First Nations, Indigenous, and Native American Names
- Laach
Origin:
Choctaw, Native American, meaning unknownDescription:
A masculine name from the Choctaw tribe of Mississippi and Oklahoma.
- Rayetayah
Origin:
CherokeeMeaning:
"hanging maw"Description:
The given name of Hanging Maw, the leading chief of the Overhill Cherokee during the late 18th century.
- Patzi
Origin:
Native American, OmahaMeaning:
"yellow bird"Description:
Though unrelated, this would probably be taken as a fanciful spelling of Patsy.
- Onamia
Origin:
Ojibwe, place nameMeaning:
"red ochre lake"Description:
The name of a lake and city in Minnesota, US, Onamia has its roots in the Indigenous Ojibwe language. Originally called Onamanii-zaaga'iganiing, the name means "red ochre lake" or "vermillion lake".
- Iracema
Origin:
TupiMeaning:
"honey lips"Description:
Popular in Brazil in the early half of the 20th century, Iracema derives from the Indigenous Tupi–Guarani language, and likely gained attention due to its use in the classic 1865 novel by José de Alencar. Iracema is the titular character of the novel that explores the relationship between an indigenous woman and a Portuguese colonist.
- Pakuna
Origin:
Native American, MiwokMeaning:
"deer jumping as she runs downhill"Description:
Unusual and lithe.
- Awinita
Origin:
CherokeeMeaning:
"fawn"Description:
For the doe-eyed daughter.
- Maricopa
Origin:
Spanish, meaning unknownDescription:
The Maricopa people are a Native American tribe who have lived on the banks of the Gila River for centuries. The tribe calls themselves Piipaash or Piipaa (meaning "people") — the term Maricopa is borrowed from Spanish.
- Nakotah
Origin:
SiouxMeaning:
"friend to all"Description:
This name of a subtribe in the Great Sioux Nation could make an inventive twist on the overused Dakota.
- Kaniehtiio
Origin:
Mohawk, Native AmericanMeaning:
"beautiful snow"Description:
Name from the Mohawk tribe associated with actress Kaniehtiio Horn, who created a video on how to pronounce her rare name.
- Meztli
Origin:
Nahuatl, AztecMeaning:
"moon"Description:
This was the name of the Aztec god (or goddess) of the moon, which has only ever appeared on the US list for girls but would make for a cool boy name too, especially for those who would like to honor Nahua or Aztec heritage.
- Moacir
Origin:
Brazilian, TupiMeaning:
"son of pain"Description:
Popular in Brazil, Moacir derives from the Indigenous Tupi–Guarani language, and likely gained attention due to its use in the classic 1865 novel, Iracema by José de Alencar. The novel tells the story of a relationship between an indigenous woman and a Portuguese colonist and has been adapted several times into film, notably in 1917 and 1949 which led to an increase in its use in Brazil.
- Nakos
Origin:
Native American, ArapahoMeaning:
"sage, wise"Description:
Interesting Native-American choice that could be taken for Greek.
- Montezuma
Origin:
Anglicization of Motecuhzoma, NahuatlMeaning:
"he frowns like a lord"Description:
Montezuma is the Anglicized version of the Nahuatl name Motecuhzoma, famously borne by two Aztec emperors. There's growing interest in names from Indigenous Latin American cultures but if you go with Montezuma, be prepared for a lifetime of "Montezuma's Revenge" jokes.
- Unega
Origin:
CherokeeMeaning:
"white"Description:
Cool Cherokee color name.
- Atsila
Origin:
CherokeeMeaning:
"fire"Description:
Fiery Native choice.
- Sacagawea
Origin:
Native AmericanMeaning:
"bird woman"Description:
Sacagawea (or, sometimes, Sakakawea or Sacajawea) was a Lemhi Shoshone woman who was instrumental to the Lewis and Clark Expedition across what is now the western part of the USA. She traveled thousands of miles with the men, helping to make contact with local indigenous populations and providing valuable information about the natural history of the region.
- Ayasha
Origin:
Variation of Ayashe, CheyenneMeaning:
"little one"
- Tayanita
Origin:
CherokeeMeaning:
"young beaver"Description:
A wearable Cherokee option for a daughter.
- Mîhkokwan
Origin:
CreeMeaning:
"red feather"Description:
Colorful name still used among Cree people today.
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