210 Cool Old School Black Names with Meanings

Every parent is looking for the right name for their baby. But in doing so, many go for names that aren’t popular for whatever reason.

However, this is a costly mistake because you can’t change the name later.

We’ve all heard stories where parents name their child something that the child ends up growing up to hate it.

How can you avoid that? Do some research and check out some popular old school black baby names to get a better idea.

Ida– “labor”

Rashaad– “counsellor”

Cedrica– “battle chieftain”

Luther– “people’s warrior”

Nia– “determination”

Ezrah– “helper”

Nakala– “victory”

Jashanna– “celebration”

Amani– “faith”

Autry– “noble strength”

Jayla– “god will guard”

Dazzline– “little angel”

Deja– “remembrance”

In the past, some parents have named their children after celebrities or fictional characters.

Sometimes the parents themselves will choose a name that is not typical. Other times they will choose a name that is not common at all.

Some parents are so overwhelmed with the task of naming their child that they opt for a one-word baby name.

And although this has been a popular choice, it’s not always the best decision.

In many cultures around the world, a name is considered an important part of a child’s identity.

Besides, it’s a good idea to avoid naming your child the same as their father, which might lead to confusion.

So, what should the perfect baby’s name be? Let’s dive into the list of awesome old school black baby names.

Giovante– “god is compassionate”

Dominique– “of god”

Shantel– “‘stone”

Edith– “blessed”

Demairon– “prayed for a child”

Khalil– “friend”

Aniyah– “one who comforts others”

Brianna– “strong and virtuous”

Nikki– “victorious”

Destiny– “ordained path”

Fayth– “powerful someone”

Daran– “great”

Alicia– “noble in manner”

Leshaun– “god’s gift”

Furnell– “fern covered hill”

Old School Black Names

Imani– “faith”

Laquita– “freed from debt”

Daloris– “‘sorrows”

Elijah– “god is powerful”

Makayla– “who is like god”

Gabriel– “god is my strength”

Kendis– “clarity”

Ahmod– “highly praise”

Busta– “fellow”

Tanasha– “‘strong-willed”

Maurice– “dark-skinned”

Llyod– “lloyd means “grey”

Dequan– “calm”

Popular Old School Black Names

Deion– “god”

Delan– “begotten from the sea”

Malik– “king”

Zari– “golden”

Travis– “to cross”

Dallas– “meadow dwelling”

Indigo– “blue color”

Herold– “to rule”

Rhianna– “great queen”

Merryll– “bright as the sea”

Jayden– “rateful”

Liana– “youthful”

Braelin– “intelligent”

Jasmine– “fragrant flower”

Old School Black Names

What are some of the cutest old school black baby names?

Xavier– “new abode”

Farrell– “‘superior man”

Akilah– “logical”

Deshawn– “compassionate god”

Shanice– “god is merciful”

Zion– “highest point”

Ethan– “resilient”

Craig– “from the rocks”

Keysha– “‘spice tree”

Umbrosia– “food for gods”

Asaad– “lion”

Jalen– “healer”

Darius– “noble”

More Baby Names:

Tips for Naming Your Babies

There are millions of baby names out there, and while most parents decide on a name and stick with it for the rest of their lives.

There are some who wish the best for their future child, but don’t have a clue how to choose a name.

These parents may be confused about why they can’t come up with a name for their baby, or they may have tried several times and have given up on the idea.

If you are considering giving your child a name, there are some things you should know:

1.       Pick the name you love, even if it is popular.

It is popular and you love it. Anything else you need to think upon? Nope. Go for it. If you want to give it uniqueness, think of a great middle name.

Here are some popular old school black baby names out there:

Hakeem– “wise”

Raven– “black bird”

Booker– “‘scribe”

Dakota– “friends”

Capria– “whimsical and musical”

Terrence– “‘smooth”

Jamal– “beauty”

Jamal– “handsome”

Imani– “faith”

Tia– “goddess”

Shannon– “wise river”

Tandice– “team”

Tiana– “royalty”

Orlena– “gold”

2.       Do not skip lovely old school black baby names even if they are unique, unusual, and different.

Sometimes, parents will not go for unusual, unique, and different baby names.

They consider it weird. Let me tell you that being attractive and thought provoking is the game these days.

How would you like these old school black baby names:

Lamar– “of the sea”

Jada– “god knows”

Fatema– “captivating”

Nisha– “night”

Javius– “like a flaming spear in the sky”

Trevon– “‘shrewd”

Kwamie– “born on a saturday”

Nevaeh– “heaven”

Shania– “on the way”

Makayla– “who is like god”

Reginald– “king or leader”

Nathan– “gift from god”

Alexis– “men’s protector”

3.       Be confident if you want to go toward personalized spellings for your baby’s name.

SURE. You should be confident when giving personalized spellings to your baby’s name.

