96 popular, strong, and cute Black boy names

18 African boy names

Abshir

Abshir is a Somali name that means "congratulations" or "good news."

Ade

Pronounced "ah-day," Ade means "crown" in Yoruba. Like many Yoruba names, Ade is a shortened form of longer names like Adeola ("crown of wealth)" and Adebayo ("royalty meets joy").

Alassane

Often found in West African countries like Senegal, Alassane is a French-influenced version of the Arabic name Al-Hasan , which means "the handsome one."

Alem

Alem is an Ethiopian name that means "world" or "universe" in Amharic and is rooted in Arabic. It could also be a version of Alim , which means "learned" or "expert" in Arabic.

Amare

Amare may come from the Arabic name Ammar , which means "one who lives a long life."

Beza

Beza comes from Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia. It means "payment" or "redemption."

Bolaji

Bolaji is most common among the Yoruba people of Nigeria. It can mean "to be born of wealth" or "to wake with wealth."

Danso

This sweet name comes from the Ashanti people of Ghana. You're most likely to see Danso as a last name, but it's also a first name for many African baby boys. It's thought to mean "one who is reliable."

Ermias

Pronounced "ehr-mye-us," Ermias is an Amharic variation of the Hebrew name Jeremiah and means "appointed by God." Ermias was the birth name of the late rapper Nipsey Hussle.

Fela

Fela is a nickname-name that comes from Olufela , a Yoruba name that means "God expands the wealth." Renowned Nigerian singer Fela Kuti held the name.

Haile

Haile means "powerful" in the Ethiopian languages Ge'ez and Amharic, and is a common last name in Ethiopia.

Idrissa

Idrissa is a variant of the Arabic name Idris ; it's commonly used in African nations. It means "a true man" and "righteous." Idrissa is often how the name is spelled in some African countries. British actor Idris Elba, who was born Idrissa, is a famous bearer of the name.

Kehinde

Rooted in Yoruba, Kehinde means "the second-born of twins," but the name is perfect for a singular boy. Painter Kehinde Wiley was chosen to paint the official portrait of former president Barack Obama.

Kofi

Kofi means "born on a Friday," but the name is bestowed on babies born any day of the week. It comes from Akan, a language spoken in Ghana. According to Akan tradition, babies born on a Friday are adventurous, free spirited, and competitive. Probably the most notable Kofi is the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ghanaian diplomat Kofi Annan.

Kojo

Kojo is a variant of Kwadwo , a name mostly found in Ghana that comes from the Akan language. It means "born on a Monday," and according to Akan tradition, babies born on Monday are peaceful.

Musa

Musa , also spelled Mussa and Mousa , is a common boy's name throughout Africa. It's the Arabic version of the biblical name Moses , which has uncertain meaning but is thought to be rooted in Egyptian.

Tesfaye

Canadian R&B singer The Weeknd's surname is Tesfaye , an Amharic name meaning "hope."

Tunde

Tunde comes from a Yoruba word that means "to return." It's often combined with other Yoruba words to form names like Babatunde ("the father returns") or Olatunde ("the wealth returns").

14 unique Black boy names

These names are especially rare – none of them have appeared in the top 500 names in at least a decade.

Ahmir

Ahmir means "prince" or "commander" in Arabic, and is more commonly spelled Amir .

Booker

Years ago, Booker was associated with scribes or people concerned with books. It was originally a Middle English occupational surname for someone who bound books, was a scribe, or bleached cloth for a living. A famous name bearer is Booker T. Washington, American author and educator.

Cory

Cory is an alternate spelling of Corey , which comes from the Old Norse name Kori and has uncertain meaning.

Drake

Drake is a word for a male duck, but it also comes from the Old English word draca , which means "snake" or "dragon." Drake is the stage name of Canadian rapper Aubrey Graham.

Evander

Greek for "good man," Evander also holds significance in Roman mythology – Evander was a Trojan prince and hero. One famous Evander is boxing legend Evander Holyfield.

