156 Captivating African-American Girl Names With Meanings
Embracing a unique heritage with pride and honor.
African-American girl names represent two cultures with a shared history. They may have African roots but also have experiences with the African community in America. These vibrant names symbolize the community’s history, culture, and aspirations. When Africans first arrived in the US, they had no legal name. Initially, they adopted biblical names and tried to create an identity for themselves. However, after the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Power Movement of the 1960s and 1970s, African women in the US adopted names that exhibited their original African roots (1).
They also created new variants inspired by European names. These are so common in their community that they are now exclusively identified as African-American names. For instance, Beyoncé is inspired by the French surname Boyancé, which does not have a known meaning. Similarly, LaDonna is a new name inspired by the Italian Donna (lady) combined with the prefix ‘la.’ Choosing an African-American name for your daughter is a great way to keep her connected to her history and heritage. Below are African-American names you may consider for your little princess.
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Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
| Girl | Goal; Determination; Purpose; Bright; Female champion; Priceless; Luck | |
| Girl | Blooming flower | |
| Girl | God is gracious; Favored | |
| Girl | Good mother; Illusion; Water | |
| Girl | Corner; Forever | |
| Girl | May God protect; Supplanter | |
| Girl | God's grace; Beloved | |
| Girl | Brilliance; Radiance; Splendour | |
| Girl | Nobility; Noble kind | |
| Unisex | Who is like Yahweh | |
| Girl | Sublime; Greatness; Honorary | |
| Girl | Princess; Blessed princess | |
| Unisex | Mourning; Purpose; Aim; Intention | |
| Unisex | Price; Worth | |
| Girl | Good mother; Foster mother; Dame; Illusion; Magic; Water; Mine | |
| Girl | A sea of rebelliousness; Wished for child; Beloved | |
| Girl | Beautiful; Beloved | |
| Girl | High; Lofty; Sublime | |
| Girl | Night | |
| Unisex | Lost; Joy; Happiness; Field pea | |
| Girl | To hope; To wish for | |
| Unisex | Home; Rich protection | |
| Unisex | Belonging to a deity | |
| Girl | Gracious, Favor | |
| Girl | Sublime; High; Exalted | |
| Girl | Puzzle; Tangle; Confuse; Breath of life | |
| Girl | Possessing goodness; Already seen; Myrtle tree | |
| Boy | Lovely; Beautiful | |
| Unisex | Good mother; Dame; Foster mother | |
| Unisex | Snow | |
| Girl | Most holy | |
| Girl | On my way; God is gracious | |
| Unisex | Weary | |
| Unisex | A follower of Christ; Christian; Lake | |
| Unisex | Heard by Yahweh | |
| Unisex | Tree town | |
| Unisex | On my way | |
| Unisex | Nobleness; Nobility | |
| Unisex | God answers | |
| Unisex | May God protect; Supplanter; Mine | |
| Girl | A Jewish homeland; Heaven | |
| Girl | Queen | |
| Girl | Who is like Yahweh | |
| Unisex | Spring; Further | |
| Girl | Already | |
| Girl | Good mother; Dame; Foster mother | |
| Girl | Divine; Goddess-like; Silk-like material | |
| Unisex | Cinnamon; Cassia; From the spice tree | |
| Girl | A Christian; To anoint | |
| Unisex | Good mother; Dame | |
| Boy | Like silk; Attractive | |
| Girl | Exalted; Noble | |
| Girl | Pious; Righteous | |
| Unisex | Black; Clear; Bright; Famous | |
| Unisex | Faith | |
| Girl | High; Lofty; Sublime | |
| Girl | Lady; Mistress | |
| Girl | God is gracious | |
| Girl | Supplanter; Little girl; Frenchmen | |
| Girl | Good mother; Dame; Foster mother | |
| Girl | Alive | |
| Girl | Date palm | |
| Girl | A little gem; Gift from God | |
| Unisex | Princess; Noblewoman | |
| Unisex | Purpose; Aim | |
| Girl | Noble; Eager | |
| Unisex | Eldest daughter of the father | |
| Unisex | Illusion; Magic | |
| Girl | Queen | |
| Girl | Strength; Power | |
| Girl | Ambition; Puzzle; Tangle; Confuse | |
| Unisex | Silk-like material | |
| Girl | One who is persistent or persevering | |
| Unisex | Wise ruler; High hill | |
| Unisex | Arrival; Path | |
| Girl | One fierce and strong like a lioness | |
| Girl | An establisher | |
| Girl | Living; Alive | |
| Unisex | Crown; Sapling; Honorable; One who maintains or possesses the well | |
| Girl | A woman of great wisdom and knowledge; God is gracious | |
| Girl | Messenger | |
| Girl | God is gracious | |
| Girl | Alive; Living | |
| Girl | God is gracious | |
| Girl | God has answered me; Favor; Grace; Lofty | |
| Girl | Miracle | |
| Unisex | Shining brightly; Glittering | |
| Girl | Premature child | |
| Girl | Of Zeus; Sky; Puzzle; Tangle; Confuse | |
| Girl | One who dispels ignorance; God is gracious | |
| Girl | Life; Strawberry; Gauze; Thin silk; Sand; Livelihood; Living | |
| Girl | Living; Alive | |
| Girl | Cassia; Cinnamon | |
| Girl | Little girl | |
| Girl | Guardian; Protector; Prepared for battle | |
| Girl | The end; Heard by Yahweh | |
| Girl | Living; Alive | |
| Unisex | The lady; Mistress; Queen | |
| Unisex | Rich protection; Descendant of the protector | |
| Girl | Cassia; Cinnamon; Joyous and lively woman | |
African-American girl names reflect the values and beliefs cherished by the community. These may be influenced by evolving culture and popular trends but also linked to their original African traditions. They provide a sense of identity and individuality, representing virtues and aspirations considered significant by the people. Parents like these names for their versatility and uniqueness. By selecting an African-American girl name for your little girl, you honor your cultural heritage, connecting the past with the present and future.
Infographic: Popular African-American Girl Names
African-American girl names often represent a blend of two cultures with contemporary influences. They are celebrated for their unique sounds, meaningful origins, and powerful connections to history and identity. Start your naming journey today with our infographic containing some of the best of these names.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do African-American girl names have specific patterns or trends?
African-American girl names often exhibit unique patterns and trends that reflect cultural influences, creativity, and historical factors. Adding prefixes like la, sha, de, or ta and suffixes like isha, iqua, ique, or onda to common names is a popular trend. Examples include Shalonda, Shanique, Lashonda, and Talisha. Religion has played a pivotal role in influencing African-American names, especially Islam, which is found in the names of some famous figures like Muhammad Ali, who changed his name from Cassius Marcellus Clay. Biblical names are common, often with unique spellings or variations. Examples include Makayla, a variant of the Biblical Michaela, the feminine form of Michael. These patterns and trends reflect the diversity, creativity, and cultural pride within the African-American community, resulting in unique and meaningful names.
2. What African-American baby girl names can be used as middle names?
African-American baby girl names make wonderful middle names, adding depth and beauty to any full name. For instance, Telisha (beautiful, adorable), Ilina (My God is Yahweh), Lashonda (God is gracious), or Shanita (gift of God), as middle names can add a unique and meaningful touch to a child's name, celebrating spirituality and cultural heritage.
References
- A brief history of black names, from Perlie to Latasha.
https://news.osu.edu/a-brief-history-of-black-names-from-perlie-to-latasha/
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Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.
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