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Native American baby names come from a variety of nations, or tribes, throughout the Americas and feature incredibly descriptive definitions. If you've got Native American ancestors or just love meaningful names, traditional and modern tribal names are unique baby name options. When choosing a Native American baby name, do your research to verify the meaning and be respectful of the cultures.
Gender Neutral Native American Baby Names
Because traditional Native American names were descriptive of nature, there are many unisex names you can use.
Unisex Native American Names
These names can be used for boys or girls and have natural meanings perfect for your little one.
Name | Pronunciation | Meaning | Nationality |
---|---|---|---|
Ameyalli | ah-may-ah-lee | fountain | Nahuatl |
Citali | see-tah-lee | star | Nahuatl |
Isi | ee-see | deer | Choctaw |
Meztli | mays-lee | moon | Aztec/Nahuatl |
Sháńdíín | shahnt-een | sunshine | Navajo |
Shikoba | shee-koh-bah | feather | Choctaw |
Xquenda | shkayn-dah | soul | Zapotec |
Yunuen | yoon-oo-ayn | half moon | Maya |
Native American Tribe Names to Use as First Names
Native American people never gave children the names of their tribes, but you could use them as inspiration for your unique baby name. Discover which native nations lived in your area and pay homage to them with a tribe name for your baby.
Original Name |
Pronunciation | Modern Name |
Meaning |
---|---|---|---|
Abenaki | ah-bay-nah-kee | Abenaki | dawn people |
Absaroke | ahb-sah-roh-keh | Crow | children of the big-beaked bird |
Beothuk | bay-oh-took | Red Indians | kinfolk |
Chahta | chah-tah | Choctaw | name of legendary chief |
Chikasha | chee-kah-shaa | Chickasaw | name of legendary chief |
Dakelh | dah-kayl | Carrier | water travelers |
Dakota | dah-koh-tah | Dakota Sioux | the allies |
Dunne-Za | tuhn-zuh | Beaver | real people |
Hopi | hoh-pee | Hopi | peaceful person |
Kanza | kgahn-zah | Kaw | wind people |
Inuit | ihn-yoo-iht | Eskimo | the people |
Karuk | ker-ook | Karok | up river |
Lakota | lah-koh-tah | Lakota Sioux | the allies |
Lenape | leh-NAH-pay | Delaware | the people |
Mohingan | moo-heen-kahn | Mohegan | wolf |
Nantego | nahn-deh-koh | Nanticoke | tidewater people |
Odawa | uh-day-weh | Ottawa | traders |
Pahoja | pah-hoh-zhah | Ioway | gray snow |
Sahnish | sah-h-nihsh | Arikara | original people |
Wendat | wehn-daht | Huron | islanders |
Wiyot | wee-yot | Wiyot | river name |
![Newborn Baby Lots of Hair](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/baby/images/std-xs/251292-340x219-native-american-baby-names-2.jpg)
Native American Baby Girl Names
Native American baby girls typically get their traditional name from a tribal chief or elder. If you aren't Native American, you can opt for these beautiful names.
Names of Famous Native American Women
Famous Native American women are great resources for baby girl names because they instantly evoke feelings of strength and bravery.
Name | Pronunciation | Meaning | Nationality |
---|---|---|---|
Aliquippa | ah-lih-quih-puh | hat | Seneca |
Dahteste | Ta-DOT-se | warrior woman | Apache |
Lozen | loh-zehn | sister of Victorio | Apache |
Nanye-Hi |
nahn-yay-hee | traveler | Cherokee |
Pocahontas | poh-cah-hon-tus | playful one | Powhatan |
Sacagawea | tsah-kah-kah-way-ah | bird woman | Shoshone |
Toypurina | toi-poor-ee-nah | unknown | Tongva |
Feminine and Loving Native American Names for Girls
Name your little girl after a feminine Native American term or show her the ultimate love with a heartfelt name.
