Haiti is a wellspring of culture, history, and heritage, which is evident in the abundance of pleasant, meaningful names their mother tongue has. If you want to explore some traditional Haitian names for your baby boy, we guarantee that you won’t be disappointed by your options!
While many names in Haitian Creole are popular for boys, limiting yourself to those options would have you miss out on the richness of Haitian culture.
Tradition is a fluid concept that changes with the times. There are many popular names in Haiti that don’t have Haitian Creole roots at all – but they’ve still embedded themselves into the nation’s community and culture and remain just as valid for it.
Haiti has many amazing names to choose from and continues to embrace many more from the rest of the world. We’ll be going over some traditional Haitian boy names down below.
Classical Haitian Boy Names
Haitian boy names are steeped in rich history, reflecting their nation’s many diverse cultural influences and all the distinct communities they harbor. Classical Haitian boy names are best known for their close ties with family values, spirituality, and a sense of belongingness.
1 | Ansy | Haitian Creole | God of the sun |
2 | Boulou | Haitian Creole | Beloved |
3 | Bony | Haitian Creole | Blessing |
4 | Ched | Haitian Creole | God has been gracious |
5 | Darlène | Haitian Creole | Tenderly loved |
6 | Dieunel | Haitian Creole | God is with us |
7 | Djan | Haitian Creole | Gift of God |
8 | Djeff | Haitian Creole | Peaceful ruler |
9 | Fanor | Haitian Creole | Shining star |
10 | Fanel | Haitian Creole | God is my light |
11 | Fendy | Haitian Creole | Brave |
12 | Fils | Haitian Creole | Son |
13 | Iménel | Haitian Creole | God is good |
14 | Irvil | Haitian Creole | Strong-willed |
15 | Jocelin | Haitian Creole | Joyous |
16 | Joubert | Haitian Creole | Bright |
17 | Jovil | Haitian Creole | God is gracious |
18 | Kéler | Haitian Creole | Courageous |
19 | Kétel | Haitian Creole | Fortress |
20 | Kervens | Haitian Creole | Friend of the powerful |
21 | Louinel | Haitian Creole | Lion |
22 | Maël | Breton/Haitian Creole | Chief(Breton), Prince (Haitian Creole) |
23 | Odil | Haitian Creole | Wealthy |
24 | Quétel | Haitian Creole | Fourth-born |
25 | Saintanor | Haitian Creole | Holy ancestor |
26 | Thimothée | Haitian Creole/French | God’s honor |
27 | Védrine | Haitian Creole | Winner |
28 | Venson | Haitian Creole | Growing stronger |
29 | Wismick | Haitian Creole | God will give me what I need |
30 | Yaris | Haitian Creole | Happiness |
Popular Haitian Boy Names (Adopted from Other Cultures!)
Haiti is a country with a rich and fascinating heritage, shaped by the intersection of African, European, and Indigenous cultures. It constantly evolves, thanks to the infusion of new influences.
This diversity is reflected in the realm of traditional Haitian names, which incorporate not only Haitian Creole but also words, slang, and names from other communities and cultures that have grown to be integral parts of Haiti’s anthropological identity.
