Dakota
Dakota: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /dəˈkəʊtə/
Meaning and origin of Dakota
Root meaning: “ally”
- A unisex given name transferred from the place name.
Etymology
Borrowed from Dakota dakhóta (“ally”).
How popular is Dakota?
Since 1880, 41,458 girls and 93,118 boys in the U.S. have been named Dakota (31% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #190 in 2006. Its highest rank for boys was #56 in 1995. In 2025 it ranked #319 for boys, with 2,109 babies given the name.
Names similar to Dakota
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Sibling name ideas for Dakota
Names that peaked around the same time as Dakota and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Dakota FAQ
What does the name Dakota mean?
Dakota traces back to a root meaning "ally". A unisex given name transferred from the place name. Borrowed from Dakota dakhóta (“ally”).
How popular is the name Dakota?
Since 1880, 41,458 girls and 93,118 boys in the U.S. have been named Dakota (31% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #190 in 2006. Its highest rank for boys was #56 in 1995. In 2025 it ranked #319 for boys, with 2,109 babies given the name.
Is Dakota a boy or girl name?
Dakota is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (41,458 girls and 93,118 boys since 1880).
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.