Spanning 574 federally recognized tribes, Native American names form a mosaic of linguistic traditions as diverse as the continent itself. Our carefully researched guide explores naming practices across major nations, from Inuit name spirits to Navajo clan names. Learn how some tribes name children after events (Dakota baby named Wicahpi - star), why certain names are never spoken aloud, and how boarding schools forced name changes. Discover authentic options like Degataga (Cherokee for standing together) and Kitchi (Algonquin for brave), complete with tribal origins and pronunciation guides. Understand the difference between pan-Indian names (Dakota) versus nation-specific ones (Aponi - Hopi), and why proper attribution matters. Whether researching heritage or seeking meaningful names, this collection approaches indigenous naming traditions with the reverence they deserve—as living cultural treasures.
🎁 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. Aponi
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Origin: Hopi
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Meaning: “Butterfly”
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Description:
Aponi is transformation in motion. With delicate wings and ancient wisdom, she moves between worlds—between joy and growth, spirit and body. An Aponi often embodies grace, lightness, and renewal. Her soul reminds us that change isn't destruction—it's an unfolding into your truest form. A perfect name for a child who is meant to evolve with freedom and soul-beauty.
2. Takoda
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Origin: Sioux
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Meaning: “Friend to everyone”
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Description:
Takoda is community incarnate. He arrives with open arms, a gentle heart, and a spirit that sees the best in others. A Takoda walks into any space and makes it feel like home. This name is for someone born to connect, to lead through love, and to teach that true strength lies in empathy and kindness.
3. Aylen
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Origin: Mapuche (South American Indigenous)
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Meaning: “Happiness,” “Clear,” “Joyful spirit”
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Description:
Aylen is soul sunshine. She carries a gentle brightness that doesn’t fade, even in dark moments. Her laughter is healing, her presence warm and honest. An Aylen is emotionally sensitive yet grounded. She reminds us that joy isn’t an escape—it’s a sacred act of choosing light again and again.
4. Enola
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Origin: Choctaw (disputed; also used in folk interpretations)
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Meaning: “Solitary,” “Magnolia flower”
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Description:
Enola is the quiet strength of solitude. She blooms in her own rhythm, needing no permission to become. An Enola may be intuitive, independent, and artistically inclined. Her name holds space for self-discovery and peace. She shows us that some journeys are meant to be walked alone—not in loneliness, but in divine self-remembrance.
5. Mika
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Origin: Sioux
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Meaning: “Raccoon”
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Description:
Mika is curious cleverness. Agile, observant, and endlessly resourceful, Mika is the energy of playful resilience. They may be a tinkerer, a creator, or someone who learns by doing. This name suits a soul who finds magic in the smallest corners and always knows how to light up a room with wit and wonder.
6. Kiona
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Origin: Native American (unspecified tribal origin)
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Meaning: “Brown hills,” “From the hillside”
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Description:
Kiona is rooted elegance. She is the quiet beauty of the land—soft, strong, and eternal. A Kiona may carry a grounded presence and offer deep emotional safety to those around her. She teaches that fierce doesn’t need to be loud—it can grow from still places, whispering with purpose and patience.
7. Dasan
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Origin: Miwok
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Meaning: “Chief”
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Description:
Dasan is noble leadership. Calm, composed, and wise beyond his years, a Dasan carries the strength of those who guide, not control. His name reflects respect, responsibility, and vision. A child named Dasan is born to build communities, bridge gaps, and lead with soul rather than ego.
8. 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 joy personified. With endless laughter, light feet, and a boundless heart, she reminds everyone around her how to play again. An Aleshanee may be naturally expressive, imaginative, and emotionally free. She teaches that joy isn’t frivolous—it’s our original language, spoken before fear arrived.
9. Elan
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Origin: Apache
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Meaning: “Friendly,” “Kind”
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Description:
Elan is heart-centered presence. He leads with warmth, listens without judgment, and brings harmony wherever he goes. Elan isn’t just a peacemaker—he’s a reminder that kindness is a spiritual force strong enough to change the world. A name for a child born to remind others how good it feels to be seen and understood.
10. Winona
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Origin: Dakota
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Meaning: “Firstborn daughter”
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Description:
Winona is ancestral grace. Her presence carries the weight of lineage and the promise of renewal. A Winona may feel connected to her roots, to tradition, and to feminine power passed down through generations. She teaches that being first is not just honor—it’s a responsibility to carry forward the light of those who walked before you.
