Declining since 1996, #319 for boys today.
Popularity of Dakota since 1915
Babies named Dakota per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 8 | 0 |
| 1920s | 6 | 0 |
| 1930s | 0 | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 | 0 |
| 1950s | 31 | 0 |
| 1960s | 63 | 10 |
| 1970s | 105 | 180 |
| 1980s | 565 | 2,457 |
| 1990s | 9,151 | 46,649 |
| 2000s | 12,404 | 28,181 |
| 2010s | 12,191 | 9,667 |
| 2020s | 6,934 | 5,974 |
Meaning & origin
Dakota entered the U.S. naming scene in 1966 and saw a striking rise through the 1990s, peaking in 1995 when it reached its highest rank of 319 overall. Since 1996, its trajectory has been steadily falling, yet it remains a familiar choice. With a 1-in-1,590 birth rate in 2025, it is still more common than many might expect. The name's appeal is broad: its top states include Alaska, Delaware, and Oklahoma, reflecting both geographic and cultural resonance. As a unisex name, Dakota carries the meaning 'friend' or 'ally' from the Sioux language, and its adoption as a given name reflects a larger American trend toward place names and Native American heritage terms. While its peak is behind it, Dakota continues to be a recognizable and enduring choice.
Dakota is the name of a Native American people of the Upper Midwest, part of the Great Sioux Nation. The word comes from the Sioux term meaning 'friend' or 'ally.' Adopted as a given name in the United States beginning in the mid-20th century, it gained popularity as a unisex name during the 1990s, influenced by place names (North and South Dakota) and a broader trend toward geographical and nature-inspired names.
Where Dakota is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Dakota” around the world
Where Dakota lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
New Zealand
13
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kota, Kody, Dak
Sibling names for Dakota
Names that share Dakota's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Cheyenne, Sierra, Aubrey, Madison, Taylor, Codi, Egypt, Jersey, Kaci, Kodi, Malaysia, Montana, Shyanne, Alaska, Arizona, Berlin, Chaney, Cherokee, Chevelle, Cheyanna, China, Chyenne, Indiana, Kansas, Kassidi, Lakin, Lakota, Laramie, Loreal, Missouri, Nevada, Oneida, Sahara, Shasta, Shawnee, Sheyenne, Tennessee, Tequila, Burma, Cheyene, Cheyenna, Germany, Jermany, Montanna, Nizhoni, Porche, Safari, Sequoya, Shyenne, Tanzania, Tenaya, Tequilla, Wenona, British, California, Champagne, Cheynne, Juneau, Kenosha, Korea, Shenandoah, Sidni, Yakima, Cheyane, Mescal, Tacora, Tulsa, Alabama, Amerika, Arvada, Britania, Cagney, Cheyan, Dacotah, Dakiya, Dakiyah, Denaly, Jersee, Manilla, Navada, Russia, Somalia, Topeka
Brothers: Austin, Cody, Dalton, Logan, Tyler, Chandler, Canyon, Chevy, Denver, Devonte, Kashmir, Takoda, Chayton, Geronimo, Rowdy, Stoney, Cuba, Dacota, Kenyan, Ontario, Taiwan, Texas, Trapper, Utah, Zealand, Damarkus, Damonie, Kiowa, Nakota, Nekoda, Osceola, Tacoma, Tarrin, Wrangler, Yuma, Bronc, Bronco, Detroit, Frisco
Names like Dakota
Names whose popularity has moved with Dakota's over the last 50 years.
