How to Give Your Baby a Native American Name
Many Native Americans are looking back to their roots when naming their children. Below is a selection of Native American names and their meanings. The tribe from which the name originated appears in parentheses.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Baby Names
- Genealogy Books
- Internet Access
- Computers
- Genealogy Software
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1
Choose a name that means beauty. For a girl, these include Hurit and Mahwah (Algonquin). For boys, try Hurritt (Algonquin).
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2
Decide on a strong name. For girls, Nita (Choctaw) means bear and Winema (Moquelumnan) means woman chief. For boys, Kitchi (Algonquin) means brave, Menewa (Creek) means great warrior and Tyee (Bannock) means chief.
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3
Select a spiritual name. For a girl, Nahimana (Dakota) means mystic and Kachina (Hopi) means spirit. For boys, Achak (Algonquin) means spirit, Yakez (Carrier) means heaven, Alo (Hopi) means spiritual guide and Cheveyo (Hopi) means spirit warrior.
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4
Opt for an animal name. For girls, Ahawi (Cherokee) means deer, Woya (Cherokee) means dove, Kamama (Cherokee) means butterfly, Migisi (Chippewa) means eagle and Nita (Choctaw) means bear. For boys, Okomi (Arapaho) means coyote, Honi (Arapaho) means wolf, Wohali (Cherokee) means eagle, Avonaco (Cheyenne) means loving bear and Onacoma (Cherokee) means white owl.
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5
Choose a name suggestive of nature's beauty. For girls, Talisa (Creek) means beautiful water, Nova (Hopi) means chases butterfly, Yamka (Hopi) means blossom and Hateya (Moquelumnan) means footprints in the sand. For boys, Misu (Miwok) means rippling water.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep in mind that these names come from various parts of the country and can be derived from different cultures. The spellings and meaning may vary slightly from region to region - check with your family or other resources if this is important in naming your child.
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Comments
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morningspirit
Jun 09, 2010
The correct way to be given your Native american name is through ceromony and only a Native elder can give you your name not you yourself or anyone else get a clue you stupid white people -
Lakota99
Feb 18, 2009
Nice article. The baby was given a "baby name" and then was given its earned name and many others in Lakota tradition.
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Lakota99
Feb 18, 2009
Nice article. The baby was given a "baby name" and then was given its earned name and many others in Lakota tradition.
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Lucifera
Oct 01, 2008
The names are beautiful, Blue. If something wants to come through like that, especially for people with strong Indian roots that have assimilated, it is nice to know the tribal meanings are available. thanks Lucifera, Queen of Elphame
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Blue-Mothman
Aug 17, 2008
There are several ways in which a person can seek a spirit name. In my Cree tradition, everyone has a spirit guide or angel protector, therefore everyone is entitled to receive a spirit name. The name given is usually attained in a ceremony and cannot be unilaterally chosen just because you like a particular name. The name selected for the name seeker is communicated by the spirit guide or angel to the medicine man. A person can receive a name at any age, however the older you get; the harder it is for your name to come through. Peace, and I hope this helps!
