369 Native American Baby Names With Meanings

Native American Baby Names With Meanings

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.

NameGenderMeaning
heart image Magaska heart image baby boy sign Unisex One who is like a White Swan
heart image Mahaskah heart image baby boy sign Unisex A white cloud
heart image Mahela heart image baby boy sign Girl A woman; A pregnant mother
heart image Mahkah heart image baby boy sign Boy One who belongs to, or is one with the Earth
heart image Mahkai heart image baby boy sign Boy Medicine man; Healer
heart image Maiara heart image baby boy sign Girl A woman of great wisdom
heart image Maizee heart image baby boy sign Unisex Unique; Adventurous; Free-spirited
heart image Makya heart image baby boy sign Boy One who is an eagle hunter
heart image Maovesa heart image baby boy sign Unisex One who is like a wild horse
heart image Maquilla heart image baby boy sign Boy An unclear, confused person
heart image Maralah heart image baby boy sign Girl One who was born during an earthquake
heart image Matlalatzin heart image baby boy sign Girl Unclear
heart image Matoaka heart image baby boy sign Girl Little snow feather
heart image Matto heart image baby boy sign Boy A brave warrior
heart image Meda heart image baby boy sign Boy Prophetess; Priestess; Edible root; A variant of Medah
heart image Medapati heart image baby boy sign Girl A Prohetess
heart image Meilani heart image baby boy sign Girl Heavenly May
heart image Meiomi heart image baby boy sign Unisex Coast
heart image Miami heart image baby boy sign Unisex Big water
heart image Micco heart image baby boy sign Unisex Chief; Leader
heart image Mingo heart image baby boy sign Unisex Native American; clever; ambitious
heart image Moema heart image baby boy sign Girl The highest authority person in the country after the king
heart image Mojave heart image baby boy sign Girl Desert; Arid; Southwestern
heart image Moose heart image baby boy sign Unisex A large deer species found in North America and Europe, known for their antlers
heart image Nakoma heart image baby boy sign Unisex I do as I promise; Great warrior; Great spirit
heart image Nakota heart image baby boy sign Unisex Friend
heart image Natani heart image baby boy sign Unisex Spokesman
heart image Nayeli heart image baby boy sign Girl Expression of love; Open
heart image Nayla heart image baby boy sign Girl A winner; One who goes ahead to get everything
heart image Neytiri heart image baby boy sign Girl Warrior princess
heart image Olowin heart image baby boy sign Boy West
heart image Onalee heart image baby boy sign Unisex Gold
heart image Ouray heart image baby boy sign Boy One who is sharp as an arrow
heart image Oyintsa heart image baby boy sign Unisex A white winter Duck
heart image Ozark heart image baby boy sign Unisex With bows; At the arches
heart image Pachua heart image baby boy sign Boy Feathered water snake
heart image Pahana heart image baby boy sign Unisex A lost white brother; filled with wisdom and action
heart image Pahkakino heart image baby boy sign Boy A good and noble gentleman
heart image Pakuna heart image baby boy sign Girl A Deer jumping downhill; intelligent
heart image Pala heart image baby boy sign Unisex Like a guardian; water; Near an upland meadow
heart image Pallaton heart image baby boy sign Boy One who has strength and is a fighter
heart image Panama heart image baby boy sign Unisex Place of abundant fish
heart image Papina heart image baby boy sign Girl Ivy; a passionate individual
heart image Pays heart image baby boy sign Boy One who is coming
heart image Paytah heart image baby boy sign Boy One who is born out of fire
heart image Pebbles heart image baby boy sign Girl One who is like a small rock
heart image Pecos heart image baby boy sign Boy Pecan
heart image Pegalesharro heart image baby boy sign Boy A person who is like a man's chief
heart image Peta heart image baby boy sign Girl The Golden Eagle
heart image Petunia heart image baby boy sign Girl Name of a trumpet shaped flower
heart image Piapot heart image baby boy sign Boy A person who understands the secret of Sioux
