Names That Mean Native
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- Seneca
Origin:
Latin surname and Native AmericanMeaning:
"people of the standing rock"Description:
Seneca's distinguished heritage as the name of the ancient Roman philosopher-playwright who tutored Nero, and of an Iroquois tribe makes this an interesting choice for either sex.
- Yancy
Origin:
American variation of Jansen, Dutch, Native AmericanMeaning:
"son of Jan; yankee"Description:
Yancy has two separate American origins — first as the Native American term for "Yankee," and second as the Americanized variation of the common Dutch surname Jansen. Jan being the Dutch form of John, Yancy could work to honor anyone in your life with a John-related name.
- Chito
Origin:
Choctaw, Native AmericanMeaning:
"handsome"Description:
A short, snappy name of Choctaw origin, with a charming meaning, Chito might also be used in Georgian where it means "bird", and as a Filipino and Spanish short form and pet name.
- Koko
Origin:
Japanese, Native AmericanMeaning:
"stork; night"Description:
A funkier version of Coco that may be more appealing if you have Japanese or Native American heritage. Koko comes from the Blackfoot tribe, native to what is now Montana and Alberta, Canada.
- Tanis
Origin:
Variation of Tanith, Phoenician, Native American, CreeMeaning:
"daughter"Description:
This obscure name found in Sinclair Lewis's 1923 novel Babbitt is a bit hipper than most other is-ending names like Janis and Doris. Some sources consider it a variation of Tanith, who is a Phoenician moon goddess and fertility figure, while others say it is a North American indigenous name from the Cree culture, meaning daughter. It may in fact have two separate derivations and meanings, but in any case is a lovely and unusual name.
- Seneca
Origin:
Latin surname and Native AmericanMeaning:
"people of the standing rock"Description:
Seneca was both a Roman philosopher-statesman and is a Native American Iroquois tribe. Occasionally used for both girls and boys, Seneca is now a Hunger Games character.
- Kiowa
Origin:
Kiowa, Native AmericanMeaning:
"principal people"Description:
The Kiowa People are an Indigenous American tribe of the Great Plains. The exact derivation of their name has been lost, but most scholars agree it means "principal people." The Kiowa People have used different names for themselves over the years, including Kútjàu or Kwu-da, meaning "emerging" or "coming out rapidly," and Kom-pa-bianta, meaning "people with the large tipi flaps."
- Issi
Origin:
Choctaw, Native American, EnglishMeaning:
"deer; pledged to God"Description:
As a Choctaw name, Issi is an animal inspired choice, in which the double S is pronounced with a pause between like in "dress suit."
- Tashka
Origin:
Choctaw, Native AmericanMeaning:
"warrior"Description:
Among the Choctaw, names were given after life achievements. Tashka would have been given to a warrior after a battle.
- Meeko
Origin:
Algonquian Native AmericanMeaning:
"little mischief"Description:
The name of the mischievous raccoon in Disney's Pocahontas is adorable for a pet.
- Paco
Origin:
Spanish, diminutive of Francisco; Native AmericanMeaning:
"eagle"Description:
Another winning and relaxed but energetic o-ending Latin name, sometimes associated with designer Paco Rabanne.
- Xareni
Origin:
Otomi, Native AmericanDescription:
Xareni is a goddess of love in the Otomi region in the central altiplano region of Mexico. The name Xareni is rising in the US — it was given to 66 baby girls in 2024.
- Atepa
Origin:
Choctaw, Native AmericanMeaning:
"wigwam"
- Halli
Origin:
Choctaw, Native American, meaning unknownDescription:
A masculine name in Choctaw culture. In English, it resembles the feminine name Hallie.
- Quetzalli
Origin:
Nahuatl, Native AmericanMeaning:
"feather, precious thing"Description:
A rare and lovely Nahuatl name, which literally means "quetzal feather" – a quetzal is a beautiful green bird native to Mexico, Guatemala and South America. The word is figuratively used to refer to something precious or beautiful, making this a lovely option for a wished-for baby girl.
- Minco
Origin:
Choctaw, Native AmericanMeaning:
"chief"
- Talulah
Origin:
Choctaw, Native AmericanMeaning:
"leaping water"
- Talako
Origin:
Choctaw, Native AmericanMeaning:
"eagle"Description:
Also spelled Tahlako, this Choctaw name is an animal related name.
- Abit
Origin:
Choctaw, Native AmericanMeaning:
"hunter"Description:
Name bestowed on Choctaw men after a hunting achievement.
- Sooni
Origin:
Choctaw, Native American, meaning unknownDescription:
A pretty and wearable option with traditional Choctaw roots.