Read our Sponsorship & Advertising Policy. Others were translated, like Many Goats (a clan). Some places people tried to write the name in Latin letters or how an English speaker could say it. Check it out! Waya – Wolf (Cherokee) Tamaska – Mighty wolf (Native American) Nashoba – Wolf (Choctaw) Urika – Useful (Omaha) Macha – Aurora (Sioux) Hototo – Warrior spirit who sings (Hopi) Tala – Wolf (Native American) Pauwau – Witch (Algonquian) Honiahaka – Little wolf (Cheyenne) Tikaani – Wolf (Inuit) Maiyun – Wolf (Cheyenne) Cochise – Hardwood (Apache) … Native American last names One of the large families in town was called Catholique, and one was named Mercredi, the French word for Wednesday. What are some Native American last names? 57.Dyle - The Native American version of the name "Doyle" of Irish origin, means "descendant of Dubhghall.". 88.Other eyes - A name with the family ancestry rooted deep in the United States; this name is derived from one of the naming factors involved - a place of origin, patronage, etc. BEGAY Navajo. 83.Cly - A well-known last name meaning "to be left-handed", based on a physical trait. 14.Cornfield - Families named after their occupation and here, probably as they lived near and worked in a cornfield. It has two syllables. 47.Brave bird - The Bravebird family ancestors migrated to the USA, and the name is derived from a trait about a bird. 53.Crawford - Example of names based on the place where the family resided. 86.Huaman - One of the native American names derived from a bird, meaning "Hawk". People are still sometimes given a name in their native language. 15.Davis - Biblical reference meaning "Son of David". 87.Nakai - Name meaning "The one who wanders," given to a family that kept wandering through neighborhoods without settling in one place. 98.Warcloud - When native Americans adopted surnames, it was done to sort people into groups and were named after their occupation, tribe affiliation, the color of their hair, patronage, and ancestry. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. Nicknames, occupation names, descriptive names, place names, clan names, and patronymics eventually became surnames. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. 6.Barns: A famous American name meaning "Warrior". 51.Clown - The clown family is seen in the USA, Canada, and Scotland from the 1840s to the 1900s. The unique native American surnames include: 42.Adsila - Cherokee families with these last names mean "Blossom". Listed beneath are some unique Native American last names adopted in the early 1920s. 90.Red lightning - A surname that is referring to a phenomenon trait. 21.Evans - Surname meaning "Son of Evan". The collection of Native American Baby names include. There are many different Native American tribes. Others were from a grammar confusion. Native American naming traditions vary depending on each particular tribe. Here, the name does not hold a specific meaning. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'makeeasylife_com-banner-1','ezslot_8',128,'0','0'])); Often, these names were simply picked by the priests who kept all the early records, many of whom were French. One of the large families in town was called Catholique, and one was named Mercredi, the French word for Wednesday. Traditional Native American names are often 'presented' by an older relative, they will have been used previously, and will be appropriate to the clan into which the new child has been born. We’ve even included a few Native American variants of Christian and Hebrew names for parents who wish to … Keep reading for 100 unique Native American baby names for boys and girls. 7.Branham - Name derived after the habitation of the tribe, here - Bramham in West Yorkshire. We have compiled a list of Lakota last names of Native American heritage. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content. It was a tradition of giving a last name to each individual by translating words from different languages. 65.Griffin - Welsh name derived from "Griffinus," meaning "Dangerous person". 9.Broken hand -Surnames are given to families based on a physical trait or phenomenon and do not have a specific meaning linked to it. 81.Aeneas - A native American name of Greek origin meaning "Praised". Hopi’s last names are often simply attempting to write Hopi in English letters. 89.Pompey - As of 1840, Massachusetts has seen the highest number of Pompey families, and the name means "five". Many modern-day Native Americans mix their traditional naming customs with European and American naming conventions. Because of this diversity, naming traditions tend to vary as well. This list includes both chiefs and others. 