Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Dakota

Dakota is an American name taken from a Native-American Sioux sub-tribe known as the Dakotas; an indigenous people who dwelled in the northern region of the Mississippi Valley. The name of the Dakota tribe comes from a dialect of the Lakota Sioux language meaning “friend, ally” and/or “alliance”. The Great Sioux nation comprised of three major divisions: the Dakota, Lakota and Nakota. The Dakotas were known for their physical strength, unquestionable bravery, mental astuteness and moral righteousness – no wonder other tribal nations wanted the Dakota people as “friends” and “allies”! American parents began to use Dakota as a name for their baby boys starting in 1985 and it officially became gender-neutral when it showed up on the female naming charts in 1990. This unisex name is now used with relative equality between the two sexes.

All About the Baby Name – Dakota

Personality

OF THE UNISEX NAME DAKOTA

The number Seven personality is deeply mystical and highly in tune with their spirituality. They operate on a different wavelength than the average joe. Spending time alone comes easily to Sevens, as it gives them time to contemplate philosophical, religious and spiritual ideas in an effort to find "real truth".  Sevens are wise, but often exude mystery as if they are tapped into something the rest of us don't understand. They love the outdoors and are fed by nature. Sevens are constantly seeking to understand human nature, our place in the universe, and the mystery of life in general. This makes them quite artistic and poetic, but they are also keen observers with high intellect - so they are equally scientific-minded. Sevens are charitable and care deeply about the human condition.

Popularity

OF THE UNISEX NAME DAKOTA

The name Dakota first appeared on the male naming charts in 1985. The female version of the name followed five years later in 1990. Dakota’s sudden usage for girls may have been influenced by the then celebrity couple Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith who named their daughter Dakota at the end of 1989. Regardless, between 1993 and 2001 Dakota was a Top 100 favorite name for baby boys (it has never achieved Top 100 status on the nation’s female charts). However, in 2010, Dakota for baby girls surpassed her male counterpart in usage for the first time. We’re sure that the popular young actress Dakota Fanning has helped identify this name as more female. Dakota is a well-known name in the United States; two of our 50 states bear the name of this Native American sub-tribe. The name gives us a sense of Wild West ruggedness and for this reason we weren’t surprised to see it on the Top 100 list of most popular girl names in the great state of Wyoming. It’s a solid unisex name with boyish strength and girlish charm. We also like Kota for a nickname. One thing to keep in mind, though – Dakota is often used as a name for dogs (like Bailey or Riley for instance). We actually like Dakota for canines; after all, dogs are Man’s Best “Friend”. Very fitting, indeed!

Quick Facts

ON DAKOTA

GENDER:

Unisex

ORIGIN:

American

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

3

RANKING POPULARITY:

N/A

PRONUNCIATION:

də-KO-tə

SIMPLE MEANING:

Friend

Characteristics

OF DAKOTA

Mystical

Wise

Eccentric

Intuitive

Imaginative

Philosophical

Solitary

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Dakota

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME DAKOTA

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Dakota

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME DAKOTA

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Dakota


Popular Songs

ON DAKOTA

Reno Dakota
a song by The Magnetic Fields

North Dakota
a song by Lyle Lovett

Dakota (The Dancing Bear)
a song by Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge

Dakota
a song by Stereophonics

Famous People

NAMED DAKOTA

Dakota Abberton (Australian surfer)
Dakota Culkin (sibling of Macaulay Culkin)
Dakota Fanning (actress)
Dakota Floeter (musician)
Dakota Goyo (actor)
Dakota Johnson (model/actress)
Dakota Lane (author)
Dakota Meyer (U.S. Marine and Medal of Honor recipient)
Dakota Blue Richards (English actress)
Dakota Staton (jazz singer)
Dakota Abberton (Australian surfer)
Dakota Culkin (sibling of Macaulay Culkin)
Dakota Fanning (actress)
Dakota Floeter (musician)
Dakota Goyo (actor)
Dakota Johnson (model/actress)
Dakota Lane (author)
Dakota Meyer (U.S. Marine and Medal of Honor recipient)
Dakota Blue Richards (English actress)
Dakota Staton (jazz singer)
Dakota Abberton (Australian surfer)
Dakota Culkin (sibling of Macaulay Culkin)
Dakota Fanning (actress)
Dakota Floeter (musician)
Dakota Goyo (actor)
Dakota Johnson (model/actress)
Dakota Lane (author)
Dakota Meyer (U.S. Marine and Medal of Honor recipient)
Dakota Blue Richards (English actress)
Dakota Staton (jazz singer)

Children of Famous People

NAMED DAKOTA

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Dakota

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME DAKOTA

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Dakota