Meanings & Origins: The Top 100 Black Girl Names

Overview

Are you searching for black baby girl names?

Many parents want to name their baby girls after black women in history. One of these is Maya Angelou, an American poet, and civil rights, activist.

Others choose names to honor popular “A list” black stars such as Aaliyah, Zendaya, Rihanna, Beyonce, Gabrielle Union, and Queen Latifah.

Are you looking for black baby boy names? We’ve also prepared a separate list of cool black boy names.

In the list below, you can pick the perfect name for your baby from our top 100 black girl names:

What Are Some Black Female Names?

This name list features the top 100 popular names for black girls, including African baby names and others from different languages or cultures.

Aaliyah

• Origin: Hebrew and Arabic

• Meaning: Exalted and lofty

• Variations/Synonyms: Aliyah, Alia, Aliyya, Aleah, Aleia, and Alya

• Description: It’s a popular African American given name.

Abanbanu

• Origin: Persian and Iranian

• Meaning: Beautiful girl

• Variations/Synonyms: Abbanbanu, Abanbbanu, and Abanbannu

• Description: According to an epic Persian poem, “Shahnameh,” it’s the name “of the most beautiful women.”

Abeba

• Origin: Amharic (a language in Ethiopia) or Semitic (languages in West Asia)

• Meaning: Flower

• Variations/Synonyms: Abbeba and Abäba

• Description: It can be a sweet name for your little girl.

Aberash

• Origin: Eastern African

• Meaning: Shining or giving off light

• Variations/Synonyms: Abberash

• Description: It’s among the popular African girl names because of its meaning.

Abigail

• Origin: Hebrew

• Meaning: Father’s joy

• Variations/Synonyms: Abbigail, Abigael, and Abbie

• Description: It’s a popular name from the Old Testament.

Abra

• Origin: Italian, Hebrew, Arabic, and Akan (a language in Ghana)

• Meaning: The father (or mother) of multitudes

• Variations/Synonyms: Avra, Abrah, and Avrah

• Description: It’s the female form of Abraham.

Adah

• Origin: Hebrew

• Meaning: Beautiful ornament

• Variations/Synonyms: Addah, Ada, and Adah

• Description: Based on Old Testament accounts, Adah was the wife of Jacob’s elder brother, Esau.

Adaliya

• Origin: German and Hebrew

• Meaning: The noble one

• Variations/Synonyms: Adalia, Addallia, Addalla, Adallia, and Addaliya

• Description: It’s a beautiful nameyou can pick for your little princess.

Ahadi

• Origin: Swahili (language in Africa)

• Meaning: With much promise or keeping a promise

• Variations/Synonyms: Ahhadi and Ahaddi

• Description: It’s a unisex name.

• According to “A Tale of Two Brothers” from “The Lion King” series, Ahadi is the king of the Pride Lands and is Mufasa’s father.

Aleesha

• Origin: Spanish, Swedish, German, and Sanskrit (an ancient Indian language)

• Meaning: Protected by God

• Variations/Synonyms: Alice, Alecia, Alesia, Alyce, Alysha, Alyssa, and Alicia

• Description: It’s a variant of Alice or Alicia.

Alexandra

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Defender

• Variations/Synonyms: Alexandria, Allesandra, and Allesandria

• Description: It’s among the most popular black names.

• This name is the female form of Alexander.

Alheri

• Origin: Nigerian and Hausa (a language in sub-Saharan Africa)

• Meaning: Grace

• Variations/Synonyms: Allheri, Aleheri, and Alherri

• Description: It can be a nice name for a caring, sweet little girl.

Alicia

• Origin: Spanish and Swedish

• Meaning: Noble

• Variations/Synonyms: Alecia, Aleesha, Alesia, Alice, Alyce, Alysha, and Alyssa

• Description: Some parents want to name their baby girl after singer-songwriter Alicia Keys.

