Many Black girl names are diverse and unique, often coming from Arabic, African, and even biblical influences. Our list is a mix of names from around the globe that aren’t just beautiful, but have rich meanings and heritage too.

We compiled our list by using data from websites like NYC OpenData where you can search each popular name by ethnicity. We also took a trip down memory lane and added a section with famous Black women from the 90s.

Not sure if you’re having a girl or boy? We also have a post with Black boy names for you to search through. We hope you find something you like!

mom with black baby girl wearing white bow in her hair

African Girl Names

The names on this list were also researched by using websites like BabyCenter to find their origins and meanings. Keep in mind certain names can have different meanings in other languages.

Abena
- Origin: Ghanaian
- Meaning: “born on a Tuesday”
Ada
- Origin: Nigerian
- Meaning: “first daughter”
Asha
- Origin: Swahili
- Meaning: “alive”
Ayana
- Origin: Swahili
- Meaning: “beautiful flower”
Dayo
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: “joy arrives”
Dubiwe
- Origin: African
- Meaning: “one who is left alone; deserted”
- Recommended: Dubiwe is also on our list of girl names meaning alone
Eniola
- Origin: Yoruba, Nigerian
- Meaning: “a person of wealth”
Jamila
- Origin: Arabic, popular in North Africa
- Meaning: “beautiful; graceful”
Kamaria
- Origin: Swahili, African
- Meaning: “moonlight”
- Recommended: Kamaria is also on our list of girl names that mean moon.
Kiara
- Origin: Swahili, Indian
- Meaning: “princess; first ray of sun”
- Recommended: Kiara not only sounds beautiful but also reflects the richness of African culture. You can also find it on our list of red color names.
Makena
- Origin: Kenyan, used among the Kikuyu and Meru people
- Meaning: “the happy one; the one who brings happiness”
Nailah
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “successful”
Nala
- Origin: African
- Meaning: “successful; queen; lion”
- Recommended: Nala is a unique name that also appears on our list of girl names with attitude.
Nia
- Origin: Swahili
- Meaning: “resolve; brilliance”
Oumou
- Origin: African, Arabic
- Meaning: “mother”
Saleema
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “safe; secure”
Tabia
- Origin: Swahili
- Meaning: “talented”
Thandiwe
- Origin: African
- Meaning: “beloved”
Xolani
- Origin: African, used among the Xhosa and Zulu people
- Meaning: “peaceful”
Zahra
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “flower”
Zariah
- Origin: Arabic, Hebrew, Nigerian
- Meaning: “flower; God has helped; dawn”
Zuri
- Origin: Swahili
- Meaning: “beautiful”
- Recommended: Zuri is also on our girl list of aesthetic names

Popular Black Girl Names

Alexis
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: “defender”
- Recommended: Alexis is an ideal choice for your little princess and can also be found on our list of middle names for Ava.
Ava
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “life; bird; water; island”
- Recommended: Ava is listed as one of the most popular Black girl names in 2022 and is also on our list of 3 letter girl names.
Azha
- Origin: Persian
- Meaning: “the breeding place”
Destiny
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “fate”
Faith
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “trust; devotion”
- Recommended: Many African Americans value religion as an essential part of Black culture. Faith is one of the best names for your little angel that will reflect that with its beautiful meaning.
  You’ll also find it on our list of little girl names that sound southern.
Kayla
- Origin: Arabic, Hebrew
- Meaning: “laurel; crown”
- Recommended: Kayla is also on our list of twin girl names that rhyme.
London
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “from the great river”
Madison
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “son of Matthew”
Naomi
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “pleasantness”
Zoey
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: “life”

pretty little girl with big smile and curly hair

Beautiful Black Girl Names

Alana
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “precious; awakening”
- Recommended: Alana is a popular name of Latin origin and is also on our list of 5 letter girl names.

Alexandra
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: “defending men”
Amaya
- Origin: Japanese, Basque
- Meaning: “mother city; the end; night rain”
Arianna
- Origin: Italian, Greek
- Meaning: “most holy”
Brandy
- Origin: Dutch
- Meaning: “burnt wine”
Breanna
- Origin: Gaelic
- Meaning: “noble; prestigious”
Charice
- Origin: American, Greek
- Meaning: “grace”
Deja
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “already; again”
Dionne
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: “divine”
Gabriella
- Origin: Spanish, Italian
- Meaning: “God is my strength”
Grace
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “blessing; favor; goodness”
- Recommended: Grace is an African American baby girl name with beautiful meanings. Discover more girl names that mean blessing.
Iyana
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “God is gracious”
Jasmine
- Origin: Persian
- Meaning: “gift from God”
- Recommended: Jasmine is also on our name list of plant names for babies.