62.Galilahi - Cherokee families with last names meaning "Attractive". It adapted to attaching surnames and last names that were their family names, or names derived and translated from English, French, and Spanish of non-Indian origin. Also new to the list is the Asian surname Lee—ranked at number 22 in the country—indicating a rise in the Asian American population. Now, some Native Americans choose to go by their traditional name, and others have adopted English or Christian … 50.Cling - Of Scottish-Gaelic origin, the name means "the one who does". So, for example, the name Seattle is an attempt to pronounce siʔaɫ. 85.Filemonsen - Families with last names mean "Son of Filemon". About Modern Native American Names. 92.Summerhill - Surname adapted /given to a family living on the hill. 37.Lewis - Surname meaning "Victorious in Athletic games". List of Female Native American names 20000-NAMES.COM: Female Native American Names, Page 1 of 2--meaning, origin, etymology Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. In many places, a patronymic was more common. Your newsletter will be with you soon. Meanings and Origins of Female Native American Names. TENSKWATAWA m Indigenous American, Shawnee Means "open door" in Shawnee. 10.Chavos - Families with these last names were historically found in North Carolina and in Spanish, it means "Child". 52.Countryman - This name was given to a family that lived in the country for a long time. By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadl’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl. Native American baby names are unique, and they have powerful, sentimental, and beautiful meanings behind them. A quick search didn't turn up anything revealing Native-American origins of Chamique Holdsclaw (the basketball player), but here's another person called Holdsclaw who is said to be a Kiwatche Indian. 80.Snake - Snake families were found in the UK, the US, and Nebraska. Derived from the Navajo word biyeʼ meaning "his son". 43.Arrow - Name derived from the object "arrow" to depict a family of hunters. 95.Tsosie - The last name derived from a distinct physical characteristic meaning "Slim". 67.Howell - Families with last names meaning "The Sun" and of Welsh origin. 23.Firekiller - A surname given to an individual who causes interruptions. Another common native surname was Bourque/Bourke/Burke. Anyone with an American Indian background can pay the ultimate homage to their heritage by giving their bundle of joy a classic Native American name. What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. This was frequently adopted as a surname among the Navajo when Native Americans were required by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to formally adopt surnames for the purpose of official records. 180 Indigenous Native American Girl Names … 28.Hensley - Surname meaning "Stallion," given to a family who was meant to succeed and be strong like a stallion. 82.Bylilly  - A name meaning "Magic power" given to the family known to possess the same. Native American identity is a complex and contested issue. 40.Maize - Name based on the occupation of the family;  here, maize picking. You just can't miss out on these cool Native American baby girl names that are original, unique, famous, and meaningful. Today, I’ll focus on Cherokee names and naming rules and next time we’ll look at Choctaw.. Cherokee has its own alphabet and its own naming rules, much like any other language. They are considered to be the most authentic and relevant tribe among the Native Americans. 81.Aeneas - A native American name of Greek origin meaning "Praised". 18.Duncan - Families with last names meaning "Head". These names were mostly derived from the individual's family names, family, birthplace, and even physical characteristics. The collection of Native American Blackfoot Names includes baby names for boys and girls. This was the name of the last Aztec emperor, ruling until he was captured and executed by the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés in the year 1525. Other places only the elite had surnames. . 100.Yazzie- Name adapted based on the place of being, ancestors, and/or their occupation without a particular meaning connoted to it. This is a list of notable Native Americans from peoples indigenous to the contemporary United States, including Native Alaskans, Native Hawaiians, and Native Americans in the United States. Begay (from biyeʼ) means “son of”. This page was last edited on 20 October 2020, at 01:59 (UTC). After turning down so many requests, we have decided it might make a nice fundraiser. This is an example. 