Name | Pronunciation | Meaning | Nationality |
---|---|---|---|
Arnaq | ahr-nak | woman | Inuit |
Aylen | ah-yl-ehn | happiness | Mapuche |
Galilahi | kah-lee-lah-hee | attractive | Cherokee |
Naira | nah-ee-rah | eye | Aymara |
Nanabah | nah-nah-pah | she returns | Navajo |
Nizhoni | neej-oh-nee | beautiful | Navajo |
Nonhelema | nohn-hay-lay-mah | not a man | Shawnee |
Quetzalli | kayts-ahl-lee | precious thing |
Maya |
Saqui | shah-kee | favorite | Mapuche |
Sayen | sah-yehn | lovely | Mapuche |
Tanis | tah-niss | daughter | Cree |
Winona | win-ho-hah | first-born daughter | Sioux |
Yolotl | yoh-loh-ll | heart | Nahuatl |
Zyanya | zyahn-yah | always/forever | Zapotec |
![Newborn Baby in Nest](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/baby/images/std-xs/251293-340x219-native-american-baby-names-3.jpg)
Native American Nature and Flower Names for Girls
If you love hippie baby names, these Native American flower names for girls give you unique options for beautiful baby girl names.
Name | Pronunciation | Meaning | Nationality |
---|---|---|---|
Adsila | aht-see-lah | blossom | Cherokee |
Calfuray | kal-foo-RAW-ee | violet flower | Mapuche |
Iara | ee-ah-rah | water mistress | Tupi |
Ixchel | eesh-ayl | rainbow lady | Maya |
Kantuta | kahn-too-tah | cantua flower | Aymara |
Malinalli | mah-leen-ah-lee | grass | Nahuatl |
Millaray | meel-lah-rahy | golden flower | Mapuche |
Nicte | neek-tay | flower | Maya |
Rayen | rah-yn | flower | Mapuche |
Sacnicte | sah-neek-tay | white flower | Maya |
Tlalli | llah-llee | earth | Nahuatl |
Topʉsana | tohp-uh-sah-nah | prairie flower | Comanche |
Native American Animal and Warrior Names for Girls
Bring out the inner warrior in your little girl with a bold and exotic Native American animal or warrior name.
Name | Pronunciation | Meaning | Nationality |
---|---|---|---|
Awinita | ah-ween-ee-tah | fawn | Cherokee |
Ghigau | keeg-ah-oo | War woman or most beloved woman |
Cherokee |
Gouyen | goh-oo-yen | wise | Apache |
Kimimela | k'ee-mee-may-lah | butterfly | Sioux |
Methoataske | may-th-ood-ahsh-gay | turtle laying |
Shawnee |
Nita | nee-tah | bear | Choctaw |
Urpi | oor-pee | dove | Quechua |
Wilma | weel-mah | resolute protection | Cherokee |
Zitcala | zeet-chah-lah | bird | Lakota |
Native American Baby Boy Names
Native American names for baby boys are strong and meaningful. If you're worried about spelling and pronunciation or offending Native Americans, create your own original name by altering the spelling.
Names of Famous Native American Men
You've probably heard of these famous Native American men and their bravery or power can inspire the leader in your little boy.
Name | Pronunciation | Meaning | Nationality |
---|---|---|---|
Hiawatha | hah-yunh-watt-hah | he who combs | Iroquois |
Ishi | ee-shee | man | Yahi |
Manuelito | mahn-way-lee-toh | little Manuel | Navajo |
Sequoyah | say-kwoh-yah | hog | Cherokee |
Tisquantum (Squanto) |
tiss-kuhn-tuhm | diving rage | Patuxet |
Tasunka (Crazy Horse) |
tahsh-oon-kah | his horse | Sioux |
![Playful mother holding son outdoors](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/baby/images/std-xs/251294-340x219-native-american-baby-names-1.jpg)
Native American Chief Names for Boys
Some Native American chiefs were named so by their people, while others were named so by new settlers. Either way, these Native American leader names are perfect for your leading baby boy.
