140 Unique Black Girl Names Inspired by Cultures Around the World

Preparing for a new bundle of joy to be added to your family can be exciting, thrilling and a bit daunting. If this is your first baby or your first baby girl being added to your family, it can be especially stressful. You not only have to prepare the house, make sure you have picked out all the right clothes and do all of your baby shopping; but you also have to do one other thing: pick out the perfect name for your baby girl. This list of Black girl names may help. They are specifically chosen to reflect culture, places you may have traveled, and people from around the world.

Take a look at this list gathered from around the world with girl names inspired by an array of cultures (or a hand selected list of boy names for twins or the next bundle of joy). African names, names inspired by Europe and names inspired by notable figures from North America are listed, to name just a few. You’ll be reminded of places you traveled to as well as places you long to visit with your new family addition.

Black Girl Names Inspired by African Culture

The rich history and culture of Africa are inspiring and a call back to who we are as a people. Perhaps you want your baby girl to tap into that identity. These names may help you tap into that power and diversity. Take a look at this list gathered together from all ends of the continent.

Amina (Arabic origin, widely used in Africa) – “trustworthy”
Nia (Swahili) – “purpose”
Zara (Arabic origin, popular in many African countries) – “princess” or “flower”
Adama (West African) – “earth”
Kali (Swahili) – “fierce”
Amara (Igbo origin in Nigeria) – “grace”
Nyala (Ethiopian) – a type of antelope
Imani (Swahili) – “faith”
Ayanna (African origin) – “beautiful flower”
Zuri (Swahili) – “beautiful”
Kioni (Swahili) – “the one who sees”
Asha (Swahili) – “life”
Zahara (Arabic origin) – “flower”
Ife (Yoruba name from Nigeria) – “love”
Safiya (Arabic) – “pure”
Laila (Arabic origin, popular in North Africa) – “night”
Nala (Swahili) – “gift”
Ngozi (Igbo people of Nigeria) – “blessing”
Malaika (Swahili) – “angel”
Makeda (Ethiopian) – associated with the Queen of Sheba.

Unique Black Girl Names That Mean ‘Queen’ in Various Languages

Perhaps you want to infuse your baby girl with a sense of identity and purpose from the get-go with her name. If you are looking to raise your very own little Queen Bey, then these names that translate to “queen” from various languages is just what you may be looking for right now.

Black Girl Names With European Origins

These names with European origins have significant meanings and are even associated with kingdoms. These names for baby girls with diverse ethnicities may be perfect for your little one.

Sophia (Greek) – “wisdom”
Isabella (Spanish and Italian) – “pledged to God”
Adriana (Latin) – “from Adria”
Amara (Italian and Greek) – “eternal”
Bianca (Italian) – “white”
Elena (Spanish, Italian, and Slavic) – “bright”
Alessandra (Italian) – variation of Alexandra, meaning “defender of mankind”
Gabriella (Hebrew) – variation of Gabrielle meaning “God is my strength”
Natalia (Latin) – “born on Christmas Day”
Valentina (Italian) – “strong”
Lucia (Italian and Spanish) – “light”
Clara (Latin) – “clear”
Antonia (Latin and Italian) – “priceless”
Isolde (Celtic) – associated with the tragic love story of Tristan and Isolde.
Celeste (Italian) – “heavenly”
Carmen (Spanish) – “song”
Elara (Greek)- associated with one of Jupiter’s moons.
Amalia (Germanic and Latin) – “work”
Seraphina (Italian and Hebrew) – “ardent”
Romina (Italian) – variation of Romaine, meaning “from Rome”

Black Girl Names Inspired by Asian Culture

There is a deep connection between Black and Asian culture; a mutual respect if you will. If your travels have taken you to the Far East and you have developed a love that runs deep for it, choosing a name for your baby girl that reflects this love may be just the right thing.

