Native American Names (Complete Guide)

Native American names are entrenched with history and meaning. Names are often passed down through generations and are closely tied to the natural world.

Native American names often represent things in the natural world, like Nita, meaning “bear,” and Tallulah, meaning “leaping water.” The names can change throughout one’s life, following the growth and development of the person. Native American names can be earned, as well as lost.

If you’re interested in learning about how Native American names are chosen and the alphabet used, and the pronunciation of Native American names, dive into this in-depth article. We will also include lists of Native American boy names, girl names, and gender-neutral names if you are looking for baby name inspirations.

How Are Native American Names Chosen?

In Native American culture, names are important yet fluid. Names are chosen because of their relevance to the person and their personality. If someone performs a heroic task, the elders could change their name after the event, or a respectful moniker could be added to their existing name as a prefix or suffix. 

Instead of bestowing a child with a name that they are bound to for the rest of their life, Native Americans can change their title if their given name is no longer suitable. For instance, a little girl may be named Lomasi, meaning “pretty flower,” but she could grow up to be someone considered to have special senses, and the name Orenda, meaning “magic power,” could be more suitable. 

Native American names are often changed at adolescence when they have developed their initial concrete sense of self and first real change in personality. The names can also be changed throughout adulthood, whenever they or their surrounding society sees fit. The entire community can decide to bestow a new name upon an individual.

The names are often given to the individual in a naming ceremony, which, depending on the tribe, is often accompanied by an eagle feather being placed in the hair of the member receiving the new name.

Names are often changed again in adulthood, especially after the person has completed a heroic act. This alteration could be the switch to a completely new name, or an honorary title added onto their existing name. Adversely, names might not ever change, and a person may live their entire life with their birth-given name.

How Did Native American Children Get Their Names?

Native American children are given descriptive names that are almost expected to change at some point in their life. While some individuals go through their entire life without a name change, most traditional Native Americans experience at least one name, often at adolescence. 

When they are born, their names are usually factual, descriptive, or have something to do with the baby’s context. The names can describe whether the child is a male or female, if the child was the firstborn, or in which direction the wind was blowing when they entered the world. 

Their born name is often descriptive, as these are the things known about the child immediately. You cannot tell if a baby is joyous, strong, spirited, or agile when they have just entered the world. But you can tell that they are the second child born in the heat of summer, which can influence their name.

Once a child reaches adolescence, it is common for them to be renamed. At this age, the child will have a recognizable personality and individual traits to stand out in the community. You can imagine how having a name that evolves with you can inspire you to do great things.

How To Pronounce Native American Names

The pronunciation of Native American names is both interesting and familiar. Native American languages were not originally written languages, so they have adapted the English alphabet to fit their needs. While some letters have the same sounds, many Native American languages have unique noises that are not used in English.

One such example of this is the glottal stop, which involves closing the glottis at the back of the throat to create a “stop” in the sound. This is similar to the pause in the word “uh-oh,” but is more pronounced and is found in many Native American names.

When European settlers arrived in North America, there were over 300 Native American languages. In California alone, there was more linguistic variety than all of Europe. While many of these languages have been lost, the phonetic differences live on. Many Native American names have unique pronunciations, and to understand them, you need to understand the way Native Americans utilize the alphabet.

Take a look at the following chart of consonants and their pronunciation from the Sioux language, as documented on NativeLanguages.org.