Name | Pronunciation | Meaning | Nationality |
---|---|---|---|
Canonicus | chahn-ohn-ee-jooz | unknown | Lenape |
Cinon | kee-nohn | unknown |
Ipai |
Cochise | cho-chee-seh | oak, wood | Apache |
Dohasan | doh-hah-sahn | little bluff | Apache |
Heinmot (Joseph) |
hayn-moht | thunder | Nez Perce |
Hototo | hoh-toh-toh | warrior spirit who sings |
Nez Perce |
Kintpuash |
keent-poo-ahsh | strikes the water brashly |
Modoc |
Leschi | leh-schee | unknown | Nisqually |
Massasoit (Ousamequin) |
mus-sah-suhit | great chief | Wampanoag |
Metacomet (King Philip) |
may-tuh-chuh-mayt | unknown | Wampanoag |
Obwandiyag |
uhb-wahn-tee-ahg | he stops a canoe by means of a spear handle |
Odawa |
Osceola (Billy Powell) |
asːi jahoːla | ceremonial black drink and shout |
Creek |
Powhatan (Wahunsonacock) |
pow-hah-tahn | village name | Powhatan |
Si'ahl (Seattle) | see'aht | unknown | Duwamish |
Tamanend | tah-mah-naynt | affable | Lenape |
Tatanka |
tah-tahn-kah | bull | Lakota |
Tekoomsē |
te-kum-sə | shooting star | Shawnee |
Thayendanegea |
t-h-ah-yen-tah-nay-kay-ah | two sticks bound together for strength |
Mohawk |
Wovoka (Jack Wilson) |
woh-boh-kah | wood cutter | Numu |
Strong Native American Warrior Names for Boys
Throughout history as the Americas were colonized, many Native American warriors made a name for themselves by fighting for their people. If your little boy is a fighter or a rainbow baby, he deserves a strong warrior name.
Name | Pronunciation | Meaning | Nationality |
---|---|---|---|
Ashkii | ahsh-kee | boy | Navajo |
Baishan | bah-ee-shahn | knife | Apache |
Bidziil | beet-zeel | he is strong | Navajo |
Goyathlay (Geronimo) |
goh-yah-tlay | one who yawns | Apache |
Moacir | moh-ah-keer | son of pain | Tupi |
Ohiyesa | okh-ee-yay-shah | winner | Dakota |
Ollokot | ohl-loh-koht | male mountain sheep |
Nez Perce |
Quidel | kee-tehl | burning torch | Mapuche |
Tosahwi | toh-shah-wee | white knife | Comanche |
Ubirajara | oo-bee-ra-ZHA-ru | lord of the spear | Tupi |
Ujarak | uhj-ahr-ahk | rock | Inuit |
![Playful mother holding son outdoors](https://cf.ltkcdn.net/baby/images/std-xs/251295-340x219-native-american-baby-names-4.jpg)
Native American Nature and Animal Names for Boys
Take your little guy's personality into account as you tap into Mother Earth for these natural Native American names for boys.
Name | Pronunciation | Meaning | Nationality |
---|---|---|---|
Amaru | ah-mah-roo | snake | Aymara |
Antiman | an-tee-MAWN | condor of sun | Mapuche |
Antinanco | an-tee-NAWN-ko | eagle of sun | Mapuche |
Balan | Bah-lahn | jaguar | Maya |
Cauã | kah-oo-ahn | hawk | Tupi |
Inti | een-tee | sun | Quechua |
Mahpiya | makh-pee-yah | cloud/sky | Dakota/Lakota |
Nahuel | nahn-oo-ehl | jaguar | Mapuche |
Nanuq | nah-nuhk | polar bear | Inuit |
Talako | tah-lah-koh | eagle | Choctaw |
Tlalok | CHA-lok | of the earth | Nahuatl |
Willka | weel-ly-kah | sun | Aymara |
Native American Naming Practices
Many traditional tribal names consist of a single name, not a first, middle, and last name. Depending on each individual tribe's specific beliefs and traditions, one person may be given several names to be used for different occasions. No matter the tribal affiliation, Native American names are carefully chosen so their meaning relates to that specific child. Names often have familial meanings and meanings affiliated with nature, such as seasons or animals. Be respectful of Native American cultures when choosing these names for your baby. If possible, consult with a living tribe member to learn the best way to choose a Native American name for your child.
Natural Names From History
Native American names offer you the chance to celebrate and honor a controversial history with some of the first and most natural people of the Americas. Give your baby boy or baby girl deep roots with a meaningful Native American name.