146 Black Boy Names (Including Namesakes, Meanings, And Origins)

Feb 28

Written By Alice

Black names often stand out for their uniqueness and diversity, with different origins from around the world. The range of names in the Black community is huge, giving families endless choices to find the perfect fit.

When picking a name for their baby, parents think about many different things. Some prefer tough names like Andre, which means strong and manly. A religious family might pick a name from the Bible, like Jonah.

Whether you’re searching for a specific meaning or preference, our selection of Black boy names in this post should offer something to help you. We compiled this list by using data from websites like NYC OpenData where you can search popular names by ethnicity.

We’ve also categorized sections with notable namesakes from famous African American men in different fields, including information about each person (and links if you want to learn more). If you haven’t found out the baby’s sex yet, check out our list of Black baby girl names!

The origins and meanings of the names on this list were researched using websites like BabyCenter. Keep in mind certain names can have different meanings in other languages.

Aiyden
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: “little fire”
Alphonse
- Origin: German, French
- Meaning: “noble; ready for battle”
Amani
- Origin: Swahili, Arabic
- Meaning: “peace; wishes”
Amari
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “eternal”
- Recommended: Amari is also on our list of time names for boys
Amir
- Origin: Arabic, Hebrew
- Meaning: “prince; ruler; treetop”
- Recommended: Amir is also on our list of four letter boy names
Angelo
- Origin: Italian, Greek
- Meaning: “angel; messenger”
Autry
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “noble strength”
Brayton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “from Bray’s town”

Caleb
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “devotion to God”
Cartier
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “transporter of goods by cart”
Clayton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “place with good clay”
- Recommended: You’ll also find Clayton on our vintage boy names and southern boy names lists
Clinton
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “hilltop town”
Cody
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “helpful”
Colby
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “coal town”
Colten
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “from the coal or dark town”
Damien
- Origin: Russian
- Meaning: “to tame; subdue”
Damon
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “to tame; subdue”
- Recommended: Damon is also on our list of edgy names for boys
Daran
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: “great”

Demetrius
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: “follower of Demeter”
- Recommended: Demetrius is also on our list of handsome names for boys
Dewayne
- Origin: American
- Meaning: “wagon maker”
Dikembe
- Origin: African
- Meaning: “unknown”
Dontrell
- Origin: American
- Meaning: “to endure”
Duante
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: “dark”
Ericson
- Origin: Scandinavian, Nordic
- Meaning: “son of the eternal ruler”
Ervan
- Origin: Jamaican
- Meaning: “sea friend”
Farrell
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: “brave; courageous”
Furnell
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “fern-covered hill”

Gabriel
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “God is my strength”
Gage
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “pledge; oath”
- Recommended: Gage would be a great middle name for Noah
Grady
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: “noble”
Griffin
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “strong lord”

Herold
- Origin: Scandinavian
- Meaning: “army ruler”
Hyde
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “hide”

Izaak
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “laughter”

Jaheem
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “raised up; dignified”
Jamar
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “beauty; handsome”

Jamarcus
- Origin: American
- Meaning: “from the god Mars”
Jayce
- Origin: American
- Meaning: “to heal”
Jayden
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “thankful”
Jesiah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “the Lord exists”
Jevonte
- Origin: American
- Meaning: “Son of Japtheh”
Joseph
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “to add; to increase”
Joshua
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “God is my salvation”
Justin
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “just; fair; righteous”

Kadeem
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “servant”
Karikoga
- Origin: African
- Meaning: “loner; one who is alone”
- Recommended: Karikoga is also on our list of boy names that mean alone
Kelvin
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: “narrow or wooded river”
Keshawn
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “God is gracious”
Kordell
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “rope maker”
Kwame
- Origin: African
- Meaning: “born on Saturday”
Lamonte
- Origin: Old Norse
- Meaning: “law man”
Lashawn
- Origin: American
- Meaning: “God is gracious”
Lavaughn
- Origin: American, Welsh
- Meaning: “little”
Levi
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “joined; attached”
Lloyd
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: “gray-haired; sacred”
- Recommended: Lloyd is also on our list of catchy short boy names