49.Chubbuck - Name means "fur", and is the Americanized spelling of a German name, "Schuback". According to the United States census in 2000, the five most common last names for citizens who identified as American Indians or Alaskan Natives were Smith, Johnson, Begay, Yazzie and Locklear. Many Scottish and Welsh people did not adopt surnames until the 17th century, or later. Native American Names for Your Pets A lot of people write to us asking for American Indian names for their dogs, cats, horses, boats, houses, role-playing characters, and so forth. When the Federal Government forced all the Navajo into the Reservation at Bosque Redondo. Many of the people who came north in the early days were Scots, so one of the largest families in town was the MacDonalds. 71.Merrel - Of English origin meaning "Sparkling Sea.". The last name Yazzie is a Navajo name with unexplained meaning. and she went by Honey Rain. Looking for the perfect name for your little one? 24.Flee - Surnames based on a trait; here, the family was probably named after moving through several habitational areas. There is not one pattern. (2020), 7 Residential and Commercial Garden Lighting Ideas, DIY Tips to Keep Your Dishwasher Air Gap Running Smoothly. A - Z Lists of Native American baby names with interesting facts and information about their meanings. Hudson’s Bay Company traders gave him the nickname Le Gros (The Big Guy). Browse Last Names by Origin Browse Last Names by Origin; Last Name Search Last Name Search; Baby Name Inspiration Baby Name Inspiration. This name is an example of the same. This name generator will generate 10 random Native American names. It is common among people in the American Southwest, specifically Texas and New Mexico, as well as among residents of the island nation of Cuba. 11 Tips For Parents To Help Teens Manage Stress, Home Schooling: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Bucolic Bliss: How To Do A Family Holiday In The Countryside, 10 Best Independent Kids' Shops To Support In London, 89 Best Moon Related Names That Will Eclipse All Others. The Navajo are a Native American nation that resides in the Southwestern United States. In places with early contact, a man took “English” or “French” or “Spanish” names. Several common Native American last names actually have Spanish origin.  Over time, surnames got passed on from generation to generation, depending on the family bloodline, location, and several other factors. 99.Welch - derived from the word "Welisc," meaning foreign and describes a person's origin. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. Friends, In some places, people translated the names of parents and made them surnames. When in some places names were translated, sometimes the translations were poor. Native American name generator . Kidadl has lots of great names articles to inspire you. 69. Cherokee, Navajo, Sioux, Cheyenne, Apache and Crow baby names for boys and girls. In the early 1900s, the tradition of naming kids after animals or a physical phenomenon, and men after their achievements underwent a phase of evolution. Use MomJunction's baby name tool to find famous and cool Native American names with meanings. Here are the top 100 names as ranked by the 2010 Census. Showing names from "Seneca" to "Wenona". The tribe of origin will be displayed in brackets next to each name. Pick a name for your sweetie pie. The ultimate A-Z Native American names list, complete with name meanings, origins and background info for all Native American baby names. In Navajo grammar, that comes at the end after the name of the person and was confused by Americans as a last name. There are many Native languages that have sounds that English does not have. Native American Indian Names and Naming Traditions. 66.Hopkins - A welsh patronymic surname meaning "Son of Hob". Ahoka; Awiakta; Catawnee; Chewey; Colagnee; Culstee; Ghigau; Kanoska; Lisenbe; Nelowie; Onelasa; Oowatie; Sequoyah; Suake; Sullicooie; Tarlosa; Tesarkee; Tunooie; Watike; Yargee; Navajo last names. 55.Denton - A name of English origin, meaning "From the town in the valley". 1.Alberty: meaning "famous in everything," originates from the Alberti family found in the United States in the early 1920s, UK, and Canada. If you want a distinctive and beautiful Native American name, look no further. 68. Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. 41.Malvern - This name was given after a place in West England. 