Karim

Karim means "noble" or "generous" in Arabic. It's popular in the Middle East and North Africa.

Khai

Khai has a couple potential origins. It could be an alternate spelling of Kai , a name with many meanings, including "ocean" in Hawaiian. It could also be a nickname for the Arabic names Khayrat and Khayri, which mean "good deed" and "charitable," respectively.

Kiran

Kiran means "ray of light" in Hindi.

Mekhi

Mekhi was popularized by actor Mekhi Phifer, who is best known for starring in the medical drama ER and the movie 8 Mile . The meaning isn't certain, but it may be derived from the Hebrew name Michael , which means "who is like God?"

Quinton

Quinton takes its name from the Old French form of the Latin family name Quintinus, which comes from the Latin word quintus , meaning "fifth."

Ronnie

Often short for Ronald , Ronnie is a sweet nickname-turned-first name for a baby boy. It's rooted in the Old Norse word reign , meaning "advice," and valdr , meaning "ruler."

Sammy

Sammy is another nickname-name gaining traction as a name in its own right. Short for Samuel , it comes from Hebrew and means "he has hearkened." Musician Sammy Davis Jr. is a famous bearer of the name.

Tariq

Tariq means "night visitor" and "morning star" in Arabic.

Tre

Tre is usually short for names like Tremaine , a Cornish surname that means "stone settlement" – but many parents are opting for the shortened version of the name as a first name for their sons.

22 cute Black boy names

Adam

Adam is a timeless, adorable name – according to the Social Security Administration, it's been a top baby boy name since 1900! It's rooted in Hebrew and means "earth."

Chase

Coming from French, this boy's name means "to hunt." Chase is a main character from the animated series PAW Patrol – which may end up being your baby's favorite show to watch.

Cole

Cole is a surname-turned-first name with a couple of origins. It may come from a medieval English nickname for Nicholas , a Greek name that means "victory of the people"; or it could come from an Old English word meaning "charcoal."

Cooper

Cooper is one of the many occupational names that slowly turned into a first name. It comes from English and means "barrel maker."

Diego

Diego probably started out as a nickname for Santiago , a Spanish name that means "Saint James."

Felix

Of Latin origin, Felix means "fortunate" or "happy."

Jaden

Jaden is an invented name that started gaining popularity when other names ending with "-den," like Hayden and Aiden , were popular in the 1990s. In the case of actor and rapper Jaden Smith, the son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith, Jaden is a masculine version of Jada .

Jaxson

Jaxson is a fun twist on Jackson that gives the name a unique spin. It started out as an English surname that means "Jack's son."

Jordan

Jordan means "flowing down" in Hebrew. It's also a river in the Middle East that has major religious significance. In Biblical tradition, the River Jordan is where Jesus was baptized and where the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land.

Kaiden

Kaiden is one of many alternate spellings of the Scottish name Cadan , which has uncertain meaning.

Kayson

Kayson is an alternate spelling of Cason , which originates as an English surname for someone who lived near Cawson in Norfolk. This name was popular for African American boys born in Georgia in 2021.

Kris

This alternative spelling of Chris makes for a cute boy name. Both Kris and Chris are short for Christopher , which comes from a Greek name that means "Christ-bearer."

Malachai

In Hebrew, Malachai means "my messenger." In the Bible, it was the name of a prophet who foretold the coming of Jesus Christ.

Noah

Noah is a renowned religious figure, known for saving humanity from a devastating flood according to Biblical tradition. Noah comes from a Hebrew word that means "rest."

Prince

Even though the name Prince has been around as a given name since the early 1900s, it's still a unique name to give to your little boy. While its modern meaning is "son of the king," Prince originates in the Latin word princeps , which means "first person," as in "ruler" or "chief," and is the same root of the word "principal."

Sage

Who wouldn't want their son to grow into a Sage – a person known for being wise?

Shawn

Shawn is an alternate spelling of Sean , the Irish version of John . This name is rooted in Hebrew and means "God is gracious."

Shiloh

Shiloh comes from Hebrew and is thought to mean "tranquil."

