Rooted in earth's wisdom, Native American female names connect bearers to nature, spirit, and community. From the Lakota Winona (first daughter) to the Cherokee Ahyoka (she brought happiness), these names carry ancestral voices. Our respectful guide presents 80+ authentic options, with tribal attributions, pronunciation guides, and cultural contexts. Learn how naming traditions differ among nations (some wait years to name children), why certain natural elements recur (Doli - Navajo for bluebird), and how colonization impacted naming practices. Discover names celebrating virtues (Kaya - Hopi for elder sister), natural phenomena (Nokomis - Ojibwe for daughter of the moon), and the growing movement to reclaim indigenous names. Whether honoring specific heritage or drawn to these profound connections to land and spirit, these names offer meaningful alternatives to mainstream choices.
🎁 Match Your Baby’s Name with Their Birthstone
Every baby’s name holds a story—and so does their birthstone. Discover the perfect gemstone to match your baby's birth month, energy, and name style:
1. Aiyana
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Origin: Cherokee (also used across multiple tribes)
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Meaning: “Eternal blossom”
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Description:
Aiyana is the spirit of wildflowers. Her soul blooms quietly through seasons of joy and storm alike. She may be creative, graceful, and deeply in tune with the natural world. Aiyana teaches us that growth doesn’t rush—it unfolds with deep faith and sacred timing.
2. Nayeli
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Origin: Zapotec
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Meaning: “I love you”
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Description:
Nayeli is spoken love. Her name feels like an embrace, a promise, a healing breeze on a weary soul. A Nayeli may be expressive, loyal, and emotionally warm. She teaches us that love is not just an emotion—it’s a language we live through kindness, presence, and truth.
3. Tayanita
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Origin: Cherokee
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Meaning: “Young beaver”
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Description:
Tayanita is the builder spirit. Energetic, curious, and community-driven, she crafts with purpose and protects what she builds. A Tayanita may be drawn to creativity, family, or nature. She reminds us that home isn’t just where we live—it’s what we choose to protect with love.
4. Winona
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Origin: Dakota
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Meaning: “Firstborn daughter”
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Description:
Winona is ancient grace. She walks with the wisdom of women who came before her and the vision of those yet to be born. A Winona may feel naturally responsible, nurturing, and powerful in silence. She teaches us that being “first” isn’t about pride—it’s about carrying legacy with humility.
5. Adsila
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Origin: Cherokee
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Meaning: “Blossom”
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Description:
Adsila is gentle awakening. Her name carries springtime energy—quiet, colorful, full of renewal. An Adsila may be artistic, intuitive, and soft-spoken. She teaches us that blooming doesn’t require noise—it requires sunlight, patience, and trust in your roots.
6. Aponi
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Origin: Hopi
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Meaning: “Butterfly”
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Description:
Aponi is transformation in flight. Her soul dances through change with lightness and beauty. An Aponi might be emotional, creative, and ever-evolving. She reminds us that transformation isn’t a destination—it’s a sacred fluttering through every stage of becoming.
7. Halona
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Origin: Zuni
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Meaning: “Happy fortune,” “Fortunate”
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Description:
Halona is joy made real. She brings blessings in her presence and laughter in her wake. A Halona may see the best in others and inspire abundance through optimism. She teaches us that fortune isn’t luck—it’s the natural result of choosing joy, again and again.
8. Ayita
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Origin: Cherokee
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Meaning: “First to dance”
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Description:
Ayita is rhythm of life. She moves with music that others don’t always hear, leading with heart and feet alike. An Ayita may be brave, playful, and full of movement. She teaches that to dance first isn’t to seek attention—it’s to answer the sacred call before fear can arrive.
9. Kiona
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Origin: Native American (unspecified tribal origin)
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Meaning: “Brown hills,” “Hillside”
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Description:
Kiona is earth made gentle. Her soul carries the stability of hills and the whisper of wild grasses. A Kiona may be grounded, nurturing, and full of ancient quiet strength. She teaches us that the land doesn’t speak in volume—it teaches in stillness and presence.
10. Salali
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Origin: Cherokee
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Meaning: “Squirrel”
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Description:
Salali is playful wisdom. Quick-witted, lively, and full of energy, she teaches joy through movement. A Salali may be curious, resourceful, and unexpectedly insightful. She reminds us that small things matter—that life is built from tiny treasures, hidden in everyday moments.
