Native American Baby Names: 65+ Indigenous Names With Sacred Meanings
Native American Baby Names: 65+ Indigenous Names With Sacred Meanings
Names From the First Nations
Before Europeans arrived, hundreds of distinct nations lived across what would become North America. Each had their own languages, cultures, and naming traditions. There was no single 'Native American' naming system—there were hundreds, as different from each other as Spanish is from Finnish.
This guide approaches Native American names with that diversity in mind. What we often call 'Native American names' are actually names from specific nations: Cherokee, Navajo, Lakota, Ojibwe, and many others. Each tradition deserves respect and specificity.
I'll be direct about something: naming practices in indigenous cultures are often sacred. Names may be earned through ceremony, given by elders, or connected to spiritual experiences. Using these names casually can feel disrespectful to some indigenous people. This guide aims to help you navigate that complexity thoughtfully.
If you're Native American naming within your own tradition, consult your elders. If you're non-Native but drawn to these names, read the section on cultural considerations carefully. These names carry weight—beautiful weight, but weight nonetheless.
Understanding Native American Naming
Native naming traditions differ fundamentally from European approaches.
Names as Earned, Not Given
In many indigenous traditions, a person might receive different names throughout life. A childhood name might differ from an adult name earned through accomplishment or vision. Names weren't just labels—they were recognitions of who someone had become.
Nature and Spirit Connection
Many Native names connect directly to the natural world: animals, plants, weather, landscapes. This isn't just aesthetic—it reflects worldviews where humans are part of nature, not separate from it. A name like 'Running Deer' connects the person to that animal's spirit.
Descriptive and Circumstantial
Traditional names often described something about the person or their birth circumstances. 'Born During Rain' or 'Laughing Water' tells a story. Names weren't arbitrary sounds but meaningful descriptions.
The Language Factor
Native American languages vary enormously. A name that sounds gentle in Lakota might translate differently in Cherokee. When you see English translations of Native names, remember you're seeing the meaning, not hearing the original sound.
Nature-Based Native Names
Connection to nature runs deep in indigenous naming.
Animal Names
- Koda - 'Friend' in Lakota. Bear association. Very popular.
- Ayasha (ah-YAH-sha) - 'Little one' (Cheyenne).
- Cochise (ko-CHEESS) - Apache chief name. 'Hardwood.'
- Takoda (ta-KO-da) - 'Friend to everyone' (Sioux).
- Miwak - 'Growl of a bear' (Miwok).
- Ahanu (ah-HAH-noo) - 'He laughs' (Algonquin).
- Makwa - 'Bear' (Ojibwe).
Sky and Weather Names
- Tallulah (ta-LOO-la) - 'Leaping water' (Choctaw). Famous falls.
- Nokomis (no-KO-mis) - 'Grandmother moon' (Ojibwe).
- Kachina (kah-CHEE-nah) - 'Spirit' (Hopi). Sacred figures.
- Kimama - 'Butterfly' (Shoshone).
- Halona (ha-LO-na) - 'Fortunate' (Native American).
Earth and Plant Names
- Sequoia (seh-KWOY-ah) - Cherokee scholar who created writing system. Giant tree named for him.
- Winona (wi-NO-na) - 'First-born daughter' (Dakota Sioux). City name.
- Chenoa (che-NO-a) - 'White dove' (Cherokee).
- Aiyana (eye-AHN-a) - 'Eternal blossom' (Cherokee).
- Wakanda - 'Possesses magic' (Sioux). Marvel association now.
Virtue and Quality Names
Many Native names express desired qualities or describe character.
Strength and Courage Names
- Ahiga (ah-HEE-gah) - 'He fights' (Navajo).
- Bidzii (bid-ZEE) - 'He is strong' (Navajo).
- Kitchi - 'Brave' (Algonquin).
- Nina - 'Strong' (Native American origin claimed).
- Elu (EH-loo) - 'Beautiful, fair' (Zuni).
Peace and Joy Names
- Mika (MEE-ka) - 'Raccoon' or 'wise' (Native American).
- Wapi (WAH-pee) - 'Lucky' (Sioux).
- Helaku - 'Full of sun' (Native American).
- Nizhoni (ni-ZHO-ni) - 'Beautiful' (Navajo).
Wisdom and Spirit Names
- Istas (IS-tas) - 'Snow' (Native American).
- Kaya (KAH-ya) - 'Wise child' or 'elder sister' (Hopi).
- Mansi (MAN-see) - 'Plucked flower' (Hopi).
- Olathe (o-LAY-tha) - 'Beautiful' (Shawnee).
Nation-Specific Names
Different nations have distinctive naming traditions.
Cherokee Names
- Adahy (a-DAH-hee) - 'Lives in the woods.' Nature connection.
- Ama (AH-mah) - 'Water.' Element name.
- Salali (sa-LA-lee) - 'Squirrel.' Animal name.
- Sequoia - Scholar who invented Cherokee syllabary.
