Declining since 1995, #3,949 for boys today.
Popularity of Dakotah since 1979
Babies named Dakotah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0 | 5 |
| 1980s | 81 | 221 |
| 1990s | 675 | 1,521 |
| 2000s | 631 | 874 |
| 2010s | 625 | 401 |
| 2020s | 302 | 129 |
Meaning & origin
Dakotah is a modern respelling of Dakota, a name derived from the Dakota Sioux people meaning 'ally' or 'friend.' The variant emerged in the late 20th century, with the first recorded use in 1979. It peaked in popularity in 1995 and has since declined, ranking #3949 in 2025 (1 in 63,262 births). The name is predominantly given to girls in its Dakotah spelling, while the standard Dakota form is more balanced. Unlike the state-inspired name, Dakotah carries a phonetic appeal and a soft, feminine ending. Its trajectory has been falling since 1995, mirroring trends for other place and tribal names.
Dakotah is a variant spelling of Dakota, taken from the name of the Dakota Sioux people. The word 'Dakota' means 'ally' or 'friend' in the Sioux language. The spelling with an 'h' emerged in the late 20th century as a phonetic or feminine-tinged variant, inspired by names like Hannah or Sarah.
Where Dakotah 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kota, Koty
Variants: Dakota
Sibling names for Dakotah
Names that share Dakotah's style, for a brother or sister.
