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Black History Names

Black history names include the names of African-Americans throughout US history who've achieved extraordinary things.

Among the Black history names here are the names of politicians, activists, writers, artists, businesspeople and others who might make worthy namesakes for contemporary babies.

Black history names come from centuries of history, from the Renaissance to the late twentieth century. Note: While there are many notable figures from Black and African-American history with ordinary names, we've focused on the names that are more clearly associated with historic heroes and heroines. Also here are many last names that can be used as firsts.

To learn more about the figures these Black history names commemorate, see our main blog on Black history names.

Camilla

Meaning: young ceremonial attendant

Origin:Latin
323
Augusta

Meaning: great, magnificent

Origin:Feminine variation of Augustus
702
Althea

Meaning: with healing power

Origin:Greek
155
Dorothea

Meaning: gift of God

Origin:Greek
325
Hazel

Meaning: the hazelnut tree

Origin:English
61
August

Meaning: great, magnificent

Origin:German form of Latin Augustus
16
Cora

Meaning: maiden

Origin:Greek
16
Ida

Meaning: industrious one

Origin:German
166
Harriet

Meaning: estate ruler

Origin:English variation of French Henriette
175
Constance

Meaning: steadfastness

Origin:English version of Latin Constantia
292
Maya

Meaning: water

Origin:Greek; Central American Indian empire name; Latinate variation of May; Spanish, diminutive of Amalia; variation of Maia; Hebrew
82
Blanche

Meaning: white

Origin:French
0
Lena The Hebrew name Lena is a shorter version of...
Origin:English, Scottish, Dutch, German, and Scandinavian, diminutive of various names ending in lena
162
Zora

Meaning: dawn

Origin:Serbo-Croatian
365
Origin:Surname or word name
217
Lincoln

Meaning: town by the pool

Origin:English
234
Cornelius

Meaning: horn

Origin:Latin
228
Levi

Meaning: joined, attached

Origin:Hebrew
71
Miles

Meaning: soldier or merciful

Origin:English form of Milo
24
Brooks

Meaning: of the brook

Origin:English
5500