By Sophie Kihm · Updated September 2026
Across 4 pages
of 4
Native American
"where the mountain meets the sea"
Used for a free-spirited character on a 1990s sitcom, this name of a beautiful Southern California canyon does have an unconventional aura.
Native American, Cherokee, place-name
"bend in the river; meeting place"
Young rocker Tennessee Thomas has brought this former one-person name over to the girls' side -- though the census roles of North Carolina in 1850 included a female named Tennessee and called Tincy.…
"deer"
Beautiful Indigenous name connected to visual artist Dyani White Hawk. Dyani was most popular in 2001, when it was given to 73 baby girls.
Variation of Tallulah or Talulla
Talula might be a streamlined spelling of either the Native American Tallulah or the Irish Talulla -- and very few namers know the difference as they sound identical. Investigate further and you…
"bend in the river or meeting place"
When playwright Thomas Lanier Williams adopted the pen name of Tennessee, he created a new possibility among American place-names, although it's admittedly a bit bulky in size. Reese Witherspoon…
Turkish
"emperor, ruler"
A Turkish twist on the trend for ruler names. Spelled Håkan, this is the Swedish form of Haakon. It may also be a Native American name meaning "fiery".
"son of bird clan leader"
Name from legend that might be an interesting Jason alternative.
"brown hills"
Striking and accessible choice.
Irish, Anglicized variation of Tuilelaith
"lady of abundance"
Talullah or Talulla, the old Irish name of two early saints, is almost identical to the Native-American Tallulah. A modern hipster favorite, however it's spelled.
"happy fortune"
Resonant and unusual.
Native American, Cherokee
"sparrow"
A strong name equally appropriate for girls and boys. For more, see Sequoia, which is the more feminine-feeling spelling.
Native American tribal name
Cherokee is the name of a Native American tribe, the largest in the United States stretching from North Carolina through Oklahoma. The meaning of the word Cherokee is uncertain: It may be Choctaw for…
Native American, Arapaho
"sage, wise"
Interesting Native-American choice that could be taken for Greek.
Pawnee, the name of a Plains tribe, seems cartoonish as a first name.
Native American, Algonquin
"powwow hill"
Powhatan is identified with the powerful chief and father of Pocahontas; not likely to be adopted by others.
Native American, Comanche
"sweet smelling, fragrant"
Name of a major figure in Indigenous history, Quanah Parker, a Comanche chief who became a judge on the Court of Indian Affairs. Quanah is derived from the Comanche word kwana , meaning "odor" or…
A strong, meaningful name, associated with a famous Cherokee linguistic scholar; also suggests the magnificent California sequoia redwood trees.
"edge of the lake"
A unique natural-wonder option, conjuring up the beauty of the lake between California and Nevada that has become a popular tourist destination.
Native American, Sioux tribe; also western American place-name
Rare and rugged, though one of the baby names with a lot of teasing potential.
"yankee"
A fancy TV western name that didn't catch on like fellow cowboys Luke and Josh, but definitely has a certain amount of charm. It is also spelled Yancy, as in the 1950s series Yancy Derringer . It was…