Malachi
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “messenger of God”
Malik
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “king”
Marcel
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “little warrior”
Marques
- Origin: Portuguese, French
- Meaning: “dedicated to Mars; nobleman”
Mashawn
- Origin: Hebrew, American
- Meaning: “gracious”
Montel
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “my ruler; mountain”
Montrell
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “mountain”
Murphy
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: “sea warrior”

Nathan
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “gift of God”
- Recommended: Nathan is also on our list of names that mean gift of God
Noah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “rest”
Nolan
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: “champion”
- Recommended: Nolan is also on our list of boy names with attitude

Omari
- Origin: Swahili
- Meaning: “flourishing”
Owen
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: “young warrior; well-born”
Payne
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “countryman”
Perry
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “dweller near a pear tree”

Rashaad
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “good judgment”
Rashard
- Origin: American
- Meaning: “brave ruler”
Rashon
- Origin: American
- Meaning: “God is gracious”
Revon
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “person who is dark as a raven”
Rodney
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “island near the clearing”
Roscoe
- Origin: Norse
- Meaning: “deer forest”
- Recommended: Roscoe is also on our list of green boy names
Roshaun
- Origin: African, American
- Meaning: “shining light”
Rufus
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “red-head”
- Recommended: Rufus is also on our list of names for redheads
Salim
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “safe; peaceful”

African American mom smiling holding baby boy

Sayon
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “most beautiful”
Sebastian
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: “venerable”
Sharod
- Origin: Arabic, Muslim
- Meaning: “Autumn”
Shaun
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: “God is gracious”
Shevon
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: “God is gracious”
Tavon
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: “hillside”
Trayvon
- Origin: American, English
- Meaning: “fair town”
Tyrell
- Origin: English, French
- Meaning: “stubborn; to pull”
Vashon
- Origin: American
- Meaning: “God is gracious; merciful”
Von
- Origin: Norse
- Meaning: “hope”
Voshon
- Origin: American
- Meaning: “God is gracious; merciful”
Wendell
- Origin: German
- Meaning: “wanderer; traveler”
Xavier
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “new house; bright”
Xayvion
- Origin: Spanish
- Meaning: "bright"
Zahair
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “helper; supporter”
Zaid
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “to increase”
Zaire
- Origin: African
- Meaning: “the river that swallows all rivers”
Zareb
- Origin: African
- Meaning: “guardian”
Zephan
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “hidden by God”
Zion
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “highest point”

