200+ Native American Last Names With Meanings
Native American last names are laden with history and culture from the past centuries, often explaining links with their ancestors, topography, or beliefs associated with spirituality.
Not only do these names pay homage to indigenous communities, but they also represent a window into the traditions and identities of Native Americans.
In this blog, we will look at the meanings, origins, and significances of Native American surnames, highlighting how they continue to influence personal and cultural identities even today.
A powerful testament to hardship and heritage, these names speak of land, beasts, or familial ties.
Native American Last Names
Aho – A common greeting or affirmation in many Native American cultures.
Adahy – Cherokee for “in the oak woods.”
Ahuli – Hopi for “drum,” symbolizing rhythm and connection.
Alamo – Derived from Spanish, meaning “cottonwood,” often used by tribes in the southwestern U.S.
Arapaho – From the Arapaho tribe, meaning “trader” or “enemy,” referring to their history with other tribes.
Blackhawk – Named after the famous Sauk leader, Black Hawk, representing strength and leadership.
Bodaway – Navajo for “fire maker” or “fire carrier.”
Chee – A common surname in the Navajo tribe, often indicating a direct family connection.
Chavez – While of Spanish origin, it is also used by Native Americans in the Southwest.
Dakota – From the Dakota tribe, meaning “friend” or “ally.”
Dey – Meaning “leader” or “chief” in some Native American languages.
Eagle – Symbolizing the sacredness and power of the eagle in many Native American traditions.
Firewalker – Reflects spiritual beliefs related to walking on fire or connecting with the earth.
Graycloud – A surname representing nature and the sky, reflecting resilience and change.
Hall – Sometimes used by Native American families, representing a place of gathering or community.
Ironwood – Symbolizing strength and endurance, often associated with sacred or durable trees.
Littlebear – Used by various tribes to signify courage, gentleness, and strength.
Longfeather – A symbolic name related to spiritual journeys and deep connection with nature.
Lonewolf – Represents independence, strength, and solitude, associated with leadership qualities.
Manyhorses – Refers to someone with an abundance of horses, important in some Native American cultures.
Mekko – A name meaning “chief” in the Choctaw tribe.
Mohe – A term used to refer to someone from the Mohican tribe.
Mountain – Represents the sacred connection between the people and the mountains or land.
Nighthawk – A name that signifies a mysterious or nocturnal connection to nature.
Onefeather – Symbolizes wisdom, honor, and the journey of life.
Pawnee – Refers to the Pawnee tribe, meaning “man of the earth” or “horns.”
Redbird – A name often given to a person with a connection to birds, especially in the Southeastern tribes.
Redfeather – Signifying spiritual guidance, leadership, and connection to the bird spirit.
Runningbear – Represents strength and agility, often associated with warriors or skilled hunters.
Saltwater – Often given to those connected to bodies of water, like rivers or oceans, with spiritual importance.
Sequoia – Derived from the Cherokee word for “sparrow” or associated with the famous Cherokee leader and scholar.
Shawnee – Refers to the Shawnee people, meaning “southerners” or “people of the south.”
Silvercloud – A surname associated with someone who has a clear, calm, and wise presence.
Skywalker – Symbolizing the connection to the sky and the divine journey.
Snowbird – Represents someone connected to the elements of winter and the migration of birds.
Sundance – Refers to the sacred dance of the Plains tribes, signifying renewal and spiritual connection.
Talon – A name derived from the sharp, powerful claws of predatory birds, signifying strength and courage.
Thunderbird – Represents a powerful spirit or god of thunder in many Native American traditions.
Thunder – A name symbolizing power, strength, and the voice of the creator.
Wahpepah – A name from the Kickapoo tribe meaning “whirlwind” or “spinning wind.”
Walker – A name indicating one who walks with purpose or connection to the earth and its spirits.
Whisperingwind – Represents the subtle and peaceful presence of the wind in nature.
Whitefeather – A name symbolizing peace, honor, and connection to the spiritual world.
Wildhorse – A name symbolizing freedom, power, and connection to wild, untamed horses.
Wolf – A name often given to those who exhibit characteristics of a wolf, such as loyalty and bravery.
Wynne – A name derived from a variety of Native languages, often meaning “good fortune” or “joy.”
Yellowhorse – A name that represents strength, vitality, and the symbolic importance of horses.
