50 Beautiful Native American Girl Names

By Nessa Baby Names

Meanings, Origins, Famous Bearers & Fun Facts

Looking for a baby name that’s meaningful, unique, and connected to nature and culture? Native American girl names offer powerful stories, deep roots, and timeless beauty. Whether you’re honoring heritage or drawn to spiritual, earthy names, this guide has something special.

Here are 50 popular Native American girl names — including meanings, tribal origins, alternative spellings, famous people, and fun facts.

🌿 Why Native American Names?

🌎 Deeply connected to nature, spirit, and land
🔤 Unique sounds and meanings
🌟 Often unisex or symbolic of virtues, animals, or elements
🩶 A rising trend among parents seeking meaningful, soulful names

🌸 Top 50 Native American Girl Names

1. Aiyana

Meaning: Eternal bloom
Tribe: Cherokee
Alt Spellings: Ayana, Aiyanna
Famous Bearer: Aiyanna Johnson (climate activist)
Fun Fact: Spiked in the early 2000s; often chosen for its graceful floral meaning.

2. Tala

Meaning: Wolf
Tribe: Navajo / Sioux
Alt Spellings: Talla
Famous Bearer: Tala Ashe (actress)
Fun Fact: Frequently used in fantasy fiction and art.

3. Winona

Meaning: Firstborn daughter
Tribe: Dakota
Alt Spellings: Wenona, Winonah
Famous Bearer: Winona Ryder (actress)
Fun Fact: Popular in the 1800s, made a comeback in the 1990s.

4. Nita

Meaning: Bear
Tribe: Choctaw
Alt Spellings: Neeta, Neetah
Fun Fact: Strong yet feminine; also a nickname for Juanita.

5. Aponi

Meaning: Butterfly
Tribe: Unknown
Alt Spellings: Aponee
Fun Fact: Symbolizes transformation and beauty.

6. Kiona

Meaning: Brown hills
Tribe: Native Hawaiian / Sioux
Alt Spellings: Keyona, Keona
Fun Fact: Natural, earthy vibe; great for nature-loving parents.

7. Halona

Meaning: Happy fortune
Tribe: Zuni
Fun Fact: Rare but charming, this name feels bright and lucky.

8. Dakota

Meaning: Friend or ally
Tribe: Sioux
Alt Spellings: Dakoda
Famous Bearer: Dakota Fanning (actress)
Fun Fact: Unisex name; peaked in early 2000s.

9. Mika

Meaning: Intelligent raccoon
Tribe: Omaha
Alt Spellings: Meeka
Fun Fact: Also means “beautiful fragrance” in Japanese — double the charm!

10. Akecheta

Meaning: Fighter
Tribe: Lakota
Famous Bearer: Akecheta (character in Westworld)
Fun Fact: Rare, strong, and gaining attention from pop culture.

11. Nokomis

Meaning: Grandmother
Tribe: Ojibwe
Fun Fact: Famous in Longfellow’s poem Hiawatha.

12. Ayita

Meaning: First to dance
Tribe: Cherokee
Fun Fact: A graceful and joyful name, perfect for a spirited child.

13. Pocahontas

Meaning: “Playful one” (nickname)
Tribe: Powhatan
Real Name: Matoaka
Famous Bearer: Historical figure and Disney heroine
Fun Fact: Inspired a wave of name use after the 1995 film.

14. Yana

Meaning: Bear or stone
Tribe: Miwok
Alt Spellings: Yanna
Fun Fact: Cross-cultural — also used in Slavic countries.

15. Tayanita

Meaning: Young beaver
Tribe: Cherokee
Fun Fact: Symbol of hard work and creativity.

16. Sequoia

Meaning: Sparrow / Giant tree
Tribe: Cherokee
Famous Bearer: Sequoyah (inventor of the Cherokee syllabary)
Fun Fact: A bold and earthy unisex name.

17. Wyanet

Meaning: Beautiful
Tribe: Unknown
Alt Spellings: Wyanette
Fun Fact: Soft, melodic, and vintage-sounding.

18. Enola

Meaning: Solitary
Tribe: Cherokee
Alt Spellings: Enolah
Famous Bearer: Inspired Enola Holmes
Fun Fact: Name of the plane that dropped the first atomic bomb (historical relevance).

19. Zitkala

Meaning: Red bird
Tribe: Yankton Sioux
Famous Bearer: Zitkala-Ša, writer and political activist
Fun Fact: Strong literary and activist legacy.

20. Onida

Meaning: Long-awaited
Tribe: Sioux
Fun Fact: Also a U.S. town name — great blend of unique and familiar.

21. Isi

Meaning: Deer
Tribe: Choctaw
Fun Fact: In Choctaw culture, the deer symbolizes gentleness and swiftness.

22. Tashina

Meaning: Her blanket
Tribe: Lakota
Fun Fact: Associated with traditional dancing; featured in historic names like Tȟašína Lúta Wiŋ (Red Blanket)

23. Chenoa

Meaning: Dove
Tribe: Unknown
Fun Fact: Often interpreted as “white dove,” symbolizing peace and purity.

24. Nizhoni

Meaning: Beautiful
Tribe: Navajo
Fun Fact: Used to describe the beauty of nature, such as landscapes and sunsets.

25. Kanti

Meaning: She sings
Tribe: Algonquin
Fun Fact: Reflects the importance of music and oral traditions in Algonquin culture

26. Salali

Meaning: Squirrel
Tribe: Cherokee
Fun Fact: Squirrels are seen as energetic and resourceful animals in Cherokee stories.

27. Sakari

Meaning: Sweet
Tribe: Inuit
Fun Fact: Represents kindness and a gentle nature.

28. Tamaya

Meaning: In the center
Tribe: Pueblo
Fun Fact: Tamaya is also the native name for the Santa Ana Pueblo in New Mexico.

29. Adsila

Meaning: Blossom
Tribe: Cherokee
Fun Fact: Often associated with spring and new beginnings

30. Aleshanee

Meaning: She plays all the time
Tribe: Unknown
Fun Fact: Conveys a joyful and playful spirit.

31. Liluye

Meaning: Singing dove
Tribe: Miwok
Alt Spellings: Liluwee
Fun Fact: Doves symbolize peace, while the “singing” element evokes harmony and celebration.

32. Tiva

Meaning: Dance
Tribe: Hopi
Fun Fact: Dance is a sacred form of expression in Hopi ceremonies; Tiva embodies rhythm and cultural tradition.

33. Yoki

Meaning: Rain
Tribe: Hopi
Fun Fact: Rain is life-giving in the desert; this name reflects nourishment and blessing.

34. Pavati

Meaning: Clear water
Tribe: Hopi
Fun Fact: Water is sacred in many tribes; Pavati suggests purity and clarity.

35. Odina

Meaning: Mountain
Tribe: Algonquin
Fun Fact: Mountains signify strength and stability, often tied to wisdom in Native symbolism.

36. Sani

Meaning: The old one
Tribe: Navajo
Fun Fact: Implies wisdom and respect for elders; often a title of honor.

37. Kaya

Meaning: My older sister
Tribe: Hopi
Famous Bearer: Kaya from American Girl series
Fun Fact: Known for bravery and leadership in the popular doll series.

38. Nokose

Meaning: Bear
Tribe: Creek
Fun Fact: Bears represent protection, introspection, and courage.

39. Olathe

Meaning: Beautiful
Tribe: Shawnee
Fun Fact: Also a city in Kansas; symbolizes natural beauty.

40. Teca

Meaning: Young
Tribe: Lakota
Fun Fact: May be used to refer to youthfulness or new life.

41. Wicapi

Meaning: Star
Tribe: Lakota
Fun Fact: Stars often symbolize guidance and hope in Lakota stories.

42. Maiara

Meaning: Wise
Tribe: Tupi-Guarani (South America)
Fun Fact: Name is used across Brazil and has recently gained global appeal.

43. Shikoba

Meaning: Feather
Tribe: Choctaw
Fun Fact: Feathers are sacred and often represent freedom and spiritual growth.

44. Nuna

Meaning: Land
Tribe: Inuit
Fun Fact: Emphasizes connection to earth, especially in Arctic cultures.

45. Tayana

Meaning: New moon
Tribe: Poetic/modern
Fun Fact: The new moon signifies fresh starts and hidden strength.

46. Wyanita

Meaning: Graceful woman
Tribe: Sioux
Fun Fact: A modern variation of “Wyanet,” blending tradition with elegance.

47. Atsa

Meaning: Eagle
Tribe: Navajo
Fun Fact: Eagles are seen as messengers to the Creator; a powerful name.

48. Tihirah

Meaning: She dances in the wind
Tribe: Invented/fantasy-inspired
Fun Fact: Evokes imagery of freedom and poetic movement.

49. Kiona

Meaning: Brown hills
Tribe: Sioux (repeat due to popularity)
Fun Fact: Repeated for popularity; embraced for its earthy charm and gentle sound.

50. Tayanetta

Meaning: Variation of Tayanita
Tribe: Modern interpretation
Fun Fact: Created as a longer, more melodic take on the traditional Cherokee name.

📊 Name Popularity Trends

1800s: Names like Winona and Pocahontas gained attention via literature.
1990s: Disney’s Pocahontas and American Girl dolls reignited interest.
Today: Increasingly popular as more families seek grounded, meaningful names.

🩶 Cultural Respect Tips

✅ Always research pronunciation and origins.
✅ When possible, honor names from your own heritage or with consent.
✅ Use respectfully and educate others on the cultural significance.

📈 Final Thoughts

Native American names are more than beautiful — they’re stories, connections to nature, and echoes of ancestors. Whether you’re honoring culture, seeking a soulful sound, or looking for a rare name with deep meaning, these names hold powerful magic.