38 Sunny And Bright Jamaican Girl Names

The exotic names from the festive land are all set for a cheer.

Written by Praggya Joshi, MA, BEd

Edited by Aneesha Amonz, MSc

Fact-checked by Angela Alex, MA

Last Updated on Nov 26, 2024

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Jamaican baby girl names are versatile and represent the country's beautiful landscapes, vibrant traditions, and history. These names also possess a strong sense of family ties or a feeling of community. Jamaica is the jewel of the Caribbean, being the third largest island of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean. It is originally home to the indigenous Taíno people. To understand the origins and roots of Jamaican names, we need to explore the country’s extensive history of colonization. After the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1494, the Taíno people fell under Spanish rule. During their reign, African slaves were transported to the region to serve as laborers. It became a common practice for African-born slaves to give their children (Creoles) two names, one from their home in West Africa, possibly in their native language, and another that can be easily pronounced by their American children (1). By 1655, the island of Jamaica was conquered by another foreign power, England, now known as Great Britain. Under British rule, many of the slave workers were emancipated in 1838. Before their emancipation, in the year 1755, the Crown issued the ‘Reglement for Slaverne’ which required the Lutheran church to baptize the slave children. Christian names were given to both infants and adults who underwent baptism which explains why many Jamaicans have English names and surnames (1). This is how Jamaica became a melting pot of names influenced by the diversity of Taíno, Spanish, British, and African cultures. It is a common practice in Jamaican culture for people to have two middle names that are chosen by parents based on their personal preferences, traditions, and family ties. A distinction can be made between modern Jamaicans and traditional Jamaicans based on the names they choose. Modern Jamaicans prefer names that are connected to their family, while traditional Jamaicans will name their children after days of the week, which is an old tradition practiced by their slave ancestors. Another prevalent practice is the usage of nicknames, also known as ‘yard names.’ In some cases, these names are predominantly used over their given names (2). Begin your exploration of this extensive list with countless options to honor your Jamaican heritage, and find the perfect name that fits your little queen.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Anai	Unisex	Grace; Beautiful; Elephant
Kiyana	Girl	Light; Deity; Queen
Kalisa	Girl	One who has given herself to God; One who is purely concentrated on the Almighty
Raeni	Girl	Queen; Like a queen
Kenise	Girl	Beautiful; Gorgeous
Sabryna	Girl	Jamaican version of Sabrina; Princess
Vea	Girl	Chief; Seen; Wood; Tree
Chandice	Girl	Extremely smart and talented
Deshane	Girl	God is merciful; Yahweh is gracious
Martisha	Girl	Martial or warlike

Latoria	Girl	Victorious one
Ladonya	Girl	Lady or woman
Lakresha	Girl	Profit or profitable
Tiyanna	Girl	Joy or happiness
Tylin	Boy	Against all odds
Tamila	Girl	Languishing; Languor; Torture; Dearest to the heart
Trinika	Girl	Pure; Triad; Holy Trinity
Yanique	Girl	Unique, feminine, energetic
Shadae	Unisex	Honor confers a crown; Rule with nobility
Erianne	Girl	Ireland

Tashelle	Girl	Born on Christmas day; Nativity ; Likeness to God
Vinisha	Girl	Knowledge; Wisdom; Humble desire or love
Kaleisha	Girl	A trong willed, full of energy, or beautiful woman
Gladstone	Girl	Kite stone
Abigay	Girl	The joy or happiness of Yahweh or father of rejoicing
Amancia	Girl	Lover; One who loves unconditionally
Delyse	Girl	Delightful; A girl with a delightful disposition
Durene	Girl	Someone with an enduring and everlasting personality
Eralia	Girl	A woman who is well-spoken
Iriye	Girl	Cool; One who believes in spreading peace or harmony

Jaqweshia	Girl	Half part of a queen
Karalana	Girl	A girl with a pure and peaceful personality
Peta-gay	Girl	Blessing from heaven
Requiem	Girl	Rest
Sharisha	Girl	Cherry
Straleen	Girl	Star
Virtudes	Girl	Blessed spirit
Zhade	Girl	Princess of the African violet

These Jamaican baby girl names reflect their indigenous roots, colonial past, vibrant traditions, and the resilient spirit of the people. They encompass the rich history, unique traditions, and cultural diversity of the nation. With the influence of Spanish, British, and African cultures, the naming customs have evolved throughout the years. It is common for Jamaicans to have two middle names, both complementing each other. The usage of ‘yard names’ also maintains a sense of familiarity in the Jamaican community.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Jamaican names mean hope?

The Jamaican name that carries the meaning ‘hope’ is Hopeton. The meaning of the name is town of hope.

2. What Jamaican name means flower?

Mao (flowering), Fiorel (flower), and Yendi (beautiful flower) are some Jamaican names that mean flower.

3. What Jamaican name means lion?

Leoma is a Jamaican girl’s name meaning ‘lion.’

4. Can non-Jamaican parents give their baby girl a Jamaican name?

Yes. Parents from any culture or region can bestow a Jamaican name on their baby girl. However, it is important to consider the name’s meaning, connotations, and suitability before giving it to their daughter.

Infographic: Striking Jamaican Baby Girl Names With Meanings

From the birthplace of reggae and the home of the world’s fastest sprinter, these Jamaican baby girl names reflect the colorful tradition and culture of the land. These names exemplify the spiritual and feminine qualities derived from diverse languages. Check the infographic as we highlight a few interesting names. Pick your best-loved name for your precious little girl.

exotic jamaican names for your pretty little queen (infographic)

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

Sarah Abel et al.; (2019);From Enslavement to Emancipation: Naming Practices in the Danish West Indies.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/comparative-studies-in-society-and-history/article/from-enslavement-to-emancipation-naming-practices-in-the-danish-west-indies/AA20B5B0CF67C8804CE1DAD3F203A1BA
Jamaica Personal Names.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Jamaica_Personal_Names

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Author Editor Fact Checker

Praggya JoshiMA, BEd

Praggya Joshi holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in Ancient Indian History from University of Delhi. She has a robust knowledge of literature, society, and ethics. Praggya has been a content writer since 2021, researching and writing on education, health and wellness, and travel.

Read full bio of Praggya Joshi

Aneesha AmonzMSc

Aneesha holds a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from USTM, Meghalaya and Master’s degree in Applied Microbiology from VIT, Vellore. With two years of experience, she has worked on different research projects in the field of Food Sciences.

Read full bio of Aneesha Amonz

Angela AlexMA

Angela is an honors student with a master's degree in Linguistics from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. Her combined interest in history and the science of language has taught her the skills to understand how language and its use have changed over time.

Read full bio of Angela Alex