However, it is important that you do not make it weird. Adding or removing an alphabet would be enough here.

Try changing these baby names spellings into personalized ones:

Aniyah

Meaning: “Grace”

Origin: English.

Description: English origin and its mean Grace.

Spelling and variations: Angela, Angelia, Angelle.

Famous people with this name: Actor Daniyah Ysrayl.

Brianna

Meaning: “noble”

Origin: English.

Description: English origin and its means noble.

Spelling and variations: Bria, Briana, Breonna.

Famous people with this name: Rapper and actress Brianna Perry.

Cassandra

Meaning: “to excel”

Origin: Greek.

Description: Greek origin and its means to excel.

Spelling and variations: Kasandra, Kassandra.

Famous people with this name: producer Cassandra Wilson.

Aaliyah 

Meaning: “High”

Origin: Arabic.

Description: Arabic origin and its mean High.

Spelling and variations: Aliya, Aliah, Alia, Aliyah, Aleeah, Aleeia.

Famous people with this name: Aliya LeeKong.

Chantelle

Meaning: “Stony”

Origin: French.

Description: French origin and its means Stony.

Spelling and variations: Chantal, Chantel, Chanelle, Shantel, Shantelle.

Famous people with this name: Basketball player Chantelle Anderson.

Alexandra

Meaning: “Defender of man”

Origin: Greek.

Description: The name comes from the Greek word “alexein,” which means “to protect.”

Spellings and Variations: Alexie, Alex, and Alexis.

Famous people with this names: Alexandra Burke.

Chloe

Meaning: “Green shoot”

Origin: Greek.

Description: Greek origin and its means Green shoot.

Spelling and variations: Chloë, Chloé, Cloé, Cloe, Kloe, Khloe.

Famous people with this name: Singer and actress Chloe Bennet.

Alexis

Meaning: “Defender”

Origin: Greek.

Description: Greek word which means “Defender.”

Spellings and Variations: Alexia, Alexus.

Famous people with this names: Alexis Bledel.

Dakota

Meaning: “Allies”

Origin: Native American.

Description: Native American origin and its means Allies.

Spelling and variations: Dakotah.

Famous people with this name: Actress Dakota Fanning.

Destiny

Meaning: “Destiny”

Origin: Latin.

Description: Latin origin and its means Destiny.

Spelling and variations: Destinee, Destinie, Destiney.

Famous people with this name: Singer Destiny Chukunyere.

Dominique

Meaning: “Day of the Lord”

Origin: Latin.

Description: Latin origin and its means Day of the Lord.

Spelling and variations: Domenica, Dominga, Dominica, Dominika.

Famous people with this name: Dominique Voynet.

Angelique

Meaning: “Of the angels 1”

Origin: French.

Description: a French origin and its means Of the angels 1.

Spelling and variations: Angelique.

Famous people with this name: Angelica.

Imani

Meaning: “Faith”

Origin: Swahili.

Description: Swahili origin and its means Faith.

Spelling and variations: Imaan, Imanni.

Famous people with this name: American singer-songwriter and violinist Imani Coppola.

Isis

Meaning: “Throne”

Origin: Egyptian.

Description: Isis is primarily a female name of Egyptian origin that means Throne.

Spellings and Variations: Ige, Iggi, Iggy, Ike, Isaac, Isaiah, Isha, Isi, Issay, Iago, Ikia, Izzy, Isoke.

Famous people with this name: Isis Carmen Jones.

Jasmine

Meaning: “gift from God”

Origin: French.

Description: is commonly used as a girl name. Pronunciation: jas-mine.

Spelling and Variations: Jasmin, Jasmyn, Jasmyne, Jazmin, Jazmine, Jazmyn.

Famous people with name: Jasmine Lepore Fiore (1981–2009), American model and murder victim.

4.       Crossing your favorite old school black baby names on the feedback on friends and family members.

Feedback is important. But it does not mean to listen to every other person’s opinion.

You will hardly find old school black baby names that everybody would like. Therefore, get feedback but still know your choice.

Consider getting feedback on these baby names from your friends and family members:

Hampton– “high settlement”

Calvin– “little bald one”

Kwame– “born on saturday”

Layla– “profound joy”

Demetrius– “follower of demeter”

Noah– “comfort”

Ezra– “‘someone who helps”

Joshua– “yahweh is salvation”

Irvin– “fresh water”

Josiah– “god will save”

Carter– “tourist”

Hanita– “divine grace”

Ebony– “deep black wood”

5.       Do a little research and find what is out there.

Research is important step for the first-time parents as well for those who do not know what sort of names people pick.