heart image Picabo heart image baby boy sign Girl One who came out of shining waters
heart image Pillan heart image baby boy sign Unisex The God of stormy weather
heart image Pipaluk heart image baby boy sign Girl The little one; Sweet Little Thing
heart image Pizi heart image baby boy sign Girl Bravery; Gall; The middleman
heart image Pocahontas heart image baby boy sign Girl A playful woman
heart image Popo heart image baby boy sign Unisex A very tall grass of rye
heart image Poseanye heart image baby boy sign Unisex The dripping dew
heart image Povitamun heart image baby boy sign Girl Morning Flower
heart image Poviyemo heart image baby boy sign Unisex A falling flower
heart image Powa heart image baby boy sign Boy A wealthy, rich person
heart image Pules heart image baby boy sign Girl One who is like a pigeon
heart image Pumpkin heart image baby boy sign Unisex Large melon
heart image Qualetaga heart image baby boy sign Boy Angel of the people
heart image Quanah heart image baby boy sign Boy Fragrant; Sweet-smelling
heart image Quannah heart image baby boy sign Boy One who smells sweet
heart image Quantez heart image baby boy sign Boy Powerful; Unique; Leader
heart image Quebec heart image baby boy sign Unisex Where the river narrows
heart image Quilla heart image baby boy sign Unisex Moon
heart image Quirtsquip heart image baby boy sign Unisex Chewing elk
heart image Raini heart image baby boy sign Boy The creator
heart image Roca heart image baby boy sign Boy Principal; Radiant; A variant of Ruca
heart image Rozene heart image baby boy sign Girl Native American name for a rose
heart image Sacagawea heart image baby boy sign Girl Bird woman
heart image Sacnite heart image baby boy sign Girl Woman beautiful and pure as the white flower
heart image Sahale heart image baby boy sign Boy One who is like a Falcon
heart image Sahalie heart image baby boy sign Girl The sky; The High heaven
heart image Sahkyo heart image baby boy sign Girl One who resembles the mink
heart image Sahrahsahe heart image baby boy sign Unisex A black eagle
heart image Sakakawea heart image baby boy sign Girl A woman who helped Lewis and Clark in the Lousiana Purchase
heart image Salali heart image baby boy sign Girl Squirrel
heart image Salish heart image baby boy sign Unisex Worship
heart image Saloso heart image baby boy sign Unisex A cry of the wild goose
heart image Samoset heart image baby boy sign Boy One who walk over a lot
heart image Santee heart image baby boy sign Unisex Holy; Saintly
heart image Sassaba heart image baby boy sign Unisex The wolf
heart image Sayen heart image baby boy sign Girl Lovable
heart image Scoop heart image baby boy sign Unisex One who is standing looking back
heart image Sedna heart image baby boy sign Girl Goddess of the sea
heart image Semin heart image baby boy sign Unisex Love; Affection
heart image Sequoia heart image baby boy sign Unisex Of the giant red wood tree
heart image Sequoyah heart image baby boy sign Unisex Sparrow
heart image Shada heart image baby boy sign Girl One who resembles a pelican
heart image Shania heart image baby boy sign Girl A woman who is on her way
heart image Shaniya heart image baby boy sign Girl She who is on her way
heart image Shawnee heart image baby boy sign Unisex Indigenous, Native American
heart image Shawree heart image baby boy sign Boy A cornstalk; a name given to a powerful Bear
heart image Shenandoah heart image baby boy sign Girl A beautiful daughter of the stars
heart image Shenoah heart image baby boy sign Girl A white dove
heart image Sheyanne heart image baby boy sign Unisex Unintelligible speaker

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.

native american names with deep cultural significance (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

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.
  1. Native American Name Giving Tradition.
    https://www.amc.af.mil/News/Features/Display/Article/787495/native-american-name-giving-tradition/
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