Native American myths and culture essentially revolve around man’s interconnectedness with nature, the elements and the Great Spirit. In many cultures the world over, myths hold that the apex predator willingly gives up its life for the nourishment of man, with the understanding that via ritual, man will return the animal to the ground and prepare it for its journey to its next existence. Through these same rituals, we prepare ourselves for our own passing from this life, to our next existence. With that in mind, we explore some of the mythic architypes common to Native American folklore and myth. Here you will find ideas for discovering your new companion’s animal spirit within and what it represents, to help you choose from the best Native American names for dogs!
In this article you will find:
- Nature Inspired Native American Names for Dogs Male and Female
- Animal Spirit Names for Dogs Male and Female
- Native American Names for Big Dogs
- Native American Names for Small Dogs
- Native American words for Wolf and Dog
- Indigenous Tribe Names that Make the Best Dog Names
Did Native Americans Have Dogs?
Yes! Dogs were an important part of Native American life for millennia. Arriving around 10,000 years ago, they served as hunting partners, settlement alarm systems, as well as travel transporters. In fact, in many indigenous languages, the word “dog” translates literally into “little horse.” The Inuit have used sled dogs to transport themselves across the Arctic for over 2000 years. While early Native American pottery from 200BC frequently uses the dog form for water vessel, as well as ceremonial peace pipes.
Native American dog breeds in the North include the Inuit Sled Dog, the Eskimo Dog, the Alaskan Malamute, the Greenland Dog, the Canadian Eskimo Dog and the Greenland Dog. Farther South we find the Chihuahua, the Xoloitzcuintle (hairless) the Itzcuintli, and the Carolina Dog (or Indian Dog).
Nature Inspired Native American Names for Boy Dogs
| Name | Meaning | Language |
| Awanyu | Water Deity | Tewa |
| Delsin | Son of the Sun | Cree |
| Gaoh | God of Wind | Iroquois |
| Gohone | Winter | Iroquois |
| Heng | Storm God | Wyandot |
| Iktomi | Trickster | Lakota |
| Llao | God of Death | Klamath |
| Masauwu | God of Death | Pueblo |
| Nanook | Great Bear | Algonquin |
| Oneida | People of the Stone | Oneida |
| Sahale | High Place or Above | Salish |
| Seattle | Man of Importance | Salish |
| Sequoya | Opossum | Cherokee |
| Sinti | Winged Serpent | Choctaw |
| Skell | Spirit of the Sky | Klamath |
| Tacoma | Giver of Water | Salish |
| Tali | Stone | Choctaw |
| Tecumseh | Shooting Star | Shawnee |
| Wambli | Eagle Spirit of Battle and Hunt | Lakota |
| Yaya | Great Spirit | TaÃno |
Nature Inspired Native American Names for Girl Dogs
| Name | Meaning | Language |
| Ama | Water | Cherokee |
| Amitola | Rainbow | Cherokee |
| Aponi | Butterfly | Siksika – Blackfoot |
| Dyani | Deerlike | |
| Haba | Water Spirit | Zuni |
| Hanwi | Moon | Lakota |
| Hialeah | Pretty Prairie | Miccosukee |
| Keme | Thunder | Algonquin |
| Kichi | Sky Spirit | Cree |
| Koko | The Night | Algonquin |
| Minnehaha | Waterfall or Laughing Water | Dakota |
| Moana | Big or Wide Waters | Hawaiian |
| Naitaka | Water Spirit | Syilix |
| Nina | Fire | Kichwa |
| Nokomis | Daughter of the Moon | Chippewa |
| Odina | Mountain | Algonquin |
| Pinga | Goddess of the Hunt | Inuit |
| Shakaru | Solar Deity | Pawnee |
| Talulah | Leaping Waters | Choctaw |
| Tia | Goddess of Peaceful Death | Haida |
| Tirawa | Great Spirit | Pawnee |
| Una | To Remember | Hopi |
| Wyam | Echo of Falling Water | Dakota/Nez Perce |
Animal Spirit Names for Dogs Male
Bear and Snake Symbolism
Bears and buffalo figure prominently in Native American myth. It is not unusual for humans to marry bears and buffalo, and often these animals raise humans as their own children. The bear and the snake represent transformation, rebirth and the cycle of life. The bear does so by virtue of his winter hibernation and spring awakening. While snake does so by shedding his skin. Bears symbolize courage, strength and protection. Snakes also represent powerful forces of strength and healing, as well as a connection between earth and sky. Consider an indigenous name for one of these forces of nature, if you expect a new beginning with your new canine companion.
