Háu, readers. We will be using the indigenous American people for inspiration – some of the best native American dog names!
Today you fill the shoes of the great explorer Christopher Colombus, the second man to discover America and interact with Native Americans who originate there.
Although it was actually Vikings who first traveled to America from Europe, Columbus traveled by sea and initially thought that he found India, hence the term Indians.
Hopefully, you and your canine friend won’t have to travel the oceans to find a perfect name!
Best Native American Dog Names
Choosing a Native American name for your dog can be really exciting, particularly because the language is so rich with meaning and beauty.
Native American people suffered from new diseases that were introduced by early settlers as they were colonized in the 15th century.
From America having a 100% native population, Native Americans now account for only 1.6% of the total population, making them a minority in their own country.
They were also persecuted, with their spiritual lands taken away. However, luckily, many of their names and meanings have survived to the 21st century and we have made a list of the best names below.
Our Favorite Name
Mohawk
Not only is it a traditional hair style, but, it became popular among punk rockers in the 70s, in fact you might spot a few people with one today
- Anna
- Arrow – stick with sharp end
- Axe – weapon and tool
- Cha’kwaina
- Cha’risa
- Chapa
- Cheveyo
- Chip
- Dohosan – little bluff
- Dustu
- Gaho
- Galilahi
- Genesee – beautiful valley
- Honovi
- Istas
- Ituha
- Kanti
- Kay
- Lomasi – pretty flower
- Lulu – rabbit
- Mohawk – Native American hairstyle
- Nashota
- Nina
- Onida
- Pannoowau
- Patamon
- Pelipa
- Petah
- Qochata
- Rowtag
- Sani
- Setimika – charging bear
- Sinopa
- Sipatu
- Sisika
- Sonoma
- Suleta – to fly around
- Taima
- Tama – thunder
- Waneta
- Wichahpi
- Winema
- Yahto – blue
- Yamka – blossom
- Yancy
- Yas
- Yatokya – sun
- Yutu
- Zitkala – bird
Native American Names for a Dog
Native American dog names are very relevant to dog ownership because much of the culture is about living in spiritual harmony with the surroundings.
They believe in sustainable methods that encourage the natural order to remain undamaged.
Have a look at some of these names if you want to find the meaning of natural events, animal species, and many other ways in which the language is inseparable from the ecosystem.
Be kind to nature and nature will be kind to your dog.
Our Favorite Name
Paytah
Meaning fire, which we think is the perfect name for your pup with loads of energy
- Achak
- Adsila
- Ayita
- Bagwunagijik
- Bemossed
- Bidziil
- Bilagaana
- Bly
- Bow
- Chimalis – bluebird
- Coo
- Diwali
- Dowanhowee
- Dyami
- Fala
- Gad
- Gomda
- Huata
- Hurit – beautiful
- Luyu
- Malia
- Mapiya – sky or heavenly
- Meda – prophetess
- Miakoda – power of the moon
- Migisi – Eagle
- Minco
- Miwok
- Nata
- Ninovan
- Olathe
- Owl – wise bird
- Paco – eagle
- Pahana – lost white brother
- Pat – fish
- Paytah – fire
- Pitalesharo – chief of men
- Satanta
- Shilah – brother
- Shiriki
- Shizhe’e – father
- Sikya – small canyon
- Soyala – time of the winter solstice
- Sunki
- Taa
- Tehya
- Totem – decorative pole
- Wachiwi – dancing girl
- Wapun
- Wawetseka – pretty woman
- Wyanet – beautiful
Native American Male Dog Names
Although Native Americans were found living in America in the 1400s, go back 15,000 years and their ancestors had not yet made it onto the continent.
It is thought they came from Asia via Alaska.
Even today, just saying Native American, doesn’t really help describe any particular native person, there are many different tribes and each one has its own distinct culture, these include the Cherokee and Navajo.
Some of these tribe names make fantastic pet names, if you want to read a good book about modern life as a Native American, Ceremony (by award-winning author Leslie Marmon Silko) is a great place to start.