Baby Names A–Z
11. Tahoma
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Origin: Salish
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Meaning: “Snowy mountain peak”
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Description:
Tahoma is majesty in silence. Like a towering mountain wrapped in clouds, she holds ancient knowledge and steady strength. A Tahoma may be reserved, observant, and emotionally solid. She teaches us that presence doesn’t always require words—sometimes it simply requires standing, unmoved, through every season.
12. Nayeli
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Origin: Zapotec
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Meaning: “I love you”
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Description:
Nayeli is open-hearted expression. Her name itself is an offering of love—bold, warm, and true. A Nayeli may be nurturing, creative, and deeply expressive. She reminds us that love doesn’t need to be earned—it can be offered freely as a gift to everyone you meet.
13. Tawa
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Origin: Hopi
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Meaning: “Sun spirit”
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Description:
Tawa is light with purpose. Radiant and life-giving, they bring clarity and warmth wherever they go. A Tawa might be enthusiastic, spiritual, or filled with childlike joy. They teach us that shining isn’t about ego—it’s about warming the world simply by being true to your nature.
14. Odina
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Origin: Algonquin
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Meaning: “Mountain”
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Description:
Odina is grounded power. She holds wisdom in her stillness and a quiet authority that draws others close. An Odina may be emotionally centered, wise beyond her years, and deeply nurturing. She reminds us that true strength isn’t dominance—it’s the quiet faith that comes from knowing who you are, deep down.
15. Tiva
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Origin: Hopi
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Meaning: “Dance”
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Description:
Tiva is spirit in motion. Full of rhythm and joy, she expresses what others can’t say with words. A Tiva may be artistic, lively, or a soul deeply in tune with emotion. She teaches us that healing can come through movement—and sometimes our purpose is simply to help others remember joy.
16. Elsu
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Origin: Native American (likely Miwok or Algonquian roots)
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Meaning: “Flying falcon”
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Description:
Elsu is vision and freedom. Sharp-sighted and emotionally elevated, he sees from above what others miss below. An Elsu may be a dreamer, strategist, or quiet thinker. He teaches that wisdom doesn’t always speak—it watches, waits, and knows exactly when to rise.
17. Halona
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Origin: Zuni
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Meaning: “Fortunate,” “Happy fortune”
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Description:
Halona is radiant luck. Her joy seems to attract abundance, but her heart is the real treasure. A Halona may be charismatic, generous, and full of positivity. She reminds us that fortune isn’t found—it’s created through warmth, hope, and being fully present.
18. Ahanu
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Origin: Algonquin
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Meaning: “He laughs”
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Description:
Ahanu is joy turned outward. His laughter heals, softens, and connects. An Ahanu may be the kind of soul who uplifts even in the darkest moments. He teaches that to laugh doesn’t mean to ignore pain—it’s a choice to bring light where others have forgotten it exists.
19. Ayita
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Origin: Cherokee
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Meaning: “First to dance”
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Description:
Ayita is fearless rhythm. She doesn’t wait for permission—she answers her spirit’s call the moment it sounds. An Ayita may be bold, expressive, and unapologetically alive. She teaches us that dancing through life isn’t foolish—it’s holy defiance in a world that forgets to feel.
20. Chayton
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Origin: Sioux
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Meaning: “Falcon”
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Description:
Chayton is fierce flight. With a sharp mind and wild heart, he moves through life with intent and freedom. A Chayton may be protective, intense, and emotionally instinctive. He teaches us that fierceness can be elegant—it’s in knowing exactly when to soar and when to strike.
21. Istas
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Origin: Lakota
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Meaning: “Snow”
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Description:
Istas is quiet clarity. She is the winter whisper—pure, gentle, and deeply reflective. An Istas may be soft-spoken, artistically inclined, or emotionally still. She reminds us that some souls bring peace not through noise—but through presence that feels like snowfall.
22. Hakan
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Origin: Sioux
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Meaning: “Fire”
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Description:
Hakan is elemental power. He burns not to destroy, but to illuminate. A Hakan may be passionate, driven, and protective. He teaches us that fire is sacred when guided by heart—it’s the flame that warms, purifies, and protects what matters most.
23. Leotie
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Origin: Cheyenne
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Meaning: “Flower of the prairie”
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Description:
Leotie is softness with strength. Delicate in appearance but resilient at the core, she thrives in places others overlook. A Leotie may be poetic, intuitive, and emotionally sensitive. She teaches us that beauty isn’t weakness—it’s the fierce grace to grow even in wild winds.