Buffalo Symbolism
The buffalo, as the apex animal of the prairies, symbolizes strength, abundance, and self-sacrifice in the form of a gift from the Creator. Many cultures consider the buffalo a brother, and myths often depict buffalos turning into men, and correspondingly marriages between humans and buffalo. Dances before the hunt ask the buffalo to sacrifice itself for man, while rituals following the hunt atone for the taking of their life and return the buffalo to the cycle of life for rebirth. Consider a Native American buffalo name if you are seeking a dog that is generous in spirit, strong and a brotherly companion.
The Tricksters
Tricksters who come in the form of coyotes, foxes, spiders, ravens and more are a common theme in Native American folktales. The trickster is a paradox, existing simultaneously as creator and buffoon. He sets rules then deliberately breaks them. Tricksters are at once wise, humorous, cunning and sly, and as such, they frequently come out of sticky situations on top. Consider naming your dog a Native American trickster name, if you would like a dog that makes you laugh, is smart, creative and a little bit of a rebel. Keeping in mind, the trickster is usually the winner!
| Name | Meaning | Indigenous Language |
| Atsu | Eagle | Navajo |
| Chayton | Falcon | Sioux |
| Coyote | Trickster | Multiple Southwest Tribes |
| Holata | Alligator | Seminole |
| Honan | Bear | Miwok |
| Iktomi | Spider-Trickster | Lakota |
| Kava | Horse | Ute |
| Kuruk | Bear | Pawnee |
| Makwa | Bear | Algonquin |
| Mato | Bear | Sioux |
| Mikisiw | Eagle | Cree |
| Nokisi | Bear | Seminole |
| Opah | Owl | Choctaw |
| Raven | Trickster | Algonquin |
| Tantaka | Buffalo – Big Beast | Lakota |
| Shash | Bear | Navajo |
| Tonka | Bull | Dakota |
| Veeho | Trickster | Cheyenne |
| Yansa | Buffalo | Cherokee |
| Yona | Bear | Cherokee |
Animal Spirit Names for Dogs Female
Deer Symbolism
The deer represents grace, intuition and is seen as a messenger between the spiritual and physical realms. In ritual, the deer dance is performed for a variety of causes depending on the tribe. Deer dances are performed to bring healing, rain, or good crops, while others believe the human spirit passes through the deer, after death.
Beaver Symbolism
The industrious, gnawing beaver symbolizes hard work, cooperation and creativity. If you have a teething puppy that is chewing everything insight, consider naming her after her spirit animal, the beaver, with a name such as Kinta or Chapa. Beaver names ensure a well-mannered, obedient and resourceful pet.
Symbolism of Birds of Prey
Eagles, hawks and falcons represent spiritual guides channeling intuition, courage and strength. They bring spiritual insight and symbolize personal responsibility as well as new beginnings. Similarly the mythical thunderbird, a supernatural being, represents power and protection and divine intervention, in addition to bringing rain and lightening.
| Name | Meaning | Indigenous Language |
| Ayani | Buffalo | Apache |
| Chapa | Beaver | Sioux |
| Diné | Snake | Navajo |
| Dyani | Deer | Sioux |
| Honaw | Bear | Hopi |
| Honovi | Mighty Deer | Hopi |
| Kele | Sparrow | Hopi |
| Kinta | Beaver | Choctaw |
| Lulu | Rabbit | Hopi |
| Mika | Racoon | Sioux |
| Miwak | Growl of a Bear | Miwok |
| Nita | Bear | Chocktaw |
| Pocahontas | Playful One | Algonquin |
| Poloma | Bow – Bird | Choctaw – Spanish |
| Sinti | Snake | Choctaw |
| Tokalu | Fox | Lakota |
| Tsula | Fox | Cherokee |
| Winona | First Daughter | Sioux |
Native American Dog Names that Mean Powerful Male and Female
| Name | Meaning | Indigenous Language |
| Akiak | Brave | Inuit |
| Alii | Chief | Hawaiian |
| Awan | Algonquin | Someone of Importance |
| Desna | Boss | Inuit |
| Hanska | Tall | Sioux |
| Hiamovi | High Chief | Cheyenne |
| Kahuna | Boss, Held in High Esteem | Hawaiian |
| Kitchi | Brave | Algonquin |
| Koa | Strong and Brave | Hawaiian |
| Malia | Bitter | Zuni |
| Maska | Brave | Hopi |
| Tyee | Big, Chief, Leader | Chinnook |
| Yuma | Son of the Chief | Navajo |
Native American Names That Mean Big or Great
Chitto: “Big River” Choctaw.
