Kiowa

♂ Boy

Pronounced KYE-oh-wuh /ˈkaɪ.o.wə/Medium

Meaning: Kiowa is the English name of the Kiowa Tribe, a Native American nation of the Southern Plains, today headquartered in Oklahoma; the people's own name for themselves is Cauigu. Kiowa is a living people's name, not a dictionary word, and we do not invent an etymology for it. Its occasional use as a given name in the U.S. is modern.Low

In 30 seconds: Kiowa is the name of a Native American nation of the Southern Plains — a living people's name, used rarely as a given name (said 'KYE-oh-wuh').

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Origin LowEnglish

MeaningKiowa is the English name of the Kiowa Tribe, a Native American nation of the Southern Plains, today headquartered in Oklahoma; the people's own name for themselves is Cauigu. Kiowa is a living people's name, not a dictionary word, and we do not invent an etymology for it. Its occasional use as a given name in the U.S. is modern.

U.S. rank (2024)#13310 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1995

Total births (all-time)≈ 228

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Kiowa is the English name of the Kiowa Tribe, a Southern Plains nation with a long history in the lands that became Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma; the people call themselves Cauigu. It is a living people's name, and no reliable 'meaning' can be given for it as a word — invented glosses should be treated with caution. Its use as an American given name is modern and uncommon, and families adopting it should do so with awareness and respect (said 'KYE-oh-wuh').

It appears only very rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, place-and-people-linked, and to be used thoughtfully.

Did you know? The Kiowa are a Native American nation of the Southern Plains, today centered in Oklahoma; Kiowa is the English name for that people. We note plainly that it is a nation's name rather than a word with a translatable meaning (said 'KYE-oh-wuh').

Overall data confidence 45%

References — Kiowa — Kiowa Tribe, Southern Plains nation; self-designation Cauigu

Variations

KiowayKaiowa

Nicknames

KiKai

Famous Bearers

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kiowa mean?

Kiowa is the English name of the Kiowa Tribe, a Native American nation of the Southern Plains. It is a people's name, not a word with a translatable meaning.

How do you pronounce Kiowa?

It's said KYE-oh-wuh /ˈkaɪ.o.wə/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kiowa a boy or girl name?

Here Kiowa is used as a boy's name; it is also used for girls.

How popular is Kiowa?

Kiowa is a very rare name for boys in the U.S.