First Nations, Indigenous, and Native American Names

This Hopi boys' name refers to the bark of the cedar tree.

Lapu

This Najavo name was notably borne by Lilakai "Lily" Neil, the first woman to be elected to the Navajo Tribe Council. She is remembered for criticizing the US government for encouraging Navajos to become self-sufficient by obtaining education, while also refusing to supply adequate education and for blocking access to learning.
 
The name is of uncertain etymology, though theories include that it comes from the Najavo words łį́į́ʼ and łigaii, which come together to mean "white horse".

Lilakai

A Native American name used by the Miwok people, Lokni has an intriguing meaning and an familiar yet distinctive sound. 

Lokni

Along with traditional Cherokee names, the Cherokee translated many names with European origins using their syllabary. Magi is the Cherokee interpretation of Michael.

Magi

Georgian diminutive for names starting with Ma-, such as Margalita or Mariam. Notable bearers of this name include the former First Lady Maka Chichua and writer Maka Jokhadze.
 
Maka is also a Lakota name meaning "earth".

Maka

A name of Nahuatl origin, Malinalli is a pretty, nature connected choice from Central America meaning "tall grass". It is associated with La Malinche (also known as Marina or Malintzin, though her original name might have been Malinalli), a 16th century Nahua woman who acted as an interpreter and advisor for the Spanish during their conquest of the Aztec Empire, after she was enslaved.  She is an important figure, though perspectives on her greatly differ. 




Malinalli

First Nations, Indigenous, and Native American Names are traditional to North, Central, and South America. Each tribe has different languages and naming conventions, making Native American names a particularly diverse set.

You may recognize names like Sacagawea and Hiawatha from history, but many 

 are being revived by modern parents with Indigenous roots. Cree names such as Kimiwan and Yuutin are seeing greater use in Canada, and Kimimila is a trending name among the Lakota people of South Dakota.

Mayan and Nahuatl names like Citlali and Xochitl have long been favorites of Mexicans and Mexican-Americans, but parents are now embracing rarer choices native to Central America. Alitzel and Eluney were among the fastest-rising names of recent years.

cross-cultural names that have Indigenous origins

. Tallulah is both Choctaw and Irish, Koda is Japanese and Sioux, and Kai is Navajo, Chinese, Hawaiian, and more.

We've also included many tribe and Indigenous place names on this list, but these are not typically seen as given names among Indigenous peoples.

If you have Native heritage, you may consider using a name from your tribe. Here is our full collection of First Nations, Native American, and Indigenous names.

Names from First Nations, Indigenous, and Native American tribes of North, Central, and South America (Page 20)