Dakota
A unisex name of Native American (Sioux) origin, meaning friends; allies.
How Dakota has moved
View as table
| Year | US rank |
|---|---|
| 2015 | #242 |
| 2016 | #226 |
| 2017 | #231 |
| 2018 | #246 |
| 2019 | #259 |
| 2020 | #258 |
| 2021 | #270 |
| 2022 | #258 |
| 2023 | #262 |
| 2024 | #272 |
| 2025 | #296 |
Dakota by the numbers
In 2025, 81 babies in England and Wales were named Dakota. In the US, 2,330 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
For the size of the two countries, it is given several times more often in the US than in England and Wales.
Its American peak was 6,575 babies in 1995, making it a 1990s name.
At its height, in 2005, about 1 in 1,300 American babies born that year was called Dakota.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Dakota. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Sounds like Dakota
Names that are said the same way as Dakota, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
- Dacotafriend or ally; a form of Dakota6 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean friendship
Like Dakota, each of these has friendship in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Ruthfriend or companion1,194 in the US (2017)
- Edwinwealthy friend; prosperity and companionship1,027 in the US (2017)
- Khalilfriend; one who is close128 in England and Wales (2025)
- Karafriend or dear; a form of Cara606 in the US (2017)
- Marvinfamous friend483 in the US (2017)
- Alvinnoble friend; elf friend432 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as Dakota
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