MallowbyNames

Kachina

kuh-CHEE-nuh · From the Hopi word for a spirit being or a ritual dancer who represents such a spirit.

Peak popularity
1977
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Kachina since 1973

Babies named Kachina per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1994, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Kachina's real moment was 1977.

71320198020002020Most births 1994Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1970s70
1980s79
1990s127
2000s20
2010s0
2020s0

Meaning & origin

Kachina first appeared on U.S. birth certificates in 1973, reflecting a time when parents were exploring names from Native American cultures. Its highest recorded usage came in 1977, its peak year. Since then, the name has remained stable at extremely low frequency, never reaching top-1000 rankings. While no top states saw concentrated use, the name's rarity means it retains a distinctive, culturally rich quality. The name is tied to Hopi traditions, specifically the Katsinam spirits, making it a meaningful choice for those with ties to the Southwest or an appreciation for indigenous heritage.

Kachina is derived from the Hopi word 'katsina', referring to ancestral spirits who visit the Hopi villages during ceremonies. The name was adopted into English through anthropological writings, later used occasionally as a given name beginning in the 1970s, likely inspired by the spiritual and cultural significance of the Katsinam.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Kachi, China

Variants: Katsina

Sibling names for Kachina

Names that share Kachina's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Shoshone, Nayeli, Aiyana, Winona, Kiona

Brothers: Mato, Tahoe, Koda, Elan, Kai

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

K is for Kachina, our favorite little girl.

K is for Kachina…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Kachina's letter becomes Kachina's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Kachina's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Kachina mean?
Kachina means a spirit being in Hopi culture, often represented by a masked dancer during ceremonies.
How popular is Kachina today?
Kachina has never ranked among the top 1000 names in the U.S., and its latest recorded birth year is 2025 with very rare usage.
Is Kachina a boy or girl name?
Kachina is primarily used for girls, but as a Hopi term it is gender-neutral in cultural context.