Amara

• Origin: Nigerian, Sanskrit, and Italian

• Meaning: Grace

• Variations/Synonyms: Ammara

• Description: It’s among the popular African girl names.

• This name also means “immortal” in the ancient Indian language, Sanskrit.

Amaya

• Origin: Japanese

• Meaning: Night rain

• Variations/Synonyms: Amaia and Ammaya

• Description: It can also mean “mother city.”

Amena

• Origin: Arabic and Greek

• Meaning: Safe, honest, and faithful

• Variations/Synonyms: Amina, Ameenah, Ameena, and Aminah

• Description: Amina was the mother of Prophet Muhammad.

• It’s a treasured name for Muslims.

Amira

• Origin: Arabic and Indian

• Meaning: Princess

• Variations/Synonyms: Ameerah, Ameira, Amera, Amirah, Emira, and Emirah

• Description: It’s a powerful name for your strong little princess.

Anastasia

• Origin: Greek

• Meaning: Resurrection

• Variations/Synonyms: Annastasia and Anastassia

• Description: It’s the feminine form of Anastasius.

Aniyah

• Origin: African American

• Meaning: Grace

• Variations/Synonyms: Angela, Angelia, and Angelle

• Description: It’s among the most popular African American names.

Aoife

• Origin: Irish and Gaelic (an old Scottish language)

• Meaning: Joyful, radiant, and beautiful

• Variations/Synonyms: Aoibhinn and Aoibhe

• Description: It’s from the Gaelic word “aoibh,” which means “beauty” or “pleasure.”

Aqsa

• Origin: Arabic

• Meaning: Intelligent

• Variations/Synonyms: Aksa

• Description: It’s the name of the mosque in Jerusalem.

Armani

• Origin: Italian, Persian, and Hebrew

• Meaning: Warrior

• Variations/Synonyms: Armani, Armoni, Armony, Armonee, and Armonie

• Description: It’s a unisex name.

Aurelia

• Origin: Latin

• Meaning: Golden

• Variations/Synonyms: Aurrelia and Aurellia

• Description: It’s the female form of Aurelius.

Aveline

• Origin: Medieval English and French

• Meaning: Little hazelnut tree

• Variations/Synonyms: Avelline, Evelyn, and Avie

• Description: It’s the Middle English form of Evelyn.

Ayanna

• Origin: Swahili, Hebrew, and Native American

• Meaning: Beautiful flower

• Variations/Synonyms: Ayana and Aiana

• Description: It’s a sweet name for your little girl.

Bahija

• Origin: Arabic

• Meaning: Happy

• Variations/Synonyms: Bahia and Bahiga

• Description: It’s a common name for Muslim girls.

• This name can also mean “glowing with health and freshness.”

Banou

• Origin: Turkish, Swahili, and Persian

• Meaning: Princess or lady

• Variations/Synonyms: Banu

• Description: It can also mean “little sister.”

Beyoncé

• Origin: French Creole

• Meaning: Beyond others

• Variations/Synonyms: Beyoncie and Beyoncee

• Description: Some parents choose to name their babies after American singer-songwriter Beyoncé.

Bonanle

• Origin: African

• Meaning: The one who finds wealth at home

• Variations/Synonyms: Bonanita

• Description: It’s among the traditional African girl names that you can pick for your lucky charm.

Brangwen

• Origin: Welsh

• Meaning: Dark and pure

• Variations/Synonyms: Brangwein and Brangween

• Description: It can also mean “blessed raven.”

Brianna

• Origin: English

• Meaning: High and noble

• Variations/Synonyms: Bria, Briana, and Breonna

• Description: It can also mean “resolute and strong.”

Bruna

• Origin: German, Italian, and Latin

• Meaning: Dark brown hair

• Variations/Synonyms: Brune

• Description: It can also mean “brown armor.”

Caoimhe

• Origin: Irish and Gaelic

• Meaning: Gentle, beautiful, and precious

• Variations/Synonyms: Caoimhi

• Description: It’s the female form of the masculine name Caoimhín.