Our Favorite Name
Apache
Named after the famous Native American Tribe, to honour their skills in battle, this would be a great name for a Male Dog
- Abooksigun – Wildcat
- Ahiga – he fights
- Algonquian – Native American tribe
- Alo – he looks up
- Askook – snake
- Atohi – woods
- Atsidi – hammer
- Avocado – fruit
- Bena
- Beshkno
- Bluebird – bird native to America that is blue
- Catori – spirit
- Chapawee
- Cherokee – Native American tribe
- Chitsa – fair
- Chochmo – mud mound
- Chochokpi
- Chosovi – bluebird
- Coyote – wild canine
- Dena
- Dichali
- Doli
- Eagle – bird of prey
- Eyota
- Gosheven
- Hammer – blunt tool
- Kaliska
- Mansi
- Meli
- Onawa
- Pain – agonising feeling
- Pakwa
- Pamuy
- Payat
- Pazi
- Pezi
- Samoset
- Setangya
- Sokanon
- Sokw
- Stinka
- Takala
- Urika – useful to all
- Waki
- Wig-Wam – cone shaped tent
- Wuti
- Yanisin
- Yenene
- Zaltana
- Zihna
Native American Female Dog Names
There are many wonderful facts about native Americans, some of them we would never have guessed ourselves.
Did you know that zoos in the US save the feathers that come off birds and redistribute them to Native Americans for religious ceremonies?
There is also a special Native American DEA unit that uses tracking skills to catch Mexican drug smugglers.
Finally, Native American tribes recognize a third gender that isn’t male or female.
It is fascinating to know these facts about another culture and naming your dog with a Native American dog name would be a good way to talk to any Native American.
Our Favorite Name
Imala
Meaning she who disciplines
- Abey – leaf
- Bimisi – slippery
- Chayton – falcon
- Chepi – fairy
- Chesmu – witty
- Chilam – snowbird
- Dakotah – allies or friends
- Demothi – talks while walking
- Doba – there was no war
- Feather
- Flo – arrow
- Gaagii
- Gawonii
- Helki – to touch
- Hopi
- Huyana- rain falling
- Imala – she who disciplines
- Milap – charitable
- Myth
- Nascha
- Navajo
- Nijlon
- Nita – bear
- Omaha
- Pachu’a
- Papina – a vine growing on an oak tree
- Pati
- Pay
- Payatt
- Peta
- Petunia – petunia
- Powaw
- Sahale
- Sakima – chief
- Segenam
- Sewati – curved bear claw
- Shappa
- Shiye – son
- Sihu
- Sitala
- Spirit
- Tablita
- Tala
- Tiponi
- Weayaya
- Wenona
- Wicapi Wakan
- Wyome
- Yaholo
- Ziracuny
Native American Dog Names and Meanings
If we asked you where does that word BBQ come from, you might say Australia, they love a barbie down under, well, actually it is a Native American word meaning a framework of sticks.
BBQ isn’t the only word Americans like to use, everyone likes a bit of Guacamole, and it’s not even a Mexican word, no, that’s also a Native American word.
These are just a few of the contributions they have made to the lexicon, take a look below and see if you can spot any more names which catch your eye.
Our Favorite Name
Snana
This name would be ideal for a dog with little legs and tiny little feet who scuttles along, Snana is possibly the perfect name for a Chihuahua
- Bodaway – fire maker
- Chippewa
- Degotoga
- Delsin
- Donoma – visible sun
- Ehawee
- Elu – beautiful
- Etenia -rich
- Guyapi – candid
- Humita
- Isi – dear
- Izusa- white stone
- Kachina – spirit
- Kai – willow tree
- Kakawangwa
- Malila – salmon going fast up a rippling stream
- Manaba – war returned with her coming
- Maralah
- Mausi – plucks flowers
- Memdi – henna
- Moki
- Namid – star dancing
- Nara- from nara
- Ominotago – pleasant voice
- Pallaton
- Pauwau
- Peopeo
- Pimne – weasel
- Qaletaqa
- Quanah – fragrant
- Red
- Sahkonteic
- Sioux
- Snana – jingle like little bells
- Sooleawa
- Tahki
- Taipa
- Tansy
- Tayanita
- Una – remember
- Unega
- Utina
- Wikimak
- Winona – first born daughter
- Yanaba
- Yiska
- Yoki – it rained
- Yona
- Yuma
- Zonta
Summary
We hope you now know a little bit more about Native Americans, their history, culture, and of course names and meanings.
Don’t forget your bonus though, the perfect Native American dog name for a pet.
If you couldn’t find a name and you think you can come up with a better one, leave a comment below and tell us what you thought!
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