You will be all good once you do a little internet research.

You will also be able to find some great old school black baby names that you might consider now or in the future.

Here are some common baby names examples to help you:

Kalisha

Meaning: “Lucky”

Origin: Latin.

Description: Latin origin and its means Lucky.

Spelling and variations: Felicia, Kallissa, Lecia, Lessia, Lisha.

Famous people with this name: TV show runner Kallissa Miller.

Angel

Meaning: “Angel”

Origin: Latin.

Description: Latin origin and its means Angel.

Spelling and variations: Angela, Angelia, Angelle.

Famous people with this name: Rapper and singer Angel Haze.

Kaylen

Meaning: “Pure”

Origin: English.

Description: English origin and its means Pure.

Spelling and variations: Cailyn, Kaelyn, Kailyn, Kalyn, Kaylee, Kailin, Kaylin, Kaylyn, Kaylynn.

Famous people with this name: Alpine ski racer Kaylin Richardson.

Alice

Meaning: “Noble type”

Origin: Italian.

Description: Italian origin and its means Noble type.

Spelling and variations: Alicia, Alecia, Alisha, Alyce, Alys, Alise.

Famous people with this name: Writer Alice Walker.

Keyshawn

Meaning: “God is gracious”

Origin: American.

Description: American and its means God is gracious.

Spelling and variations: Keshawn.

Famous people with this name: Ke’Shawn Vaughn.

Lacresha

Meaning: “Prophet”

Origin: African American.

Description: African American origin and its means Prophet.

Spelling and variations: Lucrecia, Lucretia, Lucrezia.

Famous people with this name: American Quaker.

Ladonna

Meaning: “Woman”

Origin: African American.

Description: African American origin and its means Woman.

Spelling and variations: Dona, Donna, Ladan, Ladana.

Famous people with this name: Donna Summer.

Kiyana

Meaning: “Heavenly”

Origin: Jamaican.

Description: Jamaican origin and its means Heavenly.

Spelling and variations: Diana, Kiana.

Famous people with this name: Author Kiana Davenport.

Makeba

Meaning: “Unknown”

Origin: African American.

Description: African American origin and its means Unknown.

Spelling and variations: Mahkeba, Makhiba.

Famous people with this name: Miriam Makeba.

Jeremiah

Meaning: “The Lord exalts”

Origin: Hebrew.

Description: Jeremiah is of Hebrew origin and its means The Lord exalts.

Spellings and Variations: Jeremy, Jeremie, Jere, Geremia.

Famous people with this names: Football player Jeremiah Cockheran.

Nikita

Meaning: “House”

Origin: Sanskrit.

Description: Sanskrit origin and its means House.

Spelling and variations: Niketa, Nikitha.

Famous people with this name: Movie actress Nikita Ramsey.

Tanisha

Meaning: “Tanisha”

Origin: Sanskrit.

Description: Sanskrit origin and its means Tanisha.

Spelling and variations: Tanesha, Latanya, Tanya.

Famous people with this name: Basketball coach and former player Tanisha Wright.

Andres

Meaning: “Manly”

Origin: Greek.

Description: Greek origin and its means Manly.

Spelling and variations: Andre, Andreas.

Famous people with this name: Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador.

Booker

Meaning: “Maker of books”

Origin: English.

Description: English origin and its means Maker of books.

Spelling and variations: Brook, Brooke.

Famous people with this name: Booker Brown.

Kristian

Meaning: “Christian”

Origin: Latin.

Description: Latin origin and its means Christian.

Spelling and variations: Cristian, Christian, Carsten, Karsten.

Famous people with this name: Industrial designer Kristian Somer Vedel.

6.       Consider the names of the subsequent children.

Maybe, you are first time parents and figuring out some cool old school black baby name. It is a good idea to consider the names of subsequent children too.

7.       Avoid the names with bad meanings.

Baby names with bad meanings can be a cause of embarrassment for you and your kid.

Be sure to know the meaning of the name you are gonna pick and be sure it is encouraging and positive.

Here are some of the cool old school black baby names with meanings:

Jamika– “from jamaica”

Devon– “defender”

Isaiah– “yahweh is salvation”

Gabrielle– “my strength comes from god”

Yolanda– “violet”

Asaad– “most fortunate”

Craig– “rock”

Kiara– “dark”

Porsha– “offering”

Asia– “‘sunrise”

Jordan– “to flow down”

Rodnell– “independence”

Elijah– “yahweh is my god”

8.       Pick up good people’s names from history.

The name of person has an effect on his/her personality, it is said. Maybe, that’s the reason why people choose names from history.

