Origins

African American names

The 39 most-given names of African American origin in the US today.

  1. Jasiahboy · Variant of Josiah, from Hebrew Yoshiyahu 'God supports' or 'the Lord heals'#345 · 607
  2. Jamariboy · Modern American coinage, possibly influenced by Swahili/Arabic elements#556 · 509
  3. Kamoragirl · Modern coinage popular in African-American naming#962 · 214
  4. Mekhiboy · Modern phonetic variant of Micah (Hebrew: 'who is like God?')#1,037 · 176
  5. Khazaboy · Modern American coinage, possibly from Arabic 'treasure' - recent invention with a bold sound#1,059 · 169
  6. Jahkaiboy · Modern American invention blending Jah and Kai - popular in Black American naming since 2010s#447 · 167
  7. Khamariunisex · Modern variant of Kamari, from Swahili-Arabic 'moon' - popular as a unisex American coinage#2,715 · 163
  8. Sanaigirl · Modern coinage popularized in African American naming traditions#1,129 · 160
  9. Jahsehboy · Modern American invention - made known by rapper Jahseh Onfroy (XXXTentacion)#1,109 · 155
  10. Kiariunisex · Modern American name, widely known via rapper Offset (Kiari Cephus) - of uncertain meaning#1,471 · 133
  11. Jakobeboy · Phonetic variant of Jacob, from Hebrew Ya'akov meaning 'supplanter'#603 · 122
  12. Jahmariboy · Modern African American coinage blending Jah (God) with -mari - no traditional meaning, created in late 20th century#1,289 · 115
  13. Jacariboy · Modern American invention with Ja- prefix, popular in African American use - contemporary masculine name#468 · 100
  14. Kentrellboy · Modern African American coinage blending Ken- with -trell - distinctive masculine name since 1990s#1,426 · 95
  15. Tyreeboy · Possibly from Scottish place name Tiree (Hebridean island) or a modern African-American coinage#1,498 · 88
  16. Jayvionboy · Modern coinage combining 'Jay' with the suffix '-vion'#839 · 71
  17. Ziaireboy · Modern American invention, variant of Zaire - rising in Black American naming since 2010s#228 · 70
  18. Emonigirl · Variant of Imani, Swahili word meaning faith - modern African American respelling, also used for boys#1,953 · 65
  19. Jayvonboy · Modern coinage combining 'Jay' with the suffix '-von'#817 · 63
  20. Jaquanboy · Modern American coinage#1,815 · 61
  21. Javariboy · Modern American invention with no traditional meaning - created blend popular in African American naming since 2000s#1,910 · 56
  22. Zyirboy · Modern American coinage, possibly from Zaire - sharp one-syllable boys' name#1,952 · 55
  23. Dashawnboy · Modern American coinage combining the prefix Da- with Shawn (from Irish Seán, meaning God is gracious)#1,996 · 52
  24. Jahlilboy · From Arabic Jalil meaning 'great, majestic' - modern US respelling also linked to Khalil meaning 'friend'#2,025 · 51
  25. Antwanboy · Phonetic Anglicization of Antoine/Anthony#2,039 · 50
  26. Jalayagirl · Modern American invention with Ja- prefix + -laya ending - popular in Black American naming#1,120 · 49
  27. Marshawnboy · Modern African American coinage combining Mar- with Shawn (Irish form of John, Hebrew 'God is gracious')#2,109 · 48
  28. Taniyahgirl · Modern coinage#1,054 · 46
  29. Jakhiboy · Modern American invention, variant of Jakai - rising in Black American naming, no traditional meaning#2,341 · 41
  30. Keionboy · Modern American respelling of Keon/Keyon - emerged in late 20th century US, popular in Black American naming#1,420 · 37
  31. Keyshagirl · Modern American respelling of Keisha, of African American origin - creative variant from the 1990s#1,502 · 37
  32. Javonteboy · Modern coinage#2,539 · 36
  33. Keandreboy · Modern coinage combining the 'Ke-' prefix with Andre (from Greek Andreas, 'manly')#2,542 · 36
  34. Tyshawnboy · Modern coinage blending prefix Ty- with Shawn (Irish form of John: 'God is gracious')#2,619 · 35
  35. Trayvonboy · Modern American name, blend of Tray + -von - widely known in 2010s, of uncertain meaning#976 · 33
  36. Travonboy · Modern American coinage#976 · 32
  37. Teyanagirl · Modern American respelling of Tiana - popularized by singer Teyana Taylor, widely used recently#3,294 · 31
  38. Kelisgirl · Modern coinage popularized by the American singer Kelis (born 1979)#3,736 · 26
  39. Treyvonboy · Modern coinage#976 · 26

Not sure which style is yours?

The one-minute style quiz: tell us the names you love and we find your style.

Take the quiz

Browse all names →