145 Unique Jamaican Names for Boys & Girls

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Plus, learn about Jamaican naming conventions

Co-authored by Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: May 6, 2026 Fact Checked

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Traditional

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For Girls

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For Boys

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Gender-Neutral

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Unique

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Naming Traditions

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Other Cultures

Jamaica is a Caribbean island country with unique traditions and culture. If you’re of Jamaican heritage, you may want to connect with your roots by giving your child a Jamaican name. We’re here to help! In this article, we’ve compiled a list of popular and traditional Jamaican names for boys and girls. We’ll also share some Jamaican naming traditions. Keep reading to find the perfect name for your baby.

Popular Jamaican Names

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A list of popular Jamaican names on a background with the Jamaican flag.

Popular Jamaican names often have British, Hebrew, and African origins. Some traditional girl names include Abigay, Cedella, Femi, and Delyse. Popular boy names include Aisai, Jahmar, Llanzo, and Delroy. Some unisex options are Kimona, Kymani, and Jayden.

Section 1 of 7:

Traditional Jamaican Names

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While some traditional Jamaican names were invented in Jamaica, others have Irish, English, and Spanish origins due to people emigrating there in the 1600s. Many names also have African origins.^{[1]
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Research source} Here are some popular, traditional Jamaican names for boys and girls:
- Abigay (female, meaning “the joy of Yahweh”; the Jamaican version of Abigail)
- Aisai (male, meaning “my father is a gift”)
- Akelia (female, meaning “wise, intelligent”)
- Alethea (female, meaning “truth”)
- Amoy (female, meaning “beautiful goddess”)
- Asafa (male, meaning “God has gathered”)
- Cedella (female, meaning “beautiful princess”)
- Damerae (male, meaning “boy of joy”)
- Dymond (female, meaning “diamond”)
- Femi (female, meaning “God loves me”)
- Ini (female, meaning “time”)
- Irie (female, meaning “one who believes in spreading harmony”)
- Jahmar (male, meaning “handsome”)
- Jevaun (male, meaning “young warrior”; Jamaican version of Evan)
- Kaleisha (female, meaning “woman who is strong-willed”)
- Karalana (female, meaning “pure and peaceful”)
- Khenan (male, meaning “rising sun”)
- Llanzo (male, meaning “servant, God-like”; Jamaican version of Lance)
- Peta-Gay (female, meaning “blessing, joy”)
- Roje (male, meaning “guard or sentinel”)
- Sanka (male, meaning “soulful”)
- Trinika (female, meaning “holy trinity”)
- Usain (male, meaning “beautiful)
- Vittorio (male, meaning “victor”)

Section 2 of 7:

Jamaican Names for Girls

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Jamaican girl names are frequently associated with love, beauty, and other positive qualities, like intelligence and strength. Like all Jamaican first names, they come from a variety of origins, including Latin, English, and French. Here are some popular options:
- Alvita (Latin for “lively”)
- Amancia (Jamaican for “unconditional love”)
- Amelia (Latin for “hardworking”)
- Antonique (French and Latin for “priceless”)
- Brianna (Celtic for “high, noble”)
- Chandice (Jamaican for “smart, talented”)
- Charmaine (French for “charm, enchantment”)
- Chloe (Greek for “young green shoot”)
- Delyse (Latin for “pleasure, delight”)
- Eralia (Spanish for “well-spoken”)
- Gabrielle (French for “God is my strength”)
- Ionie (Greek for “violet-colored stone”)
- Jacqueline (French for “supplanter”)
- Jada (Arabic for “goodness”)
- Jalissa (American for “noble one”)
- Kalisa (Jamaican for “one who has given herself to God”)
- Kenise (Jamaican for “beautiful”)
- Kiyana (Jamaican for “light”)
- Kyndall (English for “royal valley”)
- Ladonya (American for “noble lady, bread kneader”)
- Lakresha (American for “wealth, profit”)
- Latoria (American for “victory”)
- Louise (French for “renowned warrior”)
- Martisha (American for “lady, mistress”)
- Merlene (English for “falcon”)
- Omnira (Yoruba for “liberation”)
- Raeni (Arabic for “queenly”)
- Sabryna (Celtic for “the River Severn”)
- Shanique (American for “God is gracious”)
- Shantell (French for “stone, boulder”)
- Tameika (American for “beautiful child”)
- Taniyah (American for “fairy queen”)
- Tashana (Hebrew for “lily rose”)
- Tashelle (American for “born on Christmas Day”)
- Tianna (Latin for “honorable”)
- Vea (Spanish for “to see”)
- Xaviera (Spanish for “bright, splendid, the new house”)
- Yendi (African for “beautiful flower”)
- Zekia (Arabic for “pure”)

Section 3 of 7:

