is a unique name that when spelled backwards, shows its meaning. It became popular when singer Sonny Sandoval named his daughter Nevaeh. It is also a variation of the name Niamh.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Merryl
French
Bright a the sea
Merryl is a variation of Meryl
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Nakala
Greek
Victory
Nakala is a spelling variation of “Nike”
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Patriciana
Latin
Noblewoman
Patriciana is a variation of Patricia.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Tia
Greek
Goddess
Tia is a short form of Althea. Giving your daughter this name will give her the feeling of a goddess.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Trivia
Brazlian
Commonplace
This is another name for Diana.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Umbrosia.
Greek
Immortal
This is the spelling variation of Ambrosia.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Yolanda
Greek
Violet
This is the name of the top pastry chef Yolanda Gampp. She is a popular person who is known for her unique cake designs.
African American Boy Names
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Akil
Arabic
Intelligence
According to the Arab tradition, an Akil is a person who believes more in logic than miracles.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Jadyn
British
Precious stone
Jadyn was derived from the name Jade.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Kadek
Indonesian
Younger sibling
Kadek is often given to the second child.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Dashawn
American
Who is like God?
Dashawn and Dajuan are perfect pair.Incase you are expecting twins, these two name are a suitable one to adopt.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Vincent
Latin
Victorious
Vincent is derived from the name Vincere.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Yazen.
Arabic
A detr
Yazen is a popular name in Aussie culture. Yazen means a judge or a person with wisdom
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Marcel
Roman, French
Young warrior
Marcel is one with attractive waves in his hair. It is a popular Africa-American baby names.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Quinn
Irish
Sense
It comes from the word Conn or Ceann.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Lamonte
Scottish, French
Man of law
Lamonte is a variation of Lamont
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Khalan
Irish
Strong leader, brave
This is popular name among the black culture.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Stephen
Greek
Wreath, crown
According to the Bible, Stephen was the first Christian to be martyred.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Trejean
African-American
Protector
Trejean is given to a person that protects others from any form of hardship.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Wayan
Indonesian
Eldest
Wayan is a perfect choice for your first and eldest son.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Zeeshan
Persian, Arabic
Lovable
This name is common in the Muslim religion.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Thomas
Hebrew
Twin
This name carries a North European gene.
.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Joaquin
Hebrew
Recognized by God
This is the Spanish version of the name Joachim. According to the Bible, Joaquin was the father virgin Mary. He was considered a saint.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Andrew
Greek
Strong
This name is often used to address a courageous person.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Autry
English, French
Strength
Autry was a common name that indicates power.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Elvan
Turkish
Colorful
Elvan is usually used for male children but some parents also give their female babies.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Ghalen
Greek
Calm
Choosing this name for your son can promote calmness in him.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Ethridge
Old English
Noble ruler
If you want to instill the noble qualities within your son, you can name your child Ethridge.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Kafi
Arabic, Urdu
Sufficient
Parents wants their kids to grow into self-sufficient son.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Shovon
American
God is gracious
It is believed that people with this name often become fortunate one with prosperity and wealth.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Emmett
German, Hebrew, and English
Universal
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Justus
Latin
Just, upright
According to the Bible, Justus was one of the followers of Jesus in his early preaching.
Names of Inspiring African American Leaders
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Akua
Africa
Born on a Wednesday
Akua Lezli Hope is an award-winning artist, poet, and writer.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Maya
Hebrew
Water
Marguerite Annie Johnson was nicknamed Maya Angelou by her brother. She was a popular poet, activist, and author. It is an alternative name for Lakshmi-Hindu goddess of beauty, power, fortune, and prosperity.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Barack
Arabic
Blessing
Barack Obama was the first African-American to be elected as President of the United States.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Ora.
Latin
Prayer
Ora Belle Washington- an athlete who came top in tennis and basketball during segregation.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Guion
French
Resolute protection
Dr. Guion S. Bluford Jr. was an Air Force fighter pilot, NASA astronaut, and aerospace engineer. The first African-American to go to space, and complete four space flights. The name is the short form of Guilherme.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Sojourner
American, French
To stay a while
Sojourner Truth who had her name after being called to testify against slavery was actually born and named Isabella Baumfree. Her most popular speech is titled “Ain’t I a Woman?”
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Alvin
English
Noble friend
Alvin Ailey was an activist, a dance pioneer, and founder of the popular Alvin Ailey Dance Theater.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Mae
English
Pearl, Bitter
Mae Jemison is an engineer, physician, and the first female African-American to become an astronaut.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Eartha
English
Earth
Eartha Kitt was one of the popular personalities who bore this name. She was an actress, singer, and activist. Eartha M. M. White was another personality- an African-American icon philanthropist and humanitarian.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Ida
German
Industrious
Ida B. Wells was a social reformer and brave journalist who helped to form the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Booker
British
Someone concerned with books
Born into slavery, Booker T. Washington also sponsored his own education. He became a teacher and established the historic Tuskegee University.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Billie
English
Determination
Billie Holiday is a famous musical artist and activist. She is an innovative singer who influenced pop and jazz music.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Nella
Latin
Horn
Nella was derived from Cornella.Nella Larsen was a novelist and librarian. She is popularly known as the author of Passing, which was later adapted into a Netflix film.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Carter
Scottish, Irish, and English
Tranporter of goods by cart
Carter G. Woodson introduced the study of African-American history. He is honoured as the founder of Black History Month.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Duke
Latin
Leader
The nickname of musician Edward Kennedy was “Duke” Ellington. He was recognized as the greatest jazz musicians in American history.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Langston
English
Long stone
Langston Hughes was a poet and an author who was part of the Harlem Renaissance movement in 1920s.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Jean
Greek
Yahweh is Gracious
Nathan Toomer who was an African-American poet and writer, used Jean Toomer as his pen name He is became popular for his novel Cane.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Percy
French
One who pierces the valley
Percy Lavon Julian was a chemist and researcher who contributed towards pioneering the development of birth control pills and cortisone.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Toni
French
Beyond praise
Toni Braxton and Toni Morrison are notable African-American women.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Darnell
British
Hidden nook
Director Darnell Martin is known for directing Cadillac Records, the film which starred Beyonce Knowles-Carter.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Kwame
Ghana
Born on a Saturday
Stokley Carmichael a civil rights activist adopted the name Kwame Ture in honor of his mentors.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Alex
Greek
Defender of humankind
Alex is the short form of Alexander. Alexander Haley was a journalist and the author of The Autobiography of Malcolm X and Roots.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Zora
Arabic
Dawn
Zora Neale Hurston was a filmmaker and an author who is known for her classic novel. He was also an anthropologist and researcher.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Ray
English
Wise protector
Music legend Ray Charles is honoured for creating soul music. He won 13 Grammy Awards and his life was acted by actor Jamie Foxx in the film. Ray is the short version of Raymond and Raye is another way to spelling variation for the name Ray.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Whitney
British
White Island
Several people among the African-Americans icons bear the name ‘Whitney” One of them is Whitney Moore Young Jr. who was a civil rights leader and social worker who helped to provide equal employment opportunities for African-Americans. Another is R&B singer Whitney Houston who was an award-winning actress and chart-topping singer. She sold over 200 million records worldwide.
Name
Origin
Meaning
Description
Tahirah
Arabic
Pure
Tahirah Blanding is a health and lifestyle writer who is based in Houston and her work has been featured on MSN and Yahoo.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have gone through the different categories of African-American baby names with their meanings, I am sure you have found the one that will suit your child perfectly.
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