Declining since 1996, #3,645 for girls today.
Popularity of Lakota since 1978
Babies named Lakota per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0 | 6 |
| 1980s | 31 | 11 |
| 1990s | 473 | 404 |
| 2000s | 521 | 494 |
| 2010s | 449 | 438 |
| 2020s | 215 | 203 |
Meaning & origin
Lakota first appeared on U.S. naming records in 1983 and reached its peak popularity in 1997, reflecting a broader trend of nature-inspired and culturally significant names. Since 1996, its usage has been declining; by 2025 it ranked 3,645th and occurred in about 1 in 39,202 births. The name is most commonly given in Oklahoma and Texas, states with strong Native American heritage. As a modern adoption of a tribal name, Lakota carries a sense of cultural pride but remains relatively uncommon, making it distinctive without being unfamiliar.
Lakota is an ethnonym for a Native American people of the Great Plains, part of the Sioux confederation. As a given name, it emerged in the United States in the late 20th century, influenced by a growing interest in Native American culture and names. Its use as a personal name is a modern adoption, not traditional within the culture.
Where Lakota is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kota
Sibling names for Lakota
Names that share Lakota's style, for a brother or sister.
