What is a boy's name that means black?

Choosing a name for your baby boy is an exciting and meaningful experience. For many parents, selecting a name with a specific meaning is important. Names that mean “black” can make unique and powerful options for baby boys of all backgrounds.

Meanings Behind “Black”

The color black has many positive symbolic meanings across cultures. It is often associated with strength, power, and mystery. A black color meaning can also signify sophistication and elegance. Names with dark meanings can be a distinctive choice for your son.

Throughout history, the color black has carried different symbolic meanings:

In Ancient Egypt, black represented life and rebirth.
In China, black is associated with water and the life-giving properties of water.
In Western cultures, black connotes luxury and formalwear through black tie events and little black dresses.

Black also represents mystery, the unknown, and the shadowy parts of life.

So a name meaning “black” can be a bold pick carrying many possible interpretations.

Boy Names That Literally Mean “Black”

If you want your baby’s name to literally translate to the word “black” in another language, there are many options spanning multiple cultures. Here are some interesting and rare boy names that mean “black” in their etymology:

Bakari – A Swahili name meaning “noble promise.” Bakari has Arabic roots.
Blaine – An Irish surname derived from the Old English blāc, meaning “black, pale.”
Blayne – An English name related to Blaine, also carrying the meaning “black.”

Donnelly – An Irish last name derived from the Gaelic domhnuill, meaning “world ruler” and dubh, meaning “black.”
Dubhan – A Scottish Gaelic name, directly translated as “little dark one.”
Duffy – From the Irish Ó Dubhthaigh last name, meaning “black, dark.”

Fekadu – An Ethiopian name meaning “my black one.”
Jacques – The French form of James, which stems from an ancient Hebrew name meaning “black.”
Jamal – An Arabic name translating directly to “beauty” but associated with the color black.

Kalan – A name used in Africa meaning “dark skinned.”
Kamic – An Egyptian name meaning “black.”
Keegan – An Irish surname stemming from Mac Aodhagáin, meaning “son of black fire.”

Krishna – A major Hindu god whose name means “the black” or “the dark-hued” in Sanskrit.
Layth – An Arabic name that carries meanings of “night” and “black-colored.”
Makumba – Central African name meaning “black.”

Melaku – An Ethiopian name translating to “black person.”
Midnight – Evokes the deep darkness of 12am for a baby born around that bewitching hour.
Mradu – Means “black” in Chichewa, a Bantu language of southeast Africa.

Mykah – A unique spelling on Michael, derived from the Hebrew name meaning “who is like God?” and associated with the color black.
Raven – Referencing the glossy black plumage of the intelligent bird species.
Shani – Meaning “wonderful black color” in Swahili.

Shyheim – An Arabic name meaning “handsome black.”
T’Challa – The superhero Black Panther’s name from the Marvel universe, meaning “black” in the fictional Wakandan language.

Boy Names Meaning Dark or Black Symbolism

In addition to names directly translating as “black,” many other male names carry symbolic dark meanings that could reference the color black:

Adrik – A Russian form of Andrew, meaning “manly and masculine.”
Angus – From the Gaelic aonghus, meaning “one strength.”
Ariston – A Greek name meaning “the best, strongest one.”

Arun – An Indian name meaning “dawn” and symbolizing first light over darkness.
Ash – Associated with burnt embers and darkness.
Athan – Short for Athanasius, a Greek name meaning “immortal, indestructible.”

Atticus – From a Roman clan name meaning “from Attica,” relating to darkness and mystery.
Black – A bold, literal color name.
Bram – Dutch form of Abraham, meaning “exalted father.”

Ciaran – An Irish name meaning “little dark one.”
Corvus – From the Latin word for “raven.”
Dagon – An ancient Semitic grain and fertility god.

Damien – Form of Damian, meaning “to tame, subdue” – mysterious and strong.
Erebus – In Greek mythology, the god and personification of darkness.
Etan – A Hebrew name meaning “strong, firm, impenetrable.”