Black Male Names Of Trailblazers In Sports And Athletics

Anthony
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “from Antium”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Anthony Joshua, a British professional boxer, is one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. He is a former two-time unified heavyweight champion, holding the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO titles twice between 2016 and 2021.
- Recommended: Anthony has cool nicknames such as Tony and Nino
Brandon
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “broom-covered hill”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Brandon Marshall is a former wide receiver who played 13 seasons in the NFL. He is known for his time with several teams, including the Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and Chicago Bears. Marshall went to six Pro Bowls and was known for his impressive catching ability and contributions to mental health advocacy.
- Recommended: Brandon is also on our list of Earth names for babies
Calvin
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “bald or hairless”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Calvin Johnson, known as “Megatron,” was an outstanding wide receiver for the Detroit Lions. He stood out in the NFL for his size, speed, and ability to catch and leap, becoming one of the most dominant players in the league.
Cameron
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: “crooked nose”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Cameron Newton, known as Cam Newton, is a well-known NFL quarterback. He played for the Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots. He set an NFL record by throwing for 400 yards in his first game. Newton won the NFL MVP award in 2015 and has been chosen for several Pro Bowls, highlighting him as a leading player in football.
Carl
- Origin: German
- Meaning: “free man”
- Notable Namesakes:
  - Carl Lewis is considered one of the greatest track and field athletes of all time. He won nine Olympic gold medals, one Olympic silver medal, and 10 World Championships medals, including eight gold.
  - Carl Weathers was an American actor and former professional football player. He was best known for his portrayal of Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” movies.
DeAngelo
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: “from the angels”
- Notable Namesake:
  - DeAngelo Williams is currently an American professional wrestler and former NFL running back. He was famous in Carolina, playing with Jonathan Stewart until 2014. After that, he then played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2015 to 2016.
Deion
- Origin: American
- Meaning: “god of wine and revelry”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Deion Sanders is an American football coach and former professional football and baseball player, who is considered one of the most versatile athletes in sporting history. Sanders played in the NFL for teams like the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and the Baltimore Ravens. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is the only individual to have played in both a Super Bowl and a World Series.
DeAndre
- Origin: American
- Meaning: “strong; manly”
- Notable Namesake:
  - DeAndre Hopkins is a wide receiver who has played in the NFL for teams like the Houston Texans and the Arizona Cardinals. He’s one of the best receivers because of his excellent play, which has gotten him chosen for the Pro Bowl many times.
DeMarcus
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “son of Marcus”
- Notable Namesakes:
  - DeMarcus Ware is a former football player known for his outstanding career in the NFL. He’s in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, recognized for his skills as a linebacker and defensive end, making him one of the most notable players in football history.
  - DeMarcus Cousins, also known as “Boogie,” is a professional basketball player known for his time in the NBA with teams like the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors. As a center, Cousins is recognized for his scoring ability, rebounding, and presence on the court.
Hakeem
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “wise”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Hakeem Olajuwon: is a former professional basketball player. He is considered one of the greatest centers in the history of the NBA, known for his outstanding skills in basketball as well as his wisdom on and off the court.
Hassan
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “handsome”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Hassan Whiteside is a former professional basketball player who played for several teams in the NBA. His athleticism and performance on the court have made him a notable figure in basketball.
Isaiah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “salvation of the Lord”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Isaiah Thomas is a professional basketball player known for his scoring ability and time with the Boston Celtics, where he earned two NBA All-Star selections despite his 5’9” height.
Jamal
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “beauty; handsome”
- Notable Namesakes:
  - Jamal Crawford is a former American professional basketball player known for his impressive ball-handling skills and scoring ability, having played for several teams in the NBA over his career.
  - Jamal Adams is an NFL safety for the Seattle Seahawks, recognized for his hard-hitting play and leadership on the field.
Khalil
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “friend”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Khalil Mack is an NFL linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers, known for his strength, agility, and leadership on the field. Mack is a multiple-time Pro Bowl selection and one of the league’s top defenders.
- Recommended: Khalil is also on our list of boy names that mean friend
Lamar
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “dweller by a pool”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Lamar Jackson is an NFL quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, known for his playmaking abilities and as the 2019 NFL MVP.
LeBron
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “brown-haired one”
- Notable Namesake:
  - LeBron James is a highly celebrated American professional basketball player in the NBA, known for his incredible skills on the court, leadership, and philanthropy. He’s considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Michael
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “gift from God”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Michael Jordan is known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, celebrated for his six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and his iconic global influence in sports.
Odell
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “of the valley”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Odell Beckham Jr. is a wide receiver in the NFL known for his spectacular catches and dynamic play.
Oscar
- Origin: English, Irish
- Meaning: “God spear; deer-lover; champion warrior”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Oscar Robertson was a professional basketball player, known as “The Big O.” He’s celebrated for being one of the greatest players in NBA history and the first to average a triple-double for a season.
Shaquille
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “handsome”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Shaquille O’Neal is a retired American basketball player, sports analyst, and entrepreneur. He is one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history, known for his size, strength, and charismatic personality.
Stefon
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “crown; wreath”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Stefon Diggs was a wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL who traded to the Texans. He’s made the Pro Bowl numerous times and is known for his remarkable skills on the field.
Warren
- Origin: French, English
- Meaning: "park-keeper"
- Notable Namesake:
  - Warren Moon is a former quarterback who played in the NFL for several teams. He was the first African American quarterback inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Black Boy Names From Icons Of Music And Entertainment

Aaron
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “high mountain; exalted; enlightened”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Tech N9ne (born Aaron Dontez Yates) is an influential rapper and co-founder of the record label Strange Music, known for his fast-paced rapping style and energetic performances. He addresses a wide range of topics including mental health and social issues in his music.
- Recommended: Aaron is also on our list of two syllable boy names
Andre
- Origin: French, Portuguese
- Meaning: “strong and manly”
- Notable Namesake:
  - André 3000 (born André Lauren Benjamin) is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, and actor best known for his role in the hip-hop duo OutKast.
- Recommended: Andre is also on our list of strong boy names
Christopher
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: “bearer of Christ”
- Notable Namesakes:
  - Christopher Wallace (Biggie Smalls) was a monumental figure in hip-hop music. Also known as The Notorious B.I.G., he remains one of the greatest rappers of all time.
  - Frank Ocean (born Christopher Edwin Breaux) has made a significant impact on contemporary music with his exceptional songwriting and unique sound.
  - Chris Rock (born Christopher Julius Rock III) is an American comedian and actor, who has contributed vastly to entertainment with his style of humor and experience in the industry.
  - Christopher Tucker (known as Chris Tucker) is a talented American actor and comedian known for his roles in “Friday” and the “Rush Hour” movies.
  - Christopher Bridges (Ludacris) is a Grammy award-winning rapper, and a SAG award-winning actor, best known for his role in The Fast & Furious film series.
Craig
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: “from the rocks”
- Notable Namesakes:
  - Craig David is a British musician known for his contributions to the R&B and UK garage music scenes, with several hit songs and albums since the early 2000s.
  - Craig Robinson is an American actor and comedian best known for his role as Darryl Philbin on “The Office.”
Curtis
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “courteous; polite”
- Notable Namesakes:
  - Curtis Mayfield was an influential singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer who made significant contributions to the development of soul music in the 1960s and 1970s.
  - Curtis Jackson (known as 50 Cent) is a rapper, actor, businessman, and producer who rose to fame with his album “Get Rich or Die Tryin.”
Darius
- Origin: Greek, Persian
- Meaning: “possessing goodness”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Darius Rucker first became famous in the 90s as the lead singer of Hootie & The Blowfish. He later went solo as a country artist, becoming the first African American to win the New Artist Award from the Country Music Association.
Delroy
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “servant of the king”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Delroy Lindo is an English-American actor. He is the recipient of an NAACP Image Award and a Satellite Award. He has played prominent roles in four Spike Lee films: West Indian Archie in “Malcolm X,” Woody Carmichael in “Crooklyn,” Rodney Little in “Clockers,” and Paul in “Da 5 Bloods.”
Denzel
- Origin: Cornish
- Meaning: “from the high stronghold”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Denzel Washington is a famous and talented American actor, film producer, and director. His career spans over four decades. Washington has received numerous awards, including a Tony Award, two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and two Silver Bears.
Isaac
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “laughter”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Isaac Hayes was an iconic American musician and actor, known for his deep voice and the hit song ‘Theme from Shaft.” He won an Academy Award and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- Recommended: Isaac is an aesthetic name that is also on our list of baby name combinations
Jermaine
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “from Germany”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Jermaine Dupri is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and record executive. He has contributed significantly to the music industry, founding the So So Def record label. Dupri is also known for his collaborations with several famous artists, including Mariah Carey, Usher, and Janet Jackson.
James
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “supplanter”
- Notable Namesake:
  - James Earl Jones is an American actor with a career spanning over seven decades, known for his deep, recognizable voice. Jones has received numerous awards, including a Tony Award, a Golden Globe, and an Honorary Academy Award. Two of his most famous roles were as Darth Vader in the “Star Wars” film series and voicing Mufasa in Disney’s “The Lion King.”
- Recommended: James is also on our list of middle names for Braylin
Keenan
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: “ancient”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Keenan Ivory Wayans is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker who is a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. He is known for creating and hosting the groundbreaking sketch comedy show “In Living Color,” which provided a platform for Black comedians and entertainers in the early 1990s.\
Kenan
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “possession”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Kenan Thompson is an American actor, comedian, and long-time cast member of “Saturday Night Live.” Thompson has won several awards for his work in comedy and television.
Louis
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “famed warrior”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Louis Armstrong was a legendary jazz musician and singer, and one of the most influential figures in jazz history.
Luther
- Origin: German
- Meaning: “army people”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Luther Vandross was one of the most successful R&B artists of all time achieving best-selling albums, Grammys, and hits such as Never Too Much, Endless Love, and many others.
Michael
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “gift from God”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Michael Jackson, known as the “King of Pop,” is remembered for his groundbreaking contributions to music, dance, and fashion. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with estimated sales of over 400 million records worldwide.
Tevin
- Origin: American
- Meaning: “handsome”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Tevin Campbell is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. Known for ‘90s hits like “Can We Talk,” he’s received Grammy nominations and is celebrated for his vocal talent and contributions to music and film.
Warren
- Origin: French, English
- Meaning: "park-keeper"
- Notable Namesake:
  - Warren Griffin III (known as Warren G) is a rapper, DJ, singer, songwriter, and record producer known for his role in shaping West Coast hip-hop. His song “Regulate” with Nate Dogg made his 1994 debut album famous. He’s recognized for his smooth rap style and has been influential in the music scene.

