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indigenous names

This is a list of names from indigenous communities: tribal names, given names, place names. Some might not be appropriate for use on humans, but others have lots of possibility. I strongly suggest double-checking dictionaries and other sources before bestowing a child with one of these monikers.
  1. Kiara
    • Origin:

      English variation of Chiara, Italian, Ciara, Irish, or Aboriginal Australian, Korean
    • Meaning:

      "light, clear; little dark one; cockatoo; first ray of sun"
    • Description:

      Kiara can be considered a variation of both the Italian name Chiara and the Irish name Ciara. Chiara is the Italian form of Clara, meaning "bright" or "clear," while Ciara is the feminine form of male given name Ciar, derived from the old Irish cíar, meaning "dark."
  2. Kaya
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian, English, Literature, Japanese
    • Meaning:

      "pure; one who arranges rocks; perfume, incense; fruit, reward"
    • Description:

      A multicultural name, that's currently on style and fits right in with Kaia, Maya, Raya, and Mia. Currently in the Top 500 in both the UK and The Netherlands, it has several different origins and meanings.
  3. Kylie
    • Origin:

      Noongar, Scottish
    • Meaning:

      "boomerang; narrow spit of land"
    • Description:

      Popular pop name, inspired by Australian singer Kylie Minogue. It was at its height in Australia in the 1970s and early 80s; often cited as a Noongar name meaning "boomerang".
  4. Nita
    • Origin:

      Hindi, Hebrew, and Choctaw
    • Meaning:

      "friendly, to plant, and bear"
    • Description:

      One of those slender names, like Lena or Etta, that's used in several cultures and carries a range of meanings. But by being so many things, it doesn't feel decidedly like anything.
  5. Talullah
    • Origin:

      Irish, Anglicized variation of Tuilelaith
    • Meaning:

      "lady of abundance"
    • Description:

      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.
  6. Dakota
    • Origin:

      Place-name; Sioux
    • Meaning:

      "friendly one"
    • Description:

      An early and still one of the most popular unisex names, also a place name and name of a Native American people in the northern Mississippi valley, which makes it a controversial baby name choice. While the popularity of Dakota is trending downward for both genders, it's one of those rare genuinely gender-neutral names that is used for nearly equal numbers of boys and girls.
  7. Geronimo
    • Origin:

      Native American; Italian variation of Jerome
    • Description:

      This name of a renowned Apache leader and mystic would be a difficult choice, since it was used as a rallying cry in so many old westerns and by paratroopers jumping out of their planes in World War II.
  8. Kiona
    • Origin:

      Native American
    • Meaning:

      "brown hills"
    • Description:

      Striking and accessible choice.
  9. Nashoba
    • Description:

      Nashoba is a feminine name with Native American origins, specifically from the Choctaw language where it means "wolf". This unique name carries the symbolic power and spiritual significance that many indigenous cultures associate with wolves as creatures of loyalty, family bonds, and wilderness wisdom. While uncommon in mainstream usage, Nashoba appeals to parents seeking names with natural connections and cultural depth. The name has gained modest appreciation among those drawn to Native American heritage names or animal-inspired monikers. Its melodic three-syllable rhythm (na-SHO-ba) gives it a flowing, distinctive quality while remaining relatively straightforward to pronounce.

  10. Fala
    • Origin:

      Choctaw, Native American
    • Meaning:

      "crow"
    • Description:

      A strong and simple nature name from the Choctaw culture.
  11. Quanah
    • Origin:

      Native American, Comanche
    • Meaning:

      "sweet smelling, fragrant"
    • Description:

      Name of a major figure in Indigenous history, Quanah Parker, a Comanche chief who became a judge on the Court of Indian Affairs.
  12. Sequoia
    • Description:

      Sequoia is a masculine name derived from the name of the massive redwood trees native to California, which were themselves named after Sequoyah (c.1770-1843), the Cherokee silversmith who created a syllabary for the Cherokee language. As a given name, Sequoia evokes qualities of strength, longevity, and natural majesty—sequoia trees are among the largest and longest-living organisms on Earth. This name has gained modest popularity in the United States since the late 20th century as part of the trend toward nature-inspired names. While still uncommon, Sequoia appeals to parents seeking a distinctive name with Native American connections and powerful natural symbolism. Though listed here as masculine, it's worth noting that Sequoia is used for children of all genders.

  13. Halona
    • Origin:

      Native American
    • Meaning:

      "happy fortune"
    • Description:

      Resonant and unusual.
  14. Pavati
    • Origin:

      Native American, Hopi
    • Meaning:

      "clear water"
    • Description:

      A sweet and clear Hopi name with a lovely natural meaning to match.
  15. Cheyenne
    • Origin:

      Sioux
    • Meaning:

      "people of a different language"
    • Description:

      This is a great American name that deserves more attention from parents looking for a name that balances a soft sound with a more traditionally masculine cowboy image.
  16. Wynonna
    • Origin:

      Sioux Indian
    • Meaning:

      "first-born daughter"
    • Description:

      Spelling used by country singer Wynonna Judd, one of two celebrities (the other is Winona Ryder) who brought this unusual Native American name widespread notice.
  17. Zabana
    • Origin:

      Taino, Persian
    • Meaning:

      "grassy flatlands; flame of a candle"
    • Description:

      This zippy, outdoorsy name is a multicultural option, with its roots in Taino and Persian. On one hand, it is the source of the word and name Savannah, derived from Taino, the language of the Indigenous people of the Caribbean. In this case, it refers to areas of flat, grassy land in hot climates.
  18. Nashota
    • Origin:

      Native American
    • Meaning:

      "twin"
    • Description:

      Highly unusual possibility for a twin girl.
  19. Kimana
    • Origin:

      Native American, Shoshone
    • Meaning:

      "butterfly"
    • Description:

      Kimana, the name of a resort in the foothills of Mountain Kilimanjaro in Kenya, would make an unexpected path to the nickname Kim.
  20. Hiawatha
    • Origin:

      Iroquois
    • Meaning:

      "he makes rivers"
    • Description:

      Journalist Hiawatha Bray is a singular contemporary bearer of this name of a Native-American leader immortalized in a Longfellow poem.

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