Chantelle

• Origin: French

• Meaning: Stony

• Variations/Synonyms: Chantal, Chantel, Shantel, and Shantelle

• Description: It can also mean “to sing” and could make a good pick for your little singer.

Charna

• Origin: Yiddish (West Germanic language) and Hebrew

• Meaning: Dark or black

• Variations/Synonyms: Kharna

• Description: It can be a cheerful name for your baby girl.

Ciara

• Origin: Irish and Gaelic

• Meaning: Black

• Variations/Synonyms: Ciarra

• Description: It’s often interpreted as a “black-haired girl.”

• It comes from the Irish word “ciar,” which means “black.

Cosette

• Origin: French and Latin

• Meaning: Victorious

• Variations/Synonyms: Cossette

• Description: It can also mean “something small and tiny.”

Dakotah

• Origin: Native American

• Meaning: Allies or friends

• Variations/Synonyms: Dakota

• Description: It’s also a unisex name and is among the most popular baby boy names.

Dalia

• Origin: Arabic and Hebrew

• Meaning: Gentle

• Variations/Synonyms: Dahlia and Daliah

• Description: It’s also the name of a hanging plant.

Dalila

• Origin: Swahili and Tanzanian

• Meaning: Delicate and gentle

• Variations/Synonyms: Dalilah

• Description: It’s a sweet name for baby girls.

Daniella

• Origin: Hebrew and Italian

• Meaning: God is my judge

• Variations/Synonyms: Daniele, Daniela, and Danielle

• Description: It’s the feminine form of Daniel, the name of the famous 6th century BC prophet from the Old Testament.

Deborah

• Origin: Hebrew

• Meaning: Bee

• Variations/Synonyms: Debora, Devora, and Devorah

• Description: It comes from the Hebrew word “D’vorah,” which means “bee.”

• Despite the simple meaning, this name is popular because of its biblical background. Deborah was a prophetess and heroine in the Old Testament.

Delilah

• Origin: Hebrew and Arabic

• Meaning: Beautiful, romantic, and delightful

• Variations/Synonyms: Delila

• Description: “Delilah” has long been used as a symbol of beauty, particularly because she’s depicted as the woman who became the source of Samson’s weakness in the Old Testament story.

• The name can also mean “delicate.”

Destiny

• Origin: Latin and English

• Meaning: Fate or destiny

• Variations/Synonyms: Destinee, Destinie, and Destiney

• Description: It comes from the Latin word “destinare,” which means “to determine.”

Diamond

• Origin: Latin and English

• Meaning: Invincible or a brilliant gem

• Variations/Synonyms: Diamante

• Description: The name comes from the Latin word “diamas,” which means “invincible.” It’s used to describe the brilliant gem because diamonds are strong stones that are nearly impossible to destroy.

Dominique

• Origin: Latin and French

• Meaning: The Lord’s day

• Variations/Synonyms: Dominica, Domenica, Dominga, and Dominika

• Description: It’s a popular name picked for baby girls born on a Sunday, considered as the “Lord’s day.”

What Is The Most Popular African American Girl Name? Ebony

• Origin: Latin, Greek, and Egyptian

• Meaning: Deep black wood

• Variations/Synonyms: Yvonnie and Ebonie

• Description: It’s a popular African American given name.

Eliana

• Origin: Hebrew, Latin, and Greek

• Meaning: God has answered

• Variations/Synonyms: Elaine, Eliane, and Elliana

• Description: It’s the female form of Elijah.

• The name comes from the Greek word “elios,” which means “god of the sun” or “daughter of the sun.”

Eshe

• Origin: Swahili

• Meaning: Life and energy

• Variations/Synonyms: Eshie

• Description: It’s a good pick for a girl who’ll always have zeal and energy in life.

