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Home › Baby Names Directory › Skenandoa

Skenandoa

♂ Boy

Pronounced skeh-NAN-doh-ah

Meaning: deer

In 30 seconds: Skenandoa is an Oneida nation name likely meaning 'deer' — borne by a celebrated Oneida chief (c. 1706–1816) who allied with the American colonists during the Revolutionary War.
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Origin Iroquois, Native American
Meaningdeer

History & Origin

Skenandoa (also Shenandoah or Oskanondonha) is an Oneida name whose meaning is uncertain but widely given as 'deer' — possibly from an Oneida root related to oskanutú (deer), an animal associated with grace and keen awareness. Kiddle's reference notes the exact meaning is not fully confirmed. The name's most celebrated bearer was the Oneida chief Skenandoa (c. 1706–1816), known as 'the white man's friend,' who allied with the American colonists during the Revolutionary War and led a party that delivered corn to Washington's starving troops at Valley Forge. He died at approximately 110 years of age and was buried beside his missionary friend Samuel Kirkland.

Did you know? Chief Skenandoa lived to approximately 110 years old, dying in 1816, and was buried beside his friend the missionary Samuel Kirkland at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York.
Wikipedia — Skenandoa — John Skenandoa (also Shenandoah), elected chief of the Oneida; born into the Onondaga nation; died 1816.Oneida Indian Nation — Chief Shenendoah — He was given the name of the "white man's friend" by his fellow Indians. Named to the Oneida County Historical Society's Hall of Fame.

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Skenandoa…

Onatah— Haudenosaunee name from the same Iroquois Confederacy, Onondaga tradition
Aionwatha— Haudenosaunee name from the confederacy's founding tradition
Deganawidah— Haudenosaunee confederacy-founding name, same cultural lineage
Ohwentsia— Mohawk name from the same Haudenosaunee homeland

Frequently Asked

What does Skenandoa mean?

Skenandoa likely means 'deer' in the Oneida language — though the exact etymology is not fully confirmed in the historical record. The word may derive from an Oneida root related to the word for deer (oskanutú).

How do you pronounce Skenandoa?

skeh-NAN-doh-ah. Four syllables with stress on the second.

Who was the historical Skenandoa?

Chief Skenandoa (c. 1706–1816) was an Oneida leader known as 'the white man's friend' who allied with American colonists in the Revolutionary War. He reportedly sent corn to Washington's troops at Valley Forge and lived to approximately 110 years old.

What nation is Skenandoa from?

Skenandoa is an Oneida name. The Oneida are one of the six nations of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy.

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