Finlay – A Scottish name meaning “dark warrior.”
Gavan – An Irish name meaning “dark mysterious one.”
Griffin – Mythical beast with jet black wings.

Harlow – An English surname meaning “army hill,” relating to battle darkness.
Huck – Short for Huckleberry, a mysterious nature name.
Jett – Resembling the deep black semi-precious stone.

Kabe – Means “dark” in the Nyanga language of Zimbabwe.
Krosis – Means “shadow” or “evening” in some Slavic languages.
Levi – Hebrew for “joined, attached,” like darkness attaching to light.

Mosi – An African name meaning “first born child,” relating to darkness before dawn.
Nero – An infamous Roman emperor who was darkly complex.
Nicholas – From the Greek Nikolaos, “victory of the people,” implying power.

Nikolai – A Russian form of Nicholas.
Onyx – After the deep black gemstone.
Raiden – From Japanese thunder and lightning gods.

Raven – Referencing the glossy black plumage of the intelligent bird species.
Reid – From a Scottish surname meaning “red.” Red has a symbolic connection to black.
Ren – Meaning “water lily” in Japanese – floating darkly on water.

Rowan – A tree with blackish bark and bright red berries.
Shade – Evokes cool darkness and shadows.
Shadow – Directly relating to darkness.

Shady – Suggesting shadows and mystery.
Shanks – From shank meaning “leg,” relating to walking through darkness.
Sirius – The night sky’s brightest star.

Soot – Black powdery residue from fires and burnt wood.
Sullivan – A traditional Irish surname meaning “black eyed one.”
Zane – An English name relating to the meaning “God is gracious,” contrasting light and dark.

Tips for Choosing a Boy’s Name Meaning Black

When considering a baby boy name with black meanings, here are a few tips to choose the best option:

Make sure it fits with your last name for pleasant flow.
Choose a short black-related name if your last name is long, or vice versa.

Go for a simple, easy to spell and pronounce name if the last name is complicated.
Consider family heritage for ethnic names like Irish Donnelly or Sanskrit Krishna.
Pick a name that you genuinely love the sound and meaning of.

Avoid unnecessary odd spellings or punctuation that may cause confusion.
Think about potential nicknames from longer dark-themed names.

With the variety of interesting boy names that mean “black” or relate to dark imagery, you have many empowering and creative options for your baby. Choose the name and black-associated meaning that resonates most with you.

Conclusion

Naming a child is a meaningful decision, and boy names carrying the symbolic definition of “black” can make distinctive picks full of depth. Names with dark meanings relate to mystery and strength, with historical significance across cultures. From Keegan to Krishna, T’Challa to Phoenix, along with many options directly translating to “black,” you have an inspiring collection of names to ponder. Trust your instincts, involve your family, and choose the name that feels totally perfect for your baby boy. The name you select will become a permanent part of him and your family story.

Name	Origin and Meaning
Bakari	Swahili, meaning “noble promise”
Blaine	Irish, meaning “black, pale”
Blayne	English, meaning “black”
Donnelly	Irish, meaning “world ruler” and “black”
Dubhan	Scottish Gaelic, meaning “little dark one”
Duffy	Irish, meaning “black, dark”
Fekadu	Ethiopian, meaning “my black one”
Jacques	French form of James, meaning “black”
Jamal	Arabic, associated with the color black
Kalan	African, meaning “dark skinned”
Kamic	Egyptian, meaning “black”
Keegan	Irish, meaning “son of black fire”
Krishna	Hindi, meaning “the black”
Layth	Arabic, meaning “black-colored”
Makumba	Central African, meaning “black”
Melaku	Ethiopian, meaning “black person”
Midnight	Referring to the blackest time of night
Mradu	Chichewa, meaning “black”
Mykah	Variant of Michael, meaning “who is like God?”
Raven	Referencing the black bird
Shani	Swahili, meaning “wonderful black color”
Shyheim	Arabic, meaning “handsome black”
T’Challa	Fictional Wakandan, meaning “black”