Dekota

Meaning & origin

Dekota is a modern respelling of Dakota, a name that entered widespread American use in the 1990s. The name first appeared in Social Security records in 1986, but saw its peak popularity in 1995, reflecting the broader trend of geographic and tribal names gaining favor. After declining in the 2000s and 2010s, Dekota has been rising in use since 2015, with a rank of 7194 in 2025. The original spelling Dakota ranked higher historically, but Dekota offers a distinctive spelling choice. Approximately 1 in 155,280 newborns received the name Dekota in 2025, a sign of its niche but growing appeal. The name has not been recorded in any specific top states, indicating its use is spread across the country rather than concentrated regionally.

Dekota is a modern respelling of Dakota, a name derived from the Dakota people, a Native American tribe. The tribe's name may mean 'allies' or 'friends' in the Sioux language. Dekota emerged as a variant spelling in the late 20th century, particularly in the United States, as part of a trend of respelling established names.