Hanska: “Tall” Sioux.
Kawa: “Great” Apache.
Koi: “Panther” Choctaw.
Miko: “Chief” Choctaw.
Native American Names for Small Dogs
Bootsy: “Baby” Cherokee
Chula: “Little Fox” Choctaw.
Hosa: “Small crow or raven” Choctaw.
Miki: “Little” Inuit.
Nani: “Fish” Choctaw.
Osi: “Small” Choctaw.
Papoos: “Child” Narragansett.
Tala: “Leaping waters” Choctaw.
YázhÃ: “Little one” Navajo
Native American Names that Mean Friend
Native American words for friend or ally.
Elan: Apache
Haits: Comanchee
Ittikana: Choctaw
Kema: Apache
Koda: Sioux and Dakota
Lawtiwa: Nez Perce
Naki: Hopi
Nehmi: Navajo
Niihka: Miami
Shikis: Majove
Takoda: Sioux
Tegas: Ute
Toki: Seminole
Unalii: Cherokee
Wingapo: Algonquin
Indigenous Names that Mean Wolf
Bacho: Apache
Gooch: Tlingit
Himeen: Nez Perce
Honi: Arapaho
Kwewu: Hopi
Mahihkan: Cree
M’wa wi: Shawnee
Nashoba: Choctaw
Sunka: Sioux
Tala: Iroquois
Waya: Cherokee
Yaha: Seminole
Native American Words for “Dog”
Animosh: Algonquin
Atim: Cree
Biska: Crow
Kiiki: Ute
Maliki: Warlpiri
Ofi: Chickasaw and Choctaw
Omitaa: Blackfoot
Qimmiq: Inuit
Pooko: Hopi
Sik’em: Nez Perce
Sunka: Lakota
Wee See: Shawnee
Native American Tribes That Are Good Dog Names
These Native American tribes and Nations stretched across large expanses of North America and Central America often in overlapping territories. The Northeastern tribes where known for their advanced democratic principles, while the Cherokee of the South taught the Europeans how to hunt, fish and farm in the warm climate of the South. Consider naming your new best friend after one of these great Native American tribes and Nations. Choose a meaningful dog name based on where your family’s roots lie, where you live, or base it on indigenous history and folklore that appeals to you.
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of tribes, rather it is a list of those that make the best Native American names for dogs!
Apache: Nomadic stretching from the Great Plains to the Southwest.
Biloxi: The Tunica-Biloxi people of Louisiana and Mississippi.
Caddo: Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.
Cayuga: New York.
Cherokee: Originally located in the Southeast, eventually relocated to Oklahoma.
Cheyenne: Great Plains.
Chickasaw: Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi.
Chinook: Pacific Northwest.
Chippewa: Great Lakes.
Choctaw: South.
Comanche: Texas.
Cree: Canada and Montana.
Crow: Montana.
Dakota: Part of the Sioux Nation, Great Plains.
Fox: Midwest.
Hidatsa: North Dakota.
Hopi: Southwest.
Huron: Great Lakes.
Lakota: AKA Teton-Sioux, Great Plains.
Lenape: New Jersey and Delaware
Kickapoo: Midwest
Miami: Midwest
Micmac: Atlantic Coast
Mohawk: Northeast
Mohegan: Northeast
Mohican: Northeast
Mojave: Southwest
Muscogee: Georgia, Alabama and Florida
Navajo: Southwest
Oneida: New York
Paiute: Southwest
Pawnee: Originally of the Great Plains, specifically Kansas and Nebraska.
Pima: Arizona
Seminole: Florida
Seneca: New York
Shawnee: Mid-Atlantic states
Sioux or Siouxsie
Winnebago: Midwest
Zuni: Southwest
Final Tips on Native American Names for Dogs
Naming dogs after Native American tribal names should not be considered disrespectful. After all, many people feel their dogs are more family to them, than their own human families are. Using indigenous words and names provides a way to connect with the nature part of our canine companions, as they bridge the worlds of nature and civilization for us.
Consider using combinations of words to create a meaningful Native American name for your dog. For example, Miki Kahuna would translate as “Little Chief” or “Little Important One,” a good name for a bossy small dog! If your still looking for dog name inspirations check out these nature inspired names for dogs.