Mei (Chinese) – “beautiful”
Sakura (Japanese) – “cherry blossom”
Aisha (Japanese) – “alive”
Priya (Indian) – “beloved”
Leela (Sanskrit) – “divine play”
Mei Ling (Chinese) names meaning “beautiful” and “delicate.”
Hana (Korean) – “one” or “first”
Siti (Indonesian and Malaysian) – “lady”
Nara (Korean) – “oak tree”
Anika (Indian and Scandinavian) – “grace”
Ying (Chinese) – “cherry blossom”
Laila (Arabic and Indian) – “night”
Seiko (Japanese) – “truth”
Meiying (Chinese) – “beautiful cherry blossom”
Amara (several Asian cultures) – “immortal”
Tanika (Indian) – “rope”
Sora (Japanese) – “sky”
Zara (Arabic, Hebrew, and Indian cultures) – “princess”
Sana (Arabic) – “brilliance”
Yuki (Japanese) – “snow”

Black Girl Names Inspired by The Middle East

Girl names inspired by the Middle East are a reminder of the diversity and beauty of the culture. These Middle Eastern or Islamic names are eloquent and are like generational positive affirmations.

Amina (Arabic) – “trustworthy”
Layla (Arabic-speaking countries) – “night”
Farida (Arabic) – “unique”
Samira (Arabic) – “companion in evening talk”
Yasmin (Persian) – “jasmine flower”
Leila (Arabic) – “night”
Zahara (Arabic) – “flower”
Amal (Arabic) – “hope”
Saida (Arabic) – “happy”
Shireen (Persian) – “sweet”
Noura (Arabic) – “light”
Nadia (Arabic) – “hope”
Zainab (Arabic) – religious significance, associated with a revered figure in Islam.
Rania (Arabic) – “queen”
Soraya (Arabic) – “gem”
Noor (Arabic) – “light”
Lina (Arabic) – “tender”
Yasmina (Persian) – A variation of Yasmin, meaning “jasmine flower”
Malika (Arabic) – “queen”
Nyla (Arabic) – “winner”

Black Girl Names Influenced by American Culture

Coming back to the USA and looking into its rich history for name inspiration may be just the thing your new baby girl needs. With a long tradition of strong female leaders in the civil rights movement, in literature, and in entertainment, parents have the makings of great ideas for a baby girl name.

Maya – Inspired by the renowned American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou
Rosa – In honor of civil rights icon Rosa Parks
Ella – Named after the legendary American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald
Aretha – In tribute to the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin
Billie – Inspired by jazz and blues singer Billie Holiday
Harriet – In honor of Harriet Tubman, the abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor
Coretta – Named after Coretta Scott King, an influential civil rights activist
Whitney – In tribute to the iconic American singer Whitney Houston
Ida – In homage to a prolific African-American journalist and activist
Serena – Named after tennis legend Serena Williams
Beyoncé – In homage to the multi-talented American singer, songwriter, and actress Beyoncé Knowles
Michelle – In honor of former First Lady Michelle Obama
Kamala – Inspired by Vice President Kamala Harris, the first female vice president of the United States
Oprah – Named after media mogul, talk show host and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey
Condoleezza – In tribute to former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
Janelle – Inspired by actress and singer Janelle Monáe
Zendaya – In tribute to actress and singer Zendaya
Simone – Named after the legendary American gymnast and activist Nina Simone
Aaliyah – Inspired by the American R&B singer and actress
Toni – In honor of the first African American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature

Black Girl Names Influenced by Latina Culture

These girl names derived from Latina culture are perfect for Afro-Latinas who have a heritage with both Hispanic ethnicity and African descent. Travelers who have a respect and love for Latin American roots may also find a perfect name for their baby girl.

Anabella (Spanish) – “loving”
Mireya (Spanish) – “miracle”
Áurea (Spanish) – “golden”
Amora (Spanish) – “love”
Esmeralda (Spanish) – “emerald”
Selena (Spanish) – “moon”
Luisa (Spanish) – “renowned warrior”
Cataleya (Spanish) – “orchid”
Mira (Spanish) – “admirable”
Marisol (Spanish) – “sunflower”
Guadeloupe (Spanish) – “wolf valley”
Ramona (Spanish) – “wise protector”
Solana (Spanish) – “sunshine”
Celia (Spanish) – “heaven”
Yamilet (Spanish) – “beautiful”
Rosalita (Spanish) – “little rose”
Eloísa (Spanish) – “healthy”
Juana (Spanish) – “God’s gift”
Sylvia (Spanish) – “from the forest”
Yolanda (Spanish) – “violet flower”

140 Unique Black Girl Names Inspired by Cultures Around the World - Travel Noire (2024)