1. Home
  2. Topics

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.

Sammy

Meaning: god has heard

Origin:Hebrew
3905
Mamie Mamie is a name given primarily to girls. It...
Origin:Diminutive of Mary or Margaret
1595
Lacy

Meaning: from Lassy

Origin:English
6462
Salem

Meaning: safe

Origin:Biblical place-name or Arabic
739
Amiri

Meaning: the East wind; king, ruler; treetop

Origin:Maori, Arabic, Hebrew
3786
Lorraine

Meaning: from the province of Lorraine

Origin:French
877
Doris

Meaning: gift of the ocean

Origin:Greek
710
Gladys

Meaning: land, nation

Origin:Possibly a form or Claudia or Welsh
964
Lorna The meaning of Lorna is ‘victory’ or ‘fox’. ...
Origin:English literary name
1361
Dominique

Meaning: belonging to a lord

Origin:French, feminine variation of Dominic
2246
Shirley

Meaning: bright meadow

Origin:English
2508
Audra

Meaning: noble strength

Origin:English
1014
Baldwin

Meaning: brave friend

Origin:German
8787
Della Della is a shortened version of the name Del...
Origin:Diminutive of Adela
622
Ellen

Meaning: torch; shining light

Origin:English variation of Helen
632
Marvel The meaning of Marvel is ‘to wonder’ or ‘to ...
Origin:English word name
4542
Solange

Meaning: solemn

Origin:French
869
Noble

Meaning: aristocratic

Origin:Latin
1223
Carrie

Meaning: free man

Origin:Diminutive of Carol or Caroline
1620
Fannie

Meaning: from France; free man

Origin:Spelling variation of Fanny, diminutive of Frances
4294