All new parents know naming your child is one of the hardest decisions you'll probably ever have to make. Native American names are unique, and they have powerful, sentimental, and beautiful meanings behind them.
Anyone with an American Indian background can pay the ultimate homage to their heritage by giving their bundle of joy a classic Native American name.
Keep reading for 100 unique Native American baby names for boys and girls.
And if you're looking for shower gifts, be sure to check our Native American baby gift guide!
These 100 names are all excellent options for your coming baby girl or boy. They're surging in popularity, but still unique enough to suit your one-of-a-kind bundle of joy.
American Indian Names for Girls
Algonquian
Odina
The Native American Algonquin name means “mountain.” Usually, it's a girl name.
Chepi
This American Indian baby girl name means “fairy.”
Cherokee Tribe
Aiyana
One of the most popular names for girls, Aiyana means “forever flowering.”
Galilahi
A Cherokee Native American girl name that means “attractive.”
Chippewa Tribe
Nokomis
This unique name is a Chippewa girl name that means “grandmother or daughter of the moon.”
Choctaw Tribe
Tallulah
A beautiful girl's name that means “leaping water.”
Isi
A Native American girl name increasing in popularity that translates to “deer.”
Coo Tribe
Aleshanee
A charming name that means “she plays all the time.”
Hopi Tribe
Hehewuti
A Native American girl name that translates into “warrior mother spirit.”
Kachina
A Native American girl name that means “spirit.”
Pavati
A girl name from the Hopi that means “clear water.”
Soyala
A Hopi girl name that means “time of the winter solstice.”
Qaletaqa
A strong Hopi name that means “guardian of the people.”
Tablita
A girl name originating from the Hopi meaning “crown.”
Tiva
A short Hopi girl name that means “dance.”
Una
A Hope Tribe girl name that translates into “remember.”
Inuktitut Tribe
Sakari
A popular name among Native Americans that means “sweet.”
Iroquois Tribe
Orenda
A mystical Native American girl name that means “magic power.”
Omaha Tribe
Mitena
A common American Indian girl name that means “new moon or coming moon.”
Donoma
This girl name means “visible sun.”
Tadewi
A girl name that means “wind.”
Urika
A Native American girl name growing in popularity that means “useful.”
Pamunkey Tribe
Pocahontas
Arguably the most famous Native American name, it means “playful one.”
Shoshone Tribe
Sacajawea
Another famous name on the list. It means “bird woman.”
Sioux Tribe
Winona
Just like actress Winona Rider, the name means “the first daughter.”
Takoda
Similar to Dakoda, this female name means “friend to all.”
Makawee
Makawee means “Generous, abundant, freely giving and motherly” in Sioux
Magaskawee
A Sioux girl name means “swain maiden” or “graceful.”
Wachiwi
A Native American girl name that translates into “dancing girl.”
Nahimana
A Native American girl name that means “mystic.”
Snana
A Sioux girl name that means “jingle like little bells.”
Weayaya
A Sioux tribe girl name meaning “sunset.”
Wuti
A short girl's name popular among many Native Americans that means “woman.”
Zuni Tribe
Elu
This three-letter name from the Zuni tribe means “beautiful.” It is, indeed, among the most beautiful Native American baby names.
Taa
A short Zuni tribe girl name that means “seed.”
Unknown Tribal Affiliation
Bly
If you like shorter names, Bly is a beautiful Native American girl's name meaning “tall or high.”
Chenoa
A beautiful girl name with an even more beautiful meaning. Cheona means “white dove.”
Enola
A Native American female name that's growing in popularity. It means “magnolia.”
Halona
Halona is a Native American baby girl name meaning “fortune.”
Istas
If you have a little girl in the winter, maybe name her Istas. It means “snow.”
Nina
This is one of the most popular Native American baby names, but it's common and growing in popularity in other cultures as well. It means “mighty or fire.”
Olathe
This stunning girl name literally means “beautiful.”
Shysie
Shysie is a girl's name that means “silent little one.” It's one of the more unique Native American baby names on this list.
Tayen
A lovely Native American girl name that means “new moon.”
Bena
A girl name that's riding a wave of popularity. It translates into “pheasant.”
Etenia
A Native American baby name that means “rich.”
Lomasi
A girl's name that means “pretty flower.” It's among the most lovely, memorable Native American baby names.
Native American Names for Boys
Algonquian Tribe
Waban
A Native American boy's name that means “East wind.”
Apache
Cochise
Cochise means “Renowned warrior chief of the Chiricahua Apache.” It's one of the more powerful baby names for a little boy.
Blackfoot
Jacy
Jacy is a common male Native American name meaning “the moon.”
Chinook Tribe
Tyee
A strong name for a boy, Tyee means “chief, leader, or big and superior.”
Cherokee Tribe
Dustu
An American Indian boy's name that means “spring frog.”
Cheyenne Tribe
Viho
A Cheyenne boy name that means “chief.”
Dakota Tribe
Tokala
An adorable name for a little boy. Tokala means “fox.”
Wicasa
A Native American boy name that means “sage.”
Hopi Tribe
Hania
This cool boy name means “spirit warrior.”
