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
Inti	Unisex	Sun god
Jacy	Boy	He has a face of the Moon
Jamiroquai	Unisex	A combination of jam and iroquai
Japa	Boy	To chant
Kabecka	Unisex	Twin
Kaiyah	Unisex	Forgiveness; Sea
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

Kawhi	Boy	A strong and quiet leader
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
Kimeya	Unisex	Singing throat

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
Kuruk	Boy	Native American - Bear; The names Kuruc and Kuruck are derivatives of Kuruk
Kuthun	Unisex	The one who cuts the binding string
Kyana	Unisex	Light
Lakoda	Unisex	Native American warrior

Lalawethika	Boy	He who makes noise; A loud person
Laneetees	Boy	Big Elk
Lonato	Boy	A Flint stone
Lozen	Unisex	One who has stolen horses
Luta	Boy	Red; A derivative of the name Lootah; Beautiful
Magaska	Unisex	One who is like a White Swan
Mahaskah	Unisex	A white cloud
Mahkah	Boy	One who belongs to, or is one with the Earth
Mahkai	Boy	Medicine man; Healer
Maizee	Unisex	Unique; Adventurous; Free-spirited

Makya	Boy	One who is an eagle hunter
Maovesa	Unisex	One who is like a wild horse
Maquilla	Boy	An unclear, confused person
Matto	Boy	A brave warrior
Meda	Boy	Prophetess; Priestess; Edible root; A variant of Medah
Meiomi	Unisex	Coast
Miami	Unisex	Big water
Micco	Unisex	Chief; Leader
Mingo	Unisex	Native American; clever; ambitious
Moose	Unisex	A large deer species found in North America and Europe, known for their antlers

Nakoma	Unisex	I do as I promise; Great warrior; Great spirit
Nakota	Unisex	Friend
Natani	Unisex	Spokesman
Onalee	Unisex	Gold
Ouray	Boy	One who is sharp as an arrow
Oyintsa	Unisex	A white winter Duck
Ozark	Unisex	With bows; At the arches
Pachua	Boy	Feathered water snake
Pahana	Unisex	A lost white brother; filled with wisdom and action
Pahkakino	Boy	A good and noble gentleman

Pala	Unisex	Like a guardian; water; Near an upland meadow
Pallaton	Boy	One who has strength and is a fighter
Panama	Unisex	Place of abundant fish
Pays	Boy	One who is coming
Paytah	Boy	One who is born out of fire
Pecos	Boy	Pecan
Pegalesharro	Boy	A person who is like a man's chief
Piapot	Boy	A person who understands the secret of Sioux
Pillan	Unisex	The God of stormy weather
Popo	Unisex	A very tall grass of rye

Poseanye	Unisex	The dripping dew
Poviyemo	Unisex	A falling flower
Powa	Boy	A wealthy, rich person
Pumpkin	Unisex	Large melon
Quanah	Boy	Fragrant; Sweet-smelling
Quannah	Boy	One who smells sweet
Quantez	Boy	Powerful; Unique; Leader
Quebec	Unisex	Where the river narrows
Quilla	Unisex	Moon
Quirtsquip	Unisex	Chewing elk

Raini	Boy	The creator
Roca	Boy	Principal; Radiant; A variant of Ruca
Sahale	Boy	One who is like a Falcon
Sahrahsahe	Unisex	A black eagle
Salish	Unisex	Worship
Saloso	Unisex	A cry of the wild goose
Samoset	Boy	One who walk over a lot
Santee	Unisex	Holy; Saintly
Sassaba	Unisex	The wolf
Scoop	Unisex	One who is standing looking back

Semin	Unisex	Love; Affection
Sequoia	Unisex	Of the giant red wood tree
Sequoyah	Unisex	Sparrow
Shawnee	Unisex	Indigenous, Native American
Shawree	Boy	A cornstalk; a name given to a powerful Bear
Sheyanne	Unisex	Unintelligible speaker
Shikoba	Unisex	To be like a feather
Shilah	Boy	He who is a brother
Shillan	Boy	A brotherly one
Sinasta	Unisex	A person considered to be an expert

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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.