Emmy Samtani

Emmy Samtani

Emmy is the founder of Kiindred and mother to 3 little ones. Over the last 4 years, she has worked with some of the most credible experts in the parenting space and is a keen contributor on all things parenthood.
Updated on Aug 20, 2025

When naming a son in African American communities, families frequently highlight determination, leadership, and cultural heritage. Choices may blend biblical allusions, West African tonal patterns, or references to civil rights heroes. Modern creations—like Jaylen—share space with timeless picks—like Elijah—representing both a nod to the past and optimism for the future. This tradition weaves strength and innovation into a boy’s identity from the start.

TOP 250 African American Baby Boy Names

Zyaire -

River

Davion -

Beloved

Junior -

Younger

Terrell -

Ruler of the people

Jamarion -

A variant of the combination of James and Marion

Javion -

But is a unique and contemporary choice for parents looking to give their child a distinctive name

Lamar -

Of the pool

Deshawn -

From south munster

Dangelo -

From the angel

Denzel -

From the high stronghold

Davon -

Beloved

Damarion -

Of the sea

Keyon -

Strong

Zayvion -

A variant of the name Zion

Kenai -

Place of the strong current

Jayvon -

Ionian

Kenyon -

Blond

Kentrell -

Of Kentrell has origin.

Tyshawn -

Combination of ty and shawn

Treyvon -

Three

Deshaun -

God is gracious

Dontae -

Enduring

Jaheim -

God is merciful

Marshawn -

Warlike

Desean -

God is gracious

Tavion -

Of American origin origin.

Travon -

A variant of the combination of two popular names

Oakland -

Oakland

Maverik -

Independent thinker

Indiana -

Associated with bold qualities.

Darrion -

From the island of the sea

Kavion -

And origin are less commonly documented

Takoda -

Friend to everyone

Jashawn -

Celebration

Damarcus -

Dedicated to mars

Ladarius -

Noble ruler

Javeon -

Of the name origin.

Jayshawn -

Jaybird

Kendric -

Of cultural significance origin.

Jamier -

Supplanter

Dashaun -

God is gracious

Lakota -

Of the Native origin.

Dontrell -

The name Dontrell, of African American origin, means "gift of God," "enduring," or "lasting." It symbolizes resilience and spiritual connection, making it a meaningful choice reflecting strength and character.

Lamarion -

Of the sea

Tommie -

Twin

Tyshaun -

Firebrand

Tayvon -

Beautiful

Delvin -

Narrow water

Dayvon -

Dayvon, rooted in African American culture, symbolizes wisdom, resilience, and a divine, illuminating quality.

Lebron -

Hare

Kahari -

Youthful

Tyriq -

Lord of the castle

Tavaris -

A variant of a Spanish and Portuguese surname

Dejon -

God is gracious

Damonte -

From the mountain, from the hill

Davontae -

A variant of the combination of David and Monte

Dontavious -

To rule

Ramone -

Wise protector

Dontay -

Lasting

Tyreese -

Tyler

Tramaine -

Very or extremely

Jamario -

A variant of the combination of the names

Juwan -

Is not directly translated

Jamire -

Gift of God

Damauri -

Damauri, a name of Japanese origin, is the feminine form of Akshay and another spelling

Taevion -

Remains unclear

Demauri -

Strong

Treshaun -

To be crowned

Zayveon -

And significance

Tyreke -

Of leadership and determination

Khamani -

Son of the king

Kashawn -

Of determination and origin.

Markese -

Is unclear

Jamarr -

Of African American origin.

Diondre -

Manly

Jacarri -

Joy or prince

Rashon -

Brave warrior

Jashon -

God is gracious

Laramie -

Tear of the earth

Keyvon -

Of cultural heritage origin.

Damontae -

From the mountain, from the hill

Tennessee -

A variant of the Native American word

Zhaire -

The river that swallows all rivers

Montae -

From the mountains

Nashawn -

A variant of the name Nathan and the suffix

Dontez -

A variant of the name

Azaire -

The meaning of Azaire is "God helps."

Marshon -

Young warrior

Dondre -

And origin

Jamarrion -

Remains unclear

Kenden -

Brave chieftain

Kaveon -

Little battle

Trayvion -

Of American origin origin.

Jaquavious -

Young conqueror, God-like

Xyaire -

From Arabic origin: Brightness

Kentavious -

A variant of a surname associated with people from Kent

Jayshon -

Remains unclear

Kyrese -

Of the name origin.

Kyion -

Of African American origin.

Daveion -

Follower of dionysus

Javarius -

Youthful

Jovonni -

God is gracious

Kyzier -

The meaning of the name Kyzier is uncertain.

Dayveon -

Of dayveon is not readily available

Texas -

Friends

Jaquavion -

Is not clearly defined

Davonta -

Davonta is a unique and powerful name of American origin, derived from the name Davon, with roots in African and African American culture. It embodies strength, individuality, and leadership, reflecting the resilience and perseverance of the African American community.

Mckoy -

A variant of McKay

Armanii -

The name "Armanii" is often considered a variant of the name "Armani," which is of Italian origin and typically means "free man" or "warrior."

Suede -

A type of soft leather.

Jaevon -

God is gracious

Taquan -

Of various African origin.

Maijor -

Gift of God

Kiari -

The meaning of the name Kiari is "beautiful soul."

Jermain -

Brother

Jamonte -

Of creativity origin.

Lavontae -

Of African American origin.

Marsean -

A variant of the name Mars

Love -

The name "Love" means affection or deep caring.

Taye -

He has been seen

Kyshawn -

Of African American origin.

Larenz -

A variant of the Latin name Lawrence

Jodeci -

God will increase

Draylen -

A variant of the name Dray

Hakan -

Emperor

Kyzir -

Ray of light.