Fayola

• Origin: African

• Meaning: One who walks with honor

• Variations/Synonyms: Faiyola, Fay, and Fayolla

• Description: It’s a nice name for your dignified little princess.

Frida

• Origin: Armenian, German, and Norse

• Meaning: Peaceful

• Variations/Synonyms: Farida, Freda, Frieda, Freida, and Frinta

• Description: It can also mean “beautiful.”

Gabrielle

• Origin: French and Hebrew

• Meaning: God is my strength

• Variations/Synonyms: Gabriele

• Description: It’s the female form of Gabriel.

Gemma

• Origin: Latin and Italian

• Meaning: A precious jewel

• Variations/Synonyms: Gem and Gemme

• Description: It’s a name that’s popular even in the Middle Ages.

Halima

• Origin: Arabic

• Meaning: Patient or gentle

• Variations/Synonyms: Hallima, Halimah, Halime, and Halimeh

• Description: It can also mean “generous” and “mild-mannered.”

Imani

• Origin: Arabic, Swahili, and African American

• Meaning: Faith

• Variations/Synonyms: Imaan, Imanni, and Imene

• Description: It’s a popular African American given name.

What’s A Cute Black Girl Name?

Iridessa

• Origin: Latin

• Meaning: Colorful, just like a rainbow

• Variations/Synonyms: Iridesa

• Description: It’s a cute name for a baby who brings color to your life.

Jada

• Origin: Hebrew

• Meaning: Gemstone jade

• Variations/Synonyms: Jade

• Description: Though more popularly known as a feminine name (such as actress Jada Pinkett Smith), Jada is actually considered as a unisex name.

Jamila

• Origin: Arabic

• Meaning: Lovely

• Variations/Synonyms: Djamel, Cemal, Cemil, Djamal, Džemal, Gamal, Jammal, and Jamaal

• Description: This name is the female form of Jamal.

Janie

• Origin: Greek and Hebrew

• Meaning: God is gracious

• Variations/Synonyms: Jane and Janey

• Description: It can also mean “noble” or “well-born.”

Jasmine

• Origin: Persian

• Meaning: Gift from God

• Variations/Synonyms: Jasmin, Yasmin, and Yasmine

• Description: It’s a popular name, particularly in modern times, thanks to Jasmine, the beautiful black Disney princess of the “Aladdin” movie.

Juhainah

• Origin: Arabic

• Meaning: Darkness at the end of the night

• Variations/Synonyms: Juhaina

• Description: Even if it sounds similar to “Johanna” (English), the two names have different meanings because Johanna actually means “God is gracious.”

Kadeesha

• Origin: Arabic

• Meaning: One with an expressive and outgoing nature

• Variations/Synonyms: Kadisha, Kadeesa, and Kadeessa

• Description: This name can also mean “trustworthy and well respected.”

Kalifa

• Origin: Arabic, African, Somali (language in East African country Somalia), Turkish, and Persian

• Meaning: Holy and chaste

• Variations/Synonyms: Halife, Khalifeh, Khalifa, and Khalifah

• Description: It can also mean “leader and ruler” or “successor.”

Kalisha

• Origin: African American, Arabic, and Latin

• Meaning: Lucky or great joy

• Variations/Synonyms: Kallissa, Felicia, Lecia, Lessia, and Lisha

• Description: This name can also mean “solid rock.”

Kassandra

• Origin: Greek and Latin

• Meaning: To shine and to excel

• Variations/Synonyms: Cassandra, Casandra, and Kasandra

• Description: The name is also believed to mean “shining upon man” or “she who entangles men.”

Kayla

• Origin: Latin, Hebrew, Greek, Irish, and Old English

• Meaning: Pure

• Variations/Synonyms: Kaylen

• Description: The name can also mean “crown of laurel” in Hebrew or “slender” in Irish.

