Discover and Shortlist Your Perfect Baby Names!
What is a Cherokee Name?
A Cherokee name is a name given to a person belonging to the Cherokee Nation, a Native American tribe native to the southeastern United States. Cherokee names are often given to children at birth and are derived from the Cherokee language. The names are usually gender-specific, with male names typically being longer and more descriptive than female names.
History of Cherokee Names
The Cherokee Nation has a long history of naming their children. The practice of giving children names with special meanings dates back to the earliest days of the tribe. Names were often chosen to reflect the hopes and dreams of the parents or to honor a beloved ancestor. The names were also used to identify members of the tribe and to distinguish them from other tribes.
Meaning of Cherokee Names
Cherokee names typically have a spiritual or meaningful connotation. The names often reflect characteristics such as strength, courage, and wisdom. Some names are derived from nature, such as the names of animals and plants. Other names are derived from the Cherokee language, such as the word for “bear” or “wolf”.
Popular Cherokee Names
Some of the most popular Cherokee names include: Ahyoka (meaning “she brings happiness”), Sequoia (meaning “tall tree”), Chayton (meaning “falcon”), and Tsalagi (meaning “people of the Cherokee Nation”). Other popular names include: Adoete (meaning “beloved”), Oconostota (meaning “warrior”), and Tsula (meaning “dove”).
Choosing a Cherokee Name
Choosing a Cherokee name for a child is a special and meaningful decision. Parents should consider the meaning of the name and the feelings it evokes. It is also important to research the pronunciation of the name to ensure it is pronounced correctly.
When choosing a Cherokee name, it is also important to remember that the name should be respectful and honor the culture and heritage of the Cherokee Nation. It is a way to ensure that the culture and traditions of the tribe are passed down for generations to come.
| Name | Meaning | Origins | Gender | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adahi | Adahi: Unique Cherokee name meaning "woodpecker," suitable for all genders. | Cherokee | Unisex | |
| Ax | Ax means "father" in Hebrew; origin linked to biblical contexts. | Algonquian, American, Anglo-Saxon, Arabic, Armenian, Biblical, Cherokee, Christian, English, Greek, Hebrew, Indian, Irish, Latin, Native American, Persian, Roman, Scottish, Spanish, Welsh | Either | |
| BuBu | BuBu means "baby" in various cultures; origin varies by context. | African, American, Arabic, Asian, Australian, Biblical, Cherokee, Chinese, Dakota, English, Indian, Indigenous, Japanese, Korean, Maori, Native American, Persian, Punjabi, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Yoruba, Zulu | Either | |
| Busy | Busy means occupied; originates from Old English "bysig," meaning active. | American, Arabic, Armenian, Biblical, Cherokee, Chinese, Dakota, English, Hebrew, Indian, Irish, Japanese, Latin, Persian, Portuguese, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu | Unisex | |
| Chantay | Chantay means "stone" in French; derived from the name Chantal. | American, Arabic, Cherokee, Native American | Girl | |
| Cheo | Cheo means "gift from God," originating from Spanish and Latin. | and Native American., Cherokee, The name Cheo has origins in the following: Chinese | Unisex | |
| Cho | Cho means "butterfly" in Korean; it has Chinese origins. | Cherokee, Chinese, Cho: Choctaw | Unisex | |
| Cochize | Cochize: Cherokee name meaning "hardwood," unique, culturally significant, masculine. | Cherokee | Boy | |
| Coki | Coki is a diminutive of "Coco," meaning "chocolate" in Spanish. | and Zulu., Armenian, Asian, Australian, Brazilian, Caribbean, Cherokee, Chinese, Filipino, Hawaiian, Indian, Japanese, Maori, Mexican, Native American, Persian, Puerto Rican, Spanish, Tamil, The name Coki has origins in the following: American | Unisex | |
| Cutcha | Cutcha means "to be strong" and originates from Native American languages. | Algonquian, Cherokee, Native American | Girl | |
| Eja | Algonquian, American, Amharic, Arabic, Biblical, Cherokee, Ethiopian, Hebrew, Indian, Islamic, Native American, Yoruba | |||
| Galilanee | Galilanee: Unique name meaning "at the end of the trail." | Cherokee, Native American | Unisex | |
| Helaku | Helaku: Cherokee name meaning "full of sun" or "light." | Cherokee, Native American | Unisex | |
| Hiamovi | Hiamovi: Cherokee name meaning "high chief," unisex, culturally significant. | Cherokee, Native American | Unisex | |
| Hiawasee | Hiawasee means "meadow" in Cherokee, symbolizing nature and resilience. | Cherokee, Native American | Unisex | |
| Honaw | Honaw means "bear" in Cherokee; it's a unisex nature name. | Cherokee, Native American | Unisex | |
| Hyawasee | Hyawasee means "little river" in Cherokee, a unisex name. | Cherokee | Unisex | |
| Inola | Inola means "black fox" in Cherokee, symbolizing cunning and beauty. | Cherokee | Unisex | |
| Jabo | Algonquian, Cherokee, Native American | |||
| JoJami | JoJami is a unique name with uncertain origins and meanings. | American, Arabic, Armenian, Biblical, Cherokee, Christian, English, Indian, Jamaican, Japanese, Latin, Persian, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu | Either | |
| Kawhi | Kawhi means "the sound of the wind" in Native American. | Algonquian, Cherokee, Dakota, Native American, Sioux | Boy | |
| Kaya | Kaya means "rock" in Turkish; also a Native American name. | American, Amharic, and Turkish., Arabic, Cherokee, Japanese, The name Kaya has origins in the following: Algonquian | Unisex | |
| Lelé | Lelé means "to be joyful"; originates from African cultures. | American, Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Biblical, Cherokee, Chinese, Dakota, Hawaiian, Indian, Japanese, Maori, Persian, Punjabi, Spanish, Tamil, Urdu, Vietnamese | Either | |
| Liluye | Liluye means "wild dove," symbolizing peace, love, and harmony. | Cherokee | Girl | |
| Lomasi | Lomasi means "pretty flower," honoring Cherokee heritage and culture. | Cherokee | Unisex | |
| Madi | Madi means "gift of God," originating from Hebrew and Arabic. | Algonquian, American, Arabic, Biblical, Cherokee, Dakota, Native American | Either | |
| Mooniah | Mooniah: Unique name, possibly Cherokee, meaning "spirit of the moon." | Cherokee | Unisex | |
| Muma | Muma means "mother" in various languages; origin varies culturally. | American, Arabic, Armenian, Biblical, Cherokee, Christian, Cree, Dakota, Hebrew, Indian, Irish, Japanese, Maori, Native American, Persian, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Swahili, Tamil, The name Muma has origins in the following: Algonquian, Yoruba | Unisex | |
| Musickah | Musickah: Unique Native American name meaning "sky," spiritually significant and gender-neutral. | Cherokee, Native American | Unisex | |
| My | "My" originates from Old English, meaning "belonging to me." | Algonquian, American, Biblical, Cherokee, Native American | Either |
