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.

Virgil

Meaning: staff bearer

Origin:Latin
780
Hiram

Meaning: brother of the exalted one

Origin:Hebrew
875
Garvey

Meaning: rough peace

Origin:Irish
5519
Franklin

Meaning: free landholder

Origin:English
562
Ernie

Meaning: serious, resolute

Origin:Variation of Ernest, English from German
1464
Kobe

Meaning: tortoise

Origin:Swahili
2007
Willie The name Willie is of German origins and it ...
Origin:Diminutive of William
5757
Muhammad

Meaning: praiseworthy

Origin:Arabic
1538
Issa

Meaning: strong-willed

Origin:Variation of Isa, German
2108
Roy

Meaning: king or red-haired

Origin:French or Celtic
720
Kendrick

Meaning: royal ruler, champion

Origin:English and Scottish
1241
Adrian

Meaning: man of Adria

Origin:Latin
321
Tyson

Meaning: firebrand

Origin:English
2108
Morrison

Meaning: son of Morris

Origin:English
2131
Langston

Meaning: tall man's town

Origin:English
1436
Coltrane

Meaning: descendant of Coltarán

Origin:Irish surname
2966
Randolph

Meaning: shield-wolf

Origin:English
2322
Marshall

Meaning: one who looks after horses

Origin:English
592
Forest

Meaning: woodsman or woods

Origin:French occupational name
617
Bell

Meaning: ringer of the bell

Origin:English and Scottish occupational name
4983