45 Inuit Baby Boy Names With Meanings

Inuit boy names stem from the Inuit people, an indigenous group located in the Arctic and subarctic regions of Greenland, Quebec, Nunavut, Labrador, and Alaska. Previously, Inuits were known by the term Eskimo. However, in today’s world, this term is deemed offensive because it was forced upon the indigenous people by their colonizers. In Inuit culture, names carry a particular significance and are not chosen just for aesthetic beauty. Most Inuit names are traditional and reflect what is important to them and their culture. Like many cultures worldwide, Inuits believe that names can shape and influence a child’s personality or future. Inuit names revolve around their environment, native animals, and spirits (1). Babies are also named after their blood relatives, famous hunters, leaders, or other prominent individuals. A document known as the Inuuqatigiit, The Curriculum from the Inuit Perspective, was written in 1996. It perceives the tradition of naming as an essential institution. The purpose of the Inuuqatigiit is to become an educational link between the past and the present. The document upholds the Inuit belief that spirits live on even after death and pass on to the child through their name. There are different ways a child can attain their name. Usually, the elders or family members would advise the parents on choosing a name, but in some cases, names may appear in dreams or visions of the mother. A child’s name can also be determined by the gestures they make. If it resembles the characteristics of a deceased family member, the child may be given their name (1). So, if you wish to honor your Inuit roots or are interested in Inuit boy names, we have included a range of them in our list. Take a moment to explore them.

Name		Gender	Meaning
Adlartok		Unisex	Clear sky
Alornerk		Unisex	Under-feet
Amaqjuaq		Boy	The strong one
Amaruq		Unisex	Grey wolf
Aput		Unisex	Snow
Atiqtalaaq		Unisex	Polar bear cub
Cupun		Unisex	Inuit word for coal
Ikiaq		Unisex	Red spruce
Inuksuk		Boy	An Alaskan cairn to mark pathways; On the right path
Kallik		Unisex	Lightning.
Kanaaq		Unisex	The lower part of the leg
Kumaglak		Boy	Kumaglak is a fictional name featured in "Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner".
Nanouk		Unisex	Variant of Nanuq; Polar bear
Nanurjuk		Unisex	Star
Nootaikok		Boy	God of icebergs
Nukilik		Unisex	One who is strong
Nuna		Unisex	Land, Lullaby
Nuniq		Unisex	Polar bear
Pana		Boy	God who cares for the souls in the underworld before their reincarnation
Panuk		Boy	Island
Pilip		Boy	Inuit form of Philip; Lover of horses
Qimmiq		Unisex	Dog
Silla		Boy	God of sky
Siqiniq		Unisex	The sun
Taqtu		Unisex	Kidney
Tehoronianhen		Unisex	Covered in clouds
Tekkeitsertok		Boy	God of hunting: Master of caribou
Tiguaak		Boy	The adopted child
Toklo		Boy	He is spontaneous and versatile
Tonraq		Boy	Tiny man
Tootega		Unisex	Old woman deity who could walk on water
Torngarsuk		Boy	Name of a powerful sky god
Tukkuttok		Unisex	He who is generous
Tulimak		Unisex	Rib
Tulimaq		Boy	Rib
Tulok		Boy	Warrior or god of the stars
Tulugaak		Boy	Like a raven; Creator of light
Ujurak		Boy	Variant of Ujarak, meaning rock
Umiaktorvik		Unisex	River
Uukkarnit		Unisex	Calved ice
Yoskolo		Boy	Breaking off sugar-pine cones
Yotimo		Boy	A yellow jacket used for carrying pieces of meat from the house to the nest
Yuka		Unisex	Good; Beautiful
Yura		Unisex	Farmer
Yutu		Boy	To claw

Infographic: Remarkable Inuit Baby Boy Names

Inuit boy names come from nature, animals, famous leaders, hunters, and more. They reflect the ideals important to the culture. Naming a child is regarded with immense significance among the Inuits. If you wish to pay homage to your Inuit ancestors through your child’s name, we have created an infographic below with a list of masculine Inuit names and their meanings.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team