Baby Names A–Z
11. Kateri
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Origin: Mohawk (derived from Catherine, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha)
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Meaning: “Pure”
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Description:
Kateri is spiritual stillness. Her soul is like a clear stream—calm, reflective, and healing. A Kateri may be deeply intuitive, faithful, or drawn to sacred traditions. She teaches us that purity is not perfection—it’s the quiet clarity that comes from walking gently with your truth.
12. Takoda
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Origin: Sioux
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Meaning: “Friend to everyone”
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Description:
Takoda is open-hearted unity. She moves through the world with kindness, always seeing the good first. A Takoda may be inclusive, radiant, and deeply compassionate. She teaches us that to be a friend isn’t a title—it’s a way of being that makes everyone feel seen.
13. Mika
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Origin: Sioux
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Meaning: “Raccoon”
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Description:
Mika is clever curiosity. Quick, playful, and observant, she brings joy through exploration. A Mika may be inventive and resourceful, often finding wonder in small things. She reminds us that intelligence doesn’t need to be serious—it can sparkle with play and discovery.
14. Enola
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Origin: Native American (Choctaw origin debated)
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Meaning: “Solitary” or “Magnolia flower” (varied meanings)
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Description:
Enola is sacred solitude. Independent, thoughtful, and often mysterious, she finds strength in her own rhythm. An Enola may be poetic and spiritually deep. She teaches us that aloneness isn’t loneliness—it’s the quiet space where soul and nature speak as one.
15. Aleshanee
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Origin: Native American (unspecified tribal origin)
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Meaning: “She plays all the time”
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Description:
Aleshanee is joyful motion. Light-hearted, whimsical, and full of laughter, she brings life where things feel heavy. An Aleshanee reminds us that play is not a distraction—it’s a sacred way to remember joy is our original language.
16. Shania
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Origin: Ojibwe
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Meaning: “I'm on my way” or “God is gracious”
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Description:
Shania is spiritual journey. She walks with purpose and moves with grace, often navigating transitions with quiet strength. A Shania may be artistic, soulful, and full of evolving dreams. She teaches us that paths are sacred even before they’re clear—it’s the walk that shapes who we are becoming.
17. Tula
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Origin: Choctaw
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Meaning: “To be tranquil”
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Description:
Tula is peaceful grounding. Her presence slows time and opens space for reflection. A Tula may be nurturing, emotionally balanced, and deeply attuned to others. She teaches that calm is not the absence of movement—it’s the choice to move from within, not from pressure.
18. Wyanet
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Origin: Miwok
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Meaning: “Beautiful”
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Description:
Wyanet is quiet radiance. Her beauty is understated, full of soul and mystery. A Wyanet might be shy, intuitive, and rooted in grace. She teaches us that beauty is not a surface—it’s what softens hearts without needing to be named.
19. Kachina
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Origin: Hopi
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Meaning: “Sacred spirit” or “Dancer spirit”
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Description:
Kachina is living prayer. Mysterious, playful, and symbolic, her name evokes spirit guides and ceremonial energy. A Kachina may be intuitive and vibrant. She teaches us that spirit is not separate—it dances with us through every breath and dream.
20. Sequoia
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Origin: Cherokee
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Meaning: Named after the great Cherokee scholar and the giant redwood trees
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Description:
Sequoia is rooted wisdom. Towering yet grounded, she brings presence wherever she stands. A Sequoia may be a natural protector, scholar, or leader. She teaches us that legacy isn’t fame—it’s growing tall while staying deeply connected to your roots.
21. Yoki
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Origin: Hopi
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Meaning: “Rain”
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Description:
Yoki is soul water. Refreshing, soft, and life-giving, she brings renewal wherever she flows. A Yoki may be emotional, nourishing, and spiritually deep. She teaches us that healing doesn’t shout—it pours in gentle waves when the soul is ready to receive.
22. Nita
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Origin: Choctaw
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Meaning: “Bear”
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Description:
Nita is fierce tenderness. Protective, powerful, and grounded in instinct, she carries the energy of maternal strength and wild grace. A Nita may be quiet yet immovable when it matters. She teaches us that strength isn’t aggression—it’s devotion, wrapped in soft skin and steady hands.
23. Alawa
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Origin: Algonquin
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Meaning: “Pea” (a symbol of spring and growth)
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Description:
Alawa is gentle growth. Small in stature but vast in soul, she holds the magic of renewal. An Alawa may be cheerful, gentle, and emotionally wise. She reminds us that power doesn’t always look like force—it can bloom in something as small as a seed.
