234 Native American Baby Boy Names With Meanings

Inspire your son to become a leader, a spiritual guide, or the sweetest friend.

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• Sep 11, 2023

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Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Native American boy names are unique and closely connected to nature. Native American societies have a long-standing custom of naming newborn boys. An essential part of their cultural practices is closely connected to their history, spirituality, and acute awareness of nature. Native American naming conventions vary according to the tribes, languages, and cultures, each with unique traditions and customs. In many Native American cultures, a baby boy's name frequently refers to the events that led up to his birth, his parents' hopes for his future, or even the environment that the tribe was living in at the time. Native American naming customs also offer dynamic names that can alter throughout a person's lifetime. Their naming customs change from tribe to tribe and are commonly given privately or publicly throughout a person's life to reflect on their achievements, activities, and milestones. For instance, the Lakota uses six categories of names: birth order, honor, notable accomplishments, nicknames, and secret or spirit names. A boy may receive a name at birth, another during his youth, and possibly another as he matures into a man. A private name, known only to the individual and the tribal elders, is given in some Native American tribes to protect the individual spiritually. The public names are for everyday purposes. Others can use the general title to address the person, while the spiritual or private names are kept secret (1). Native American naming customs also illustrate the significance of clan and tribal unity in these communities. Some cultures honor ancestors and nurture family ties by passing down names through the generations within the family. Many Native American families today retain these rich traditions, valuing their cultural history by selecting traditional names for their infant boys, despite the emergence of modernity and cross-cultural connections. The names have a strong spiritual and cultural resonance, representing the history of the tribe, the character of the bearer, and the parents' aspirations for their offspring's future. Giving a baby boy Native American name honors that culture's relationship to nature, spiritual beliefs, tribal unity, and ever-evolving life journey. Continue reading as we present some beautiful Native American names for baby boys.

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Name	Gender	Meaning
Citlali	Unisex	Star
Dakotah	Boy	A friend of friends
Haroldas	Boy	Army ruler
Haroldo	Boy	Power; Leader; Ruler
Herrick	Boy	Army leader; Army rule
Herrold	Boy	Authoritative person in the army
Karey	Boy	Descendant of Ciardha
Olowin	Boy	West
Qualetaga	Boy	Angel of the people
Tala	Boy	Wolf; Gold; Heavenly palm tree

Ahanu	Boy	He laughs
Ahtahkakoop	Boy	Star blanket
Ahuitzotl	Boy	The eighth Aztec ruler, the Hueyi Tlatoani of the city of Tenochtitlan
Akando	Boy	Ambush; One who has power and wealth
Akikta	Boy	One who works with determination; Excels in everything
Alanta	Unisex	Strong and determined
Alo	Boy	Spiritual guide
Apache	Unisex	Enemy; The people
Apiatan	Boy	Wooden lance
Aponi	Unisex	butterfly or one who is beautiful

Asahavey	Boy	Bird Chief; a perfect leader
Askook	Boy	Snake
Atahladte	Unisex	Feather on the head
Atlin	Unisex	Big lake
Aucaman	Boy	Wild condor
Avonaco	Boy	A lean bear; Travel lover
Awena	Unisex	Time of early day; Sunrise
Axayacatl	Boy	A water-faced individual
Axe	Boy	One who is the father of peace
Behitha	Unisex	Eagle Child; the beginning of an event

Bidaban	Boy	Beginning of Dawn; an excellent human being
Bison	Unisex	Strong; Powerful; Untamed
Brocky	Unisex	The feahers that come from over the hill
Byue	Unisex	Like a slow stream
Caiya	Boy	To be near something
Calian	Boy	He who is a warrior of the life
Catahecassa	Boy	Black hoof
Chaco	Unisex	God Strengthens
Chantesuta	Unisex	The one who has a firm heart
Chanteyukan	Unisex	A benevolent human being

Chardon	Unisex	Bar of sand
Chasity	Boy	One who is pure
Chaska	Boy	The first born son
Chaske	Boy	The one who has cheerful and friendly personality
Chaytan	Boy	A patient, diplomatic, and gentle individual; Like a hawk
Chayton	Boy	The mighty falcon
Cherokee	Boy	People of different language; Other people
Chesmu	Boy	A rough, witty person
Chetanzi	Unisex	A yellow Hawk
Cheveyo	Boy	A warrior; soul warrior