Sioux Consonants

CharacterWe Use:	SometimesAlso Used:	IPA symbol:	Sioux pronunciation:
b		b	Like b in bill.
c	č, ch, ć, , , j	t ~ d	An unaspirated, ‘soft’ ch sound, like the ch in filching or the t in vulture. Sometimes it sounds more like the j in jar. This character is also used to represent the aspirated ch (see Aspiration, below.)
c	č, ch, c‘, , c	th	An aspirated, ‘hard’ ch sound, like the one in chair. This character is also used to represent the unaspirated ch (see Aspiration, below.)
c’	c’, č’, ç, c’	t‘	Like ch in char, but with a catch after it (like ch’ar).
d		d	Like d in English die. Only used in Dakota pronunciation.
g		g	Like g in gate. Also used to represent the g in Spanish saguaro.
g	, gh, ğ		Like g in Spanish saguaro. Also used to represent the g in English gate.
h	x	h~x	Like h in hay. At the end of a word or before another consonant, it is pronounced like the ch in German ach.
h’		h’	Like h in hay but with a catch after it (like h’ay.)
j	zh, ž, ź		Like a French j. In English, you can hear this sound at the end of words like garage.
k	, , g	k	Like the unaspirated k in ski. Also used to represent the aspirated k in key.
k	kh, k‘, , kx	kh~kx	Like the aspirated k in key. Sometimes it is pronounced more raspily. This character is also used to represent the unaspirated k in ski.
k’	k’, ķ	k’	Like k in key, but with a catch after it (like k’ey).
l		l	Like l in English light. Only used in Lakota pronunciation.
m		m	Like m in English moon.
n		n	Like n in English night.
p	, , b	p	Like the unaspirated p in spin. Also used to represent the aspirated p in pin.
p	ph, p‘, , px	ph~px	Like the aspirated p in pin. Sometimes it is pronounced more raspily. This character is also used to represent the unaspirated p in spin.
p’	p’	p’	Like p in pin, but with a catch after it (like p’in).
s		s	Like s in so. Also used to represent the sh in show.
s	š, sh, ś, s, s		Like sh in show. Also used to represent the s in so.
s’	s’, ş	s’	Like s in so, but with a catch after it (like s’o.) Also used to represent sh with a catch after it.
s’	š’, sh’, ś’, s’, s’	‘	Like sh in show, but with a catch after it (like sh’ow.) Also used to represent s with a catch after it.
t	, , d	t	Like the unaspirated t in sty. Also used to represent the aspirated t in tie.
t	th, t‘, , tx	th~tx	Like the aspirated t in tie. Sometimes it is pronounced more raspily. This character is also used to represent the unaspirated t in sty.
t’	t’, ţ	t’	Like t in tie, but with a catch after it (like t’ie).
w		w	Like w in English way.
x	, r	x	Guttural sound that doesn’t exist in English. Like ch in German ach.
x’	‘	x’	Like ch in German ach, but with a catch after it.
y		j	Like y in English yes.
z		z	Like z in zoo.
z’		z’	Like z in zoo, but with a catch after it (like z’oo.)
’			A pause sound, like the one in the middle of the word “uh-oh.”

Native American Last Names

Traditionally, Native Americans did not have last names. They may have had multiple first names, but most Native Americans did not use last names until after the initiation of the General Allotment Act in 1887.

The General Allotment Act, or Dawes Act, was an act instituted by the US Congress to divvy up plots of land of the reservations and assimilate Native Americans by forcing them into farming. At this time, the government required that surnames be listed on deeds to create a lineage for the inheritance of the land, should the parents die. 

Native Americans were given a surname if they did not have one or were forced to change their existing surname to something easy to pronounce for the non-Natives that were attempting to control them. The surnames were also often based on English Christian names, which had no meaning to the Native American peoples.

You can see how names have been important to Native Americans for centuries and continue to be imperative to their culture and sense of self. Keep this in mind if you are a non-Native American looking to find inspiration from their names. Be respectful, do your research, and whenever possible, consult with someone whose heritage you are borrowing from.

Native American Names for Girls

Now that we have a small groundwork of knowledge of Native American names, let’s take a closer look at some beautiful Native American names for girls. You are free to use any name exactly as you see it written or adapt it for your own child. The beauty of selecting a name in the modern era is that you are not restricted to any one spelling or gender.

• Dyani – Dyani is a relatively popular Native American name throughout the US that means “deer.” It’s ideal for graceful girls with large, doe eyes.
• Sakari – Sakari is said to come from Native American origins and means “sweet.” The name sounds similar to the Japanese, Sakura, which means “cherry blossom.”
• Soyala – The Hopi are a Native American people that are mostly located in the Hopi Reservation in Arizona. The name Soyala stems from them, and it means “time of the winter solstice,” and is perfect for a December child.
• Tallulah – Tallulah is a gorgeous, sing-song name that means “leaping water.” Tallulah comes from the Choctaw peoples, but it has seen popularity in other cultures as well.
• Tayen – Tayen is a Native American name for females that means “born at the time of the new moon.” The new moon is also known as the “invisible phase” because the moon lies directly between the sun and the earth and is not illuminated by the sun’s rays.
• Tiva – Also located in Arizona, the Hopi people are the ones to thank for this lovely name that means “dance.”
• Nita – Nita is a popular Native American word that means “bear.”
• Odina – Odina is a name found in multiple cultures around the world, but in the Native American context, it means “mountain.”
• Elu – Elu is an elegant name that is short and sweet. It means “fair” or “beautiful,” a great name for a little girl. Elu also comes from the Native American Zuni people, who still live near the shores of the Zuni River in New Mexico.
• Halona – Halona is another audibly appealing name that means “happy fortune.”
• Tokori – Tokori is a multiple syllable name that comes from the Hopi people and means “screech owl.”
• Macawi – Macawi is a Sioux word that means female coyote. While it’s not commonly used among Native Americans as a name, you can adapt it as you see fit once you understand the meaning.
• Gutiha – Gutiha is a Native American word from the Cherokee people that means “it is snowing.” Again, this word is not traditionally used as a first name, but we think it would be lovely for a little girl.
• Kateri – Kateri is not a traditional Native American name. Instead, it is a Mohawk version of the name Catherine. Naming your daughter Kateri will pay respect to St. Catherine of Siena and the dedicated St. Kateri Tekakwitha of the Mohawk people. St. Kateri took her name from St. Catherine and was the first Native American to be titled by the Catholic Church.
• Winona – Winona is a name that has been popular in America for several decades. The name means “first daughter” in Sioux.
• Aponi – Aponi is a lyrical name for a little girl that means “butterfly” and comes from the Blackfoot people.
• Lomasi – Another Hopi name to make this list, Lomasi, stems from the words meaning “good flower.” Floral names are soft and elegant for little girls.
• Tanis – Pronounced “tan-niss,” this name comes from the Cree people, and it means daughter.
• Nizhoni – A completely gorgeous name for a girl, Nizhoni means “beautiful” and comes from the Navajo people.
• Meli – Meli comes from the Cherokee people and is actually a Native American version of the name “Mary.”