Zuni – Referring to the Zuni tribe of the Southwestern U.S., with rich cultural and spiritual significance.
Swiftwater – A name representing movement and fluidity, often connected to the rivers or streams.
Sunrise – Represents new beginnings, hope, and a connection to the spiritual and physical worlds.
Ahearn – A name that might come from the Navajo tribe, meaning “he who brings joy.”
Akikta – Lakota for “fighter” or “one who struggles.”
Apatche – From the Apache tribe, meaning “enemy” or “warrior.”
Aske – A name from the Cherokee people, meaning “moon.”
Ashkii – A Navajo name meaning “boy.”
Badger – Represents the animal known for its tenacity and courage.
Bison – Symbolic of strength, the bison was a sacred and important animal in many Plains tribes.
Blackbear – Represents the strength and endurance of the black bear.
Brave – A surname that signifies courage and bravery, often given to warriors or leaders.
Cedar – Represents the sacred cedar tree, important in many Native American cultures.
Chaska – A Dakota name meaning “firstborn son.”
Cherokee – Referring to the Cherokee people, one of the largest tribes in North America.
Cheyenne – From the Cheyenne tribe, known for their warrior culture and Plains lifestyle.
Crow – Refers to the Crow tribe, symbolizing power, intelligence, and connection to the earth.
Dine – Refers to the Navajo people, meaning “the people.”
Eaglefeather – A sacred name that reflects spiritual strength and leadership.
Elk – Represents the majestic elk, an animal of significance in many tribes.
Fox – Signifying cunning, agility, and cleverness, the fox is often an admired figure.
Greywolf – A combination of two powerful symbols of strength, endurance, and independence.
Hawk – Represents keen vision, intelligence, and leadership.
Hinman – A name of Native American origin, often found among the Lenape tribe.
Iktomi – A name from the Lakota tribe, meaning “spider,” the trickster figure in Lakota mythology.
Ironhand – Signifies strength, resolve, and powerful leadership.
Kaya – A name from the Hopi tribe, meaning “my elder sister.”
Kitchi – Meaning “brave” in Ojibwe.
Lame Deer – A name from the Lakota people, symbolizing strength despite adversity.
Littlefoot – A name representing gentleness and the careful nature of walking lightly on the earth.
Maheo – A name from the Cheyenne tribe, meaning “Great Spirit.”
Manitou – Refers to the Algonquian word for spirit or deity.
Mandan – Referring to the Mandan people, known for their distinctive culture and lifestyle.
Mata – A name that can mean “earth” or “spirit” in some Native American languages.
Miko – A name meaning “chief” in many Native American languages.
Nashoba – A Choctaw name meaning “wolf.”
Nighthawk – Signifying mystery and an affinity for the night or darkness.
Oconee – From the Muscogee (Creek) tribe, meaning “water” or “river.”
Oglala – Referring to one of the Lakota divisions, meaning “those who scatter their own.”
Oneida – Referring to the Oneida tribe, one of the original members of the Iroquois Confederacy.
Redcloud – Represents beauty and power, connected to the image of a red sunset.
Redhawk – Symbolizing strength, courage, and the sacred connection to hawks.
Runningwater – Signifies fluidity, motion, and the river, a vital life source.
Shiningstar – Represents light, wisdom, and guidance.
Silverwolf – A name that combines the sacred wolf with the value of silver.
Skye – A name from the Lakota or Dakota tribes, representing the expansive sky.
Siyu – From the Lakota tribe, meaning “a member of the Siouan-speaking group.”
Snowbird – Represents purity, coldness, and the migratory pattern of birds in winter.
Spiritwalker – Reflects someone who follows the path of the spirit and the ancestors.
Starfire – A symbolic name, representing the energy of both the stars and fire, elements of power.
Strongbear – Represents power, courage, and resilience, often associated with a mighty bear.
Tayen – Meaning “new moon” in the Lakota language.
Windwalker – Symbolizes the connection to the natural world and the spiritual winds that guide one’s journey.
