Native American Names Wheel — 280+ Names With Meanings

Dakota – Sioux meaning "friend" or "ally." One of the most widely used Native American names, also a US state name.

Sequoyah – Cherokee, derived from siqua "hog." Name of the 19th-century Cherokee scholar who invented the Cherokee syllabary writing system.

Chayton – Sioux meaning "falcon." Strong nature-inspired name.

Hiawatha – Iroquois/Mohawk, possibly "he who combs." 15th-century leader who founded the Iroquois Confederacy.

Cochise – Apache, possibly "his firewood." 19th-century chief of the Chiricahua Apache who resisted US expansion.

Tecumseh – Shawnee meaning "passing across," possibly referencing a meteor at his birth. Famous Shawnee leader (1768–1813).

Bidziil – Navajo meaning "he is strong." Direct and powerful.

Takoda – Sioux meaning "friend to all." Welcoming and kind.

Bodaway – Algonquin meaning "fire maker." Symbolic of leadership and warmth.

Mato – Mandan/Sioux meaning "bear." Strong and protective.

Lonan – Zuni meaning "cloud." Sky-inspired.

Tokala – Sioux/Dakota meaning "fox." Quick and clever.

Nodin – Ojibwe meaning "wind." Free and flowing.

Viho – Cheyenne meaning "chief." Leadership name.

Cheveyo – Hopi meaning "spirit warrior." Blends the spiritual and martial.

Makya – Hopi meaning "eagle hunter." Perfect for a young warrior.

Tahoma – Salish meaning "giver of water." Also a name for Mount Rainier.

Sahale – Salish/Chinook meaning "above" or "high place."

Keokuk – Sauk meaning "one who is alert and watchful." Famous 19th-century Sauk chief.

Tauri – Laguna Pueblo meaning "young eagle."

Ahanu – Algonquin meaning "he laughs." Cheerful and warm.

Honovi – Hopi meaning "strong deer." Graceful strength.

Wematin – Algonquin meaning "brother." Familial and warm.

Ahote – Hopi meaning "restless one."

Songaa – Native American meaning "strong." Universal strength name.

Elan – Native American meaning "friendly." Welcoming and approachable.

Etu – Native American meaning "sun." Bright and warm.

Hakan – Sioux meaning "fiery."

Helaku – Native American meaning "sunny day."

Kele – Hopi meaning "sparrow." Small and free.

Lansa – Hopi meaning "lance." Warrior-related.

Mahkah – Sioux meaning "earth." Grounding and elemental.

Mingan – Algonquin meaning "gray wolf." Wild and watchful.

Nayati – Native American meaning "he who wrestles."

Onida – Native American meaning "the searched-for one."

Paco – Native American meaning "eagle." Soaring and majestic.

Pallaton – Native American meaning "warrior." Direct and bold.

Sani – Navajo meaning "the old one." Wisdom name.

Tadi – Omaha meaning "wind." Free and movement-related.

Wahkan – Sioux meaning "sacred." Spiritual and reverent.

Aiyana – Native American meaning "forever flowering" or "eternal blossom."

Winona – Dakota/Lakota meaning "firstborn daughter." Worn by historic figures and actress Winona Ryder.

Kaya – Hopi meaning "my eldest sister." Increasingly used cross-culturally.

Tallulah – Choctaw meaning "leaping water." Beautiful and flowing.

Sequoia – Cherokee, after the giant redwood tree, named for scholar Sequoyah.

Cheyenne – From the Sioux name for the Cheyenne people, "red speakers." Wyoming capital and tribal name.

Nizhóní – Navajo meaning "beautiful." One of the most beloved Navajo names.

Shandiin – Navajo meaning "sunshine." Bright and warm.

Kimimela – Lakota meaning "butterfly." Delicate and free.

Aponi – Algonquin meaning "butterfly." Lyrical and natural.

Pavati – Hopi meaning "clear water." Pure and serene.

Mitena – Native American meaning "new moon" or "coming moon."

Tayen – Native American meaning "new moon." Celestial.

Soyala – Hopi meaning "time of the winter solstice."

Kaliska – Miwok meaning "coyote chasing deer."

Olathe – Native American meaning "beautiful."