Native American Names for Boys

Of course, there is no hard rule for gendered names anymore, so you are free to pick and choose names from either list as you see fit. One of the benefits of choosing a Native American name is that many of them are tied to a natural wonder or animal and not to a specific gender.

• Chaytan – Coming from the Sioux word for “hawk,” Chaytan is ideal for a sharp-minded boy who will reach great heights.
• Chaske – Pronounced as “chass-kay,” the Sioux name Chaskay stems from a nickname for “the first son.”
• Tyee – Tyee is a slang Cherokee word that means “chief” and is perfect for a strong, fair-minded little boy.
• Magi – Magi is from the Cherokee people and is their version of the name “Michael.”
• Nicon – Nicon is another Native American name that means “friend” and is modern and traditional at the same time.
• Atian- Atian is an Abenaki version of the French name “Etienne,” which also inspired the English name “Steven.”
• Biyen – Another Native American version of a European name is Biyan (pronounced bee-yen). This name is inspired by the French “Pierre” and the English “Peter.”
• Koda – Likely short for the Dakota people that the name comes from, Koda means “friend.”
• Misun – Perfect for the second child in the family, Misun means “little brother.”
• Kele – Kele is a Hopi word meaning “sparrow.” It would fit well with an intelligent little boy who is lighthearted.
• Ahaya – Ahaya, of the Seminole tribe, was the first recorded chief of the Alachua band.
• Keokuk – Keokuk was the name of a highly respected Native American leader of the Sauk tribe. He was known as an honorable leader and great warrior who wanted peace and respect from the American people.
• Osceola – Osceola is a name that was given to a Native American man that was originally born Billy Powell. He grew up to lead a group of warriors during the time of the Seminole resistance, and that’s when he was given the name Osceola. Osceola is a combination of two Creek words, “asi” and “yahola.” Asi is a ceremonial beverage made from yaupon holly, and yahola is “one who shouts.”
• Neolin – Neolin is an epic name that should not be used without discretion. This name belongs to the Algonquin people and means “the enlightened one.” Neolin was also a historical figure, being one of the most prolific Native American prophets who spoke of rejecting the trappings of the European settlers and instead said returning to their Native American roots would save them.

Read more: Popular Baby Names by State

Using Tribes Themselves As Native American Names

There are many ways to pay respect to Native American cultures while naming your child. You can obviously borrow from Native American names; you can alter Native American words that you feel represent your child. You can also take inspiration from the names of the tribes themselves.

Original Tribal Name in the People’s Own Language

A’aninin (“white clay people”)

Abenaki (“dawn people,” or easterners), also Alnombak (“the people”)

Absaroke (“children of the big-beaked bird”)

Alabama (“cleared thicket”)

Anishinaabe (“original people”)

Aniyunwiya (“principal people”)

Asakiwaki (“yellow earth people”)

Atikamekw (“whitefish people”)

Baxoje/Pahoja (“gray snow”)

Beothuk (possibly “kinfolk”)

Bode’wadmi (“firekeepers,” traditional religious role)

Chahta (the name of a legendary tribal chief)

Chikasha (the name of a legendary tribal chief)

Dakelh (“water travelers”)

Dakota (“the allies.”) Band names include Sisseton (“marsh dwellers,”) Wahpeton (“forest dwellers,”) and Yankton (“living far away.”)