Names Of Black Men Who Were Influential Figures In History And Activism

Antwone
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “priceless”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Antwone Fisher is an American director, screenwriter, author, and film producer. His 2001 autobiographical book “Finding Fish” was a New York Times Best Seller. The 2002 film “Antwone Fisher” was directed by Denzel Washington and is based on his life story.
Booker
- Origin: English
- Meaning: "scribe”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Booker T. Washington was an American educator, author, orator, and advisor to multiple presidents of the United States. Born into slavery, Washington rose to become a leading African American intellectual of the 19th century, advocating for the African American community’s progress through education and entrepreneurship.
Carter
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “transporter of goods by cart”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Carter G. Woodson was a scholar whose dedication to celebrating the historic contributions of Black people led to the establishment of Black History Month.
Cornell
- Origin: English, Latin
- Meaning: “crow”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Dr. Cornell West is a prominent philosopher, political activist, social critic, author, and public speaker known for his contributions to the discussion on race, politics, and society in America.
Elijah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “Jehovah is my God”
- Recommended: Check out our list of middle names for Elijah
- Notable Namesakes:
  - Elijah McCoy was a Canadian-born African American inventor and engineer who was notable for his 57 U.S. patents, most dealing with the lubrication of steam engines. His inventions greatly improved how well and safely machines worked, which led to the phrase "the real McCoy" to mean something is truly high quality.
  - Elijah Cummings was a significant figure in American politics, who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Maryland from 1996 until he died in 2019. Throughout his career, Cummings was a powerful advocate for civil rights, healthcare reform, and the rights of individuals in underserved communities.
Emmett
- Origin: Irish, Hebrew, English
- Meaning: “universal”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Emmett J. Scott was a journalist, newspaper editor, government official, author, and chief of staff, adviser, and ghostwriter to Booker T. Washington.
Malcolm
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: “devotee of St. Colomba”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Malcolm X was a key figure in the civil rights movement. As an African American Muslim minister and human rights activist, he is celebrated for his courageous advocacy for the rights of Black Americans and his significant impact on the civil rights struggle in the United States.
Nelson
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “son of Neil”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Nelson Mandela was South Africa’s President from 1994 to 1999. He fought against apartheid, leading to its end, and worked on uniting his country. He’s celebrated worldwide and remembered for his dedication to peace and equality.
Reginald
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “counsel power”
- Notable Namesake:
  - Reginald Lewis was an American businessman, lawyer, and philanthropist. He was one of the richest African American men in the 1980s and the first African American to build a billion-dollar company.