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A Cherokee name can define your child’s future personality. Fluid, versatile, or even strong, a Cherokee baby name will surely be appreciated when your little one steps out to the world.
What Is The Cherokee Naming Traditions?
Throughout history, humans have distinguished themselves in society by name. The indigenous Cherokees are hardy and honorable Native American tribes that are as diverse as their languages, methods of communication, and cultural practices. The Native American culture has evolved significantly through the ages, and this change has influenced their habits, lifestyle, and choice of names. Being a part of an agrarian society, Cherokee native American names were mostly influenced by nature surrounding them. Spoken and written in the Cherokee language, these names were later translated into English by settlers who created the English version from the sound of the names. The Cherokee people have a matrilineal society so that they could name children after their mothers. A naming ceremony is held within seven days of the birth. The tribe’s priest, the elderly, and revered women would gather together to name the baby based on their appearances or resembling something from nature. Traditional Cherokee names have been highly influenced by the colonization of America, unlike other cultures and countries where different reasons influence them. Children were given nicknames after birth to identify them. However, these monikers change with time depending upon their personalities, experiences, and accomplishments of life. Names for the Cherokee tribe are considered sacred. Hence, a lot of thought goes into naming their children. So, treat this compilation of strong Cherokee names with respect as they will usher in good luck to your child.
50 Popular Cherokee Boy Names With Meanings
Cherokee tribes often had male chiefs, and most boy names have roots ending in vowels. Revive these Cherokee names from pages of history and pick a Cherokee baby boy name with interesting meanings from the list given below:
1. Adohi
Adohi is one among nature, a Cherokee name that means ‘woods’ or ‘timber.’
2. Amadahy
Amadahy in Cherokee means ‘forest water.’
3. Atohi
As trees are considered sacred for Cherokees, this name means ‘trees.’
4. Attakulllakulla
Ada means ‘wood’ in Cherokee, and gulkalu implies something leaning to support some other object. Hence, this name means ‘leaning wood.’
5. Bidziil
Belonging to the Navajo tribe, Bidziil means ‘he is strong.’
6. Chasse
Chaske means “firstborn son.” As the Cherokees give a lot of significance to numbers, bearing a first male child is seen to be very auspicious.
7. Concotocko
Conocotocko means ‘standing turkey.’
8. Conchise
Conchise means ‘ the renowned warrior chief of the Chirichua Apache tribe.
9. Cuhtahlatah
Cuhtahlatah means ‘wild hemp.’
10. Dakota
Originating from the Sioux tribe, this name means ‘friend.’
11. Dustu
Dustu means ‘spring frog.’
12. Elu
Elu belongs to the Zuni tribe and means full of grace.
13. Enoli
Enoli means ‘black fox’.
14. Enna
Enna refers to ‘the waterfall.’
15. Gaagii
Gaagii belongs to the Navajo tribe and means ‘raven’.
16. Gala-gi na
This name means ‘Male deer’ or ‘turkey.’
17. Guwisti
Guwisti means ‘sieve’.
18. Hania
This cool name belongs to the Hopi tribe and means ‘spirit warrior’.
19. Hototo
Belonging to the Hopi tribe, Hototo means “warrior spirit who sings.”
20. Illanipi
Illanipi translates into ‘amazing.’
21. Incalatanga
Incalatanga means ‘double-headed.
22. Jacy
This popular name for boys refers to the ‘moon.’
23. Jistu
Jistu means ‘trickster rabbit.’
24. Kaiyatahee
Kaiyatahee means ‘corn tassel.’
25. Kamuna
Kamuna means ‘bullfrog.’
26. Kosumi
This unique baby boy name belongs to the Miwok tribe and means ‘fishes for salmon with a spear’.
27. Mato
Mato belongs to the Mandian tribe of the Cherokees and means ‘bear’.
28. Mohe
Mohe means ‘elk’.
29. Nahele
Nahele means ‘forest’ and belongs to the Hawaiian tribe.
30. Nakamo
If you aspire your son to become a singer or a musician, name him Nakamo, which means ‘to sing.’
31. Noya
Noya means ‘sand’.
32. Ohiyesa
Belonging to the Sioux tribe, this name means ‘winner.’
33. Onacona
Onacona means ‘White owl.’
34. Ostenaco
Ostenaco means ‘big head.’
35. Paytah
Originating from the Sioux tribe, Paytah means “fire.”
36. Salali
Salali means ‘squirrel’.
37. Salonitah
Salonitah means ‘flying squirrel.’
38. Seattle
Seattle means ‘man of high statuses, and it belongs to the Lushootseed tribe of the Cherokees.
39. Sequoya
Sequoya means ‘Sparrow.’
40. Tahoma
Belonging to the Puyallup tribe, this name means ‘giver of the water.’
41. Tayanita
Tayanita means ‘young beaver.’
