Native American names are a manifestation of diverse cultures and traditions. They are deeply embedded in the natural world thus reflecting the connection that Native American communities have with nature, and their environment. As a result they serve as a reminder of the rich heritage of indigenous peoples in America. In this article, we explore a selection of Native American names and their meanings.
Native Americans have been on the continent for a long time and when it comes to naming places their influence is easily seen throughout the USA. For instance many rivers, cities and states have names that are of native origin. Contrarily Native American first names have only begun to get more popular during the latest decades, which is especially due to historical circumstances.
Nonetheless Native American names have always been a testament to the diverse cultures and traditions of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. These names are often deeply rooted in the natural world, thus reflecting the reverence and close connection that Native American communities have with their environment.
To illustrate that take the name Kiona for example: Originating from the Makah tribe, the female first name means “Brown Hills”. It reflects the rugged beauty of the Pacific Northwest landscapes, which is where the natural settlement area of the tribe was. Another female first name that points out the connection between culture and naming would be Talasia. The Cherokee name refers to a corn tassel and in doing so it pays tribute to the importance of corn in the tribe’s agriculture.
In addition to often being deeply rooted in flora and fauna, many native names are also compound words. The male name Keokuk for instance, which is of Sauk origin, translates to “One who is alert and watchful.”
Another example of a compound word as has been noted would be Hiawatha. The mentioned name is used for both boys and girls. It comes from the Iroquois tribe and means something like “He who combs” or “He who creates water”. An additional gender-neutral name is Dakota. It is of Sioux origin and means “Friend and ally”.
All these names and their translations illustrate the composition of several words within one name. Therefore, if you look for a Native American name, make sure you don’t just use one part but the whole compound. Moreover, it is a good idea to know what compound words to use together in order for them to make grammatical sense.
One thing becomes vividly clear through these examples: Within the indigenous community, Native American names are more than just labels. They are imbued with cultural significance and a deep connection to the natural world. Considering that for many years the government did not only discourage but, in many cases, plainly forbid Native Americans to give their children indigenous names, it only makes sense that using these names now can be an act of empowerment. In addition to that, indigenous names get increasingly more appreciation for their beauty and meaning by people from all walks of life. While this can generally be seen as a good thing, there are some more things to consider on a cultural level.
For one thing, giving your child a Native American name while not only lacking ties to the tribe where it originates from but also without having proper understanding of its cultural significance could come across as cultural appropriation and disrespectful to the tribe. Therefore it helps to do some research first on meaning as well as the origin of the name. Furthermore it’s always a good idea to talk to a member of the tribe, asking about the correct pronunciation and reasoning behind the name. That way you can fully understand the meaning and to pay tribute to its cultural heritage all while also loving the sound of the Native name. To make the research a little bit easier for you, below you find a small selection of beautiful Native American names, their origin and meaning.
