Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
Do you know the common denominator between the Sitting Bull, the Chiefdom organization, and The Last of the Mohicans? It’s the Native Americans. Apart from a rich culture, history, and heritage, they also take pride in their captivating array of Native American baby names, reflecting the beauty and uniqueness of their traditions. These names are derived from the indigenous people inhabiting the North and South America. The Native American naming tradition is dynamic, allowing for earning of new names based on personality. Children are given names reflecting their nature, and, if unsuitable, changed. Adolescents may also change names. Throughout adulthood, new names are awarded by family and society, fostering a robust social bond with the community and family. This tradition serves as a driving force for personal growth throughout life. Its fluid nature encourages individual development. Every Native American tribe has a different naming tradition. In some tribes, a baby is not named until they are born, and in others, a child can be named only when they reach puberty. Some even name their child after a rite of passage, a life event, a dream, or an accomplishment. For example, within the Lakota tribe, names carry significant importance, with six distinct classes dictating the naming process. These categories encompass birth order, honor, special deed, nicknames, and secret or spirit names. The naming ceremony is a meticulous affair, extending over weeks or months, involving the careful planning of gifts, food, and prayers to celebrate the individual's achievements and actions. Crucially, the tribe’s elder must approve the name, typically revealed through a dream or vision, signifying the profound spiritual bond between the person and their given name (1). If you want a distinctive and beautiful Native American name, look no further. Use our baby name collection to find famous and insightful Native American names with meanings. We’ve even included a few Native American variants of Christian and Hebrew names for parents who wish to go the non-traditional route.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Enapay |  |  Boy | Brave and powerful |
| Enola | |  Girl | Solitary |
| Esadowa | |  Unisex | Wolves |
| Etenia | | Girl | Wealthy |
| Eywa | | Unisex | To provide refuge |
| Ezhno | | Boy | One who lives in solitary |
| Fala | | Girl | A bird name; A crow |
| Goyahkla | | Boy | A person who yawns; Intelligent and brave leader |
| Goyathlay | | Boy | A person who yawns; Intelligent and brave leader |
| Grizzly | | Unisex | Strong and powerful |
| Guyana | | Unisex | Land of many waters |
| Halona | | Girl | Iroquois Indian meaning happy fortune |
| Halyn | | Girl | Unique; Not very common |
| Haroldas | | Boy | Army ruler |
| Haroldo | | Boy | Power; Leader; Ruler |
| Hassun | | Boy | Stone |
| Hateya | | Girl | Press with the foot or make tracks |
| Hawkeye | | Unisex | Sharp-sighted; Having a keen vision |
| Helki | | Girl | Touch |
| Herrick | | Boy | Army leader; Army rule |
| Herrold | | Boy | Authoritative person in the army |
| Hialeah | | Unisex | Pretty prairie; High prairie |
| Hiawatha | | Boy | Maker of rivers |
| Hinto | | Girl | One who has deep blue eyes |
| Hokaratcha | | Girl | Polecat |
| Hoowanneka | | Unisex | Little elk |
| Hosa | | Boy | Young Crow; Little Raven |
| Hosteen | | Boy | A title of respect for males |
| Hotaama | | Boy | Gray; Brown |
| Hotah | | Boy | Gray; Brown |
| Hotha | | Boy | A man who is gray |
| Huacaltzintli | | Girl | Native American name |
| Hurricane | | Unisex | A storm |
| Huslu | | Boy | One who is a hairy bear |
| Indiana | | Unisex | Land of the Indians |
| Inola | | Unisex | Black Fox |
| Inti | | Unisex | Sun god |
| Jacy | | Boy | He has a face of the Moon |
| Jamaica | | Girl | Land of wood and water |
| Jamiroquai | | Unisex | A combination of jam and iroquai |
| Japa | | Boy | To chant |
| Kabecka | | Unisex | Twin |
| Kachina | | Girl | Spirit |
| Kaiah | | Girl | Little but wise; Pure |
| Kaiyah | | Unisex | Forgiveness; Sea |
| Kaliska | | Girl | Coyote chasing deer |
| Kanapima | | Unisex | The one they tallk about |
| Kaneenawup | | Boy | The one who is sitting like an Eagle |
| Kanga | | Unisex | Black bird, Raven |
| Kansas | | unisex | People of the south wind |
| Karey | | Boy | Descendant of Ciardha |
| Karmiti | | Girl | Trees |
| Kasa | | Girl | One who is dressed in furs |
| Kateri | | Girl | Pure |
| Kawhi | | Boy | A strong and quiet leader |
