Dakota
Dakota is a boy's name of Indigenous American origin.
Meaning
Friend or ally.
Origin and history
Dakota is derived from the Siouan word meaning 'ally' or 'friend'. It originated as an autonym for the Dakota people and later gained widespread popularity as a given name in the United States. It remains a moderately common choice for boys, maintaining a steady presence on modern birth charts.
Popularity in the United States
93,118 babies in the United States have been named Dakota since 1880. It ranks #328 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #331.
States where it is most popular
- TX (6.9 %)
- OH (5.7 %)
- CA (4.9 %)
- MO (4.4 %)
- PA (4.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 10 |
| 1970-1980 | 180 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,457 |
| 1990-2000 | 46,649 |
| 2000-2010 | 28,181 |
| 2010-2019 | 9,667 |
| 2020-2029 | 5,974 |
Famous people named Dakota
- Dakota Meyer: Military hero, Author
- Dakota Dozier: Athlete, Football player
Nicknames
Kota, Cody
Fun facts
- The name comes directly from the Dakota tribe, part of the Sioux Nation whose traditional territory spans the Northern Plains.
- Dakota became a popular given name during the wave of place-name naming trends in the late 20th century.