24. Dyani
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Origin: Native American (likely Miwok or Sioux)
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Meaning: “Deer”
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Description:
Dyani is soul sensitivity. She walks through life with elegance and alert intuition. A Dyani may be soft-spoken but deeply aware, moving with care and grace. She teaches that gentleness isn’t weakness—it’s moving lightly because the heart hears everything.
25. Pavati
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Origin: Hopi
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Meaning: “Clear water”
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Description:
Pavati is sacred clarity. Emotionally pure, spiritually deep, and endlessly reflective, her soul moves like a spring river. A Pavati may carry healing energy and truth. She teaches us that to be clear is not to be cold—it’s to flow in full alignment with soul and source.
26. Istas
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Origin: Lakota
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Meaning: “Snow”
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Description:
Istas is crystalline stillness. Quiet, serene, and soft-spoken, she carries the beauty of winter—elegant, calm, and essential. An Istas may bring comfort during difficult times. She teaches us that cold doesn’t mean absence—it can mean purity, peace, and pause before transformation.
27. Awenasa
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Origin: Cherokee
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Meaning: “My home”
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Description:
Awenasa is belonging. Her presence feels like the end of a long journey—warm, safe, familiar. An Awenasa may be nurturing and community-centered. She teaches that home is not a place—it’s a person, a spirit, a way of holding others with love.
28. Odina
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Origin: Algonquin
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Meaning: “Mountain”
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Description:
Odina is enduring spirit. Strong, stable, and grounded, she brings structure and timeless perspective. An Odina may be slow-moving, steady, and deeply intuitive. She teaches us that power doesn’t always roar—it rests like a mountain—unmoved and ancient in purpose.
29. Tanis
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Origin: Possibly Inuit
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Meaning: “Daughter”
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Description:
Tanis is ancestral joy. She carries forward the hopes and dreams of those who came before. A Tanis may be emotionally expressive, family-oriented, and culturally rooted. She teaches us that to be a daughter is sacred—it’s to inherit more than blood—it’s to carry dreams in your bones.
30. Zihna
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Origin: Hopi
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Meaning: “Spins” or “Spinning” (like a dancer)
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Description:
Zihna is motion and freedom. Her energy is dynamic, ever-moving, and spirited. A Zihna may love music, celebration, or constant transformation. She teaches us that joy is not still—it moves in spirals, spins in gratitude, and celebrates being alive.
31. Yuma
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Origin: Quechan (Yuma tribe)
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Meaning: “Son of the chief” (interpreted as “royalty” or “leader”)
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Description:
Yuma is quiet command. Though simple in sound, her name carries the legacy of lineage and grace. A Yuma may be natural-born leader, with empathy and wisdom beyond her years. She teaches us that leadership is not power over others—it’s standing tall with care, tradition, and vision.
32. Ama
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Origin: Cherokee
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Meaning: “Water”
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Description:
Ama is sacred flow. She adapts, nourishes, and refreshes everyone she touches. An Ama may be emotionally intuitive, adaptable, and deeply healing. She reminds us that water doesn’t ask permission—it moves, softens, and transforms with power wrapped in grace.
33. Misu
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Origin: Miwok
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Meaning: “Rippling brook”
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Description:
Misu is soft rhythm. Like a creek running through forest roots, she brings motion to stillness. A Misu might be musical, introspective, or deeply connected to her inner world. She teaches us that emotion is not weakness—it’s the sacred ripple that carries us back to truth.
34. Onida
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Origin: Sioux
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Meaning: “The one who is searched for”
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Description:
Onida is the soul quest. Her name feels like longing and fulfillment in one breath. An Onida may carry mystery, magnetic energy, or the ability to see beyond the surface. She reminds us that some souls are not lost—they’re just being remembered, one sacred step at a time.
35. Winema
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Origin: Modoc
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Meaning: “Chief woman” or “Strong woman”
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Description:
Winema is sovereign spirit. She walks with ancestral strength and speaks with the authority of her heart. A Winema may be a protector, speaker, or intuitive leader. She teaches us that womanhood is not quiet—it’s thunder wrapped in velvet.
36. Nayati
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Origin: Miwok
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Meaning: “He who wrestles” (used symbolically for perseverance in feminine form)
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Description:
Nayati is enduring resilience. She may struggle—but she never surrenders. A Nayati moves with sacred persistence, finding strength even in pain. She teaches us that the spirit doesn’t break—it bends, learns, and rises higher than before.
