From African and Arabic to Latin and Germanic origins, Black names are filled with deep meaning, and many also stem from historic roots. Names like Destiny and Imani come from a strong belief in fate and faith, while a name like Azha has a more astrological interpretation. Before settling on a name, take a look at the list below to gain some insight into a few options for your baby.
Azha
Origin: Indian, ArabicMeaning: Sunrise, starAlternative Spellings & Variations: Ahzha Peak Popularity: Azha is a rare name that has not been listed in the top 1000 names.
Alana
Origin: Celtic, IrishMeaning: Awakening, preciousAlternative Spellings & Variations: Alanna, AlainaFamous Namesakes: Professional surfer Alana BlanchardPeak Popularity: Alana has risen slightly in popularity, moving up from a rank of 232 in 2019 to 206 in 2020.
Alexia
Origin: Greek, LatinMeaning: Helper, defender of manAlternative Spellings & Variations: Alexya, AlexxiaPeak Popularity: Alexia has consistently remained in the top 1000 baby names over the last 20 years, ranking most recently at 734 in 2020.
Aaliyah
Origin: ArabicMeaning: Heavens, exaltedAlternative Spellings & Variations: Alia, AaliyaFamous Namesakes: Singer Aaliyah HaughtonPeak Popularity: Staying within the top 1000 names since 2001, Aaliyah ranked at 65 as of 2020.
Ava
Origin: Latin, Germanic, HebrewMeaning: Life, VoiceAlternative Spellings & Variations: Avah, AivaFamous Namesakes: Peak Popularity: Ava is an extremely popular name, ranking at 3 in the top 1000 baby names from 2016 to 2020.
Brooke
Origin: Old EnglishMeaning: Gentle streamAlternative Spellings & Variations: BrookFamous Namesakes: Brooke Alexander, actress, former Miss Hawaii World and former Miss World AmericaPeak Popularity: The name Brooke has significantly declined in popularity, falling from a rank of 72 in 2010 to 237 in 2020.
Charice
Origin: American, GreekMeaning: GraceAlternative Spellings & Variations: Cherice, Cherese, SherisePeak Popularity: Charice is not in the most popular baby name rankings.
Chelsea
Origin: Old EnglishMeaning: Port for chalkAlternative Spellings & Variations: ChelseyFamous Namesakes: American comedian and writer Chelsea Peretti, Actress and singer Chelsea TavaresPeak Popularity: Chelsea was most popular in the early 1990s. This name most recently ranked at 646 in 2020.
Chloe
Origin: GreekMeaning: BloomingAlternative Spellings & Variations: KhloeFamous Namesakes: Actress and Grammy-nominated singer Chloe BaileyPeak Popularity: While most popular in 2009 and 2010 at a ranking of 9, Chloe’s popularity slightly fell to 27 in 2020.
Destiny
Origin: Latin, AmericanMeaning: Fate, FortuneFamous Namesakes: American track and field athlete Destiny CarterPeak Popularity: Destiny’s popularity has swiftly fallen in the last 10 years, going from a rank of 71 in 2010 to 351 in 2020.
Devyn
Origin: English, IrishMeaning: PoetAlternative Spellings & Variations: Devin Peak Popularity: Devyn was last ranked in the top 1000 baby names in 2013 at 972.
Dionne
Origin: EnglishMeaning: DivineAlternative Spellings & Variations: Dion, Deion, DioneFamous Namesakes: American singer and actress Dionne Warwick Peak Popularity: Dionne has not ranked in the top 1000 baby names within the last 30 years.
Eriss
Origin: GreekMeaning: Goddess of discordAlternative Spellings & Variations: ErisPeak Popularity: This is a unique name is not found in the top 1000 baby names.
Essence
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Aura, natureAlternative Spellings & Variations: EssensePeak Popularity: Essence dropped out of the top 1000 baby names in 2008 at a ranking of 978.
Felicity
Origin: Latin, EnglishMeaning: Happiness, good fortuneAlternative Spellings & Variations: Felicitey, FeliciteePeak Popularity: As of 2020, Felicity is ranked at 386.
Gemma
Origin: Italian, LatinMeaning: Precious stoneAlternative Spellings & Variations: Jemma, GemaFamous Namesakes: Actress Gemma ChanPeak Popularity: Breaking the top 1000 baby names in 2008 at 887, Gemma’s popularity has risen to a rank of 207 in 2020.