24. Bidzii
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Origin: Navajo
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Meaning: “He is strong”
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Description:
Bidzii is rooted masculinity. Protective, firm, and emotionally loyal, he carries the energy of guardianship. A Bidzii may be steady, reliable, and deeply spiritual. He teaches us that strength isn’t always loud—it lives in the heart that stands strong for others without needing recognition.
25. Awanata
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Origin: Miwok
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Meaning: “Turtle”
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Description:
Awanata is patient wisdom. She moves at her own pace, knowing that timing is sacred and speed is illusion. An Awanata may be nurturing, intuitive, and deeply connected to earth energy. She teaches us that stillness is not stagnation—it’s spiritual depth in motion.
26. Kai
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Origin: Navajo / Hopi / multiple Native sources
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Meaning: “Willow tree”
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Description:
Kai is sacred flexibility. She bends but doesn’t break, moving with life’s rhythm. A Kai may be emotionally balanced, peaceful, and deeply empathetic. She teaches us that strength isn’t rigidity—it’s the grace to move with the winds and stay rooted in the soul.
27. Honon
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Origin: Hopi
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Meaning: “Bear”
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Description:
Honon is fierce protection. He defends with quiet force and loves with a depth that never leaves. A Honon may be slow to trust but deeply loyal. He teaches us that to be fierce is not to dominate—it’s to offer shelter so strong, no harm can enter.
28. Salali
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Origin: Cherokee
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Meaning: “Squirrel”
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Description:
Salali is resourceful joy. Quick, clever, and constantly gathering light, she thrives in preparation and play. A Salali may be witty, agile, and creative. She teaches us that play is survival—it’s the wisdom to laugh, store, and dance through every season.
29. Tayanita
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Origin: Cherokee
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Meaning: “Young beaver”
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Description:
Tayanita is sacred building. She constructs homes, bridges, and bonds with steady love. A Tayanita may be hardworking, loyal, and community-focused. She reminds us that love is built—not found—and every nest begins with one sacred stick laid in trust.
30. Simi
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Origin: Muscogee / Quechua hybrid usage
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Meaning: “Valley,” “Sacred mouth”
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Description:
Simi is where voice meets earth. With a name tied to terrain and speech, she carries storytelling energy and inner truth. A Simi may be poetic, wise, and gifted with communication. She teaches us that to speak is sacred—it’s how we honor the land, the ancestors, and our own becoming.
31. Chenoa
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Origin: Cherokee
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Meaning: “Dove”
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Description:
Chenoa is peace with wings. Gentle and intuitive, she brings serenity wherever she goes. A Chenoa may be deeply empathetic, emotionally wise, and spiritually calm. She teaches us that peace isn’t passive—it’s the quiet strength that refuses to break in the face of chaos.
32. Misu
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Origin: Miwok
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Meaning: “Rippling brook”
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Description:
Misu is movement with melody. Her soul flows like a sacred stream—gentle, persistent, and reflective. A Misu may be poetic, emotionally deep, and highly intuitive. She teaches that softness can shape stone, and the spirit heals when it’s allowed to move naturally.
33. Nashoba
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Origin: Choctaw
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Meaning: “Wolf”
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Description:
Nashoba is wild protection. His instincts are sharp, his loyalty eternal, and his heart rooted in tribe and family. A Nashoba may be bold, introspective, and fiercely devoted. He reminds us that strength isn’t for show—it’s the courage to protect without needing applause.
34. Atohi
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Origin: Cherokee
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Meaning: “Tree”
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Description:
Atohi is living stability. Grounded and wise, he carries centuries in his soul. An Atohi may be soft-spoken, deeply reflective, and emotionally secure. He teaches us that to be tall, we must root deeply—and the strongest growth always begins in stillness.
35. Wyanet
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Origin: Miwok
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Meaning: “Beautiful”
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Description:
Wyanet is understated radiance. She doesn’t need to dazzle—her essence draws attention with quiet confidence. A Wyanet may be creative, emotionally balanced, and soulfully present. She teaches that beauty isn’t made—it’s remembered, honored, and lived.
36. Mahkah
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Origin: Sioux
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Meaning: “Earth”
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Description:
Mahkah is deep connection. With feet on the ground and eyes toward spirit, he walks the world with purpose. A Mahkah may be spiritual, nurturing, and community-centered. He reminds us that earth is not a place—it’s a mother, a guide, and a promise to walk gently.