37. Taini
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Origin: Omaha
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Meaning: “New moon”
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Description:
Taini is beginning wrapped in darkness. Her name speaks of sacred mystery, intuition, and quiet rebirth. A Taini may be emotionally deep, observant, and visionary. She reminds us that darkness isn’t loss—it’s the womb where new stars are born.
38. Aylen
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Origin: Mapuche (South American indigenous)
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Meaning: “Joy,” “Clear”
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Description:
Aylen is joy in clarity. Honest, expressive, and emotionally radiant, she brings sunshine wherever she walks. An Aylen may be a natural empath and friend. She teaches that joy isn’t naive—it’s the fierce, daily act of choosing light.
39. Kinta
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Origin: Potawatomi
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Meaning: “Deer”
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Description:
Kinta is graceful alertness. She moves gently through the world but always sees the deeper truth. A Kinta may be sensitive, watchful, and connected to the spirit of nature. She teaches that silence isn’t absence—it’s attention sharpened by empathy.
40. Talulah (variant: Talula)
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Origin: Choctaw
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Meaning: “Leaping water”
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Description:
Talulah is energy in motion. Wild, creative, and full of play, she cannot be contained. A Talulah may be a dancer, artist, or joyful spirit. She teaches us that life is not to be tamed—it’s to be danced with, leapt into, and lived fully.
41. Wichahpi
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Origin: Sioux
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Meaning: “Star”
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Description:
Wichahpi is celestial presence. She walks with grace, often alone, and always glowing. A Wichahpi may be philosophical, dreamy, or spiritual. She reminds us that stars are not distant—they’re pieces of us that stayed to light the way home.
42. Lulu
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Origin: Hopi
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Meaning: “Rabbit”
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Description:
Lulu is tenderness and quickness. Gentle yet alert, playful yet clever, she brings sweetness to everyone she meets. A Lulu may be empathetic, agile, and instinctively caring. She teaches that protection can be soft—and being quick doesn’t mean running away—it means surviving smart.
43. Atohi
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Origin: Cherokee
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Meaning: “Tree”
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Description:
Atohi is grounded strength. She may be still on the outside, but her roots go deep, carrying wisdom from lifetimes. An Atohi may be deeply nurturing, stable, and spiritually aware. She teaches us that to grow tall—we must first grow inward, and into the soil of truth.
44. Sani
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Origin: Navajo
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Meaning: “The old one,” symbol of wisdom and spiritual maturity
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Description:
Sani is ancient knowing. Even as a child, she may feel like she’s walked through many lifetimes. A Sani is often calm, observant, and respectful of ritual. She teaches us that age is not time—it’s depth of soul earned through presence and memory.
45. Huyana
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Origin: Miwok
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Meaning: “Falling rain”
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Description:
Huyana is sacred softness. Her energy refreshes, her words nourish, and her presence heals. A Huyana may be poetic, emotional, or deeply nurturing. She teaches that water doesn’t fight—it cleanses, clears, and makes everything grow again.
46. Maka
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Origin: Sioux
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Meaning: “Earth”
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Description:
Maka is rooted presence. She embodies the sacred land—fertile, steady, and full of creation. A Maka may feel deeply connected to nature, body, and soul work. She teaches us that healing is not escape—it’s returning to the body, to the land, and to truth.
47. Nokomis
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Origin: Ojibwe
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Meaning: “My grandmother”
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Description:
Nokomis is ancestral memory. Even as a young girl, her spirit carries the wisdom of matriarchs. A Nokomis may be nurturing, deeply feminine, and spiritually tuned to tradition. She teaches us that to honor our elders is to listen to the voices that live inside our bones.
48. Sihu
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Origin: Hopi
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Meaning: “Flower”
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Description:
Sihu is living beauty. She blooms in unexpected places and spreads warmth with ease. A Sihu may be artistic, expressive, or quietly inspiring. She teaches that beauty doesn’t fade—it evolves through every petal, even in seasons of loss.
49. Wyanita
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Origin: Sioux
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Meaning: “Beautiful flower”
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Description:
Wyanita is natural radiance. Delicate yet enduring, she brings color and life to everything she touches. A Wyanita may carry beauty through words, art, or love. She reminds us that every soul has a season to bloom—and you don’t need permission to open.
50. Chenoa
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Origin: Cherokee
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Meaning: “Dove”
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Description:
Chenoa is peace with wings. Gentle, intuitive, and full of grace, her spirit calms even the wildest energy. A Chenoa may be drawn to healing, peacemaking, or soulful expression. She teaches that peace is not passive—it’s a sacred offering of gentleness in a world that often forgets how to hold it.