Walela – Cherokee meaning "hummingbird." Light and delicate.

Tehya – Native American meaning "precious."

Imala – Native American meaning "strong-minded" or "disciplined."

Zaltana – Native American meaning "high mountain." Grand and powerful.

Kateri – Mohawk form of Katherine; "pure." Name of the first Native American Catholic saint (Kateri Tekakwitha).

Orenda – Iroquois meaning "magic power" or "spiritual force."

Topanga – Native American meaning "where the water meets the sea." Coastal beauty.

Kachina – Hopi meaning "spirit." Refers to sacred Hopi ancestral spirits.

Onatah – Iroquois meaning "daughter of the earth." Spirit of wheat and harvest.

Awinita – Cherokee meaning "fawn," from awi "deer."

Elu – Zuni meaning "full of grace."

Macawi – Sioux meaning "generous."

Nascha – Navajo meaning "owl." Wise and watchful.

Nita – Choctaw meaning "bear." Strong and protective.

Olisa – Native American meaning "truthful."

Onawa – Native American meaning "wide-awake one."

Ouray – Native American meaning "arrow." Sharp and direct.

Pules – Native American meaning "pigeon" or "dove."

Sakari – Native American meaning "sweet."

Tablita – Hopi meaning "crown" or "headdress."

Taima – Native American meaning "thunder." Powerful weather name.

Wenona – Native American meaning "firstborn daughter," variant of Winona.

Yepa – Native American meaning "snow girl." Winter beauty.

Magaskawee – Sioux meaning "graceful."

Sequoyah – Cherokee, derived from siqua "hog." 19th-century Cherokee scholar who created the Cherokee writing system.

Adsila – Cherokee, from atsila "fire" or atsilunsgi "flower, blossom."

Awinita – Cherokee meaning "fawn," derived from awi "deer."

Walela – Cherokee meaning "hummingbird."

Inola – Cherokee meaning "black fox," from inoli.

Galilahi – Cherokee meaning "attractive, adorable," possibly from ulilohi.

Dustu – Cherokee meaning "spring frog."

Guwisti – Cherokee meaning "sift, sieve," from gunwisdadi.

Onacona – Cherokee meaning "white owl."

Tayanita – Cherokee meaning "young beaver," from doya "beaver."

Yonaguska – Cherokee meaning "drowning bear," from yona "bear." 19th-century Eastern Cherokee chief.

Degataga – Cherokee meaning "standing," from gadoga. Also called Stand Watie, a Civil War-era Cherokee chief.

Ahuludegi – Cherokee meaning "he throws away the drum." 19th-century Cherokee chief also known as John Jolly.

Adawosgi – Cherokee meaning "he is swimming," from adawosgun "swimming."

Sequoia – Cherokee, named after the giant redwood, which was named after Sequoyah.

Kanuna – Cherokee meaning "bullfrog."

Atohi – Cherokee meaning "woods" or "forest."

Salali – Cherokee meaning "squirrel."

Kanaka – Cherokee meaning "people."

Usti – Cherokee meaning "little one." Endearing for a child.

Ayita – Cherokee meaning "first to dance."

Doli – Cherokee meaning "bluebird."

Edoda – Cherokee meaning "father."

Etsi – Cherokee meaning "mother."

Gola – Cherokee meaning "winter."

Nokosi – Cherokee meaning "bear."

Selu – Cherokee meaning "corn." Name of the Cherokee corn mother.

Tsula – Cherokee meaning "fox."

Unaduti – Cherokee meaning "woolly head." 19th-century Cherokee figure.

Waya – Cherokee meaning "wolf."

Bidziil – Navajo meaning "he is strong." Direct strength name.

Nizhóní – Navajo meaning "beautiful." Beloved girls' name.

Shandiin – Navajo meaning "sunshine," from sháńdíín.

Ajei – Navajo meaning "heart," from ajéí.

Ashkii – Navajo meaning "boy."

Awee – Navajo meaning "baby," from awéé'.

Dezba – Navajo meaning "going raiding," from baa' "raid."

Hastiin – Navajo meaning "man, elder." Typically an honorific.

Klah – Navajo meaning "left-handed," from tł'aaí.