Azarius -

Azarius is often considered a variant of the name Azariah, which means "God has helped" in Hebrew.

Jhacari -

Jhacari means a combination of the names Jhase and Kari.

Dakai -

The meaning of Dakai is "righteous."

Damere -

Strong, powerful

Toney -

Prince

Trevaughn -

Trevor

Keyondre -

Can vary

Tywan -

Of the combination origin.

Kevonte -

A variant of the name Kevin

Amour -

Love

Myheir -

Myheir - "my inheritance"

Javonta -

God is gracious

Cyaire -

Majestic

Ramello -

The meaning of the name Ramello is "supreme God".

Deaire -

Sorrowful

Ezekiah -

Ezekiah means "God strengthens."

Nyzier -

Of the name nyzier is also shrouded in mystery

Jahsai -

Universe, infinite

Kayveon -

"modern invented name"

Azaria -

Azaria means "God has helped."

Neziah -

Neziah means "consolation of the Lord."

Dshawn -

God is gracious

General -

Relating to all

Jatavion -

Is not well

Alegend -

Alegria: Joy

Chosyn -

Unique

Tyrian -

Tyrian means "from Tyre," a city in ancient Phoenicia. It is also associated with the color purple, as Tyrian purple dye was famously produced there.

Blessed -

Blessed means "divinely or supremely favored; fortunate."

Toni -

In front of

Kyriee -

The name Kyriee is derived from the Greek word "kyrios," which means "lord" or "master."

Tauren -

Tauren means "bull-like" or "of the bull."

Aarian -

The name Aarian means "mountain of strength" or "enlightened."

Teron -

Guardian

Liangelo -

The name Liangelo means "the one who serves."

Marquice -

Warrior

Journee -

The name Journee means "a journey or a trip."

Jahmai -

Jahmai means "whom God sets up" or "God's gift."

Choyce -

Choyce means "choice" or "freedom of choice."

Damarrion -

Damarrion, likely of African origin, symbolizes individuality and cultural heritage in African American naming.

Trayveon -

Wise and prudent

Kemet -

Kemet is an ancient name for Egypt, meaning "black land," referring to the fertile soil of the Nile River valley.

Nakari -

Nakari is a name of Swahili origin meaning "one who brings joy."

Odis -

The meaning of the name Odis is "wealthy."

Jahking -

God is gracious

Tarell -

Of the name tarell is not completely clear

Ravon -

Raven

Tayon -

To be seen

Amazi -

Means "water" in Rwandan.

Ramelo -

God's loving companion

Azaryah -

Azaryah means "God has helped."

Dameir -

The meaning of the name Dameir is "boy of peace."

Takota -

A variant of the Dakota Sioux tribe

Jameis -

"James" is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter" or "one who follows."

Dakarri -

A name of unknown origin.

Lakendrick -

A variant of the combination of names like LaKen and Derrick

Keiston -

From a surname meaning "from the chestnut tree town".

Swayde -

Belonging to Swayde Creek

Trequan -

Land of eoghan

Javarious -

Leader

Jacai -

Unknown

Joyner -

The name "Joyner" means a skilled worker who constructs woodwork, particularly furniture.

Nyyear -

Light

Dezmin -

A variant of the name Desmin

Kasiah -

The name Kasiah means "alert" or "watchful."

Kemonte -

Associated with unique qualities.

Stokely -

Stokely means "woodland clearing."

Zhamir -

The meaning of Zhamir is "handsome" or "precious stone."

Delante -

In front

Zyquan -

Of African American origin.

Legynd -

Legend

Masiyah -

Masiyah means "easygoing, cheerful" in Arabic.

Lajuan -

A variant of the name Lajuan

Sovereign -

Sovereign means "supreme ruler" or "possessing supreme or ultimate power."

Amirion -

The meaning of Amirion is "prince" or "ruler."

Montrez -

To show

Kayton -

Cheerful

Dujuan -

Wide valley

Essiah -

Essiah means "the Lord helps" or "God supports."

Othello -

Othello means "wealth" or "fortune."

Kashaun -

Born on a saturday

Jaecion -

Meaning: Unknown

Quashawn -

Is not definitively

Jquan -

Which may have meanings related to

Damarious -

Damarious is a modern, unique name associated with strength and individuality, often chosen for its

Kenay -

The meaning of the name Kenay is "blackish" or "handsome" (derived from its African origins).

Dmoni -

Divine protector

Travin -

Homestead

Nahuel -

Jaguar

Kyreese -

Kyreese: Kingly

Ramell -

Magic

Eldridge -

The name Eldridge means "old or wise ruler."

Messiyah -

Messiyah is a variant of the name Messiah, which means "anointed one" or "savior."

Jaquon -

Light in the dark horizon

Demarrion -

Of demarrion is not widely known

Kenniel -

Kenniel is a variant of the name Kenneth, which means "handsome" or "born of fire."

Logic -

Logic is a name that generally means "reasoned thought" or "systematic thinking."

Quavon -

Of the name quavon is not widely documented

Power -

Power means strength or ability.

Lakoda -

Lakota

Legaci -

Legacy

Zaiyden -

"little fiery one"

Jontavious -

Jonathan

Kapri -

The name Kapri generally means "whimsical" or "playful."

Prynceton -

Princeton - "Prince's town"

Kyier -

Kyier means "moon" in Navajo.

Treasure -

Treasure means "highly valued or cherished."

Montell -

Mountain

Khyair -

Khyair is often interpreted as a variant of "Khair," which means "good" or "benevolent" in Arabic.

Dantrell -

Associated with the biblical name Daniel

Zahkai -

Pure

Khyre -

"ruler"

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