Keysha

• Origin: African American

• Meaning: Cinnamon tree

• Variations/Synonyms: Keesha, Keisha, Kaysha, Kisha, Lakeshia, Lakeisha, Lakisha, and Nikeisha

• Description: It’s also a nice pick for a girl with a keen sense of responsibility and good business judgment.

Kiyana

• Origin: African American, Jamaican, Persian, Iranian, and Latin

• Meaning: Heavenly or divine

• Variations/Synonyms: Diana, Kiana, and Keanna

• Description: It can also mean “deity.”

Lacresha

• Origin: African American and Latin

• Meaning: Succeed or wealth

• Variations/Synonyms: Lucrecia, Lucretia, and Lucrezia

• Description: The name can also mean “prophet.”

Ladonna

• Origin: African American, Hebrew, and Spanish

• Meaning: The lady

• Variations/Synonyms: Dona, Donna, Ladan, and Ladana

• Description: It can also be fashioned as “La Donna,” which means “the lady.”

Layla

• Origin: Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Arabic, Old English, and Scandinavian

• Meaning: Night or dark

• Variations/Synonyms: Laila

• Description: It’s sometimes considered to mean “daughter of the night” and could fit a baby girl who’s born during nighttime.

Malikah

• Origin: Arabic and Sindhi (an ancient Indo-Aryan language of the Sindh region in Pakistan)

• Meaning: Queen

• Variations/Synonyms: Malekeh, Melike, and Malika

• Description: This name is the female form of Malik.

Mandisa

• Origin: African and Zulu (the language of the Zulu, an ethnic group in Southern Africa)

• Meaning: Sweet

• Variations/Synonyms: Mandissa

• Description: The name can also mean “one who brings happiness with her presence.”

Maura

• Origin: Irish, African, English, Latin, Celtic, Spanish, Italian, Greek, and Scots Gaelic

• Meaning: The black one

• Variations/Synonyms: Maurra

• Description: It may be considered as the female form of Maurus (Latin), a male name that means “dark-skinned.”

• The Irish version of this name, however, means “star of the sea.”

Maya

• Origin: Greek, Indian, Spanish, and Hebrew

• Meaning: Illusion

• Variations/Synonyms: Maia and Mayah

• Description: Maya was considered the earth’s mother and the goddess of spring in Greek mythology.

Mbalenhle

• Origin: Zulu (ethnic South African language)

• Meaning: Beautiful flower

• Variations/Synonyms: Mbarlehntle

• Description: This can be a nice name for your pretty little girl.

Melantha

• Origin: Greek and African

• Meaning: Dark flower

• Variations/Synonyms: Melanie and Melissa

• Description: It’s made from the combination of “mela,” a prefix that means “black or dark,” with “anthos,” which is the Greek word for “flower.”

Muna

• Origin: Arabic and Native American

• Meaning: Wishes or desires

• Variations/Synonyms: Mouna

• Description: It’s also considered to be among the most popular Arabic boy names.

Nevaeh

• Origin: American (pop culture)

• Meaning: Heaven

• Variations/Synonyms: Heaven

• Description: The name doesn’t actually hold extra meaning, except that it’s “heaven” spelled backward.

• It was coined by the lead singer of Christian rock band P.O.D., Sonny Sandoval, who named his daughter “Nevaeh.”

Nia

• Origin: Gaelic, Swahili, and Welsh

• Meaning: Purpose or goal

• Variations/Synonyms: Nyah and Niamh

• Description: It can also mean “luck” or “bright.”

Nina

• Origin: Russian, Hebrew, Babylonian, and Spanish

• Meaning: The priceless one or the little girl

• Variations/Synonyms: Niña

• Description: It’s often spelled as “Niña” (little girl) in Spanish.

What’s A Badass Girl Name?

Oduda

• Origin: African

• Meaning: Powerful or the black one

• Variations/Synonyms: Odduda and Oududa

• Description: The name honors the African goddess revered by the North-West African community.

Omari

• Origin: Swahili

• Meaning: God the highest

• Variations/Synonyms: Oumari

• Description: It’s among the most popular Swahili girl names.