Degexit’an (“people of this land”)

Dena’ina (“the people”)

Dene (“the people”)

Dene Tha (“true people”)

Dine’e (“the people”)

Dunne-Za (“real people”)

Gaigwu (“principal people”)

Gayogohono (“swamp people”)

Gwich’in (“the people”)

Havasupai (“people of the blue-green water”)

Hinonoeino (“our people”)

Ho-Chunk (“big voice”)

Hopi (“peaceful person,” “civilized person”)

Hualapai (“people of the pine trees”)

Kalispel (“camas people”)

Kanza (“wind people”)

Kawchottine (“big hare people”)

Kwakwaka’wakw (“speakers of our language”)

Illiniwek (“the best people”). A band name still in use today is Peoria (“backpack people.”)

Innu (“the people”)

Inuit (“the people”)

Iyiniwok/Ininiwok (“the people”) or Nehiyawok (“Cree speakers”)

Kadohadacho (“true chiefs”/”sharp”) or Hasinai (“our own people”)

Kanienkehaka (“people of the flint”)

Kanonsionni (“people of the longhouse”), more recently Haudenosaunee.

Karok (“upriver”)

Kiwigapawa (“wanderer,” in Shawnee; the Kickapoos split off from the Shawnee tribe.)

Lakota (“the allies”) or Teton (“prairie dwellers.”)

Lenape (“the people”), Lenni Lenape (“true people”)

L’nu’k (“the people”), Mi’kmaq (“my friends”)

Maklak (“the people”)

Mamaceqtaw (“the people”)

Meskwaki (“red earth people”)

Mikasuki (“boar clan”)

Minisink (“rocky land”)

Mohingan (“wolf”–this was probably originally a clan name and became a tribal name later)

Muheconneok (“Running Waters,” name of a river in their homeland)

Muskogee (meaning not known, may originally have been a Muskogee chief’s name)

Myaamia (“allies”)

Nakoda (“allies”)

Nanigansek (“Small Point,” a geographical location in their homeland)

Nantego (“tidewater people”)

Ndee (“the people”)

Niukonska (“middle water”)

Numakiki (“people”)

Numinu (“the people”)

Nuutsiu or Nunt�zi (“the people”)

Nuxbaaga (“original people”)

Odawa (“traders”)

Olekwo’l (the people)

Onandowaga (“people of the mountain”)

Onundaga’ono (“people of the hills”)

Onyota’aka (“people of the standing stone”)

Panawahpskek (“Rocks Spread Out,” geographical location in their homeland)

Peskotomuhkati (“pollock-spearers”)

Powhatan (“falling water,” the name of their principal village)

Qwulhhwaipum (“prairie people”)

Sahnish (“original people”)

Schitsu’umsh (“the people found here”)

Shawanwa (“southerner”)

Shuyelpee (name of a village)

Siksika (“black foot,” referring to their moccasin style.) Band names still in use today include Pikuni (“short robes”) and Kainai (“many chiefs.”)

Skarooren (“hemp gatherers”)

Tetawken (“we people”)

Thlingchadine (“dog flank people,” from a traditional legend)

Titcakhanotene (from a place name in their territory)

Titska Watich (“civilized people”)

Tse’khene (“people of the rocks”)

Tsitsistas (“the people”)

Ugakhpa (“downstream people”)

Umon’hon (“against the current”)

Wampanoag (“eastern people”), also Massachusett (range of hills) and Pokanoket (name of their principal village)

Wendat (“islanders”)

Wiyot (name of a river in their homeland)

Wolastoqiyik (“Beautiful River,” name of the river running through their homeland)

Yavapai (“people of the sun”)

Tips for Picking Native American Names

If you are looking for Native American names, you can do a few things to ensure the name you choose is authentic and respectful.

Contact a Native American Person

To ensure that your name is respectful and real, you should always contact a Native American to ask for their opinion. 

Mind that dozens of tribes spread throughout the United States and that the person you reach out to may not be familiar with the name or language you ask them about. Always thank the person for their time anyway, even if they aren’t sure of the word you have brought to them.

Contact a Tribal Elder

Many Native American-inspired names are generally safe to use for any child, but picking names out of a list won’t have the same spiritual weight as a traditional name. 

If you would prefer your child’s name to be unique to them or bear special meaning for their spirit, in particular, you should always reach out to a tribal elder. They are qualified to bestow a spiritual name upon your child, one that will speak to their specific existence and truth.

Do Your Research

There are thousands of articles on the internet that are dedicated to listing baby names of every culture. It is your responsibility to do further research on the names you like and determine if they truly mean what the internet claims they do. 

If the names are not authentic, or their meaning is different than you originally thought, you are still free to use them, but you won’t be mistakenly telling your child their name means one thing when it means another.

Summary of Native American Names

Native American names are culturally significant. They often change throughout a Native American’s life, expanding and shifting as the people do, too. You can pay respect to your Native American heritage or find inspiration for a name closely tied to nature by using a version of a Native American name for your child. Always check with a tribe member to ensure your name is respectful and authentic.