Updated March 13, 2024

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Find Baby Names

Girl name origins & meanings

  • Native American : Friend, ally

What Does Dakota Mean and Stand For? 

The name Dakota means "friend" and is of Sioux, Native American origin. It is a popular name for babies of any gender.

 

Syllables: 3

Girl name variations

Dakotah

Dakotah

- 14% this year
Feminine
Rare
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Dakoda

Dakoda

+ 26% this year
Feminine
Rare
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Boy name origins & meanings

  • Native American : Friend

Boy name variations

Dakodah

Dakodah

+ 40% this year
Masculine
Rare
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Dakodas

Dakodas

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Dokcota

Dokcota

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Dakkota

Dakkota

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Dakoata

Dakoata

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Dkotha

Dkotha

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Dokotta

Dokotta

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Dekot

Dekot

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Dokata

Dokata

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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Dakottah

Dakottah

0 % this year
Masculine
Rare
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How Popular Is The Name Dakota

Famous people who gave their babies this name

What Does the Name Dakota Mean? 

Dakota is a gender-neutral name of Native American origin, meaning "friend." Dakota comes from the Sioux tribe, who lived in the northern Great Plains in the land that is now the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. 

Dakota was a popular boys' name in the late 20th century, but it has since become an even more popular girls' name. 

How Popular is the Name Dakota? 

Dakota is the #270 most popular girls' and #344 most popular boys' name in the U.S., according to 2021 Social Security Administration data. However, it ranks #4 on FamilyEducation.com. 

According to Google search data analysis, in the last five years Dakota was at its peak popularity in June 2020. 

Popularity of the Name Dakota in the United States

Dakota was searched for most often in the following states: 

  • South Dakota 
  • North Dakota 
  • Minnesota 
  • Nebraska
  • Wyoming 

Famous People Named Dakota and Dakota in Pop Culture 

Famous Dakota's include actresses Dakota Johnson and Dakota Fanning, actor Dakota Goyo, and country music singer Dakota Bradley. 

The name Dakota features in the TV shows The X Files and Sonny with a Chance

Pairs Well with These Middle Names

Appears on 

People Who Like the Name Dakota Also Like 

Dakota meaning and origin