Kele
This cute boy name means “sparrow” in Hopi.
Ayawamat
This Native American boy name means “one who follows orders.”
Tawa
A Hopi tribe boy name that means “sun.”
Hototo
A Native American boy name that translate into “warrior spirit who sings.”
Wikvaya
A Hope tribe boy name meaning “one who brings.”
Lushootseed Tribe
Seattle
Just like the city, it means “man of high status.” Not a common name yet, but could easily grow in popularity in coming years.
Mandan Tribe
Mato
This sweet-sounding boy name means “bear.”
Miwok Tribe
Kosumi
Another unique boy name. Kosumi means “fishes for salmon with a spear.”
Misu
A Native American boy name that translates into “rippling water.”
Hawaiian Tribe
Nahele
Nahele is a boy name that means “forest.”
Navajo Tribe
Adriel
Adriel is an American Indian baby name that means “beaver or symbol of skill.”
Bidziil
While this name may sound different to some, it's a male Navajo name meaning “he is strong.”
Shilah
A male Navajo name that means “brother.”
Gaagii
A Native American boy name in Navajo that means “raven.”
Puyallup Tribe
Tahoma
This male name means “giver of the water.” It's strong, memorable and also growing in popularity.
Sauk Tribe
Keokuk
A solid boy name meaning “one who is alert and watchful.”
Sioux Tribe
Chayton
A popular name for boys Chayton means “falcon.”
Enapay
A Sioux Native American baby name for boys that means “appears bravely.”
Wapi
Wapi is a male name that means “lucky.”
Ohiyesa
A Native American boy name meaning “winner.”
Paytah
A boy name coming from the Sioux tribe meaning “fire.”
Shappa
A Sioux tribe boy name that translates to “red thunder.”
Takoda
A nice Native American boy name from the Sioux tribe meaning “friend to everyone.”
Tatonga
A Sioux tribe boy name that means “large deer.”
Wahkan
A Native American baby name for boys meaning “sacred.”
Weayaya
A Sioux tribe name for boys that means “setting sun.”
Laguna Tribe
Tauri
A Native American boy name that means “young eagle.”
Zuni Tribe
Elu
Elu is a boy's name of Zuni origin that means “full of grace.” It's one of only a handful of our Native American baby names with just three letters.
Lonan
A Native American name from the Zuni Tribe that means “cloud.”
Unknown Tribal Affiliation
Dasan
Another firm male name, Dasan means “chief.”
Sahale
This boy's name of unknown origin means “above or high place.”
Nayati
A boy name of unknown origin that means “he who wrestles.”
Nitis
This popular male name of unknown origin means “friend.”
Paco
Paco is a male name of unknown origin meaning “eagle.”
Bodaway
This is one of the more uncommon Native American baby names for boys. It means “fire maker” (unknown origin).
Illanipi
A Native American boy name of unknown origin that translate into “amazing.”
Kajika
A Native American name for boys that translates to “walks without sound.”
Nodin
One of the more familiar-sounding Native American baby names due to its similarity to the Norse God, “Odin, this boy's name of unknown origin that means “wind.”
Native American Names For Both Boys and Girls (Unisex)
Cherokee Tribe
Onacona
Onacona means “white owl” in Cherokee.
Chippewa Tribe
Abedabun
This name is a variation of Cheyanne that means “sight of day.”
Chumash Tribe
Simi
This stunning name means “valley of the wind.”
Navajo Tribe
Kai
This Native American baby name is ultra popular now. It means “willow tree” in Navajo.
Sioux Tribe
Dakota
Dakota is one of the most popular Native American baby names for both male and female babies across America. The Native American name means “friend.”
Mika
Mika is often used for both boys and girls; the name means “rabbit.”
Last Updated on February 18, 2024 by Paul G
Robert L Gentry (Lonewolf)
says:I was told my Cheyenne name means Lonely Wolf Pup On Side Of Mountian. I use the name Lonewolf, because I have forgotten my Cheyenne name over the years since being adopted by whites, over 60 years ago. My adoptived mother told me what it was, but she and dad are both dead now. Can anyone tell me the correct wordage for my real name and for Lonewolf, as well? I would love to be able to know them before I die, and go to meet the Grandfather. I am 73 now and have never been able to find anyone who would help me since I am Cheyenne and Irish, but can prove neither as the state where I was adopted had my birth certificate changed to reflect me as White, for adoption. They were along with another state, the last to stop the practice.
Stephanie A Schwartz
says:I’ve used Doli, Nina and Keota for my fur babies. Just as important for me to use meaningful native names.
Willette
says:Tawiichkuus good morning I am southern ute in ignacio colorado our baby names are given to us at time of birth and with us until adulthood mostly a new name given in our times of life changes. Baby in ute is nuurawache means
Ute baby .
Adyn Peterson
says:Bodaway or rather Boodawe is Ojibwe/Chippewa and Potawatomi.
Nodin or Noodin is also from the same bands/tribes.