Nanabah – Navajo meaning "returning warrior," from nááná "again" and baa' "warrior."

Notah – Navajo meaning "almost there."

Iina – Navajo meaning "life," from iiná.

Adriel – Navajo meaning "beaver" or "symbol of skill."

Kai – Navajo meaning "willow tree." Also has Hawaiian and Japanese cognates.

Yiska – Navajo meaning "the night has passed."

Hosteen – Navajo meaning "man" or "Mister," respectful term.

Doli – Navajo meaning "bluebird."

Nascha – Navajo meaning "owl."

Sani – Navajo meaning "the old one." Wisdom and elder name.

Tahoma – Salish/Navajo influence, meaning "giver of water" or "snow-covered peak."

Yas – Navajo meaning "snow." Winter beauty.

Naalnish – Navajo meaning "he works."

Nizhoni – Variant spelling of Nizhóní, "beautiful."

Hashké – Navajo meaning "angry one" or "warrior." Strength name.

Chayton – Sioux meaning "falcon."

Chaska – Lakota/Dakota meaning "firstborn son," from čhaské.

Kimimela – Lakota meaning "butterfly."

Tokala – Sioux/Dakota meaning "fox."

Wambli – Lakota meaning "eagle," from waŋblí.

Tatanka – Lakota meaning "male bison." First part of Tatanka Iyotake (Sitting Bull, 1831–1890), Lakota holy man and chief.

Tasunka – Lakota meaning "his horse," from šuŋg "horse." First part of Tasunka Witko (Crazy Horse, 1840–1877), Lakota war leader.

Winona – Dakota/Lakota meaning "firstborn daughter."

Ohiyesa – Dakota/Lakota meaning "winner," from ohíya "winning."

Mahpiya – Dakota/Lakota meaning "cloud, sky," from maȟpíya. First part of Mahpiya Luta (Red Cloud, 1822–1909).

Wapasha – Dakota meaning "red leaf," from waȟpé "leaf" and šá "red."

Akicita – Lakota/Dakota meaning "warrior," from akíčhita.

Tashina – Lakota meaning "her blanket," from šiná "blanket, shawl."

Zitkala – Lakota meaning "bird," from zitkála.

Enapay – Sioux meaning "appears bravely."

Kiona – Sioux meaning "brown hills."

Wynonna – Sioux variant of Winona, "firstborn daughter."

Mato – Mandan/Sioux meaning "bear."

Mika – Sioux meaning "rabbit" or "raccoon." Works for both genders.

Anpaytoo – Sioux meaning "radiant" or "shining at dawn."

Ehawee – Sioux meaning "laughing maiden."

Macawi – Sioux meaning "generous."

Magaskawee – Sioux meaning "graceful."

Tatonga – Sioux meaning "deer."

Wakanda – Sioux meaning "possesses magical power" or "sacred."

Ahanu – Sioux variant meaning "he laughs."

Hehewuti – Sioux meaning "warrior mother spirit."

Hialeah – Sioux meaning "pretty prairie."

Wachiwi – Sioux meaning "dancing girl."

Wakiya – Lakota meaning "thunder." Sacred weather spirit.

Cochise – Apache, possibly "his firewood" or "his nose." Famous 19th-century Chiricahua Apache chief.

Goyaałé – Apache meaning "one who yawns" in Chiricahua. The real name of the Apache leader Geronimo (1829–1909).

Naiche – Apache meaning "mischief maker." 19th-century Chiricahua Apache chief, son of Cochise.

Baishan – Apache meaning "knife." 19th-century chief of the Tchihende Apache.

Dasoda-hae – Apache meaning "he just sits there." 19th-century Apache chief known as Mangas Coloradas.

Gian-nah-tah – Apache meaning "always ready." 19th-century Mescalero Apache chief.

Gouyen – Apache, variant of Góyąń.

Góyąń – Apache meaning "wise." Name of a 19th-century Apache warrior woman.

Ha-o-zinne – Apache meaning "standing up straight." Wife of Chiricahua Apache chief Naiche.

Dos-teh-seh – Apache, possibly "something already cooked." Wife of the Chiricahua Apache chief Cochise.

Sons-ee-ah-ray – Apache, possibly "morning star." Featured in the 1950 western film Broken Arrow.

