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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.

Mingus

Meaning: tenants of a manor

Origin:Scottish, variation of Menzies
1265
Malcolm

Meaning: devotee of St. Colomba

Origin:Scottish
130
Art

Meaning: noble one; bear man

Origin:Diminutive of Arthur
538
Sonny

Meaning: son

Origin:English
134
Rhodes

Meaning: where roses grow

Origin:Greek
309
Hale

Meaning: someone who lives in a hollow

Origin:English
433
Moses

Meaning: delivered from the water

Origin:Egyptian
817
Thelonious The meaning of Thelonious is 'people' and it...
Origin:Latinized variation of German Tillman, “one who plows the earth”
502
Wells

Meaning: spring

Origin:Surname from place name
139
Origin:English rank of nobility
1327
Asa

Meaning: healer; born in the morning

Origin:Hebrew; Japanese
204
Jupiter

Meaning: godfather

Origin:Latin
953
Jackson

Meaning: son of Jack

Origin:English
389
King

Meaning: monarch

Origin:English
489
Billie

Meaning: resolute protection

Origin:English, diminutive of Wilhelmina, Wilma
409
Angelou The meaning of Angelou is 'an angel'. It is ...
Origin:Literary name
5059
Ellington

Meaning: Ellis's town

Origin:English place-name and surname
1619
Minnie

Meaning: of the mind, intellect

Origin:Diminutive of Minerva
355
Lula The name Lula is of English origins and it i...
Origin:Diminutive of any Lu name
578
Hollis

Meaning: near the holly bushes

Origin:English
955