Imani
Origin: Arabic, SwahiliMeaning: Belief, faithAlternative Spellings & Variations: EmonieyFamous Namesakes: Imani Coppola, American singer-songwriter and violinistPeak Popularity: The name Imani has ranked consistently in the top 1000 baby names, most recently sitting at 523 in 2020.
Iyana
Origin: Hebrew, AfricanMeaning: God is graciousAlternative Spellings & Variations: AyannaFamous Namesakes: Actress Iyana HalleyPeak Popularity: Iyana was last ranked in the top 1000 baby names at 969 in 2007.
Jada
Origin: HebrewMeaning: Wise, goodnessAlternative Spellings & Variations: JaydaFamous Namesakes: Actress and musician Jada Pinkett-SmithPeak Popularity: Peaking in the early 2000s, Jada’s popularity fell to 546 in 2020.
Jalisa
Origin: Arabic, EnglishMeaning: God’s promiseAlternative Spellings & Variations: JalissaPeak Popularity: Jalisa has not been in the top 1000 baby names in the last 20 years.
Jaya
Origin: Indian, HindiMeaning: Victorious, victoryAlternative Spellings & Variations: Jaai, JaiaFamous Namesakes: Actress Jaya PradaPeak Popularity: Jaya is a rare name and does not rank in the top 1000 baby names.
Kayla
Origin: Hebrew, ArabicMeaning: Crown of laurelsAlternative Spellings & Variations: KalahFamous Namesakes: Actress Kayla MaisonetPeak Popularity: Kayla has slightly fallen in popularity, sliding from 183 in 2019 to 217 in 2020, but still consistently remains in the top 1000 baby names.
Kendra
Origin: English, WelshMeaning: KnowledgeAlternative Spellings & Variations: Kendrah, KendreaFamous Namesakes: Model and social media personality Kendra BaileyPeak Popularity: Kendra has been a popular name for over 30 years and most recently ranked at 551 in 2020.
Kennedy
Origin: Irish, GaelicMeaning: Pride, fierceAlternative Spellings & Variations: Kenedi, KenedyPeak Popularity: Ranking at 72 in 2020, Kennedy is an increasingly popular name, rising from a rank of 111 in 2010.
Kenya
Origin: AfricanMeaning: Animal hornAlternative Spellings & Variations: Keneya, Keneia KennyaFamous Namesakes: American actress, model and producer Kenya MoorPeak Popularity: Kenya last saw popularity in 2017 at a rank of 961.
Kiara
Origin: Italian, Irish Meaning: Kind, Bright Alternative Spellings & Variations: Chiara Famous Namesakes: WNBA player Kiara Leslie, CoverGirl model Kiara Kabukuru Peak Popularity: Kiara’s popularity currently ranks 308 out of the top 1000 baby names.
Liana
Origin: FrenchMeaning: To climbAlternative Spellings & Variations: Lyana, LiannaFamous Namesakes: Actress Liana LiberatoPeak Popularity: The name Liana last ranked at 461 in 2020.
Luna
Origin: Latin, RomanMeaning: MoonAlternative Spellings & Variations: Lunna, LunahPeak Popularity: Luna is quickly becoming an extremely popular name, rising from a ranking of 342 in 2010 to 14 in 2020.
Makenna
Origin: AmericanMeaning: Happy oneAlternative Spellings & Variations: Makena, MckennaPeak Popularity: Makenna has remained common over the last 20 years but has declined in popularity, most recently ranking at 402 in 2020.
Megan
Origin: Welsh, GreekMeaning: PearlAlternative Spellings & Variations: Meghan, MeaganFamous Namesakes: Rapper Megan ‘Megan Thee Stallion’ Jovon Ruth PetePeak Popularity: Most popular in the 1990s and early 2000s, Megan has fallen to a ranking of 638 as of 2020.
Mia
Origin: Hebrew, EgyptianMeaning: Beloved, queenFamous Namesakes: Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Former professional soccer player and Olympic gold medalist Mia HammPeak Popularity: Mia’s popularity has remained consistent for decades. Most recently, its popularity has soared, with the name remaining in the top 10 most popular baby names for the last 10 years.
Nadia
Origin: Russian, SlavicMeaning: Hope, delicateAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nadya, NadjaFamous Namesakes: Singer-songwriter and actress Nadia TurnerPeak Popularity: The name Nadia most recently ranked at 468 in 2020.
Nala
Origin: AfricanMeaning: Successful, queen, giftAlternative Spellings & Variations: NahlaFamous Namesakes: Nala Wayans, fashion model and daughter of actor Keenen Ivory WayansPeak Popularity: Nala made its first appearance on the top 1000 baby names list in 2014 at 992 and has risen to a rank of 693 as of 2020.