Chey	Unisex	Speak incoherently; Red speakers
Chicago	Unisex	Wild garlic
Chile	Unisex	Where the land ends; Cold; Snow
Chimalus	Unisex	A Bluebird
Chogan	Boy	Blackbird, a species of birds found in Europe and Asia
Chua	Boy	Snake
Chunta	Boy	Cheating; to use unfair or fraud means for one's own benefit
Ciqala	Boy	Small one; tiny one; little one
Citana	Unisex	One who is a star in the sky
Cochise	Boy	A type of wood; a well known warrior chief

Cohutta	Unisex	Mountains; Sheds of poles
Cougar	Unisex	Mountain lion; Puma
Coyote	Unisex	trickster, cunning, unpredictability
Creek	Unisex	Stream; Small river
Cuauhtemoc	Boy	A falling Eagle
Cuauhtemotzin	Boy	The one who falls like an Eagle
Cuba	Boy	The centre of an island
Cuitlahuatzin	Boy	Name of a far-off place
Cusa	Boy	The one who provokes
Dakoda	Unisex	Native American; Friend

Dakota	Unisex	Native American; Friend
Dasan	Boy	A Chief
Dason	Boy	A combination name
Delsin	Boy	He is so
Dyami	Boy	A majestic Eagle
Elan	Boy	A friendly and lovely person; A tree
Elsu	Boy	A flying falcon
Elu	Unisex	Full of grace
Enapay	Boy	Brave and powerful
Esadowa	Unisex	Wolves

Eywa	Unisex	To provide refuge
Ezhno	Boy	One who lives in solitary
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
Hassun	Boy	Stone
Hawkeye	Unisex	Sharp-sighted; Having a keen vision
Hialeah	Unisex	Pretty prairie; High prairie
Hiawatha	Boy	Maker of rivers

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
Hurricane	Unisex	A storm
Huslu	Boy	One who is a hairy bear
Indiana	Unisex	Land of the Indians
Inola	Unisex	Black Fox

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Native American is a broader umbrella term for numerous indigenous tribes of the American continent, encompassing a wide range of cultural history and traditions. Naming conventions often symbolize their strong association with nature, spirituality, and their intriguing culture. Quite often, Native American names represent the aspirations of the parents and their positive expectations for the future, which also tell tales of the past, present, and future. So browse through the above list of names and pick one that you find interesting.

Infographic: Stunning Native American Baby Boy Names With Meanings

Native American newborn boy names often draw inspiration from the cultural and spiritual aspects of the Native American culture. The names may be altered during one's life to signify milestones or successes and frequently represent circumstances surrounding the child's birth or parental hopes. These following given names serve as a heartfelt homage to tribe unity and individual journeys, honoring ancestors and strengthening family ties while also serving as enduring representations of identity.

imposing native american baby boy names with meanings (infographic)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can non-Native American families choose Native American baby boy names?

Native American baby names come from various tribes throughout the Americas, such as Cherokee, Apache, Navajo, Cheyenne, Choctaw, and Lakota. These names have immensely descriptive definitions. You can use them even if your family is non-Native American. If you like meaningful names, you can select any easy-to-pronounce and spell names for your child.

2. What are some unique and lesser-known Native American baby boy names?

Native American baby boy names have deep spiritual meanings. There are many unique names that are beautiful and honor Native American heritage. These include Aluk, meaning thunder, Bidziil, meaning a strong human, Olowin, meaning West, Fetla, meaning wildcat, and Istas, meaning snow.

3. Are there any traditional or ceremonial practices associated with naming a Native American baby boy?

Most Native American communities have naming ceremonies. Each community has its unique practice that varies in terms of when and how the ritual takes place – for instance, at a specific age or season. Many Native Americans have a legal and a traditional name, also known as ''spirit name.'' Sometimes children are named at birth. The ceremony's chief may also identify colors of importance to the child. This is done in the indigenous language of their ancestors (1).

4. Which Native American boy’s name means spirit?

You can find many names signifying spirit in Native American culture. For example, Achak is a Native American name for a boy that means spirit. Alo is another masculine name that means ‘one who is a spiritual guide.’

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.

Native American Naming Ceremony in Michigan.
https://hwpi.harvard.edu/pluralismarchive/news/native-american-naming-ceremony-michigan

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.