Tristan

Tristan is thought to be rooted in a Latin word that means "melancholy." In Celtic legend, Tristan is a hero who pursues love and rescues a princess – though he tragically dies before he gets his happily ever after.

Xavier

Xavier is the Spanish version of the Basque place name Etcheberria, which means "the new house."

Zaire

Zaire is the former name of the central African country now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo. Zaire derives from a Kongo word that means "river that swallows all rivers."

Zayne

Zayne is a name with a few origins and meanings. In Arabic, it means "beautiful." It's also an alternate spelling of Zane , which is rooted in a Middle English nickname for someone with curly hair.

20 strong Black boy names

Aaron

Aaron comes from a name so ancient its meaning has been lost to time, but it's thought to be rooted in either Hebrew or Egyptian. Most notable for leading the Israelites out of Egypt with his brother Moses and for serving as the Israelites' first high priest, Aaron is an important figure in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Ace

As an English word, Ace originally comes from the Latin word as , which means "a unit" or "one" and was the name of a small Roman coin. Nowadays, an ace is "a person who excels at something."

Adonis

Now shorthand for an exceptionally handsome young man (which your little one is certain to be), Adonis is a mortal man in Greek mythology who was beloved by the gods and who achieved immortality. This Greek name is thought to be rooted in an ancient Phonecian word that means "lord."

Alexander

Meaning "defender of mankind," Alexander is a name that has long been associated with strength, as in the most famous historical bearer of the name, Alexander the Great.

Archie

Short for Archibald , Archie means "genuinely brave." It's gained attention in recent years as the name of the son of Duchess Megan Markle and Prince William.

Asad

Asad is an Arabic name that comes from words meaning "happy" or "fortunate" – but it's also an Arabic word that means "lion."

David

Rooted in a Hebrew word thought to mean "beloved," David is a strong name with religious importance. The name is often associated with the Biblical figure and his fierce battle with Goliath.

Jabari

Jabari is a Swahili name that means "almighty" or "powerful."

Kendrick

Kendrick is an English name with complex roots. One root is a Welsh name that means "exalted summit"; another root is in a Scottish surname that means "son of Henry"; and the third is from a Middle English name with two Old English sources, one meaning "keen power" and the other meaning "royal power." Rapper Kendrick Lamar may be the most famous holder of the name.

King

For a boy's name that instantly communicates strength, look no further than the name King . This vocabulary word is rooted in the Old English word cyning and might be related to the word kin, meaning "family."

Kingston

Kingston is an English location-inspired surname that means "king's town." It's the name of several notable destinations, including Kingston, Jamaica.

Lorenzo

Lorenzo is the Italian version of the French name Laurence . Both are rooted in the Late Latin name Laurentius, which meant "man from Laurentum."

Malcolm

Malcolm derives from a Gaelic name that means "devotee of Saint Columba," an Irish monk who brought Christianity to Scotland. Columba is a Late Latin name that means "dove." The name Malcolm is often associated with American racial justice activist and civil rights leader Malcolm X.

Malik

Malik comes from an Arabic word meaning "king."

Mandela

For those who want to name their sons after strong leaders, Mandela is a good choice.

Messiah

In 2023, African American parents in Georgia loved the name Messiah for their sons. This name, commonly known as an epithet of Jesus Christ, is rooted in a Hebrew word that means "the anointed of the Lord."

Rico

Short for Ricardo , this Spanish name comes from the French name Richard , which means "powerful and strong." Rico can also be short for Enrico , the Italian version of Henry . Henry is rooted in Germanic and means "home ruler."

Ryder

Ryder stems from an Old English word meaning "horseman," and was attributed to warriors and messengers.

Stokely

Not only does Stokely sound strong, it's also the name of one of the most prominent American civil rights leaders, Stokely Carmichael. Stokely comes from an English surname for someone who lived in or near places called Stockleigh or Stockley in England.

Titan

Nowadays, a Titan is "one that stands out for greatness of achievement." But the word comes from the ancient Greek Titans, primordial deities in mythology.