Ahoka – “the district” (Cherokee)
Awiakta – “eye of the deer” (Cherokee)
Altaha – elevated; possibly mountain-related (Apache)
Cosay – common among Apache on White Mountain reservation
Dosela – used among Apache groups
Mescal – from Mescalero clan origins
Tessay – White Mountain Apache surname
Acothley – “cowboy” (Navajo)
Bylilly – “magical power” (Navajo)
Hatahali – “medicine man” (Navajo)
Etsitty – “to pound” (Navajo)
Nez – “tall or big” (Navajo)
Runningwater – geographic connection to swift waters
Redcloud – weather or spiritual imagery
Blackrock – from a black rock region
Swiftwater – lives near fast water
Standingrock – connected to a sacred rock
Snowbird – nature imagery; possibly season-based
Yellowhawk – possibly symbolic of traits or vision
Warcloud – combination of “war” + “cloud”
Son of Wolf – relational name in Dakota/Cheyenne
Redhorse – warrior or powerful ancestor
Crazyhorse – famous Lakota warrior name
Manygoats – Navajo family name
Bearshield – protector role; defensive imagery
Greyeagle – used among Plains tribes
Blackdeer – found in Ho-Chunk tradition
Whitetail – deer imagery common in Great Lakes region
Yellowman – Navajo/Apache descriptive name
Flyinghawk – warrior or leadership name
Eagleman – leadership/spiritual meaning
Chargingbear – warrior/clan protector
Wabanquot – “white cloud” (Ojibwe chief lineage)
Cornplanter – Seneca war chief name
Ten Bears – Comanche leader name
White Shield – Cheyenne elite name
Ironroad – sometimes associated with leaders
Bigthunder – powerful lineage in Ojibwe
Blackfoot – English translation of Blackfeet tribal name
Hopi – “peaceful person” (tribal identity)
Dakota – “the allies” (tribal name)
Cree – from name for Cree speakers
Ottawa – “traders” (tribal name)
Penobscot – “rocks spread out” (place name)
Miami – “allies” (tribal name)
Powhatan – “falling water” (principal village name)
Oneida – “people of the standing stone”
Seneca – from Onandowaga village name
Blackfeet – “black foot” (moccasin style reference)
Shawnee – derived from tribal name
Arapaho – “our people” (possible meaning)
Hualapai – “people of the pine trees” (tribal name)
Mi’kmaq – “my friends” (tribal term)
Illini – “the best people” (tribal meaning)
Kiowa – tribal name for the people (principal people)
Hopi (people) – peaceful person meaning
Lenape – “true people” (tribal identity)
Nanticoke – “tidewater people” (tribal origin)
Penobscot – rocks spread name
Arapaho – our people meaning
Ho-Chunk – “big voice” (tribal name)
Kawchottine – “big hare people” (tribal band)
Macatawa – possibly from place/people descriptor (Great Lakes region)
Munsee – “rocky land” (tribal homeland)
Passamaquoddy – “pollock spearers” (tribal name)
Ottawa – trader identity
Comanche – Ute word meaning “they fight with us”
Coeur d’Alene – “awl heart” (tribal interpretation)
Arikara – “horns” (tribal hairstyle meaning)
Nuxbaaga – “original people” (Hidatsa)
Ndee – “the people” (Apache)
Klickitat (Qwulhhwaipum) – “prairie people”
Coos – coastal tribal name
Ute – possibly from word meaning “people”
Ojibwe – “to pucker” (possibly snowshoe word)
Dakelh – “water travelers” (tribal name)
Tanaina – “the people” (tribal name)
Mi’kmaq – “my friends” identity
Kiowa – “principal people” meaning
Hualapai – pine tree people
Kalispel – camas people
Menominee – “wild rice people”
Naskapi – band meaning linked to dress tradition
Passamaquoddy – tribal pollock spearers
Penobscot – rocks spread out
Mohegan – “wolf” derived tribal term
Myaamia – allies (tribal meaning)
Ottawa – traders identity
Seneca – tribal heritage name
Miccosukee – boar clan meaning
Coriz – cheerful and friendly (unique variation)
Fineday – “a good day” meaning
Decorah – “serpent” meaning
Claymore – “big or great sword” meaning
Redstone – from red stone regions
Bearfoot – descriptive trait; strong walker
Nightwalker – descriptive trait of nocturnal traveler
Whitecloud – spiritual/weather imagery
Firethunder – power and authority name
Lightfeather – messenger/dreamer role
Ghosthorse – spiritual leader name
