Black History Names

Blanche

French

"white"

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.

Booker

English

"scribe"

Booker would make for a very cool name, for writers, reformers, R & B fans and those wanting to pay tribute to Booker T. Washington. Booker T. Washington, born into enslavement, became a dominant…

Cab

English diminutive of Cabell

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

Calloway

English from Latin

"pebbly place"

Calloway is one of those irresistibly jaunty, animated three-syllable surnames, like Sullivan, Rafferty and Finnegan — but this one has the added attraction of jazzy ties to the immortal "Dean of…

Carmichael

Scottish

"fort of Michael"

Most parents would prefer to leave the car part parked in the garage.

Carver

English

"wood carver"

Carver is an occupational name with an artistic bent, associated with wood carving predominantly, though it could also be linked to those who carve from stone, marble, ice, and pumpkins. More…

Coleman

English and Irish

"little dove"

The name of three hundred saints, a mustard, and your own baby boy. Coleman was off the US Top 1000 list for much of the 1960s and 1970s, but it was a mainstay before and has been for most years…

Coltrane

Irish surname

"descendant of Coltarán"

The great sax player John Coltrane could be a cool naming inspiration for a jazz fan. Plus, it gives you stylish nickname Colt, if you didn't love Colton or Colter. From it's Irish roots, it means…

Cornelius

Latin

"horn"

Cornelius, the New Testament name of a third century Pope and saint, is one of those venerable Latin names on the edge of consideration, despite the corny nickname alert. Cornelius has some magical…

Crispus

Latin

"curly-haired"

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

Dawoud

Variation of Dawud, Arabic

"beloved"

American photographer Dawoud Bey has increased interest in his uncommon spelling of the name Dawud — the Arabic variation of David.

Dubois

French surname

"of the forest"

Dubois, which can also be stylized as DuBois or Du Bois, is a surname derived from bois , the French word for "forest." A notable, namesake-worthy bearer is W. E. B. Du Bois (who actually pronounced…

Ebenezer

Hebrew

"stone of help"

Ebenezer is the name of a biblical place --the stone set up by Samuel to mark his victory over the Philistines--rather than a person. It was adopted by the British Puritans as a first name and then…