Rebekkah

• Origin: Hebrew, Greek, and Semitic

• Meaning: Captivating

• Variations/Synonyms: Rebecca

• Description: It’s a popular biblical name.

• The name comes from the Hebrew word “ribqaâh,” which means “to bind.”

Rihanna

• Origin: Welsh, Celtic, and Irish

• Meaning: Great queen

• Variations/Synonyms: Riana, Rianna, Rhiannah, and Rhianah

• Description: It’s a name popularized by Barbadian singer and actress Robyn Rihanna Fenty, who’s known simply as “Rihanna.”

• The name can also mean “a bunch of sweet basil.”

Serena

• Origin: Latin, Greek, and Spanish

• Meaning: Serene or calm

• Variations/Synonyms: Cerena

• Description: The name can also mean “mermaid” in Spanish.

Shamayla

• Origin: Hindi and Somalian

• Meaning: Dark beauty

• Variations/Synonyms: Shamaila

• Description: The name can also mean “brave and strong” or “gifted and talented.”

Shanice

• Origin: Hebrew

• Meaning: God is merciful

• Variations/Synonyms: Janice

• Description: It’s a primarily feminine given name that comes from the Hebrew word “yôchânân,” which means “God is gracious or merciful.”

Shuri

• Origin: African and Japanese

• Meaning: Valiant

• Variations/Synonyms: Shorie, Shoorie, Shurie, and Shuree

• Description: In popular culture, the name is associated with the sister of King T’Challa in the movie “Black Panther.”

Simone

• Origin: Hebrew

• Meaning: Tranquil

• Variations/Synonyms: Hear or listen

• Description: It’s considered as the female form of Simon.

Tamara

• Origin: Arabic

• Meaning: Date palm

• Variations/Synonyms: Tamra, Tammara, Tamarah, Tamarrah, and Tammarah

• Description: It’s a name derived from the biblical name Tamar.

Tanisha

• Origin: African American, English, and Hausa (a language in West Africa)

• Meaning: Ambition

• Variations/Synonyms: Tanesha, Latanya, and Tanya

• Description: It can also mean “worth of praise” or “gifted by God.”

Taraji

• Origin: Swahili

• Meaning: Hope and faith

• Variations/Synonyms: Tarajih

• Description: It can be a sweet name for your baby girl.

Tiana

• Origin: Latin, Slavic, and Russian

• Meaning: Follower of Christ

• Variations/Synonyms: Tianna

• Description: The name can also mean “princess” (Russian) or “fairy queen” (Slavic).

Tiara

• Origin: Latin, French, German, Portuguese, and Dutch

• Meaning: Crown or a jeweled headdress

• Variations/Synonyms: Tjara

• Description: It’s a cute name for your little princess.

Viola

• Origin: Latin

• Meaning: Violet or purple

• Variations/Synonyms: Violet

• Description: It also shares the name with a musical instrument.

Wamuiru

• Origin: Kenyan

• Meaning: Dark-skinned beauty

• Variations/Synonyms: Wamuiruh

• Description: It can be a sweet name for your dark-skinned little beauty.

Zahra

• Origin: Arabic

• Meaning: Bright

• Variations/Synonyms: Zara, Zhara, Zahra, and Zahrah

• Description: It can also mean “sparklingly bright and beautiful.”

Zendaya

• Origin: African and Shona (a language in Zimbabwe)

• Meaning: Be thankful

• Variations/Synonyms: Zendayah

• Description: Some parents love this name because of actress Zendaya who starred in films such as “Spider-Man: Homecoming.”

Zuri

• Origin: Swahili and Hebrew

• Meaning: Beautiful

• Variations/Synonyms: Zurich, Zurich, Zurij, and Zurih

• Description: The name can also mean “good.”

 

You can also find ideas from the top 15 baby name generators or from the list of baby names 2023.