Aenoheso – Cheyenne meaning "little hawk," from aénohe "hawk."

Cheyenne – From the Sioux name for the Cheyenne people, "red speakers."

Viho – Cheyenne meaning "chief."

Vanaheo'e – Cheyenne meaning "sage woman."

Mekaisto – Siksika (Blackfoot) meaning "red crow," from mi'ki "red" and mai'stóó "crow." Red Crow (1830–1900), chief of the Kainai Blackfoot.

Isapo-Muxika – Siksika (Blackfoot) meaning "big Crow foot." Blackfoot chief Crowfoot (1830–1890).

Apanii – Siksika (Blackfoot) meaning "butterfly."

Quanah – Comanche meaning "fragrant, smelly." Quanah Parker (1845–1911), chief of the Kwahadi Comanche.

Tosahwi – Comanche meaning "white knife," from tosa- "white" and wihi "knife." 19th-century Penateka Comanche chief.

Topʉsana – Comanche meaning "prairie flower."

Mupitsukupʉ – Comanche meaning "old owl," from mupitsi "owl." 19th-century Penateka Comanche chief.

Bodaway – Algonquin meaning "fire maker."

Cheveyo – Hopi meaning "spirit warrior."

Tauri – Laguna Pueblo meaning "young eagle."

Tahoma – Salish meaning "giver of water."

Sahale – Salish meaning "above" or "high place."

Onatah – Iroquois meaning "daughter of the earth."

Ouray – Ute meaning "arrow." Famous Ute chief.

Wematin – Algonquin meaning "brother."

Hiawatha – Iroquois, possibly "he who combs." 15th-century Mohawk/Onondaga leader who founded the Iroquois Confederacy.

Tekakwitha – Mohawk meaning "she who bumps into things." 17th-century Mohawk woman, first Native American Catholic saint.

Kateri – Mohawk form of Katherine, meaning "pure." Christian name of Tekakwitha.

Pocahontas – Powhatan meaning "little playful one." 17th-century Powhatan woman who married John Rolfe.

Tecumseh – Shawnee meaning "passing across." Famous Shawnee leader.

Sequoyah – Cherokee scholar who created the Cherokee syllabary.

Kaniehtiio – Mohawk meaning "she is good snow," from óniehte "snow."

Aanakwad – Ojibwe meaning "cloud."

Animikii – Ojibwe meaning "thunder" or "thunderer." Name of the Anishinaabe thunderbird spirit.

Diindiisi – Ojibwe meaning "blue jay."

Giiwedin – Ojibwe meaning "north."

Miigwan – Ojibwe meaning "feather."

Nindaanis – Ojibwe meaning "my daughter."

Noodin – Ojibwe meaning "wind."

Ojigkwanong – Algonquin meaning "morning star."

Tessouat – Algonquin, name of several 17th-century Algonquin chiefs.

Tagwanibisan – Algonquin meaning "rainbow."

Aponi – Algonquin meaning "butterfly."

Odina – Algonquin meaning "mountain."

Waban – Algonquin meaning "east wind."

Catahecassa – Shawnee meaning "black hoof." 18th-century Shawnee warrior and chief.

Hokolesqua – Shawnee meaning "cornstalk." 18th-century Shawnee chief.

Nonhelema – Shawnee, possibly "not a man." 18th-century Shawnee chief, sister of Hokolesqua.

Kawisenhawe – Mohawk meaning "she holds the ice."

Odeserundiye – Mohawk, possibly "lightning has struck." 18th-century Mohawk chief.

Skenandoa – Oneida, possibly from oskanutú "deer." 18th-century Oneida chief.

Onangwatgo – Oneida meaning "big medicine." 19th-century Oneida chief.

Sganyodaiyo – Seneca meaning "handsome lake." 18th-century Seneca prophet.

Wahunsenacawh – Powhatan, 17th-century chief of the Powhatan people, also known as Powhatan.

Wawatam – Ojibwe, possibly "little goose." 18th-century chief of the Ottawa people.

Sequoyah – Cherokee scholar (c. 1770–1843) who created the Cherokee syllabary, the first writing system for an indigenous North American language.