30.Holt - This name means "Small grove of trees", given to a family that resided near a grove of trees. Indigenous Peoples of the United States Genealogy is a guide to beginning Native American research, available records types, BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) agencies and reservations, census, church, military records, schools, annuity, allotment, treaties, removal records, archives and libraries, cultural groups, and forts. Anoki (Sioux origin) this last name means "actor". Since the first settlers in the US were Native American it is not uncommon to also see Native American names of geographical locations such as Alabama, Illinois, Mississippi, Utah and Wyoming. In Alaska, some took Russian names. The Native American naming traditions vary depending on each tribe, but they're usually derived from nature and represented using animals with suitable traits/temperaments. The mark that looks like a question mark without the dot at the end is a glottal stop as in “Uh oh.” It had a “glottalized barred lambda” at the end, which is an explosive sound. In fact, twenty-six US states were named by Native Americans. To remedy this, many Native Americans took on some more general English surnames such as Smith or Jones, whilst simultaneously keeping their traditional Native American surnames. 69.Littlewolf - Found in Montana in 1920, based on the place where the family resided. They were all pronounced the same, and all descended from the same Mr. and Mrs. Burke, but the story goes that a long-suffering postal worker got fed up with trying to sort all the letters addressed to one of the dozen Mr. Burkes in town, and assigned several people a new spelling. If you liked our suggestions for Native American Last Names then why not take a look at Indian Last Names, or for something different take a look at Short Boys Names. This is a list of Native American leaders who participated in the American Indian Wars, which occurred throughout the early 17th century until the early 20th century. However, when it came time to sign treaties or attend school, it became necessary to adopt last names. 29.Hitchcock - Surnames adapted to sort people into groups and naming them after their occupation, tribe affiliation, the color of their hair, patronage, and ancestry. 26.Gaylord - Families with these last names mean "High spirited" and "cheerful". 68.Hoyt - Name meaning "stick / skinny" based on physical experience. So it kinda meant “no last name”. 74.Paddock - Of English origin, meaning "Small enclosure". 13.Conrad - Surname after a trait, means "bold". 75.Patrick - Derived from the Latin name "Petricious," meaning "King". 16.Dawson - A biblical reference, meaning "beloved of Jehovah". Otherwise on second reflection "Wind In His Hair" doesn't fit with any of the other names either. 82.Bylilly - A name meaning "Magic power" given to the family known to possess the same. 72.Notafraid - Families found in Montana in the 1920s. The last name "Martinez" derives from the name "Martin." 78.Sandoval - Of Spanish origin, this name means "Groove or wood". Check it out! We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents. 73.Nowife - An individual named after his status. Angpetu (Lakota origin) this last name means "day, daytime". 20.Eubank - The name was given to the people living near the "ridge of a yew". 28. IROQUOIS SURNAMES The following page contains a list of 624 Iroquois or Haudenosaunee surnames collected from the 1901 Canadian census for six reserves located in Canada. eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'makeeasylife_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',113,'0','0'])); In other places, people took a “white” name and kept a Native language name for personal use. This does not influence our choices. And for more last names, take a look at Dominican Last Names and Haitian Last Names. He was also given the baptismal name of Noah Sealth. 5.Ballad: Derived from the physical characteristic of being "bald," from the Old English word "Bal-lard," meaning "Bald man". eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'makeeasylife_com-box-4','ezslot_6',115,'0','0'])); Those who didn’t provide their own last name were assigned, Begay. 63.Garcia - Iberian origin name found in Spain and known for its patronymic origin. It means “one who is calm”. In Northern Canada, the locals didn’t have last names before European contact, likely because they lived in such small groups that it was possible for everyone to have one unique name. 48.Brown - Family names were given based on their skin color. Baby Names Baby Names. Native American names come from many diverse tribes and landscapes, including the Hawaiian islands. 54.Delwood - Family that has its roots in the UK, US, and Pennsylvania. When you buy through the links on our site we may earn a commission. One of the unique Native American names includes the Cherokee -an indigenous group of people who are known to be the inhabitants of the Southeastern woodlands of the United States since time unknown. Iceland still does this today. In the Navajo Nation, many people have names that are clan names or descriptive names that were then attempted to put into English. The following 1,446 First Nation surnames were compiled from the index to Maliseet and Micmac Vital Statistics from New Brunswick Church Records compiled by the Micmac-Maliseet Institute, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, in 1998. 2.Alexander: Families with last names meaning "defender of the men" and originates from the Native American ancestors found in the United States, Canada, and Scotland from 1840 to 1920. ... Tekakwitha, also named Kateri, was the first Native American Catholic saint. 46.Blackrock - Family named after living along an area with black rocks. FE-Baby Name. Santana Young Man Afraid of His Horses was crowned Miss Oglala Lakota Nation at the 30th Annual Oglala Lakota Nation Wacipi, Rodeo and Fair in 2015. 19.Easup (Esup) - Unidentified meaning, but the families were found in the USA in the 1800s. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! 61.Frye- These families lived in the UK, the US, Scotland, and Alabama. By Dantea, aka Angel Thomas As many of you know, I’m a good half Greek, but as not too many of you know, the other half of me is Choctaw and Cherokee Native American. Later the pronunciation shifted to a lateral “l,” a sound something like “Alsh”. In other places, people used a clan name. 70. In North America, there were hundreds of utterly unrelated languages and cultures and naming traditions. This list will give the reader an idea of the variety of ways First Nation people spelled their names. 33.James - This name has a biblical context, and is derived from "Jacob". Native American. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published. Native people took the last name or were required to have last names at different times across what is now the country. Examples are Komelastewa, or Banyacya or Loloma. 58.Effort- The Effort family name was mostly found in Canada and the USA in the 1870s. Your FREE genealogy starting point with more than 337,000 genealogy links, categorized & cross-referenced, in more than 200 categories. They conduct a lavish ceremony depending on the tribe they belong to, and firmly believe that the names given to children hugely affect their personalities and moods. For example, the Salish tribe follows a "naming trail" system where the newborn is given a name by the parents replaced by the tribal leader at a "Jump Dances" ceremony. 45.Bernard - A family name with a German origin meaning "as strong as a bear". Puerto Rican last nameNative American last names. 59.Elliot - Families with last names meaning "With strength and bravery" of Scottish origin. 83.Cly - A well-known last name meaning "to be left-handed", based on a physical trait. Anpaytoo (Sioux origin) this last name means "good hunter of the forest". In England, surnames became common in the 1400s. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. 70.McHorse - Family found in Texas, and they looked after Horses. For example, I stayed on the Young-Man-Afraid-Of-His-Horses property for a few weeks on Pine Ridge. Many of the people who came north in the early days were Scots, so one of the largest families in town was the MacDonalds. 76.Red bow - Named after the features and traits of the family. 84.Creeping bear - Name holds no specific meaning, but is derived from characteristics and human traits. In reality, Begay was a transliteration of the word meaning “his son” or “her son”. Examples are Etcitty (from atsidí —smith) or Nez (big). 77.Redcloud - This family was found in Wisconsin in 1920. It really meant that the person with that name was so feared in a battle that even the sight of his horse would inspire fear. 39.Longboat - Surnames are based on the characteristics and traits of an individual. Top 100 Names for Boys Top 100 Names for Boys; ... Browse All Names Browse All Names; Last Names Last Names. 93.Swiftwater - Name derived by the family living by water that flows swiftly. These surnames are most likely to be found in North and South Dakota today. The name Malia comes from the Native American origin and has been derived from the name Mary. The surname is what makes a name 'complete.' There are about 5 million people in the US that currently identify themselves as American Indian and Alaska Native. Native American surnames have a deep-rooted history as the importance of being the bearer of a surname during ancient times depended on a lot of factors, including the family background and history. 60.Fox - The  name originated in England and is based on the cunning animal. 35.Lacey - Surname based on geographical location. 64.Garlow - Between 1840and 1920, the Garlow's were found in the US, UK, Scotland, and Canada. TL;DR: Many natives never had surnames, and so had them assigned by whoever kept records in the town, usually clergy.