Native American Baby Names

Many Americans today are of Native American descent and are beginning to embrace their heritage in different ways. One way in which they can imbue their children with a sense of their heritage is by giving them a name of Native American origin. There is an endless supply of names available in baby books and on the Internet, however, beware of these sites which may misinterpret the meanings of names, and while the names may have Native American origins, they are really Americanized versions. Baby Girl Names With Native American Origin

Bly- meaning, "tall", origin unknown.

Catori- meaning, "spirit", Hopi origin

Dyani- meaning, "deer", origin unknown

Fala- meaning, "crow", Choctaw origin

Genesee- meaning, "beautiful valley", Iroquois origin

Kai- meaning, "willow tree", Navajo origin

Kaliska- meaning, "coyote chasing deer", Miwok origin

Kimi- meaning, "secret", Algonquin origin

Lulu- meaning, "rabbit", origin unknown

Mai- meaning, "coyote", origin unknown

Malia- meaning, "sea of bitterness", Zuni origin

Mika- meaning, "raccoon", Sioux origin

Sipala- meaning, "peach", Hopi origin

Petah- meaning, "golden eagle", Blackfoot origin

Talulah- meaning, "leaping water", Choctaw origin

Zihna- meaning, "spins", Hopi origin

Baby Boy Names With Native American Origin

Chaske- meaning, "first son", Sioux origin

Chatan- meaning, "hawk", Sioux origin

Chayton- meaning, "falcon", Sioux origin

Elan- meaning, "friendly", unknown origin

Jolon- meaning, "valley of the dead oaks", origin unknown

Keme- meaning, "secret", Algonquin origin

Koi- meaning, "panther", Choctaw origin

Lonan- meaning, "cloud", Zuni origin

Mato-meaning, "bear", Sioux origin

Minco- meaning, "chief", Choctaw origin

Nosh- meaning, "father", Algonquin origin

Patwin- meaning, "man", unknown origin

Skah- meaning "white", Sioux origin

Tyee- meaning "chief", Chinook origin

Yas- meaning, "snow", Navajo origin

There are also Native American equivalents of English names. Some of these are noted below.

Meli- pronounced "may-lee", is a Cherokee variant of Mary.

Atian- pronounced "ah-tee-ahn" is an Abenaki variant of Stephen

Biyen- pronounced "bee-yen", is an Ojibwe variant of Peter

Kateri- pronounced "kah-teh-ree", is a Mohawk variant of Catherine

Magi- pronounced "mah-gee", is a Cherokee variant of Michael

Here are some other names that would be lovely for a girl.

Winona- meaning, "first daughter", Sioux origin

Tanis-meaning, "daughter", Cree origin

Nizhoni- meaning, "beautiful", Navajo origin

One of the best ways to choose a name with a Native American meaning for your child is to look at a Native American dictionary and adapt one of these words to make a name you like.

If you have your heart set on your child having a traditional Native American name it is best to talk to a tribal elder or religious leader to find out the naming customs of the tribe and to help you find a name that best fits your child.