Jamaican Names for Boys

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Jamaican boys’ names often have strong meanings or are connected to religion. A lot of them have Hebrew, British, and African origins, while others are invented names from America. Here are some common names:
- Abisai (Hebrew for “my father is a gift”)
- Adio (Yoruba for “righteous”)
- Agwe (West African for “water”)
- Aidan (Irish for “little fire”)
- Ajani (Nigerian for “the victor”)
- Andrew (Greek for “manly”)
- Anthony (Latin for “priceless one”)
- Badrick (English for “axe ruler”)
- Chilton (English for “farm near the well”)
- Christopher (Greek for “bearing Christ”)
- Dajuan (American for “God is gracious”)
- Daniel (Hebrew for “God is my judge”)
- Delroy (French for “the king”)
- Desomond (Irish for “from south Munster”)
- Devon (English for “deep valley dweller”)
- Donovan (Irish for “brown-haired chieftain”)
- Eithan (Hebrew for “firm, enduring, strong”)
- Fitzroy (French for “son of the king”)
- Glenmore (after a place in Jamaica)
- Glenroy (Scottish and Jamaican for “from Glen Roy, red valley”)
- Ife (Yoruba for “love”)
- Jaden (Hebrew for “God has heard”)
- Joshua (Hebrew for “God is deliverance”)
- Junior (English for “younger one”)
- Leroy (French for “the king”)
- Linford (English for “linden tree ford”)
- Lloyd (Welsh for “sacred”)
- Marland (English for “land near the lake”)
- Nigel (Celtic for “champion”)
- Rushawn (American for “just”)
- Shamar (Hebrew for “to guard”)
- Sheldon (English for “steeped valley”)
- Tarone (Greek for “king’s courageous advisor”)
- Teddy (English and French for “wealthy protector”)
- Usher (English for “doorkeeper”)
- Winston (English for “joyful stone”)
- Zidane (Arabic for “increase, growth, progress”)
- Ziggy (German for “victorious protector”)

Section 4 of 7:

Gender-Neutral Jamaican Names

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Some popular Jamaican names are used by boys, girls, and people of any gender. Unisex names are a great option if you don’t yet know if you’re having a boy or a girl, or if you want to raise your child away from traditional gender roles. Here are some popular options:
- Azaria (Hebrew for “helped by God”)
- Bailey (English for “fortification”)
- Dale (German for “valley dweller”)
- Jayden (American and Hebrew for “thankful, God will judge”)
- Kimona (Jamaican for “enchanting”)
- Kingston (English for “king’s town”; after the capital of Jamaica)
- Kymani (Jamaican for “adventurous spirit”)
- Maven (Hebrew for “one who understands”)
- Omario (Jamaican for “eloquent and articulate”)
- Requiem (Latin for “rest and repose”)
- Vegas (Spanish for “meadows”)

Section 5 of 7:

Unique Jamaican Names

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Choose a unique name if you want to stand out from the crowd. These names may be less common, but they’re still a beautiful way to connect with your Jamaican heritage. Consider one of these examples:
- Adassa (female, Hebrew for “myrtle tree”)
- Alton (male, English for “old town”)
- Ashante (female, Swahili for “thank you”)
- Barkley (male, Scottish for “birch tree meadow”)
- Baron (male, Hebrew for “son of strength”)
- Bunny (unisex, English for “little rabbit”)
- Clifton (male, English for “town by the cliff”)
- Clive (male, English for “cliff”)
- Davonte (male, American for “beloved”)
- Deshane (male, American for “of the oaks, God is gracious”)
- Durene (female, Jamaican for “everlasting”)
- Garfield (male, English for “spear field”)
- Ghana (male, after the West African country)
- Hopeton (male, English for “town of hope”)
- Horace (male, Latin for “time”)
- Iriye (female, Jamaican for “harmony”)
- Jaqweshia (female, American for “half a queen”)
- Khalela (female, Arabic for “beloved, sweetheart”)
- Kenroy (male, French and Irish for “fire king”)
- Kingsley (male, English for “king’s meadow”)
- Malique (male, Arabic for “king”)
- Oniel (male, Gaelic for “descendant of Niall”)
- Radcliff (male, English for “red cliff”)
- Renford (male, English for “raven ford”)
- Rihanna (female, Arabic for “sweet basil”)
- Rohan (male, Irish for “red-haired”)
- Shenice (American for “God is gracious”)
- Straleen (female, Jamaican for “star”)
- Tyonna (female, American for “fairy queen”)
- Vinisha (female, Sanskrit for “knowledge, wish”)
- Virtudes (female, Spanish for “virtues”)
- Zade (male, Arabic for “abundance”)
- Zhade (female, English for “precious stone”)

Section 6 of 7:

Jamaican Naming Traditions

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1
Jamaicans often have two middle names. This is one of the most interesting aspects of Jamaican naming traditions. Often, middle names are private, and only close family members know each other’s middle names. Parents typically choose these names based on their family history and cultural practices.^{[2]
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Nicknames are also a common tradition. According to Obeah, a form of witchcraft, names hold power, and someone could wish harm upon you if they knew your real name. Because of this, Jamaicans have historically introduced themselves by a nickname. These nicknames are often based on distinguishing features.^{[3]
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Jamaicans use last names because of slavery and colonization. The most common Jamaican surnames don’t actually originate in Jamaica. Instead, Jamaicans inherited the last names of their slave owners or the plantation they worked on. This is why surnames like Brown and Williams are common.^{[4]
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Section 7 of 7:

Names from Other Cultures

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Interested in learning about other cultural names? We’ve got you covered! Check out these other wikiHow articles to learn about popular names from around the world: