132 Native American Boy Names For Your Son

Inspire your son to become a leader, a spiritual guide, or the sweetest friend.

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Praggya Joshi holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in Ancient Indian History from University of Delhi. She has a robust knowledge of literature, society, and ethics. Praggya has been a content writer since 2021, researching and writing on education, health and wellness, and travel.

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Last Updated on Nov 13, 2024

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Native American boy names are unique and closely connected to nature. Native American societies have a long-standing custom of naming newborn boys. An essential part of their cultural practices is closely connected to their history, spirituality, and acute awareness of nature. Native American naming conventions vary according to the tribes, languages, and cultures, each with unique traditions and customs. In many Native American cultures, a baby boy's name frequently refers to the events that led up to his birth, his parents' hopes for his future, or even the environment that the tribe was living in at the time. Native American naming customs also offer dynamic names that can alter throughout a person's lifetime. Their naming customs change from tribe to tribe and are commonly given privately or publicly throughout a person's life to reflect on their achievements, activities, and milestones. For instance, the Lakota uses six categories of names: birth order, honor, notable accomplishments, nicknames, and secret or spirit names. A boy may receive a name at birth, another during his youth, and possibly another as he matures into a man. A private name, known only to the individual and the tribal elders, is given in some Native American tribes to protect the individual spiritually. The public names are for everyday purposes. Others can use the general title to address the person, while the spiritual or private names are kept secret (1). Native American naming customs also illustrate the significance of clan and tribal unity in these communities. Some cultures honor ancestors and nurture family ties by passing down names through the generations within the family. Many Native American families today retain these rich traditions, valuing their cultural history by selecting traditional names for their infant boys, despite the emergence of modernity and cross-cultural connections. The names have a strong spiritual and cultural resonance, representing the history of the tribe, the character of the bearer, and the parents' aspirations for their offspring's future. Giving a baby boy Native American name honors that culture's relationship to nature, spiritual beliefs, tribal unity, and ever-evolving life journey. Continue reading as we present some beautiful Native American names for baby boys.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Kota	Boy	Great peace; Friends or allies; Fort
Llewyn	Boy	Like a lion; Lamb; White
Chayton	Boy	The mighty falcon; Hawk
Uri	Boy	My light; Light of Yehovah; We; Us; Our; Untamed
Kodah	Unisex	Friend; Companion
Mahkai	Boy	Medicine man; Healer
Dequan	Boy	Spring
Jacksen	Boy	Son of Jack
Diondre	Boy	One from Zeus; Manly; Masculine
Ontario	Boy	Beautiful lake

Seneca	Boy	An old man; Place of stones
Broox	Boy	Dweller by the brook
Chaska	Boy	The firstborn son
Dasan	Boy	Chief; High god ancestor
Pecos	Boy	Pecan
Moctezuma	Boy	He becomes angry like a lord
Darold	Boy	Open; From Airelle
Inti	Unisex	Sun
Micco	Unisex	Chief
Ahanu	Boy	He laughs

Cheveyo	Boy	A warrior
Dyami	Boy	Eagle
Quantez	Boy	Powerful; Unique; Leader
Quanah	Boy	Fragrant; Sweet-smelling
Tlaloc	Boy	Aztec god of rain and fertility; Covered with earth
Hiawatha	Boy	He who combs
Chaske	Boy	Junior; First-born
Cochise	Boy	His firewood; His nose
Apache	Unisex	Enemy; People
Dallace	Boy	The one from Dallas

Delsin	Boy	He is so; He does so
Elim	Unisex	Someone who lived in a muddy place; Slender; Skinny; Place of palm trees
Eries	Unisex	Son of Lot; Long tail; Cherry Tree
Haroldo	Boy	Power; Leader; Ruler
Tacoma	Boy	Snow-clad mountain
Mingo	Unisex	Of the Lord; An Iroquoian group of Native Americans; Stealthy
Sequoyah	Unisex	Hog
Takoda	Boy	Friend to all
Hudson	Boy	Son of Hudde; Mind; Thought; Spirit
Apiatan	Boy	Wooden lance

Hosa	Boy	Young Crow; Little Raven
Hosteen	Boy	A title of respect for males
Hotaama	Boy	Gray; Brown
Hotah	Boy	Gray; Brown
Huon	Boy	Mind; Thought; Spirit
Huw	Boy	Heart; Mind; Spirit
Kuruk	Boy	Native American - Bear; The names Kuruc and Kuruck are derivatives of Kuruk
Luta	Boy	Red; A derivative of the name Lootah; Beautiful
Omaha	Boy	Indigenous people from northeastern Nebraska
Ahtahkakoop	Boy	Star blanket

Ahuitzotl	Boy	The eighth Aztec ruler, the Hueyi Tlatoani of the city of Tenochtitlan
Aimon	Girl	Home ruler
Akando	Boy	Ambush; One who has power and wealth
Akikta	Boy	One who works with determination; Excels in everything
Asahavey	Boy	Bird Chief; a perfect leader
Aucaman	Boy	Wild condor
Avonaco	Boy	A lean bear; Travel lover
Axayacatl	Boy	A water-faced individual
Bidaban	Boy	Beginning of Dawn; an excellent human being
Catahecassa	Boy	Black hoof

Chaytan	Boy	A patient, diplomatic, and gentle individual; Like a hawk
Chesmu	Boy	A rough, witty person
Chogan	Boy	Blackbird, a species of birds found in Europe and Asia
Chunta	Boy	Cheating; to use unfair or fraud means for one's own benefit
Ciqala	Boy	Small one; tiny one; little one
Connecticut	Boy	One who lives near a long river which has high tides
Cuauhtemotzin	Boy	The one who falls like an Eagle
Cuitlahuatzin	Boy	Name of a far-off place
Cusa	Boy	The one who provokes
Elsu	Boy	A flying falcon

Enapay	Boy	Brave and powerful
Ezhno	Boy	Lone; Solitary; Only
Goyahkla	Boy	A person who yawns; Intelligent and brave leader
Goyathlay	Boy	A person who yawns; Intelligent and brave leader
Hassun	Boy	Stone
Herrold	Boy	Authoritative person in the army
Hotha	Boy	A man who is gray
Huslu	Boy	One who is a hairy bear
Japa	Boy	To chant
Kaneenawup	Boy	The one who is sitting like an Eagle

Keme	Boy	Secret
Kenesaw	Boy	Grass; Name of a mountain in Georgia, USA
Kennesaw	Boy	Grass
Kentucky	Unisex	On the meadow; On the prairie
Knoton	Boy	One of the wind
Kon	Boy	Child; Offspring; Cloud
Lalawethika	Boy	He who makes noise; A loud person
Laneetees	Boy	Big Elk
Lonato	Boy	A Flint stone
Mahkah	Boy	One who belongs to, or is one with the Earth

Maquilla	Boy	An unclear, confused person
Matto	Boy	A brave warrior
Misu	Girl	Rippled stream; Who is like God; Three; Must; Dwelling; Emerald; Jade; Profound
Namid	Unisex	A bright dancer; One who dances well
Nanook	Boy	Polar bear
Neka	Boy	Noble; Virtuous; Unique; Wild Goose
Nyack	Boy	Fishing place
Oklahoma	Boy	Red nation or people; Honored; Brave
Ouray	Boy	One who is sharp as an arrow
Pahkakino	Boy	A good and noble gentleman

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Native American is a broader umbrella term for numerous indigenous tribes of the American continent, encompassing a wide range of cultural history and traditions. Naming conventions often symbolize their strong association with nature, spirituality, and their intriguing culture. Quite often, Native American names represent the aspirations of the parents and their positive expectations for the future, which also tell tales of the past, present, and future. So browse through the above list of names and pick one that you find interesting.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can non-Native American families choose Native American baby boy names?

Native American baby names come from various tribes throughout the Americas, such as Cherokee, Apache, Navajo, Cheyenne, Choctaw, and Lakota. These names have immensely descriptive definitions. You can use them even if your family is non-Native American. If you like meaningful names, you can select any easy-to-pronounce and spell names for your child.

2. What are some unique and lesser-known Native American baby boy names?

Native American baby boy names have deep spiritual meanings. There are many unique names that are beautiful and honor Native American heritage. These include Aluk, meaning thunder, Bidziil, meaning a strong human, Olowin, meaning West, Fetla, meaning wildcat, and Istas, meaning snow.

3. Are there any traditional or ceremonial practices associated with naming a Native American baby boy?

Most Native American communities have naming ceremonies. Each community has its unique practice that varies in terms of when and how the ritual takes place – for instance, at a specific age or season. Many Native Americans have a legal and a traditional name, also known as ''spirit name.'' Sometimes children are named at birth. The ceremony's chief may also identify colors of importance to the child. This is done in the indigenous language of their ancestors (1).

4. Which Native American boy’s name means spirit?

You can find many names signifying spirit in Native American culture. For example, Achak is a Native American name for a boy that means spirit. Alo is another masculine name that means ‘one who is a spiritual guide.’

Infographic: Stunning Native American Baby Boy Names With Meanings

Native American newborn boy names often draw inspiration from the cultural and spiritual aspects of the Native American culture. The names may be altered during one's life to signify milestones or successes and frequently represent circumstances surrounding the child's birth or parental hopes. These following given names serve as a heartfelt homage to tribe unity and individual journeys, honoring ancestors and strengthening family ties while also serving as enduring representations of identity.

imposing native american baby boy names with meanings (infographic)

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

Native American Naming Ceremony in Michigan.
https://hwpi.harvard.edu/pluralismarchive/news/native-american-naming-ceremony-michigan

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.