Check out 50+ Cherokee Names and their meanings!
The Naming tradition, especially in Africa and other parts of the world is one of the most revered among many other traditions.
In some parts of the world, the name a child bears is determined by the situations around his or her birth, the day of the week, the season, or the significant event that happened after the birth of the child.
Cherokee Names are quite fascinating and bearers of such names boast not only because they are part of a rich and enviable culture and tradition but also they bear names that carry significant meanings.
This article takes a look at the naming tradition of the Cherokees, some of their beautiful names for male and female children as well as their meanings.
Meet The Cherokees
They are one of the indigenous people of the southeastern Woodlands of the United States. Before the 18th century, they lived along the river valleys of the modern-day southwestern North Carolina, southeastern Tennessee, edges of western South Carolina, northern Georgia, and northeastern Alabama.
They are also regarded as North American Indians of Iroquoian lineage who formed one of the biggest politically conscious tribes during the time of European civilization of the Americas.
Cherokee is derived from a Creek word that translates as “People of different languages.” Before the 18th century, the Cherokee were believed to have a population of 22,500 people as of 1650.
The Cherokees were very industrious and creative. Before they had any European contact in the mid-16th century, they had already made items like knives, axes, chisels, baskets among others. They also made clothing materials from deer, bears, and elks.
In terms of trade and military might, the Cherokees allied with the British and took side with them during the French-Indian War (1754-1763).
However, by 1759, things turned sore between the Cherokees, other tribes in the region, and the British. The British introduced harsh policies that led to the destruction of local economies as we as native towns.
Cherokee Names
Cherokee names over the years have been influenced largely by the colonization of America. The Cherokee people give names most time based on their appearance and what they look like in the real world.
Once a child is born, a long ceremony is held within seven days of his or her birth where the baby will be given one of the Cherokee names his parents desire.
Unlike what is prevalent these days where the father and mother of the baby agree on the names a child will bear, the Cherokee society is quite matrilineal such name a child could bear the name of his or her mother.
English settlers among the Cherokee people later translated most of the Cherokee names into English versions based on the way they sound.
Cherokee names are said to be sacred and they can can take any form such as nature, animals among others.
Below are some Cherokee Names with Animal meanings
Immokalee
Meaning: Tumbling Water
Amadahy
Meaning: Forest Water
Atsila
Meaning: Fire
Agasga
Meaning: Rain
Woya
Meaning: Dove
Awinita
Meaning: Fawn
Salalai
Meaning: Squirrel
Cherokee Names which translate to General Descriptions
Leotie
Meaning: Flower of the Prairie
Hialeah
Meaning: Beautiful Meadow
Adsila
Meaning: Blossom
Woya
Meaning: Purity and Peace
Galilahi
Meaning: Attractive
Unega
Meaning: White
Gold
Meaning: Winter
Cherokee Names for Boys
Mato
Mato means means ‘bear’.
More
Mohe means ‘elk’.
Nahele
Nahele means ‘forest’
Nakano
Nakamomeans ‘to sing.’
Gaagii
Gaagii belongs to the Navajo tribe and means ‘raven’.
Gala-gi an
Gala-gi na ‘Male deer’ or ‘turkey
Adohi
This means Wood or Timber
Amadahy
This means Forest Water
Tooantuh
Toonatuh means ‘spring frog.’
Tyee
A ‘leader’ or ‘chief.’
Utsidhi
A Killer
Noya
Noya means ‘sand’.
Ohiyesa
A ‘winner.’
Onacona
A ‘White owl.’
Ostenaco
Ostenaco means ‘big head.’
Paytah
Paytah means “fire.”
Concotocko
Conocotocko means ‘standing turkey.’
Conchise
Conchise means ‘ the renowned warrior chief of the Chirichua Apache tribe.
Cherokee Names for Girls
Hiawassee
Hiawassee means ‘meadow.’
Gola
Gola means ‘winter’.
Inola
Inola means ‘black fox’.
Kasa
Kasa means ‘dressed in furs.’
Adisila
Adisila means ‘blossom’.
Agasga
Agasga means ‘rain’.
Mitena
Mitena means ‘coming moon.’
Noya
Noya means Sand
Tsula
Tsula is the Cherokee word for ‘Fox.’
Unega
Unega means ‘white’.
Walela
Walela means ‘Hummingbird.’
Qaletaqa
‘The guardian of the people.
Salalai
This name means ‘Squirrel.’
Selu
Selu means ‘Corn’.
If you ever consider giving your child an unconventional name, you can choose these beautiful Cherokee names with significant and interesting meanings.
