Dakota
Dakota is a girl's name of Indigenous American origin.
Meaning
Ally, friend, or considered united.
Origin and history
Dakota comes from a Siouan word meaning 'ally' or 'friend'. Originally a place name and tribal identifier, it became popular as a given name in the late 20th century in the United States. Today, it remains a well-known gender-neutral choice with consistent usage for girls.
Popularity in the United States
41,458 babies in the United States have been named Dakota since 1880. It ranks #673 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #272.
States where it is most popular
- CA (8.3 %)
- TX (8.1 %)
- FL (5.6 %)
- NY (4.8 %)
- OH (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 8 |
| 1920-1930 | 6 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 31 |
| 1960-1970 | 63 |
| 1970-1980 | 105 |
| 1980-1990 | 565 |
| 1990-2000 | 9,151 |
| 2000-2010 | 12,404 |
| 2010-2019 | 12,191 |
| 2020-2029 | 6,934 |
Famous people named Dakota
- Dakota Fanning: Actress
- Dakota Johnson: Actress
Nicknames
Kota, Kody
Fun facts
- The name directly derives from the Dakota people, one of the three major regional divisions of the Sioux tribe.
- Dakota gained significant traction as a given name for both boys and girls in the 1990s.