Nashea
Origin: EnglishMeaning: Defiant, strong Alternative Spellings & Variations: Nashe, NasheyaPeak Popularity: Nashea is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1000 baby names for girls.
Nia
Origin: Gaelic, SwahilianMeaning: Lustrous, bright, brilliantAlternative Spellings & Variations: Neya, NieaFamous Namesakes: Actress Nia Long, Olympia athlete Nia AliPeak Popularity: The popularity of the name Nia has remained around the same for the past 10 years. In 2020, it ranked at 494.
Nicole
Origin: Greek, French Meaning: Victory of the people Alternative Spellings & Variations: Nichole Famous Namesakes: Comedian Nicole Byer, Nicole Scherzinger Peak Popularity: Peaking at a rank of 7 in the early 1980s, this name has since remained popular but fallen to a rank of 266.
Nori
Origin: JapaneseMeaning: BeliefAlternative Spellings & Variations: NorePeak Popularity: Nori is a distinctive name and has not yet made the list of top 1000 names for baby girls.
Shakira
Origin: ArabicMeaning: Grateful, thankfulAlternative Spellings & Variations: Shakera, ShakuraFamous Namesakes: Colombian singer ShakiraPeak Popularity: Shakira has not made the top 1000 baby names since 2006 when it had a rank of 780.
Shani
Origin: Swahili, SanskritMeaning: Wondrous, MarvelAlternative Spellings & Variations: Shanee, Shaney, ShaniePeak Popularity: Shani is a rare name that has not yet been listed in the top 1000 baby names.
Shannon
Origin: IrishMeaning: WiseAlternative Spellings & Variations: Shanon, ShannenFamous Namesakes: Actress and model Shannon Elizabeth Peak Popularity: Shannon last appeared in the top 1000 baby girl names in 2013 at 917.
Shantae
Origin: Old French, HindiMeaning: Peaceful, stoneAlternative Spellings & Variations: ShantePeak Popularity: This name has not ranked in the top 1000 baby names for girls.
Shay
Origin: Gaelic, Hebrew, IrishMeaning: Admirable, giftFamous Namesakes: Actress Shay MitchellPeak Popularity: Shay first entered the top 1000 baby names list in 2020 at a ranking of 928.
Simone
Origin: French, ItalianMeaning: Hearkening, to be heardAlternative Spellings & Variations: SeymoneFamous Namesakes: Gymnast and gold medalist Simone BilesPeak Popularity: After a slight increase in popularity in 2019 at 713, the name Simone has slid back down to a ranking of 875.
Talia
Origin: Italian, HebrewMeaning: Morning dewAlternative Spellings & Variations: Thalia, TaliyahFamous Namesakes: Actress Talia BalsamPeak Popularity: As of 2020, Talia ranks at 337 out of the top 1000 baby names.
Taylor
Origin: Anglo-FrenchMeaning: TailerAlternative Spellings & Variations: Tayler, TaylourFamous Namesakes: Singer Taylor Swift, Actress Taylor ColePeak Popularity: Taylor has remained a consistently popular name over time, with a peak in the 1990s. However, its popularity has declined, and the name most recently ranked at 161.
Teyana
Origin: GreekMeaning: Graceful, uniqueAlternative Spellings & Variations: TeyonaFamous Namesakes: Singer-songwriter Teyana TaylorPeak Popularity: Teyana is not in the top 1000 baby names list.
Tia
Origin: Greek, SpanishMeaning: Goddess, JoyFamous Namesakes: American actress Tia Mowry, Voice actress Tia BallardPeak Popularity: Tia was last ranked in the top 1000 baby names in 2012 at 962.
Tiana
Origin: Russian, SlavicMeaning: PrincessAlternative Spellings & Variations: TeonaFamous Namesakes: American dancer Tiana BrownPeak Popularity: Tiana has been a consistently popular name and as of 2020 ranks at 694.
Tyler
Origin: Old EnglishMeaning: TilerAlternative Spellings & Variations: TailerFamous Namesakes: Rapper Tyler, The Creator, Actor Tyler James WilliamsPeak Popularity: Tyler last ranked in the top 1000 names for baby girls in 2007 at 877.
Zuri
Origin: SwahiliMeaning: BeautifulAlternative Spellings & Variations: ZhuriFamous Namesakes: Actress, reporter, and producer Zuri HallPeak Popularity: Zuri is a name to watch. Its popularity has soared over the past 10 years, flying from 982 in 2010 to 236 in 2020.