| Kayah | | Girl | She is little but wise |
| Kaydee | | Girl | Bright; Plane; Pure |
| Kaydence | | Girl | Rhythm; Flow |
| Keemeone | | Unisex | Rain |
| Kele | | Boy | Sparrow |
| Keme | | Boy | Secret thunder |
| Kenesaw | | Boy | Grass; Name of a mountain in Georgia, USA |
| Kennesaw | | Boy | Grass |
| Kenosha | | Unisex | City in Wisconsin |
| Kentucky | | Unisex | A land of tomorrow; Name of the US state |
| Kiasax | | Unisex | The bear on the left |
| Kilenya | | Girl | Coughing fish |
| Kima | | Girl | Butterfly |
| Kimama | | Girl | Butterfly |
| Kimeya | | unisex | Singing throat |
| Kimimela | | Girl | Butterfly |
| Kimimila | | Girl | Dark-skinned |
| Kineks | | Girl | Rosebud |
| Kiona | | Girl | Brown hills |
| Kiowa | | Girl | The hills are brown |
| Kishil | | unisex | Night |
| Kitkun | | Unisex | Bird of the night |
| Knoton | | Boy | One of the wind |
| Koda | | Boy | Allies; Companion |
| Kodah | | Unisex | Helpful; Ally |
| Kohana | | Boy | Swift |
| Koko | | Girl | Night; Black foot |
| Koleyna | | Girl | Coughing fish |
| Kuruk | | Boy | Native American - Bear; The names Kuruc and Kuruck are derivatives of Kuruk |
| Kuthun | | Unisex | The one who cuts the binding string |
| Kwanita | | Girl | God is gracious |
| Kyah | | Girl | Little but wise |
| Kyana | | Unisex | Light |
| Lakoda | | Unisex | Native American warrior |
| Lalawethika | | Boy | He who makes noise; A loud person |
| Laneetees | | Boy | Big Elk |
| Leotie | | Girl | One who is like a flower of the prairie |
| Lequoia | | Girl | Made from a sequoia tree |
| Liluye | | Girl | Soaring singing hawk |
| Liseli | | Girl | Light; One who shines bright |
| Lonato | | Boy | A Flint stone |
| Lozen | | Unisex | One who has stolen horses |
| Luta | | Boy | Red; A derivative of the name Lootah; Beautiful |
| Luyu | | Girl | One who is like a Wild Dove |
| Maconaquea | | Girl | A captive white one |
Native American baby names hold immense importance, embodying the cultural legacy of indigenous people. The naming process is flexible, enabling personal growth over time. Various tribes adopt distinct naming customs tied to birth order, dreams, and achievements. The ceremonial approval by the tribe’s elders signifies a profound spiritual link between individuals and their names. Embracing a Native American name goes beyond aesthetics; it fosters a profound connection to a centuries-old tradition that honors identity and uniqueness. Such names encapsulate a rich heritage and offer a powerful tribute to Native American culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can Native American baby names be used for non-Native American children?
Yes, Native American baby names can also be used for non-Native American children, provided the names are well-researched by the parents and the names are considered socially acceptable. Some Native American names that is chosen by non-Natives include Cherokee, Dakota, and Nayla.
2. What are some Native American baby names inspired by spiritual beliefs?
Some of the Native American names with spiritual beliefs are Alo, meaning ‘one who is a spiritual guide,’ Angeni, meaning ‘an angel,’ Jonas, which means ‘dove’ as a symbol of peace, and Pillan, which means ‘god of stormy weather.’
3. Which Native American name means star?
Some Native American names that mean stars include Galaxy, meaning ‘large system of stars’ and Wabanang, meaning ‘eastern morning star.’ Also, Namid, Citali, and Totole mean ‘star.’
4.Which Native American names mean peace?
Some of the Native American names that mean peace include Jalen, meaning ‘tranquil,’ Frederick, meaning ‘peaceful ruler,’ Serenity, which means ‘peaceful disposition,’ and Aquene, meaning ‘peace.’
5. Which Native American name means heaven?
Some of the American names that mean heaven include Avari, meaning ‘from the sky,’ Moraika, meaning ‘heavenly messenger,’ Sahalie, meaning ‘heaven,’ and Arcelio, which means ‘altar of heaven.’
Infographic: Traditional Native American Baby Names
There's no better way to honor your American heritage than by choosing a gorgeous Native American baby name. For millennia, Native Americans have shaped their culture and environment. Their values, traditions, and beliefs have been passed from generation to generation. As a result, names from this culture have powerful symbolism. Read this infographic to find the most impactful ones.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Native American Name Giving Tradition.
https://www.amc.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/787495/native-american-name-giving-tradition/