You can consider this as well. I am sure you have heard about many legends from the past.

I bet you’d find some awesome and useable old school black baby names if you look into it.

We have a small list of old school black baby names here for you to check out and know if you have heard them before:

Antonne

Meaning: “Priceless”

Origin: Etruscan.

Description: Etruscan origin and its means Priceless.

Spelling and variations: Antoine, Anthony, Antony, Antwan.

Famous people with this name: film producer Antonne Jone.

Josiah

Meaning: “Yahweh supports”

Origin: Hebrew.

Description: Hebrew origin and its means Yahweh supports.

Spelling and variations: Iosias.

Famous people with this name: American idealism Josiah Royce.

Kristopher

Meaning: “Bearing Christ”

Origin: Hebrew.

Description: Hebrew origin and its means Bearing Christ.

Spelling and variations: Christopher, Chris, Kris, Topher.

Famous people with this name: singer-songwriter Kris Lawrence.

Darius

Meaning: “Possessing goodness”

Origin: Latin.

Description: Latin origin and its means Possessing goodness.

Spelling and variations: Darijus, Dareios, Dario.

Famous people with this name: Singer-songwriter Darius Rucker.

Elijah

Meaning: “My God is Yahweh”

Origin: Hebrew.

Description: Hebrew origin and its means My God is Yahweh.

Spelling and variations: Eliya, Eliyah, Eliayhu.

Famous people with this name: Actor and producer Elijah Wood.

Jamal

Meaning: “Beauty”

Origin: Arabic.

Description: Arabic origin and its means Beauty.

Spelling and variations: Dzhamal, Gamal, Jamaal, Xhemal.

Famous people with this name: Basketball player Jamal Murray.

Hakeem

Meaning: “Wise”

Origin: Arabic.

Description: Arabic origin and its means Wise.

Spelling and variations: Hakim.

Famous people with this name: Basketball player Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon.

Isaiah

Meaning: “Yahweh is salvation”

Origin: Hebrew.

Description: Hebrew origin and its means Yahweh is salvation.

Spelling and variations: Isiah, Isaias.

Famous people with this name: Actor Isaiah Russel-Bailey.

Jayden

Meaning: “he will judge”

Origin: Hebrew.

Description: Hebrew origin and its means he will judge.

Spelling and variations: Jaden.

Famous people with this name: Swimmer Jayden Hadler.

Jaylen

Meaning: “jaybird”

Origin: African American

Description: African American origin and its means jaybird.

Spelling and variations: Jalen, Jaylin, Jaylon.

Famous people with this name: rapper Jaylen Robinson.

Lemarcus

Meaning: “Warrior”

Origin: Latin.

Description: Latin origin and its means Warrior.

Spelling and variations: Lamarcus, Lemarco.

Famous people with this name: Football player LaMarcus Nurae Aldridge.

Justus

Meaning: “Justice”

Origin: Latin.

Description: Latin origin and its means Justice.

Spelling and variations: Iustus.

Famous people with this name: German scientist Justus von Liebig.

Khalil

Meaning: “Friend”

Origin: Arabic.

Description: Arabic origin and its means Friend.

Spelling and variations: Kahlil, Khaleel .

Famous people with this name: Moroccan footballer Khalil Azmi.

Jordan

Meaning: “The river that flows between the countries of Jordan and Israel”

Origin: Hebrew.

Description: Hebrew origin and its means The river that flows between the countries of Jordan and Israel.

Spelling and variations: dash.

Famous people with this name: Actor Jordan Fisher.

9.       Make sure the first and second names fit with each other.

This happens rarely that the first and seconds names do not fit and meet each other well. It is, however, something you would not want.

Check out old school black baby names and try to make full names that fit each other nicely:

Hannah– “grace”

Aiden– “‘small fire”

Hazzell– “the hazelnut tree”

Malik– “king”

Perry– “dweller by the pear tree”

Patriciana– “noblewoman”

Tierra– “earth”

Makena– “joyful one”

Quetta– “wildflower”

Lafyette– “‘surname”

Juanita– “god is compassionate”

Gail– “my father rejoices”

Tamara– “date palm”

Brianna– “‘strength and honor”

10.   Avoid names with too many syllables.

Baby names with too many syllables are complex. They are hard to remember. They should be avoided.

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About Muhammad Bilal

Bilal is BS computer science student. He is learning programming and coding. Branding and marketing are his other interests. When he isn't working, he loves indoor games.