42. Tokala
Belonging to the Dakota tribe of the Cherokees, it means ‘fox.’
43. Tooantuh
Toonatuh means ‘spring frog.’
44. Tyee
Belonging to the Chinook tribe and this powerful name means ‘leader’ or ‘chief.’
45. Utsidhi
Utisidhi means ‘man-killer.’
46. Wapi
Wapi belongs to the Sioux tribe and means ‘lucky’.
47. Wohali
The eagle symbolized great bravery and honor for the Cherokee tribe. Wohali means ‘Eagle’.
48. Woya
Woya means ‘dove’.
49. Yona
Yona means ‘Bear’.
50. Yonaguska
This Cherokee name means ‘the bear drowns him.’
50 Unique Cherokee Girl Names with Meanings
Originating from animals, plants, and other natural aspects, Cherokee baby girl names have delightful meanings of their own. Here is a roundup of some of the most beautiful Cherokee names for girls that would make your little angel a star.
1. Adisila
Adisila means ‘blossom’.
2. Agasga
Agasga means ‘rain’.
3. Ahyoka
This powerful baby girl’s name means ‘She brought happiness.’
4. Atsila
Atsila means ‘fire’ as per the Cherokee tribe.
5. Awinita
This Cherokee name means ‘fawn.’
6. Behita
Behita means ‘beginning of an event’ or ‘an eagle child.’
7. Catori
Catori means ‘spirit’.
8. Chenoa
Chenoa has variants in Chenoah, Chen, Chenoha, Chinoa, Chenowa, Noa and means ‘white dove’. Chenoa is a city in Illinois, and this name may have originated from a Cherokee word for the Kentucky River.
9. Citlali
This unisex name means ‘a star’.
10. Dyani
Diani, Dayani, Dyanni, Dyannie, Dyanie, Dianni, Dyani belong to the Sioux tribe and mean‘ deer.’
11. Enola
Enola means ‘magnolia’.
12. Fala
This uncommon name means ‘a crow’.
13. Galilahi
Galilahi means ‘attractive’ or ‘friendly.’
14. Ghigau
Ghigau refers to ‘beloved woman.’
15. Gola
Gola means ‘winter’.
16. Halona
Halona means ‘happy fortune.’
17. Hiawassee
Hiawassee means ‘meadow.’
18. Immokalee
Immokalee means ‘tumbling water.’
19. Inola
Inola means ‘black fox’.
20. Istas
Istas means ‘snow’ in Native American culture.
21. Kachina
Kachina means ‘spirit’.
22. Kamama
Kamama means ‘butterfly.’
23. Kasa
Kasa means ‘dressed in furs.’
24. Kimi
Kimi means ‘secret’.
25. Koko
Koko belongs to the Algonquin tribe and means ‘the night.’
26. Lomasi
Lomasi means ‘pretty flower’.
27. Lulu
Originating from the Apache tribe, this name means ‘rabbit.’
28. Mika
Originating from the Sioux tribe, this name means ‘raccoon.’
29. Mitena
Mitena means ‘coming moon.’
30. Moana
Originating from the Hawaiian tribe, Moana means ‘Calm waters’ and means ‘bitter’ as per the ‘Zuni’ tribe.
32. Nanye_hi
Nanye_hi means ‘heron’.
32. Ninovan
Ninovan means ‘our home.’
33. Noya
Noya means Sand
34. Odina
As per the Algonquin tribe, Odina means ‘mountain.’
35. Opa
Opa belongs to the Choctaw tribe and means ‘owl’.
36. Pavati
Pavati means ‘clear water’.
37. Pocahontas
This name from the Algonquin tribe means ‘playful one.’
38. Qaletaqa
This royal Cherokee name means ‘the guardian of the people.
39. Salalai
This cute-sounding name means ‘Squirrel.’
40. Selu
Selu means ‘Corn’.
41. Sequoia
Sequoia is a girl’s name of Cherokee origin meaning “sparrow.” The redwood tree was also named for a Cherokee Indian of the early 19th century who invented a system for writing down the Cherokee language.
42. Soyala
Soyala refers to ‘the time of the winter solstice.’
43. Tala
Belonging to the Iroquois tribe, this name means ‘wolf.’
44. Tayanita
Tayanita means ‘Young beaver.’
45. Tsistunagiska
This beautiful name means ‘wild rose.’
46. Tsula
Tsula is the Cherokee word for ‘Fox.’
47. Unega
Unega means ‘white’.
48. Walela
Walela means ‘Hummingbird.’
49. Winona
Belonging to the Sioux tribe, Winona means ‘the first daughter.’
50. Woya
Woya means Dove
While baby name fashions come and go, some fascinating and powerful Cherokee names exude a charm and elegance that will always remain in style. So, find inspiration from this compilation of Common Cherokee names that, like a bottle of wine, will only get better with age!
