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Black Hero Names

Black hero names honor notable Black leaders of history and today, including abolitionists, activists, athletes, artists, and entertainers. Some of the most famous Black figures, such as Dr. Martin Luther King and Josephine Baker, add a subtle layer of significance to their traditional first names. Their more distinctive surnames are a modern and particularly powerful way to connect your child to your hero.

Along with King and Josephine, other Black hero names in the US Top 300 include Brooks, Clara, Ella, Kyrie, Legend, Nina, Ruby, and Walker. Unique surnames of Black figures’ worth considering for your child include Carver, Ellington, Hughes, and Owens.

A Black hero name may serve to imbue your child the strength and values of their namesake. If you are searching for a name to connect your child to their Black heritage or wish to honor an important Black hero, browse our list of over 250 names below.

Percy A typically masculine name of French origin,...
Origin:French surname from place name Perci-en-Auge
296
Hank

Meaning: estate ruler

Origin:Diminutive of Henry, German
492
Jordan

Meaning: flowing down

Origin:English from Hebrew
517
Ira

Meaning: watchful one

Origin:Hebrew
259
Walker

Meaning: cloth-walker

Origin:English occupational name
414
Leslie

Meaning: garden of holly

Origin:Scottish
2153
Angelou The meaning of Angelou is 'an angel'. It is ...
Origin:Literary name
5059
Misty

Meaning: mist

Origin:English
1092
Odetta

Meaning: wealthy

Origin:German
4370
Ellington

Meaning: Ellis's town

Origin:English place-name and surname
1619
Minnie

Meaning: of the mind, intellect

Origin:Diminutive of Minerva
355
Henrietta

Meaning: estate ruler

Origin:Feminine variation of Henry
482
Michelle

Meaning: who is like God

Origin:French variation of Michael
529
Kyrie

Meaning: Lord

Origin:Greek
1761
Kerry

Meaning: dark, dark-haired

Origin:Irish
2963
Sojourner

Meaning: to stay a while

Origin:French, English
3461
Quincy

Meaning: estate of the fifth son

Origin:French
467
Lenny

Meaning: brave lion

Origin:Diminutive of Leonard
1181
Marian

Meaning: drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved

Origin:French medieval variation of Marie
1091
Bessie

Meaning: pledged to God

Origin:Diminutive of Elizabeth
1552