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Home › Baby Names Directory › Nakota

Nakota

♂ Boy

Pronounced nuh-KO-tuh /nəˈkoʊ.tə/Medium

Meaning: From Nakota (Nakoda), one of the three dialect groups of the Sioux (Dakota/Lakota/Nakota), the word for 'friend; ally.' Used as a heritage name; we note its cultural origin respectfully.Low

In 30 seconds: A Sioux name: Nakota means 'friend; ally' (said 'nuh-KO-tuh'). Heritage-rich; we note it respectfully.
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Origin MediumNative American
MeaningFrom Nakota (Nakoda), one of the three dialect groups of the Sioux (Dakota/Lakota/Nakota), the word for 'friend; ally.' Used as a heritage name; we note its cultural origin respectfully.
U.S. rank (2025)#11583 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 241

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201619912025

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

Nakota (Nakoda) names one of the three Sioux peoples and dialects, meaning 'friend; ally.' Worn as a heritage-honoring name, which we note respectfully, it is rare in U.S. data (said 'nuh-KO-tuh').

In the U.S. it appears rarely as a given name. Rare, heritage-rich, and meaningful.

Did you know? Nakota is one of the three Sioux dialect groups (with Dakota and Lakota) and its word for 'friend; ally' — a heritage name we note respectfully (said 'nuh-KO-tuh').
Overall data confidence 48%
References — Nakota — Sioux (Nakoda) 'friend; ally'; noted respectfully

Variations

NakodaDakotaLakota

Nicknames

NakoKota

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Nakota…

Lakota— a like Sioux people/dialect name
Cheyenne— a like Native-American place/tribe name
Calian— a similarly popular pick
Lakoda— a fellow Native American choice
Cheveyo— a fellow Native American choice

Explore names like Nakota

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nakota mean?

Nakota is a Sioux (Nakoda) people/dialect name meaning 'friend; ally.' We note its cultural origin respectfully.

How do you pronounce Nakota?

It's said nuh-KO-tuh /nəˈkoʊ.tə/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Nakota a boy or girl name?

Nakota is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Nakota?

Nakota is a rare name for boys in the U.S.

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