The nameDakota
Dakota is a name of Native American origin meaning "friend, ally". It is given to boys and girls in the United States.
- Unisex name
- Native American
Meaning
Dakota comes from the Sioux language, where dakhóta means "friend, ally".
Origin
Native American. The Dakota are a Sioux people who gave their name to the states of North and South Dakota.
History
Dakota became a first name in the 1980s and reached the American top 60 for boys in the 1990s. The actress Dakota Fanning made it known for girls.
Famous people named Dakota
- Dakota Fanning, actress
- Dakota Johnson, actress
- Dakota Meyer, Medal of Honor recipient
Popularity of the name Dakota
Dakota in the United States
Dakota was most popular in the United States in the 1990s, with 55,802 births over the decade, 42% of all recorded babies named Dakota. Its rise began around 1989, and it peaked in 1995. Half of all babies named Dakota in the United States were born before 2001. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 2,154 births a year.
Dakota in the United Kingdom
Dakota was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 1,116 births over the decade, 48% of all recorded babies named Dakota. Half of all babies named Dakota in the United Kingdom were born before 2016, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 114 births a year.
Sibling names for Dakota
Names from the same generation as Dakota, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Dakota? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Dakota with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Dakota side by side with the name of your choice.
Dakota in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Dakota mean?
Dakota comes from the Sioux language, where dakhóta means "friend, ally".
What is the origin of the name Dakota?
Native American. The Dakota are a Sioux people who gave their name to the states of North and South Dakota.
Is Dakota a girl's or a boy's name?
Dakota is a unisex name, given to both girls and boys. In the United States, 31% of the babies named Dakota are girls.
How popular is the name Dakota?
In 2024, Dakota was the 328th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 1,053 births.
What are good sibling names for Dakota?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Mary, Maria, Kiara and Julia for a sister, Mark, Patrick, Jesse and Peter for a brother.
Who are famous people named Dakota?
Dakota Fanning, actress; Dakota Johnson, actress; Dakota Meyer, Medal of Honor recipient.