Native American baby names carry with them storied traditions and deep meanings of cultures that have helped shaped just about every aspect of modern life, from food to music to art to language. If you’re looking to honor your indigenous heritage, there are so many beautiful Native American baby names to choose from. Here are some of our favorite Native American baby names to consider.
Native American Baby Names for Boys
Ahanu: A name from the Algonquins, translating to “he laughs.”
Edensaw: The Tlingit (an indigenous sect of people in the Pacific Northwestern US) name translates to “glacier,” and would make an especially cool name for a baby boy born in winter.
Geronimo: A name filled with power and motion that was popularized by the famed medicine man of the Apache tribe back in the mid-1800’s.
Halian: A Native American name for boys meaning “youthful,” it sounds like a cousin of Julien but with a less-heard pronunciation.
Mojave: After the Southern California desert; the tribe that originated from this region is called by the same name.
Nahale: It’s a gorgeous Native American baby boy name that translates to “forest.”
Tocho: The Hopi name is a strong, masculine sounding choice meaning “mountain lion.”
Yiska: Meaning “the night has passed,” it’s a soft Navajo name to love.
Yosemite: Not only is it the name of the famed national park in California, known for its magnificent waterfalls; this powerful baby boy name also translates to “those who kill” with Native American origins. The tribe that hails from this area is known as Ahwahnechee or “people of the mouth.”
Native American Baby Names for Girls
Aquinnah: It’s another sweet Native American place name, this one located on the East Coast. The area known as present-day Martha’s Vineyard originally bore this pretty name.
Halonah: The extra-elegant answer to Hannah might be perfect if you’re on the hunt for a Native American baby girl name; it means “fortunate.”
Imala: A great name for a bold baby girl, translating to “strong-minded” or “disciplined.”
Kateri: It’s the Mohawk version of Katherine, meaning “pure.” Kat, Terri, and Ri are all sweet nickname choices here.
Oneida: This rare-sounding Native American baby girl name has a precious meaning—“long awaited”—for the child who serves as a timely blessing.
Pavati: A name from the Hopi tribe translating to “clear water,” this Native American name for girls has a nature meaning and lovely pronunciation.
Tala: This pretty Native American girl name has a fierce meaning: “wolf.”
Tehya: It means “precious” and sounds it, too. We are swooning over this sweet Native American baby name for girls.
Topanga: You probably remember hearing this rare gem on the 90’s sitcom “Boy Meets World;” it’s a gorgeous Native American girl name that translates to, “where the water meets the sea.”
Wynonna: A beloved choice with celeb status; it’s a Sioux baby name meaning “first-born daughter” best known as the name of country singer Judd.
Zaltana: The name meaning “high mountain” sounds as grand as it translates. We adore a Z name, especially one that packs this much power.
Topanga: You probably remember hearing this rare gem on the 90’s sitcom “Boy Meets World;” it’s a gorgeous Native American girl name that translates to, “where the water meets the sea.”
Wynonna: A beloved choice with celeb status; it’s a Sioux baby name meaning “first-born daughter” best known as the name of country singer Judd.
Zaltana: The name meaning “high mountain” sounds as grand as it translates. We adore a Z name, especially one that packs this much power.
Gender-Neutral Native American Baby Names
Bayou: You’ve heard the word meaning a marsh or slow-moving stream, but you might not know that this familiar Southern term is also a unisex baby name with Choctaw roots for the word bayuk with a similar meaning to the one we recognize.
Cherokee: A Native American tribe name with lots of potential for boys and girls; they were a farming people boasting one of the largest populations in the indigenous US, and to date there are about 300,000 Cherokee living as active members of the tribe.
Kaya: It’s a Hopi name meaning “my eldest sister,” but while it was traditionally only given to girls, there is growing popularity for its use with little boys as well.
Lakota: This variant name for the Teton Sioux tribe may mean “allies” or “friends.” As a baby name, it can be used for a boy or girl.
Sequoia: The term for the majestic redwood trees found in modern-day California is a beautiful unisex name choice with Native American roots. Its direct translation in the Cherokee language is “sparrow.”