- Tsali (TSAH-lee) - Cherokee hero who gave himself up to allow his people to stay.
Navajo (Diné) Names
- Nizhoni - 'Beautiful.'
- Niyol (ni-YOL) - 'Wind.'
- Ashkii (ASH-kee) - 'Boy.'
- At'ééd - 'Girl.' (Difficult for non-Navajo speakers.)
- Bidziil - 'He is strong.'
Lakota/Dakota (Sioux) Names
- Takoda - 'Friend to all.'
- Winona - 'First-born daughter.'
- Dakota - 'Friend, ally.' Now a state name and popular name.
- Cheyenne - Lakota name for another tribe. Now crossover name.
- Koda - 'Friend.'
Ojibwe (Chippewa) Names
- Nokomis - 'Grandmother.' Hiawatha's grandmother.
- Makwa - 'Bear.'
- Migizi (mi-GI-zee) - 'Eagle.'
- Odina (o-DEE-na) - 'Mountain.'
Considerations for Non-Native Families
Using Native American names requires cultural awareness.
The Appropriation Question
Some indigenous people feel their naming traditions should stay within their communities. Others welcome sharing. There's no single indigenous opinion. But the question deserves consideration: are you honoring a culture or borrowing something sacred without understanding?
Names That Have Crossed Over
Some names have become mainstream enough that they've partially separated from their origins:
- Dakota - Now a state name used by many ethnicities
- Cheyenne - Widely used beyond indigenous communities
- Winona - Ryder made it familiar globally
- Sequoia - Known primarily as a tree now
These names carry less cultural weight because they've been absorbed into broader usage.
Names to Approach Carefully
- Names with specific ceremonial significance
- Names of sacred figures or spirits
- Names that require tribal membership to use appropriately
- Names used mockingly in popular culture
Best Practices
- Research the specific nation and meaning
- If possible, consult with people from that nation
- Choose names that have broader usage if you're uncertain
- Be prepared to explain and honor the origin
Names That Have Crossed Over
Some Native-origin names are now used broadly in American naming.
Mainstream Native Names
- Dakota - Top 500 name. State and name.
- Cheyenne - Popular for girls. Tribe and city.
- Winona - Actress familiarity. 'First-born daughter.'
- Sequoia - Tree familiarity. Cherokee scholar origin.
- Shawnee - Tribe name used as personal name.
Nature Names With Native Roots
- Koda - Very popular. 'Friend.'
- Tallulah - Falls familiarity. 'Leaping water.'
- Chenoa - 'White dove.' Rising usage.
Names From Native Words
- Aiyana - 'Eternal blossom.' Sweet and accessible.
- Halona - 'Fortunate.' Pleasant sound.
- Kaya - Multiple origins including Hopi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can non-Native families use Native American names?
There's no single answer. Some indigenous people welcome it as honoring their culture; others see it as appropriation. Names that have crossed into mainstream usage (Dakota, Cheyenne) are generally less problematic. Sacred or ceremonial names deserve more caution. If you choose a Native name, research it thoroughly and be prepared to honor its origins.
Q2: Which Native names are most accessible for non-Native families?
Names that have become mainstream: Dakota, Cheyenne, Winona, Sequoia. Names with simple meanings and sounds: Koda (friend), Aiyana (eternal blossom). Names without specific ceremonial significance. When in doubt, choose names that have been widely adopted rather than specifically sacred ones.
Q3: How do I research a name's tribal origin?
Be skeptical of baby name websites—many list 'Native American' without specifying which nation. Better sources: tribal nation websites, academic sources on indigenous languages, Native American cultural organizations. If a source can't tell you which nation a name comes from, the information may be unreliable.
Q4: Are there Native American names I should avoid?
Avoid names with sacred ceremonial significance, names of holy figures, and names that have been used mockingly. Avoid using 'Native American' generically when the name comes from a specific nation. Avoid inventing 'Native-sounding' names that aren't actually from any indigenous language.
Q5: My family has Native American ancestry. Does that change things?
If you have documented tribal connection, consult your nation's naming traditions and elders. Tribal membership typically requires documentation, not just family stories. If you're enrolled or connected to a specific nation, that nation's naming traditions are yours to draw from. General 'Native American' names aren't more yours than anyone else's.
Names That Honor the Land
Native American names carry something precious: a worldview where humans belong to the land rather than owning it. Where animals are relatives, not resources. Where names connect people to nature, spirit, and community across generations.
If you choose a Native American name, you're choosing more than sounds. You're choosing to acknowledge that this land had names before Europeans arrived—names for places, names for people, names that connected humans to the world around them.
Whether you're indigenous naming within your own tradition or non-Native approaching these names with respect, the responsibility is the same: honor what you're drawing from. Learn the story behind the name. Acknowledge its origin. Carry it well.
Find culturally appropriate names on SoulSeed, where you can explore origins, understand meanings, and discover names that honor the First Nations of this land.