Having heard multiple dialects of Ojibwe spoken as well as testimonies from those who still speak from my band. We found that the dialects from or near Minnesota and Wisconsin to be more well understood from various ojibwe people when they themselves have difficulty in understanding other dialects from other bands in our nation. Not going to say our dialect is the correct one but for a lot of pronunciation I would follow the rules from Minnesota and Wisconsin to get a better result. Regional dialect corrections to better fit the immediate area are alway acceptable though. So take both the pronunciation giving by the article as well as my own statement with a grain of salt.
Patricia L Swearingen
says:Looking for a girl’s name from the Crow tribe. Thank you
Tara
says:Looking for a name that means Precious jewel or jewel
Thea
says:Does anyone know of any Crow names that are common?
HERNY LIGHTFOOT EASLEY
says:i would to know what tribe did the name light easley could have come from
Riley
says:Um. . . huh? 🤨I didn’t understand what that is supposed to mean. 😕Get your typing correct. 😒Sheesh. Then maybe someone could actually understand you.🙄
Robert TallTree
says:Light easley possibly was translated from the honor of being a fire keeper ganawishkodawe ( Chippewa) he keeps the fire; tends the fire. This happens often when someone tries to translate one language to another.
londa
says:I have an ancestor named Namequa. Does anyone know what that means?
Lety
says:Look for tepehua indigenous
Toyah
says:Knowing the name meaning is important but also the culture and origin! My name was given to me by my Godmother because I was born a girl and was thought to have been a boy so they did not have a girl’s name picked. My godmother named me Toyah and said it meant ‘little one’ and was the name of a great Comanche Indian Chief. The name fit me perfectly because I was only 5lbs when I was born and she wished for me to do great things. I used to hate the name because I am a very white girl, and everyone made fun of my name, but my Godmother is native and she knew what she was doing. My father’s slight native looks just didn’t pass on to me! I digress, I have done research on my name and now I love my name and am proud. Anyone who asks about it, I gladly tell them, both the history of the name and how I received it!
Drew
says:I named my son…….”Awaehsaeh” or “Bear” in our own Native-Language (Menominee),as when my wife was only a few months pregnant and not even knowing what the sex of the child was yet………..I had a “vision”,of our child and when I awoke……….that’s the name I chose!!! Also helpful is our Family is “Bear-clan” within our Tribe as well!!! 🙂
Me
says:My fav name was Nina it means mighty fire
Riley
says:My fav name was Kachina it means spirit
Shawna
says:Which tribe arw these “native names derived from? Because my sons name Adriel is straight out of the bible!
Frances Paul
says:what does my name Frances mean? my children’s name ,Antonio,Juanita, and granddaughter
Lety
says:Research… above it is explained
Jean M Mitchell
says:Frances if the female version of Francis. It is from Latin and means “free man” or “Frank (from France)”
Stella Mary
says:Naming a newborn is always a process and a joyful act as the parents must think if the name suits the baby. Again knowing the meaning of the name is an advantage. Thank you for the helpful data.
Cathy Cannon
says:I named my son Nakia ….yes it was a tc show about a Native/Abarigional policeman who was Navaho & did his job without using a gun unless he had to starring Robert Forester in the late 70’s….I loved the show NAKIA & how the main character tried to settle things without violance as much as possible….anyway I’ve never been able to find out the meaning behind his name & while its been 41 yrs since I named my son Nakia , I was wondering if you might possibly know how to find the meaning of his name. Thankyou in advance for any help you can provide for me.
Jean
says:Hi Stella, my nephew is also named Nakia : my sister also watched that show -if you find out the tribal origins of that name please let us know. Maybe it is Navajo since you mentioned it in your post.
Ibi Hinrichs
says:You left out a very important fact on most names, what tribe/ language does it does it come from? This is appropriation without understanding or cultural connection- how would a child feel in their life if some one asked them about their name and they could not say what tradition it comes from? How does that carry on the legacy of the tribe?
A name is much more to a child, to a culture – do not make it meaningless.
Please reprint this list of names with the important information about that name so people can choose wisely and with respect.
Elle
says:I second these thoughts/concerns one hundred percent. Origin of the names: what tribe and language. Not all tribes speak the same language.
Lynn Lewis-Shaganaby
says:Where I really appreciate this list of NA names, I too agree that more information is needed. My mother received her NA name from a Medicine Man in our tribe (Odawa-Ottawa) who went into the mountains as a ritualistic practice of elders in Indian Country, however, now he has passed on and more and more we are losing our ancestors who know and still practice our sacred rituals. Therefore, it is critical that we learn from them in order to use and pass them on to the next generations. The pronunciations are a major factor as well. Our many NA languages (Anishinaabemowin) have very different sounds and that needs to be known.
Riley
says:I agree also. It would great if you put the language on there. Not all people would know how to pronounce these names. It would be very helpful for those who are trying to choose a name for their child, and they wouldn’t know how to pronounce it. And not all tribes would pronounce it the same way, so it would be very helpful to put the language on there. But I am very thankful that you put the tribe name on there.
Tara
says:Looking for a name that means Precious jewel or jewel
Corena Autaubo
says:Name from caddo or chickasaw tribe for a boy with pronunciation and meaning please .Is it possible to hear the name on phone so i can record them?