Comments on: How to Give Your Baby a Native American Name

on 2/18/2009 Very insiteful article for those thinking of Native American names. My father-in-law is what some may call a Medicine Man(he says that's not correct though), but he found out my kids true names when they were 7 days old. My son's name is O-glo-sohg-na-hi. And my daughter's name is Nu-da-le-suhn (pronouced Newdahlaysuhn). He says that traditionally, you aren't suppose to aske what a name means and that name is only for that person. So nobody take my kids names please LOL! Just giving examples. But yes, choose a name that is special and one that reflects your baby.Good article by the way. LOL! Sorry for blabbing.

on 2/18/2009 Nice article. The baby was given a "baby name" and then was given its earned name and many others in Lakota tradition.

on 10/1/2008 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

on 8/17/2008 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!

on 12/30/2007 Kamama also means elephant. Just so you know...

on 11/13/2007 Thank you for this article. I'm expecting. My husband is part Native American. He desperately wants me to consider a Native American name for the baby. I'll share these steps with him:) As of right now, we're considering Tecumseh (Panther in the Sky).

on 11/9/2007 I have to say I agree with everyone who discourages the native name giving because my little boy's name is a Sioux word which means " a friend to them all ". He is warm and loving to everyone like his big sister HOWEVER...he has a pretty big bill to fill for the rest of his life doesn't he? Plus no one EVER pronounces it correctly...not even him. Ha aha ah ha

on 2/27/2007 As a Native American woman (Piegan band of the Blackfoot Confederacy), I would say the best advice I could give to any non-native person who wants to give their kid a native name is don't. However, if you must, don't use baby books or the internet. A lot of times, authors make names up, names are mistranslated (as in the case of Talisa meaning "beautiful water" it means "bitter water"). And words in Native languages are extremely long and hard for most people to pronounce. You will rarely find a word in a native language that is shorter than it's meaning, so keep that in mind when you see things like "Hateya" meaning "Footprints in the Sand" and "Nova" meaning "She chases butterflies."

For example, my name, Otahkoapi'si Aakííksi means "Yellow Coyote Woman" it's a long name, it's a mouthfull and no one really calls me that except my family and my grandparents because no one off the street can pronounce it (haha). Just be very careful, names are a sensitive subject for a lot of Native Americans and you're better off asking actual natve people than looking things up online.

on 12/12/2006 Kachina is the name of a specific kind of Hopi mythological figure. It is true that there is a kind of traditional dance called the kachina dance, but that is a ceremony related to calling the mythological figures in question. Kachina never refers to a dancer in Hopi, nor is it ever used as anyone's name.

on 12/12/2006 Kachina is the name of a specific kind of Hopi mythological figure. It is true that there is a kind of traditional dance called the kachina dance, but that is a ceremony related to calling the mythological figures in question. Kachina never refers to a dancer in Hopi, nor is it ever used as anyone's name.

on 12/12/2006 "Cheveyo" is, in fact, the name of a Hopi mythological figure. But I wouldn't advise giving this name to a child. Cheveyo (spelled Tseeveyo in Hopi) is a kind of monster--a terrible ogre who comes to get Hopi children if they're bad!

on 11/22/2005 If you are considering giving your child a Native American name, I would recommend making friends or penpals with some Native people, or going to a tribe and asking advice. Names and language vary greatly among the tribes, as do naming customs.

I would also recommend creating your own name (in other words, decide on a meaning and have it translated). It will have more meaning than a "stock" name, and, in many tribes, this was the only way naming was done.

Last but not least, if you do choose a name from a baby book or such, do some research so you can- 1: be sure the pronunciation is right, and 2: be sure it means what the book says it means.