Kota

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Kota

Pronounced KOH-tah /ˈkoʊ.tɑ/Medium

Meaning: A pet form of Dakota — from the Sioux/Dakota, 'a friend; an ally' (the Dakota people); also a Japanese name; used for both sexes; here for girls; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: A friend; an ally: Kota pets Dakota — 'a friend; an ally'. Crisp, modern, and warm. Used for both sexes (here for girls; said 'KOH-tah').

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Origin LowSioux, American

MeaningA pet form of Dakota — from the Sioux/Dakota, 'a friend; an ally' (the Dakota people); also a Japanese name; used for both sexes; here for girls; routes layered

U.S. rank (2024)#6506 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births18 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2021

Total births (all-time)≈ 138

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

Kota is a pet form of Dakota — from the Sioux/Dakota, 'a friend; an ally' (the name of the Dakota people) — and it is also a Japanese boys' name (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, modern name, used for both sexes, here for girls (slug distinguished; the full name is often Dakota).

It registers thinly on its own. Rare, a-friend-and-an-ally at the (Dakota) root, and crisp.

Did you know? Dakota means 'a friend; an ally' in the Sioux/Dakota language — Kota is its crisp pet form, used for both sexes (here for girls; it is also a Japanese name; the routes are layered; said 'KOH-tah').

Overall data confidence 42%

References — Dakota — routes layered

Variations

DakotaCota

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kota…

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Nova— a sound-neighbor modern unisex girls' name

Sky— another modern unisex girls' name

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Kamdyn— a fellow American choice

Explore names like Kota

By themeuncertain american unisex sioux

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kota mean?

Kota pets Dakota — Sioux 'a friend; an ally'; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Kota?

It's said KOH-tah /ˈkoʊ.tɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kota a boy or girl name?

Kota is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Kota?

Kota is a rare name in the U.S.