Kehlani
- Origin: Hawaiian
- Meaning: “sea and sky”
Liana
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “to twine around”
Makayla
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “who is like God”
Nadia
- Origin: Russian
- Meaning: “hope”
Nevaeh
- Origin: American
- Meaning: “heaven (spelled backward)”
Rihanna
- Origin: Irish, Welsh
- Meaning: “great queen”
Savannah
- Origin: Spanish
- Meaning: “flat tropical grassland”
Serenity
- Origin: French, Latin
- Meaning: “peaceful; calm”
Shevonne
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “God is gracious”
Tiara
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “crown”
Trinity
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “pertaining to the Holy Trinity”

Unique Black Girl Names

Alexia
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: “defending men”
Aniyah
- Origin: Hebrew, Arabic
- Meaning: “helper; God was gracious”
Benita
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “blessed”
Fatima
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “captivating; shining one”
Imani
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “faith”
Jalisa
- Origin: American
- Meaning: “God is my oath”
Jayla
- Origin: Hebrew, Israeli
- Meaning: “to ascend”
Nori
- Origin: Japanese
- Meaning: “belief; doctrine”
Nova
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “new”
Nyla
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “winner; one who achieves”
Sanai
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “brilliance”
Sariyah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “princess”
Shani
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “scarlet, marvelous”
Talia
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “dew from heaven; by the water”
Wynter
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “born in winter”

Cute African American Girl Names

Alecia
- Origin: Spanish, English, German
- Meaning: “noble”
Belinda
- Origin: German, Spanish
- Meaning: "pretty one; serpent”
Bernice
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: “she who brings victory”
Brenda
- Origin: Celtic
- Meaning: “blade of a sword”
Chantel
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “stone; singer”
Chloe
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: “blooming; fertility”
Gabrielle
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “God is my strength”
Gia
- Origin: Italian
- Meaning: “God’s greatest gift”
- Recommended: Gia is one of our baby names with deep meanings. Discover our full list of baby names that mean gift of God.
Isabella
- Origin: Hebrew, Spanish, Italian
- Meaning: “pledged to God”
- Recommended: Isabella is popular girl’s name that is also on our list of beautiful girl names.
Jada
- Origin: Spanish
- Meaning: “jade”
- Recommended: Jada is a great name for African Aamerican Girls that is also on our list of names that mean jade.
Janelle
- Origin: Hebrew, Greek
- Meaning: “God is merciful”
Kaylee
- Origin: American
- Meaning: “laurel; crown”
Keisha
- Origin: Hebrew, American
- Meaning: “her life”
Kendra
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “knowing”

black baby girl with earrings and green shirt

Kenzie
- Origin: Scottish
- Meaning: “the fair one”
Khadija
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “premature child”
Laila
- Origin: Hebrew, Arabic
- Meaning: “night; holy”
Latrice
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “noble”
Lauren
- Origin: English, French
- Meaning: “bay laurel; laurel tree”
- Recommended: Lauren is a common name that is also on our list of green names.
Leah
- Origin: Hebrew
- Meaning: “weary”
- Recommended: Leah is Hebrew name from the old testament that is also on our list of biblical girl names.
Letitia
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “joy; gladness”
Maya
- Origin: Hebrew, Spanish, Greek
- Meaning: “water”
- Recommended: Maya is a cute name that is also on our list of names that mean water.
Mia
- Origin: Italian, Scandinavian
- Meaning: “mine; bitter”
Michelle
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “who is like God”
Monique
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “advisor”
Morgan
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: “sea-born; sea-song; sea-circle”
- Recommended: Morgan is a sweet name that is also on our list of strong baby girl names.
Olivia
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “olive”
- Recommended: Olivia is a feminine name that is also on our list of baby name combinations.

father and daughter smiling reading a book

Raven
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “dark-haired; wise”
Rosa
- Origin: Spanish, Italian, Latin
- Meaning: “rose; a flower”
- Recommended: Rosa is a good name for girls that is also on our list of girl names with nicknames.
Shanice
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “God is merciful”
Shantae
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “stone”
Shay
- Origin: Hebrew, Irish
- Meaning: “stately; gift”
Simone
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “hearkening”
Sophia
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: “wisdom”
- Recommended: Sophia is also on our list of names that mean wisdom and is a pretty middle name for Braylin.
Teyana
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: “graceful”
Tia
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: “goddess”
Tiana
- Origin: Slavic
- Meaning: “fairy queen”
Vanessa
- Origin: English, Greek
- Meaning: “butterfly”
Victoria
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “victory”
Willow
- Origin: English
- Meaning: "willow tree”
- Recommended: Willow is beautiful name that is also on our list of hippie girl names and names that mean orange.
Zaila
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “might; power”

Iconic Black Women’s Names From the ’90s

According to the Social Security Administration, the following names of famous people in the ‘90s were also in the top 200 most popular names for female babies born during the 1990s:

