Native American names come from many diverse tribes and landscapes, including the Hawaiian islands. Because of this diversity, naming traditions tend to vary as well. A few names of places or tribes, such as Dakota and Cheyenne, have seen some popularity over the years, but most Native names—even famous ones like Pocahontas and Sequoyah—are rare. If you are thinking about a Native American name for your child and you have a connection to the culture, consider researching the name or talking to a member of that tribe. If you aren’t of indigenous heritage but love the idea of a Native name—or simply want to honor the culture—you’ll find inspiration in this list. Just remember, when using a name from a background other than your own, you want to show respect by taking the time to understand the meaning and pronunciation of the name you are considering. Two-Spirit people are Native Americans considered to hold an alternative gender status, meaning they were not just man or woman. Two-Spirit individuals are valued in their communities for possessing both masculine and feminine traits. Today, the term “Two-Spirit” may be considered part of the LGBTQ+ umbrella in Native American communities.

Cherokee

Origin: Native American (Cherokee, possibly Miccosukee or Choctaw)Meaning: A tribe name or people of a different speechAlternative Spellings & Variations: Cheroke, Cherrokee, Cherokey, Cherokie, CherokiFamous Namesakes: Athlete Cherokee Parks, outlaw Cherokee BillPeak Popularity: Cherokee is not frequently used.

Dakota

Origin: Native American (Sioux) Meaning: Friend and ally Alternative Spellings & Variations: Dakotah, Dakoda, Dakodah, Dacotah, Dekota, Dekotah Famous Namesakes: Actresses Dakota Fanning and Dakota Johnson Peak Popularity: Dakota is a gender-neutral name. It reached its peak of 58 for boys in 1995 but remains popular. It is equally popular for girls, peaking in 2006 with a rank of 190. 

Elan

Origin: Native American (possibly Apache or a variant from Hebrew or French)Meaning: FriendlyAlternative Spellings & Variations: Elann, Elon, Elen, Elin, Elen, ElunFamous Namesakes: Producer Elan Gale, singer Elan AtiasPeak Popularity: Elan is uncommon and does not show up as a top 1,000 name in the last 120 years.

Kai

Origin: Native American (Navajo), Hawaiian, Japanese, and others Meaning: Willow tree (Navajo), Ocean (Hawaiian) Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kye, Kei, Keh, Ky, Cai, Cye, Ceh Famous Namesakes: Fashion Designer Kai Milla, singer Kai Peak Popularity: Kai is a unisex name. Traditionally, in Native American cultures, it has been more common for girls. In other cultures, however, it’s more common for boys. It has been steadily growing in popularity in the U.S. since it arrived as a top 1,000 name for boys in 1979. Its best year was 2018 when it ranked 113. It’s fairly new on the top 1,000 list for girls, showing up in 2010, with a rank of 854 in 2018.

Opa

Origin: Native American (Choctaw), Greek, German, HawaiianMeaning: Owl (Choctaw), Grandfather (German), Moonfish (Hawaiian)Alternative Spellings & Variations: Oppa, Opah, Oppah, Ohpah, OhpaPeak Popularity: Opa is uncommon. It has not been a top 1,000 name in the last century.

Shawnee

Origin: Native American (Algonquin)Meaning: A tribe nameAlternative Spellings & Variations: Shawny, Shawney, Shawnie, Shawn, Seanee, Seaney, Shaunee, Shauney, Shaun, SeanPeak Popularity: Shawnee is an uncommon name.

Tyee

Origin: Native American (Chinook Jargon)Meaning: Chief, leader, or big and superiorAlternative Spellings & Variations: Tayee, Taye, Taie, Tai, Tiee, TyieFamous Namesakes: Actor Tyee TilghmanPeak Popularity: Tyee is not a common name, and it has not shown up as a top 1,000 name in the last 100 years.

Here are some Native American names for girls along with their meanings, origins, and other interesting information.

Aponi

Origin: Native American (Algonquin) Meaning: Butterfly Alternative Spellings & Variations: Aponni, Apponi, Apponni, Apani Famous Namesakes: Singer Aponi Kai Peak Popularity: Aponi is a unique name that has not appeared in the top 1,000 names for girls in the last 120 years.

Chenoa

Origin: Native American (possibly a variation from Cherokee)Meaning: A place nameAlternative Spellings & Variations: Chenoah, Chenowa, Chenoha, Chinoa, Chen, NoaFamous Namesakes: Actress Chenoa Maxwell, Singer ChenoaPeak Popularity: Chenoa is not a common name.

Cheyenne

Origin: Native American (Algonquin or Sioux)Meaning: A city in Wyoming, a tribe name, or difficult to understandAlternative Spellings & Variations: Cheyann, Chayenne, Chayanne, Shyanne, Shayanne, Sheyanne, Sheyann, Shay, CheyFamous Namesakes: Model Cheyenne Brando, athlete Cheyenne ParkerPeak Popularity: Cheyenne became a top 1,000 name in 1980 and quickly rose in the ranks. It reached number 68 by 1997 and ranked 466 in 2018.

Dyani

Origin: Native American (possibly Sioux)Meaning: DeerAlternative Spellings & Variations: Diani, Dyanni, Dianni, Dayani, Dyanie, Dyannie, Diannie, Dianee, Dyanee, DhyaniFamous Namesakes: Journalist Dyani Sabin, reality TV personality Dyani MorenoPeak Popularity: Dyani is a rare name that is not in the top 1,000.

Hialeah

Origin: Native American (Miccosukee)Meaning: A pretty prairie or prairie on the hillAlternative Spellings & Variations: Hialeigha, Hiahlea, Hiahleah, Hiyaleah, HyaleahPeak Popularity: Hialeah is not a frequently used name. It has not been listed as a top 1,000 name in the last 120 years.

Kaya

Origin: Native American (variation from Nez Perce), Japanese, AfricanMeaning: She who arranges rocksAlternative Spellings & Variations: Kaia, Kaiya, Kiaya, Kayah, Kaiah, KayFamous Namesakes: Actress Kaya Scodelario, singer Kaya JonesPeak Popularity: Kaya made the top 1,000 in the year 2000 and was most popular in 2003 and 2004 when it ranked 540.

Koko

Origin: Native American (Algonquin)Meaning: The nightAlternative Spellings & Variations: Coco, Koco, Coko, Kokoh, Cocoh, KohkoFamous Namesakes: Singer Koko TaylorPeak Popularity: Koko is uncommon and not listed as a top 1,000 name.

Kiona

Origin: Native American (possibly Sahaptin), HawaiianMeaning: Brown hillsAlternative Spellings & Variations: Kyona, Kionah, Kyonah, Kionna, Kyonna, Keyona, Kionea, KianaPeak Popularity: Kiona is a unique name that has not yet made the top 1,000 list.

Lulu

Origin: Native American (possibly Apache, Creek, or Choctaw), German, Latin, and othersMeaning: RabbitAlternative Spellings & Variations: Loulu, Loulou, Lulou, Looloo, Loolu, Lula, LuFamous Namesakes: Journalist Lulu Garcia-Navarro, singer LuluPeak Popularity: Lulu was very popular in the early 1900s. It was number 228 in 1900 but slowly dropped in the rankings over the next 40 years. It dropped off the top 1,000 list in 1939 and has not returned since.

Mika

Origin: Native American (Sioux), Japanese, Hebrew, and othersMeaning: Raccoon Alternative Spellings & Variations: Mikka, Mikah, Mica, Micca, Micah, Myka, MiekaFamous Namesakes: Actress Mika Boorem, journalist Mika BrzezinskiPeak Popularity: Mika is not a widely used name. It has not appeared on the top 1,000 list in the last 120 years.

Malia

Origin: Native American (Zuni), Hawaiian, Hebrew, and moreMeaning: Derived from Maria or Mary. Calm waters (Hawaiian), bitter (Zuni)Alternative Spellings & Variations: Maliah, Malliah, Mallia, Mahlia, Mahliah, Maleigha, Maleah, Malea, Lia, LeaFamous Namesakes: Former First Daughter Malia Obama, model Malia JonesPeak Popularity: Malia made its way into the top 1,000 in 1977, but didn’t show up consistently until 1994. It was most popular in 2009 when it ranked 192.

Moana

Origin: Hawaiian, Maori, and other Polynesian languagesMeaning: Deep sea, wide oceanAlternative Spellings & Variations: Moanah, MowanaFamous Namesakes: Moana Carcasses Kalosil was the Prime Minister of Vanuatu from 2013–2014.Peak Popularity: Moana had been a low-popularity name in earlier decades and peaked in 2017 when parents-to-be began admiring Disney’s titular character in the popular children’s film. Today it ranks 2,900th place nationwide.

Mona

Origin: Native American (Miwok), GaelicMeaning: Gathering jimsonweed (devil’s snare) seedAlternative Spellings & Variations: Monah, Monna, Monnah, Mone, Moine, MoanaFamous Namesakes: Writer Mona Simpson, poet Mona Van DuynPeak Popularity: Mona has been a top 1,000 name for over 100 years. It was most popular in 1950 when it reached 230. It fell out of favor in the 1980s and dropped off the list in 1986.

Nina

Origin: Native American (South American, Kichwa), Italian, Spanish, and othersMeaning: Mighty or fireAlternative Spellings & Variations: Ninah, Ninna, Nena, Neena, Nenah, NiniFamous Namesakes: Singer Nina Simone, politician Nina PacariPeak Popularity: Nina has been in the top 400 for well over a century. It ranked 155 in 1900 and 319 in 2018.

Nita

Origin: Native American (Choctaw), Spanish, HebrewMeaning: BearAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nitah, Neeta, Neetah, Nyta, Nytah, Neata, Neatah, Nitikam, NitunaFamous Namesakes: Actress Nita Talbot, TV Doctor Nita LandryPeak Popularity: Nita was on the top 1,000 list from before 1900 until 1969. It was most popular in 1954 at number 446.

Nokomis

Origin: Native American (Chippewa)Meaning: Grandmother or daughter of the moonAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nokomiss, Nakomis, Nokomys, Nakomys, Nocomis, Nacomis, Nokomes, NookomisPeak Popularity: Nokomis is not a frequently given name, and it is not on the list of the top 1,000 names.

Odina

Origin: Native American (Algonquin), Scandinavian, GermanMeaning: MountainAlternative Spellings & Variations: Odinna, Odeena, Odinah, Odeenah, Odyna, Odine, Odyne, OdeeneFamous Namesakes: Athlete Odina BayramovaPeak Popularity: Odina is a unique name that has not made the top 1,000 list in the last 120 years.

Oneida

Origin: Native American (Iroquois)Meaning: A tribe name, or people of the stoneAlternative Spellings & Variations: Onida, Onieda, Onyda, Onidah, Oneidah, OneydaPeak Popularity: Oneida made the top 1,000 list twice in the last 120 years. It was number 887 in 1919 and number 975 in 1922.

Pocahontas

Origin: Native American (Algonquin)Meaning: Playful oneAlternative Spellings & Variations: Pokahontas, Pocahantas, Pocohontas, PokahantusFamous Namesakes: The historical figure, Pocahontas, is known to have helped the early settlers in Jamestown, Virginia.Peak Popularity: Pocahontas is rare. It does not appear as a top 1,000 name. 

Poloma

Origin: Native American (Choctaw), SpanishMeaning: Bow Alternative Spellings & Variations: Paloma, Palomah, Polomah, Polomma, Polowma, Peloma, LomaPeak Popularity: Poloma is not a common name and does not appear on the top 1,000 list.

Tala

Origin: Native American (Iroquois), Samoan, Swedish, Arabic, and othersMeaning: WolfAlternative Spellings & Variations: Talla, Talah, Tallah, Tahla, Tahlah, TalanFamous Namesakes: Singer Tala, actress Tala AshePeak Popularity: Tala is seldom used and not a top 1,000 name.

Tallulah

Origin: Native American (Choctaw), EnglishMeaning: Leaping water Alternative Spellings & Variations: Talulah, Tallula, Talula, Tallullah, Tallulla, TaloulahFamous Namesakes: Actress Tallulah Bankhead, model Tallulah MortonPeak Popularity: Tallulah is not a widely used name and is still rather unique.

Winona

Origin: Native American (Sioux)Meaning: First daughter Alternative Spellings & Variations: Winnona, Winonna, Wynona, Wynonna, Winonah, Wynonnah, Wenona, Wanona, WynonahFamous Namesakes: Actress Winona Ryder, activist Winona LaDukePeak Popularity: Winona was number 916 on the top 1,000 list in 1900 and remained a top 1,000 name until 1957. It was most popular in 1931 when it ranked 407.

Here are some Native American baby names for boys along with their meanings, origins, and other interesting information. Some are well-known names and others are uncommon.

Chayton

Origin: Native American (Sioux)Meaning: Falcon Alternative Spellings & Variations: Chaytan, Chayten, Chaeton, Chaitan, Chaton, Chatan, ChatenPeak Popularity: Chayton is not common and not a top 1,000 name.

Cochise

Origin: Native American (Apache)Meaning: Oak or hardwoodAlternative Spellings & Variations: Cheis, Cocheis, Cocheise, Cocheese, Coachise, Cochiese, Kochise, Coche, ChiseFamous Namesakes: Apache Leader CochisePeak Popularity: Cochise is a unique name that does not appear in the top 1,000.

Dohasan

Origin: Native American (Kiowa)Meaning: Little bluff, little cliff, little mountainAlternative Spellings & Variations: Dohosan, Dohason, Dohasin, Dohasun, Dohosin, Dohasyn, Dohosyn, Tauhawsin Taohausen, TouhasonFamous Namesakes: Kiowa Chief DohasanPeak Popularity: Dohasan is not a widely used name.

Goyathlay

Origin: Native American (Apache)Meaning: The one who yawns Alternative Spellings & Variations: Goyaałé, GoyathleFamous Namesakes: Apache leader Goyathlay (Geronimo)Peak Popularity: Goyathlay is a rare name.

