Names That Mean Native
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About this list
The names
Seneca
Latin surname and Native American
"people of the standing rock"
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
American variation of Jansen, Dutch, Native American
"son of Jan; yankee"
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…
Cordovan
Spanish
"native of Cordoba; Cordovan leather"
This strong sounding choice is associated with a type of tanned leather that takes its name from the city of Cordoba in Spain, the region in which it was originally made. Cordoba itself is sometimes…
Paco
Spanish, diminutive of Francisco; Native American
"eagle"
Another winning and relaxed but energetic o-ending Latin name, sometimes associated with designer Paco Rabanne.
Quetzalli
Nahuatl, Native American
"feather, precious thing"
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…
Tupac
Variation of Tupa or Tupaq, Quechua
"royal, noble"
Rapper Tupac Amaru Shakur was named after 18th century Peruvian revolutionary Túpac Amaru. There was also a 15th century Incan ruler whose name was an extension of the Quechua Topa or Tupa, and the…
Denali
Place-name and Native American
"the great one"
Alaska's Denali National Park is the home of the highest mountain in the US, officially renamed Denali in 2014, endowing the name with a lofty feel. Twice as many girls as boys were given the name in…
Hurricane
Spanish from Native American word name
"hurricane"
Hurricane is a storm, but it's also an American name , thanks to rising tennis star Hurricane Black -- whose sister's name is Tornado. There's no reason this tempestuous choice can't work for boys…
Kiowa
Kiowa, Native American
"principal people"
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…
Shilah
Navajo, Native American
"brother"
The Navajo word for "brother" bears resemblance to the biblical place name Shiloh. If you have Navajo heritage, this is one to consider.
Denali
Place-name and Native American
"the great one"
Alaska's Denali National Park is the home of the highest mountain in the US, officially renamed Denali in 2014, endowing the name with a lofty feel. There were 20 boys and 55 girls given the name in…
Meeko
Algonquian Native American
"little mischief"
The name of the mischievous raccoon in Disney's Pocahontas is adorable for a pet.
Seneca
Latin surname and Native American
"people of the standing rock"
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.
Kimimila
Lakota, Native American
"butterfly"
Kimimila is a trending choice among parents with Lakota heritage. It's especially popular in South Dakota, where many Lakota live today.
Shandiin
Navajo, Native American
"sunshine"
In the Navajo language, sháńdíín is the word for "sunshine". At its peak, the name Shandiin was used for 12 baby girls in 2003 and 2005.
Nokomis
Ojibwe, Native American
"my grandmother"
Nokomis is the name of Nanabozho's grandmother in the Ojibwe Native American traditional stories, and is used as a given name for girls. It is also the name of a coastal town in Florida.
Eluney
Mapuche, Native American
"give"
This stunning name feels like a rare and distinct successor to the popular Eleanor, Eloise, and similar names. It also shares elements with the fast-rising Luna.
Malibu
Ventureño Chumash, Native American
"the surf sounds loudly"
Malibu, the name of a California beach city, evokes sunshine, surfing, and glamour. With its fashionable "oo" sound — as seen in names like Luna and Ruby — Malibu is an unexplored place name worth…
Wakinyan
Lakota, Native American
"thunder"
Wakinyan is a traditional name from the Lakota tribe and language, in which it means "thunder". Today, parents with Lakota heritage have been reviving Wakinyan and other names for their children.
Patria
Italian
"native land"
As patriotic as a name can be.