37. Winema
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Origin: Modoc
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Meaning: “Chief woman”
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Description:
Winema is sovereign feminine. She carries both compassion and command, leading without demanding. A Winema may be diplomatic, powerful, and fiercely fair. She teaches us that to lead doesn’t mean to control—it’s to walk first so others know it’s safe to follow.
38. Hinto
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Origin: Dakota
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Meaning: “Blue-haired” or “Blue” (symbolic of sky or water)
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Description:
Hinto is color in motion. Mystical, visionary, and often dream-driven, he moves between the earthly and ethereal. A Hinto may be highly spiritual, artistic, or introverted. He teaches that blue isn’t cold—it’s the sacred hue of clarity, intuition, and soul-depth.
39. Wichahpi
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Origin: Sioux
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Meaning: “Star”
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Description:
Wichahpi is divine guidance. Soft-spoken but glowing, she’s a light in dark places. A Wichahpi may be calm, dreamy, and emotionally illuminating. She teaches that not all stars shine from above—some are born into human form to guide quietly from within.
40. Kitchi
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Origin: Algonquin
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Meaning: “Brave”
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Description:
Kitchi is courage in flesh. His bravery doesn’t come from fearlessness, but from sacred responsibility. A Kitchi may be steady, sincere, and deeply devoted. He teaches that bravery isn’t loud—it’s standing firm when everything around you says run.
41. Taini
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Origin: Omaha
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Meaning: “New moon”
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Description:
Taini is sacred beginnings. Quiet and mysterious, she represents cycles, rebirth, and reflection. A Taini may be deeply intuitive, emotionally complex, and spiritually wise. She reminds us that the dark isn’t the end—it’s a womb where new light is forming.
42. Awenasa
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Origin: Cherokee
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Meaning: “My home”
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Description:
Awenasa is comfort embodied. Whether through her presence, her voice, or her arms—she brings others back to themselves. An Awenasa may be nurturing, maternal, and emotionally safe. She teaches us that home is not a place—it’s a presence that holds, heals, and reminds you who you are.
43. Sani
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Origin: Navajo
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Meaning: “The old one”
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Description:
Sani is elder wisdom. From the moment he enters the world, his spirit carries ancient knowing. A Sani may be reserved, intuitive, and full of quiet strength. He teaches that age is not years—it’s depth, patience, and the ability to see beyond the present.
44. Lulu
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Origin: Hopi
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Meaning: “Rabbit”
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Description:
Lulu is soft alertness. Sweet, quick, and often underestimated, she brings tenderness and wit wherever she goes. A Lulu may be playful yet deeply emotionally tuned. She teaches that gentleness isn’t fragility—it’s choosing care even when the world expects defense.
45. Sequoia
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Origin: Cherokee
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Meaning: Named after the Cherokee scholar & giant tree
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Description:
Sequoia is growth with legacy. She stands tall not only because she can—but because others once stood before her. A Sequoia may be scholarly, grounded, and spiritually vast. She teaches us that we are not alone—we are the continuation of someone else’s sacred story.
46. Istalene
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Origin: Possibly Seminole or folk-derived
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Meaning: “Star girl,” “Celestial”
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Description:
Istalene is dream-born. With a name wrapped in stardust, she brings wonder and light to everyone she meets. An Istalene may be imaginative, spiritual, and soft-spoken. She reminds us that some souls are made to shine not loudly—but consistently, like constellations in quiet skies.
47. Huyana
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Origin: Miwok
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Meaning: “Falling rain”
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Description:
Huyana is gentle release. Her energy is healing, fluid, and full of quiet grace. A Huyana may bring renewal wherever she walks. She teaches that release is not weakness—it’s the sacred act of letting go so something new can bloom.
48. Maka
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Origin: Sioux
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Meaning: “Earth”
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Description:
Maka is grounding embodied. She feels ancient even as a child, full of balance and wisdom. A Maka may love nature, tradition, and spiritual connection. She teaches us that everything we seek outward is already within—and everything that lives must be loved through the land.
49. Dyami
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Origin: Omaha
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Meaning: “Eagle”
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Description:
Dyami is high vision. Bold, watchful, and led by clarity, he sees far beyond the present. A Dyami may be a leader, teacher, or spiritual guide. He teaches that vision doesn’t require sight—it requires soul.
50. Tala
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Origin: Sioux
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Meaning: “Wolf”
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Description:
Tala is wild intuition. Feminine yet fierce, she moves with instinct and protects with power. A Tala may be deeply intuitive, protective, and full of ancient spirit. She teaches us that to be wild is not to be unruly—it’s to be exactly as the universe intended, untamed and true.
