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 name.

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.”

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.

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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.

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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.”