Early African-American Names

Another meaningful word name that actually dates back to pre-Emancipation days.

This surname of an ancient Roman invader of Africa is an intriguing, undiscovered option.

Juba, a strong and resonant unisex name, belonged to an ancient African king, is a city and river name, and is traditionally given to Ashanti (of Ghana) girls born on Monday.

Hagar is an Old Testament name with an unfortunate association with comic strip character "Hagar the Horrible."

Very occasionally given to boys born on that day; Noel is a more common name for Christmas babies.

Eighteenth-century nickname that still appears occasionally as an alternative to Suzy.

Among the least gimmicky, most appealing and colorful of all the names found in the atlas, Jamaica almost sings out the rhythms of the West Indies.

Perlie, along with Pearlie and Purlie, was one of the 21 names identified by Lisa D. Cook and colleagues in their landmark study on distinctively Black names from history.

With the tide coming in on a new wave of word names, this one just might catch on, especially for parents who relish sun, sand, and surf. Forest lovers can spell it Beech, like the tree.

This Puritan virtue name may be unstylish, but it is also sympathetic and appealing in these largely uncomfortable times.

The Phillis spelling of this once-popular name lives on thanks to Phillis Wheatley, the first African-American to publish a book of poetry, in the 18th century.

While we would think of Pearlie as a girlish pet form of Pearl today, it was a unisex name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among males, it was disproportionately used among African Americans.

Roman statesman and Caesar rival whose name, like other classical choices, was occasionally used for enslaved people. The Pompeo version could rise again.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Purlie was a distinctively Black name used primarily among baby boys. Purlie, along with alternate spellings Pearlie and Perlie, is virtually unheard of today.

Presly is a modern masculine name that emerged as a variation of Presley, which itself began as an English surname meaning 'priest's meadow' or 'priest's clearing.' The name gained significant recognition through association with Elvis Presley, the iconic American musician. Presly offers a contemporary spelling that maintains the recognizable sound while appearing slightly more distinctive. As a first name, it conveys a casual yet sophisticated quality, appealing to parents seeking modern names with a touch of celebrity association. While less common than Presley, Presly has seen modest usage in recent decades, particularly in the United States. The name carries a cool, somewhat trendy vibe while still feeling accessible.