Dakota Unisex
Origin(s)
Native American; English
Meaning
Native American: 'allies'; English: 'friend'
Historical & Cultural Background
Dakota is derived from the Native American Sioux tribe, where it means 'allies' or 'friends'. The name gained popularity in the United States during the 20th century. It is often associated with the Dakota Territory, which played a significant role in American history. The name has been used for both boys and girls, though it has become more popular for girls in recent years.
Trend Summary
Dakota has seen a steady increase in popularity for girls in the United States since the 1990s.
Similar Names
Delilah, Mikayla, Jade, Talia, Kira, Ariana, Sienna, Lila
Variants
- Dakotah
International Variants
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Famous people named Dakota
Dakota Fanning is an American actress known for her roles in films such as 'I Am Sam' and 'War of the Worlds'.
Dakota Johnson is an American actress and producer, recognized for her role in the 'Fifty Shades' film series.
Fictional characters named Dakota
Dakota is a character in the animated series 'The Amazing World of Gumball', known for her quirky personality.
Dakota is a character in the video game series 'Animal Crossing', where she is depicted as a friendly villager.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Dakota was first seen in the United States in 1915. Dakota has ranked as high as #383 nationally which occurred in 2006 and has been most popular in Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. In the past 5 years the name Dakota has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Dakota (2024)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 117 | |
| CA | 85 | |
| FL | 77 | |
| GA | 68 | |
| NC | 46 | |
| MD | 42 | |
| OH | 40 | |
| PA | 40 | |
| IN | 37 | |
| NY | 35 | |
| MO | 35 | |
| VA | 34 | |
| IL | 32 | |
| LA | 30 | |
| TN | 30 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1915 | 8 |
| 1921 | 6 |
| 1958 | 11 |
| 1959 | 20 |
| 1960 | 13 |
| 1961 | 13 |
| 1962 | 9 |
| 1963 | 5 |
| 1964 | 6 |
| 1965 | 9 |
| 1966 | 8 |
| 1971 | 8 |
| 1972 | 6 |
| 1973 | 11 |
| 1974 | 8 |
| 1975 | 12 |
| 1976 | 11 |
| 1977 | 14 |
| 1978 | 15 |
| 1979 | 20 |
| 1980 | 25 |
| 1981 | 19 |
| 1982 | 14 |
| 1983 | 15 |
| 1984 | 19 |
| 1985 | 62 |
| 1986 | 72 |
| 1987 | 78 |
| 1988 | 99 |
| 1989 | 163 |
| 1990 | 380 |
| 1991 | 636 |
| 1992 | 753 |
| 1993 | 724 |
| 1994 | 895 |
| 1995 | 1,125 |
| 1996 | 1,055 |
| 1997 | 1,175 |
| 1998 | 1,242 |
| 1999 | 1,167 |
| 2000 | 1,086 |
| 2001 | 943 |
| 2002 | 952 |
| 2003 | 917 |
| 2004 | 1,180 |
| 2005 | 1,515 |
| 2006 | 1,839 |
| 2007 | 1,486 |
| 2008 | 1,287 |
| 2009 | 1,198 |
| 2010 | 1,142 |
| 2011 | 1,068 |
| 2012 | 1,039 |
| 2013 | 1,089 |
| 2014 | 1,149 |
| 2015 | 1,333 |
| 2016 | 1,417 |
| 2017 | 1,360 |
| 2018 | 1,321 |
| 2019 | 1,269 |
| 2020 | 1,174 |
| 2021 | 1,162 |
| 2022 | 1,209 |
| 2023 | 1,189 |
| 2024 | 1,155 |