31 | Achille | Greek | pain or lipless |
32 | Amani | Swahili | peace |
33 | Akena | African | born after twins |
34 | Ben | Hebrew | son of the right hand |
35 | Sebastian | Latin | venerable |
36 | Anthony | Latin | priceless one |
37 | Francis | Latin | Frenchman |
38 | Dominic | Latin | belonging to the Lord |
39 | Michael | Hebrew | who is like God? |
40 | Joseph | Hebrew | God will increase |
41 | Patrick | Latin | nobleman |
42 | Christopher | Greek | Christ-bearer |
43 | Basile | Greek | royal |
44 | Cazimir | Slavic | destroyer of peace |
45 | Célestin | French | heavenly |
46 | Cherubin | Hebrew | angel |
47 | Eben | Hebrew | stone or rock |
48 | Elisha | Hebrew | God is salvation |
49 | Eliott | Hebrew | Jehovah is God |
50 | Elvin | English | elf friend |
51 | Gaspard | French | treasurer |
52 | Gedeon | Hebrew | feller or hewer |
53 | Gilbert | Germanic | bright pledge |
54 | Giscard | French | bold spear |
55 | Hans | German | God is gracious |
56 | Hugues | Germanic | mind or spirit |
57 | Hérold | French | ruler or power |
58 | Hugon | Germanic | heart or mind |
59 | Ismaël | Hebrew | God will hear |
60 | Raphael | Hebrew | God has healed |
61 | Gabriel | Hebrew | God is my strength |
62 | Isidor | Greek | gift of Isis |
63 | Marcelin | French | little warrior |
64 | Matis | Hebrew | gift of God |
65 | Maikol | Spanish | variation of Michael |
66 | Natanaël | Hebrew | God has given |
67 | Nazaire | French | from Nazareth |
68 | Nérée | Greek | mermaid or sea spirit |
69 | Numa | Latin | revered, honored |
70 | Obed | Hebrew | worshipper |
71 | Ogden | English | from the oak valley |
72 | Orphée | Greek | darkness |
73 | Paulin | French | little Paul |
74 | Pascal | French | of Easter |
75 | Peterson | English | son of Peter |
76 | Philémon | Greek | affectionate |
77 | Quentin | Latin | fifth |
78 | Quincy | French | estate of the fifth son |
79 | Quirin | Latin | spear |
80 | Reginald | Germanic | ruler’s advisor |
81 | Reynold | Germanic | counsel power |
82 | Richard | Germanic | brave ruler |
83 | Salomon | Hebrew | peaceful |
84 | Samson | Hebrew | sun or service |
85 | Saturnin | Latin | of Saturn |
86 | Theophile | Greek | friend of God |
87 | Tidjani | African | one who is well-liked |
88 | Turenne | French | thornbush town |
89 | Ulrich | Germanic | prosperity and power |
90 | Urbain | Latin | from the city |
91 | Ulysse | Greek | wrathful |
92 | Evens | English | son of Evan |
93 | Ricardo | Spanish/Portuguese | strong, leader |
94 | Samuel | Hebrew | God has heard |
95 | Urie | Hebrew | my light |
96 | Valentin | Latin | strong, healthy |
97 | Vicente | Spanish | victorious |
98 | Wilbert | Germanic | bright will |
99 | Wilfrid | Germanic | desiring peace |
100 | Wilson | English | son of William |
101 | Yannick | Breton | God is gracious |
Haitian Boy Names Derived from History or Cultural Mythos
As a nation, Haiti struggled with poverty and education, so much of their indigenous culture’s arts, stories, and traditions have been passed down through oral tradition, generation to generation.
While Haiti is a veritable melting pot of multiple influences, it’s important to pay homage to where it all began – and find ways to celebrate and honor their personal history and mythos.
Carrying these precious Haitian names forward is one such way to do just that.
102 | Guédé | The spirits of death and fertility |
103 | Agwe | The god of the sea. Patron of sailors and fishermen. |
104 | Baron Samedi | The renowned spirit of death and resurrection. Often depicted in a top hat. |
105 | Boukman | The legendary houngan who spearheaded the Haitian revolution of 1791. |
106 | Damballa | The wise serpent god of creation. |
107 | Gran Bwa | The spirit of the forest. Known protector of the lands and wildlife. |
108 | Kalfu | The spirit of the crossroads. A trickster being with ties to dark magic. |
109 | Legba | The gatekeeper between the living and the dead. |
110 | Loco | The spirit of vegetation and fertility. |
111 | Mawu | The deity of creation, fertility, and the moon. |
112 | Ogou | The spirit of war, iron, and blacksmithing. Commonly represented as a fierce warrior wielding a blade. |
114 | Simbi | The spirit of water and snakes |
115 | Ti Malice | The spirit of mischief and trickery |
116 | Ti Jean Petro | A spirit associated with violence and retribution. Commonly depicted as a young, rebellious revolutionary, making him a popular figure for those who seek social justice and reform. |
117 | Ti Jean Quinto | A spirit of healing and wisdom, taking the shape of a wise old man. |
118 | Tohbi | The spirit of thunder and lightning. |
119 | Zaka | The spirit of the harvest. Often depicted as a simple farmer with a hoe. |
120 | Zili | A group of spirits in Vodou associated with love, beauty, and femininity. |
Final Thoughts
Haitian culture, values, and communities have been shaped by diverse influences over time. While not all “traditional” Haitian boy names have roots in Haitian Creole, they still hold presence and relevance within the Haitian community. Feel free to explore your choices guiltlessly – don’t be afraid to choose whatever name feels right for your son.