Aaliyah
- Origin: Arabic
- Meaning: “heavens; highborn; exalted”
- During The ‘90s: Aaliyah was a significant figure in the 1990s. She was an American singer, actress, and model who rose to fame in 1994 with her debut album “Age Ain’t Nothing But A Number.”
  Aaliyah was known for her smooth voice and unique style, and played a key role in popularizing R&B music during that era. Aaliyah tragically passed away in 2001, but her legacy in music in fashion live on.
- Recommended: Aaliyah is a perfect name for a beautiful Black baby girl and is also on our list of names meaning Heaven.
Brandi (alternate spelling: Brandy)
- Origin: Dutch
- Meaning: “burnt wine”
- During The ‘90s: Brandy Norwood, known as Brandy, was a top R&B/pop singer in the ‘90s with hits like “I Wanna Be Down” and “The Boy Is Mine.” She also starred in the popular TV show “Moesha,” further cementing her influence during the decade.

Briana
- Origin: Irish
- Meaning: “high; noble; exalted”
- During The ‘90s: Briana Scurry served as the primary goalkeeper for the U.S. women’s national team, leading them to victory in the 1999 Women’s World Cup.
  She also secured gold medals at the 1996 and 2004 Summer Olympics. Scurry’s remarkable save during the 1999 World Cup penalty shootout remains iconic.
  Her accomplishments were later recognized with her induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame, becoming the only African-American woman to achieve this honor.

Dominique
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “of the Lord”
- During The ‘90s: Known as “Awesome Dawesome,” Dominique Dawes was a member of the U.S. national gymnastics team for a decade and took part in three Olympics.
  Her most notable achievement is being part of the gold-winning “Magnificent Seven” team in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Dawes stands out as one of the few American gymnasts to compete in three Olympics and secure medals in each.

Gina
- Origin: Greek
- Meaning: Queen
- During The ‘90s: The sitcom “Martin” was a massive hit in the 1990s, and Tisha Campbell’s character, Gina, was a central character in the show.

Jasmine
- Origin: Persian
- Meaning: “gift from God”
- During The ‘90s: Jasmine Guy made a mark in the ‘90s with her role as Whitley Gilbert on “A Different World.” Her character’s distinct Southern flair resonated with many. Beyond her role on the show, Jasmine also explored music and dance during her career.

Kiara
- Origin: Italian, Irish
- Meaning: “bright; clear; dark”
- During The ‘90s: Kiara Kabukuru was a rising star in the ‘90s fashion world. Known as a CoverGirl model, she also graced campaigns for top brands like Dolce & Gabbana and Calvin Klein. She notably walked for Victoria’s Secret in 1999 and was in the Pirelli Calendar of 1998.

Lauren (alternate spelling: Lauryn)
- Origin: French
- Meaning: “laurel plant; wisdom”
- During The ‘90s: Lauryn Hill rose to fame in the ‘90s, first as a member of the Fugees and later as a solo artist. Her album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” is considered a landmark in the music industry, earning her multiple Grammy Awards. With her unique blend of R&B, hip-hop, and soul, Hill became a defining voice of the decade.
  She also had a starring role as an actress in the 1993 film “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit,” alongside Whoopi Goldberg.

Mariah
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “the Lord is my teacher”
- During The ‘90s: Mariah Carey became a musical sensation in the 1990s due to her unique vocal range and hit songs. Starting with her debut in 1990, she set records with consecutive #1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100.
  By blending R&B with hip-hop, she created iconic songs like “Fantasy” and “One Sweet Day.” Mariah Carey is widely regarded as one of the greatest singers of all time.

Monica
- Origin: Latin
- Meaning: “advisor”
- During The ‘90s: R&B singer Monica Denise Brown, known as Monica, rose to fame in the 1990s as a leading R&B vocalist. With hits like “Don’t Take It Personal” and the iconic duet “The Boy Is Mine” with Brandy, her soulful voice and impactful songs have made her a respected figure in the music industry.

Morgan
- Origin: Welsh
- Meaning: “circling sea; white sea dweller”
- During The ‘90s: Debbi Morgan was a recognizable face in television in the ‘90s, especially for her role as Dr. Angie Hubbard on “All My Children.” This role set her apart, showcasing her ability to deliver compelling performances consistently.

Raven
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “dark-haired; wise”
- During The ‘90s: Raven-Symoné was a child actress in the ‘90s who played Olivia on “The Cosby Show” and Nicole Lee on “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper.” Her dynamic energy made her a standout, paving the way for future roles and ventures in music and TV.

Whitney
- Origin: English
- Meaning: “from the white island”
- During The ‘90s: Whitney Houston, one of the greatest singers of all time, was at the peak of her career in the 1990s. With chart-topping hits like “I Will Always Love You” and acting roles in movies like “The Bodyguard,” Whitney Houston was an iconic figure in the music and film industries.

Not settled on a name yet? Here are more baby name lists to consider: