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NamyLab

Dakota

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Ally Friend"

Taken from the name of the Dakota people and related geography, it entered use as a given name in the late twentieth century.

Themes:ethnonymplaceunisex
ModernContemporaryUnisexGender-neutral

Fact-checked by Grace Royal

M.A. Linguistics, Columbia UniversityCertified Naming Consultant15+ Years Experience • Editor-in-Chief

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Dakota

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#272Top 500

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#272

Dakota was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-10

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Dakota Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Dakota.

2 ideas
Kota
Nickname
Koko
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Dakota

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Dakota, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

19 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Dakota mean?
Dakota means "Ally Friend". Taken from the name of the Dakota people and related geography, it entered use as a given name in the late twentieth cen
What is the origin of Dakota?
Dakota is of Native American origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Dakota?
According to the latest SSA data, Dakota is currently ranked #272 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Dakota a girl name?
Dakota is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Dakota?
Popular nicknames for Dakota include Kota, Koko. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Dakota?
There are many names similar to Dakota in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginNative American, Sioux
Syllables3
Length6 letters
US Rank#272
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withD

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Dakota

Dakota has Native American roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Native American baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Dakota appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Modern Baby Names and Gender-Neutral Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean The Sun for Boys and Girls and Native American Baby Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Dakota pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Dakota beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.