Black History Names

African-American and women's rights activist Sojourner Truth was born as Isabelle into enslavement.  She adopted her new name when she began traveling and preaching abolition in 1843.  Sojourner is a heroine name that may, with the rise of spiritual word names such as Journey and Genesis, finally be ready for prime time.

Sojourner

Rafer is a masculine name with multiple potential origins. It may derive from the Old Norse 'Ragnfriðr' meaning 'peace-ruler,' or it could be related to the Old English 'rǣd' meaning 'counsel' combined with 'faran' meaning 'to journey.' Some consider it a variation of the name Ralph (derived from 'Radulf,' meaning 'counsel wolf'). The name gained some recognition through American Olympic gold medalist Rafer Johnson in the mid-20th century. Despite this notable bearer, Rafer has remained uncommon in usage, never breaking into top naming charts. The name has a strong, concise sound that combines traditional roots with a distinctive quality. Its rarity makes it appealing to parents seeking a masculine name that sounds established yet isn't commonly heard.

Rafer

Hiram Revels, the first ever African American senator in the United States, in a lovely namesake to accompany this cool mix of a word-name and surname.

Revels

This form of Charlotte, long obscure, is sure to grow in popularity along with the explosion of Charlotte. It's pretty and feminine and a nice spin on the more familiar version. In Germany, short form Lotta is popular.

Charlotta

Rojo

<p>Otelia is a feminine name with Germanic roots, derived from the elements 'aud' meaning 'wealth, fortune' or 'prosperity.' It's a variant of Odelia or Ottilia, names that have been used since medieval times. Saint Ottilia was an 8th-century abbess and patron saint of Alsace, giving the name religious significance. Otelia saw modest popularity in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries but has since become uncommon. The name carries an old-world charm with its vintage sound, evoking images of grace and elegance. With the return of interest in vintage names, Otelia offers an uncommon alternative to more popular 'O' names like Olivia or Ophelia, while providing the friendly nicknames Otel, Telia, or Lia.</p>

Otelia

Long associated with jazz great Ornette Coleman, this name's main problem is that almost all other ette-ending names -- from Annette to Paulette -- are unequivocally feminine. 

Ornette

Made famous by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, whose parents fashioned her name from a musical term meaning "with sweetness". 

Condoleezza

Even for lovers of Cab (born, yes, Cabell) Calloway's music, the connection to 'Taxi!' is too strong.

One of the few military ranks used as a name, as in Kennedy in-law and Peace Corps creator Sargent (born Robert Sargent) Shriver. There's also a more creative,  artistic association with painter John Singer Sargent.

Sargent

First Woody Allen, then Spike Lee named their children to honor the great early black pitcher, Leroy "Satchel" Paige. A bit luggage-related for non-celebrity use, however.


Satchel

A potential hero name: Crispus Attucks, an African and Native American man, was the first colonist to die for independence in the Boston Massacre.

Crispus

While typically used for girls, former US senator Blanche Bruce — the first ever Black man to preside over the senate — makes this name feel useable (and meaningful) on a boy as well.

Blanche

A once very common Irish diminutive of Bridget that has unfortunately been associated since the 18th century with a pejorative slang term for an old or fussy woman.

Biddy

Supermodel Helena Christensen named her son in honor of jazz great Charles Mingus, opening up a whole category of jazzy possibilities: Kenton, Calloway, Ellington, Gillespie, Mulligan, Tatum, and Thelonius.


Mingus

An old English redhead name -- one of the few that doesn't begin with the letter r -- with references both to a famous French knight and a magical horse. Civil Rights leader Bayard Rustin is a contemporary bearer of this unusual and evocative name.

Bayard

A unique international short form of Margaret, now associated with Facebook and Instagram and with "meta" fiction, books, TV shows, and similar that are self-referential. 

Thomy

Borne by the first African American Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall, this name probably originated from the Puritan "Thoroughgood." While Thurgood is still quite clunky, it is certainly less of a mouthful than the original form. In fact, it has a surname-style quality to it that makes it more wearable. Thurgood has only ever appeared in the US stats once and that was in 1993 when 5 boys were given the name, following the death of Thurgood Marshall in the January of that year. 

Thurgood

Medgar Evers was a civil rights activist and the NAACP's first field secretary in Mississippi in 1943. Both his bold first name or softer surname would make meaningful choices.

Medgar

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.

 such as Harriet, Ida, Malcolm, and Booker. They may also take inspiration from influential Black artists throughout history, from Etta and Billie to Otis and Hendrix.

, 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 

The names from black history are listed here in order of their current popularity on Nameberry.

Significant names from black history, with meanings, origins, and popularity, including Harriet, Etta, Booker, and Hendrix (Page 6)