Goyaałé – Apache "one who yawns." Real name of Geronimo (1829–1909), Apache leader who resisted Mexican and American expansion.

Cochise – 19th-century Chiricahua Apache chief who waged war against US forces in Arizona.

Tecumseh – Shawnee leader (1768–1813) who built a multi-tribal alliance to resist American expansion.

Hiawatha – 15th-century Iroquois leader who co-founded the Iroquois Confederacy with the Great Peacemaker.

Pocahontas – Powhatan princess (c. 1596–1617), daughter of paramount chief Wahunsenacawh.

Sacagawea – Shoshone woman (c. 1788–1812) who guided the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Possibly Hidatsa "bird woman."

Tatanka – Lakota "male bison." First part of Tatanka Iyotake (Sitting Bull, 1831–1890), Hunkpapa Lakota holy man and chief.

Tasunka – Lakota "his horse." First part of Tasunka Witko (Crazy Horse, c. 1840–1877), Oglala Lakota war leader at Little Bighorn.

Mahpiya – Lakota "cloud, sky." First part of Mahpiya Luta (Red Cloud, 1822–1909), Oglala Lakota war leader.

Quanah – Comanche "fragrant." Quanah Parker (1845–1911), last chief of the Kwahadi Comanche.

Naiche – Apache "mischief maker." 19th-century Chiricahua Apache chief, son of Cochise.

Tekakwitha – Mohawk "she who bumps into things." First Native American Catholic saint (1656–1680).

Wapasha – Dakota "red leaf." Name of several Dakota chiefs (Wapasha I, II, III).

Hokolesqua – Shawnee "cornstalk." 18th-century Shawnee chief.

Catahecassa – Shawnee "black hoof." 18th-century Shawnee warrior and chief.

Ahtahkakoop – Cree "star blanket." Early 19th-century Plains Cree chief.

Mistawasis – Cree "big child." 19th-century Cree chief.

Mekaisto – Siksika (Blackfoot) "red crow." Red Crow (1830–1900), chief of the Kainai Blackfoot.

Isapo-Muxika – Siksika "big Crow foot." Crowfoot (1830–1890), Blackfoot chief.

Wahunsenacawh – 17th-century Powhatan paramount chief, father of Pocahontas.

Skenandoa – 18th-century Oneida chief, possibly the inspiration for the song "Oh Shenandoah."

Nonhelema – Shawnee chief and warrior (c. 1720–1786), sister of Hokolesqua.

Yonaguska – Cherokee "drowning bear." 19th-century Eastern Cherokee chief.

Maquinna – Nuu-chah-nulth, possibly "possessor of pebbles." Late 18th-century chief of the Mowachaht people.

Mahihkan – Cree meaning "wolf." Strong and watchful.

Nita – Choctaw meaning "bear."

Tahlako – Choctaw meaning "eagle."

Walela – Cherokee meaning "hummingbird."

Inola – Cherokee meaning "black fox."

Awinita – Cherokee meaning "fawn."

Tokala – Sioux/Dakota meaning "fox."

Wambli – Lakota meaning "eagle."

Animikii – Ojibwe meaning "thunder."

Noodin – Ojibwe meaning "wind."

Aponi – Algonquin meaning "butterfly."

Kimimela – Lakota meaning "butterfly."

Nanuq – Inuit meaning "polar bear."

Mato – Mandan/Sioux meaning "bear."

Paco – Native American meaning "eagle."

Isi – Choctaw meaning "deer."

Tatanka – Lakota meaning "male bison."

Salali – Cherokee meaning "squirrel."

Selu – Cherokee meaning "corn," name of the Cherokee corn mother.

Waya – Cherokee meaning "wolf."

Aanakwad – Ojibwe meaning "cloud."

Diindiisi – Ojibwe meaning "blue jay."

Apanii – Siksika (Blackfoot) meaning "butterfly."

Tahoma – Salish meaning "giver of water" or "snow-covered mountain."

Niyol – Navajo meaning "wind."

Yas – Navajo meaning "snow."

Sahale – Salish meaning "above" or "high place."

Songaa – Native American meaning "strong."

Tayen – Native American meaning "new moon."

Zaltana – Native American meaning "high mountain."