Hiawatha

Origin: Native American (Iroquois)Meaning: He who combs or he who creates the riverAlternative Spellings & Variations: Hiawathah, Hyawatha, Hyawathah, Ayenwatha, AiionwathaFamous Namesakes: Architect Hiawatha Estes, writer Hiawatha BrayPeak Popularity: Hiawatha is not frequently used and not a top 1,000 name.

Holata

Origin: Native American (Seminole)Meaning: AlligatorAlternative Spellings & Variations: Holatta, Hollata, Halata, HolateFamous Namesakes: Seminole Chief Holata MiccoPeak Popularity: Holata is a unique name.

Kele

Origin: Native American (Hopi), AfricanMeaning: SparrowAlternative Spellings & Variations: Kelle, Kellay, Kelley, Keyle, Keley, Keyle, Kelay, Khele, KhelleFamous Namesakes: Singer Kele Okereke, athlete Kele LeawerePeak Popularity: Kele is not a popular name. It has not appeared on the top 1,000 list in the last 120 years.

Keokuk

Origin: Native American (Sauk)Meaning: One who is alert and watchful Alternative Spellings & Variations: Keyokuk, Kiokuk, Keocuk, Kiocuk, KeakukFamous Namesakes: Sauk Chief KeokukPeak Popularity: Keokuk is a rare name.

Lúta

Origin: Native American (Sioux)Meaning: RedAlternative Spellings & Variations: Lootah, Loota, Louta, Lutah, Loutah, Lewtah,Famous Namesakes: Mahpiya Lúta (Red Cloud), Tokála Lúta (Red Fox)Peak Popularity: Luta is not a common name, and it is not in the top 1,000.

Mato

Origin: Native American (Sioux), JapaneseMeaning: BearAlternative Spellings & Variations: Matto, MathoFamous Namesakes: Mandan Chief Mato-tope (Four Bears), musician Mato NanjiPeak Popularity: Mato is not a widely used name.

Nashoba

Origin: Native American (Choctaw)Meaning: WolfAlternative Spellings & Variations: Neshoba, Nashobah, Nashohba, NoshobaPeak Popularity: Nashoba is an uncommon name.

Onacona

Origin: Native American (Cherokee)Meaning: White owlAlternative Spellings & Variations: Onacohna, Onakona, Onaconah, Onakonah, Okoonaka, Oukahakah, Oukounaka, OnkanacleahFamous Namesakes: Chief Onacona Attakullakulla (Little Carpenter)Peak Popularity: Onacona was not in the top 1,000 names for any year of the last century.

Powhatan

Origin: Native American (Algonquin)Meaning: A tribe name, a place nameAlternative Spellings & Variations: Powatan, Powhattan, Powhaten, Pohetan,Famous Namesakes: Politicians Powhatan Ellis and Powhatan GordonPeak Popularity: Powhatan is an uncommon name.

Sahale

Origin: Native American (possibly Salish)Meaning: Above or high placeAlternative Spellings & Variations: Sahaile, Sahail, Sahael, Sahaele, SehaleFamous Namesakes: Musician SahaléPeak Popularity: Sahale is a rare name.

Seattle

Origin: Native American (Salish)Meaning: Man of high statusAlternative Spellings & Variations: Seatle, Seattel, Sealth, Seathle, Seathl, Si’ahlFamous Namesakes: Chief SeattlePeak Popularity: Seattle is not a widely used name.

Sequoyah

Origin: Native American (Cherokee)Meaning: A hog or possibly an opossumAlternative Spellings & Variations: Sequoya, Sequoia, Sequoiah, SikwayiFamous Namesakes: Famous Cherokee Sequoyah, athlete Sequoyah Burke-CombsPeak Popularity: Sequoyah is not frequently given and does not appear in the top 1,000.

Tahoma

Origin: Native American (Salish)Meaning: Giver of the waterAlternative Spellings & Variations: Tacoma, Takoma, Tecoma, Tahomah, Tecomah, Tacomah, Takhoma, TacobehPeak Popularity: Tahoma does not appear in the top 1,000 baby names.

Tecumseh

Origin: Native American (Shawnee)Meaning: Panther across the sky, shooting star, or meteorAlternative Spellings & Variations: Tekoomsē, Tecumtha, TekamthiFamous Namesakes: Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, General William Tecumseh ShermanPeak Popularity: Tecumseh is unique. It is not a top 1,000 name.

Tokala

Origin: Native American (Sioux)Meaning: FoxAlternative Spellings & Variations: Takala, Tokalah, Takalah, Tekala, Tekalah, TokaloFamous Namesakes: Actor Tokala CliffordPeak Popularity: Tokala is seldom used as a name.

Yuma

Origin: Native American (Quechan), JapaneseMeaning: A tribe name, chief’s sonAlternative Spellings & Variations: Uma, Yhuma, Yumah, YoomahFamous Namesakes: Singer Yuma NakayamaPeak Popularity: Yuma is an uncommon name that does not appear in the top 1,000.

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