21 popular Black boy names

Anthony

Time has proven that Anthony is here to stay. Across the United States, from New York City to Georgia, Anthony is a top pick for Black baby boys. It comes from an ancient Roman family name, but its meaning has been lost to time.

Bryson

In 2021, Bryson was among the top 50 names for African American baby boys in New York. It comes from a Scottish surname that means "son of Bryce," while Bryce possibly comes from a Gaulish word that means "speckled."

Caleb

Caleb is an important Biblical figure in the Old Testament who was instrumental in Moses and the Israelites' search for the Promised Land. The name is thought to come from a Hebrew word that means "dog" – but it's meant in a positive way, to reflect dogs' loyalty.

Carter

Carter was originally an English last name meaning "someone who transports goods by cart" – but it's caught on a first name for baby boys. For Black parents, the name holds special meaning because of Carter G. Woodson. Woodson, the African American son of slaves, was an educator and philosopher who founded the precursor to Black History Month and has been called the "father of Black history." And of course, Carter is also the last name of superstars Beyonce; Knowles-Carter and her husband, Shawn Carter (Jay-Z).

Elijah

Names that hold religious significance like Elijah withstand time – the name has been popular since the 1900s in the U.S. It's rooted in Hebrew and means "Yahweh is God."

Evan

Evan has two meanings: It's an anglicized version of the Welsh name Iefan , which is a version of John and means "God is gracious"; and it's an anglicized version of the Scottish name Eoghan , which means "born of yew."

Hunter

Hunter has an intense meaning, but it's still a cute, popular name for a baby boy. It was originally a surname in the Middle Ages used by people who hunted for a living.

Greyson

Back in 2014, Greyson was a popular name for African American baby boys in New York. Greyson didn't make the list after that year, but it's still popular on a national level. Greyson is a Middle English surname meaning "son of a steward."

Jamir

Jamir may be a fusion of two Arabic names: Jamal , which means "beautiful," and Amir, which means "prince" – for a final meaning of "handsome prince."

Jeremiah

Jeremiah may be rooted in Hebrew, but it has been a popular name among babies of a wide range of races and ethnicities. It means "appointed by God."

Julian

Julian is a version of the Roman name Julius, which is thought to be tied to the Latin word juvenilis , meaning "youthful."

Justice

Dream of raising a social advocate? Justice might be just the right name to give your baby boy. It's rooted in the Latin word iustitia , which means "righteousness" and "equity."

Khalil

Khalil comes from an Arabic word meaning "bosom friend." It's common in Arabic-speaking countries in the Middle East and in North Africa. It was also a popular name for African American baby boys in Georgia.

Legend

Legend may not be traditional or religious in nature, but it's recently become a go-to name for parents. In fact, it was a top-100 name for African American baby boys in New York several years in a row.

Leo

Leo , which is Latin for "lion," is a good choice when you want to name your boy after a strong animal.

Liam

Parents can't get enough of the name Liam , which is a derivative of William . Liam was, until very recently, the reigning No. 1 boys' name in the U.S. It's rooted in Germanic and means "strong-willed warrior."

Mason

Mason comes from a French surname for someone who worked with stone. This cute name for baby boys has been a favorite among parents in the U.S for the past century.

Maverick

Who wouldn't want their baby boy to grow into a maverick, or an "independent-minded person"? Apparently parents across the U.S. desire this for their sons, as Maverick was in the top 50 most popular names in 2023.

Michael

For over 40 years, Michael was the No. 1 baby name in America. Its popularity has slowed a bit, but it's still one of the top boys' names. Rooted in Hebrew, this name means "who is like God?"

Nathaniel

For parents seeking a traditional, religious name, Nathaniel is a good pick – it means "gift of God" in Hebrew.

Omari

Omari started making its mark on U.S. baby name charts in 1980. It comes from a word meaning "flourishing" in Arabic. Actor Omari Hardwick is a famous bearer of the name.

Read more:

• Black girl names
• Popular Black baby names