Choosing Your Indian Names
Every member must choose a Native American name. The selection of a name for parent and child should be done with the same respect and ceremony that is practiced by the American Indian. The name should reflect honor, and it should be carried with honor by the bearer.
The American Indians grant names to their children in the following ways, which your tribe can consider in
selecting names that have meaning for each specific person.
- The elders’ vision of what the child may turn out to be.
- Something that stood out in the parents’ minds on the day the child was born.
- The traits of the parent or child (Great Thunder, Tall Cedar, Keen Eyes, Quiet Squirrel).
- An experience of great meaning to the family (Clear Water, Running Dear, Red Sky).
Diminutives are also popular, and help Guides and Princesses with short memories to tie who belongs to whom in meetings. Some examples are:
Big Wind ………………. Little Wind Walking Deer …………. Running Deer
Night Owl ……………… Day Owl Flying Bird …………….. Little Feather
Setting Sun …………… Rising Sun Full Moon ……………… Half Moon
Other suggestions for Indian names include:
- Big Bear
- Big Buffalo
- Big Oak
- Black Bear
- Black Hawk
- Brave Fox
- Brave Thunder
- Bright Lightning
- Bright Spirit
- Broken Arrow
- Crazy Horse
- Dark Hawk
- Dune Runner
- Eagle Feather
- Fire Starter
- Flying Hawk
- Golden Bear
- Golden Fox
- Grey Wolf
- Hunting Hawk
- Hunting Wolf
- Lion Heart
- Little Cougar
- Little Hawk
- Little Shark
- Little Wolverine
- Long Bow
- Long Knife
- Mighty Mouse
- Moon Ray
- Night Spirit
- Raging Buffalo
- Raining River
- Raving Bull
- Red Arrow
- Red Eagle
- Rising Sun
- Road Runner
- Rolling Thunder
- Running Deer
- Running Wolf
- Shining Owl
- Short Change
- Sitting Bull
- Soaring Eagle
- Straight Arrow
- Swift Hawk
- Tall Tree
- Thunderbolt
- Tomahawk
- White Eagle
- Wild Boar
- Winter Hawk
- Young Eagle Eye
- Big Butterfly
- Big Rainbow
- Blonde Feathers
- Blue Moon
- Bright Moon
- Bright Sunshine
- Dancing Bear
- Dancing Cub
- Dancing Heart
- Dancing Swan
- Dream Catcher
- Evening Star
- Falling Snowflake
- Flying Eagle
- Flying Squirrel
- Golden Star
- Golden Sun
- Grinning Bear
- Happy Cloud
- Leaping Deer
- Little Blossom
- Little Dove
- Little Fawn
- Little Thunder
- Moonflower
- Morning Cloud
- Morning Star
- Mountain Flower
- Prancing Pony
- Proud Eagle
- Purple Dawn
- Rain Cloud
- Rain Drop
- Rainbow Warrior
- Rising Moon
- Roaring Water
- Running Deer
- Running Horse
- Runs Like the Wind
- Shining Daisy
- Shooting Star
- Sleeping Fawn
- Sparkling Stream
- Sunflower
- Swift Eagle
- Thunder Cloud
- Tiger Paw
- Whispering Wind
- White Buffalo
- White Pearl
- Wild Flower
- Wind Dancer
Additional Indian Names and Words
Guides and Princesses desiring to use authentic Indian names may find suggestions in the following list:
|
Anang |
– Star |
Chule |
– Pine Tree |
|
Anekus |
– Squirrel |
Monoway |
– Moving Voice |
|
Anoki |
– Actor |
Namid |
– Dancer |
|
Apekatos |
– Antelope |
Nas-waw-kee |
– Feathered Arrow |
|
Ayita |
– Worker |
Nibaw |
– I stand up |
|
Apelachi |
– A Helper |
Nina-bo-jou |
– Sun God |
|
Bebe-ji |
– Wild Horse |
Nodin |
– Wind |
|
Bisanabi |
– Silent One |
Nokisan |
– Wonder Cook |
|
Bineshi |
– Bird Sharp |
On-jima |
– Strong Hand |
|
Bebe-mak |
– Dark Horse |
Osohada |
– White Cedar |
|
Bodaway |
– (He/she) makes fire |
Panossim |
– Water Dog or Sea Dog |
|
Chabadwed |
– Camp Cook |
Sa-que-sippi |
– River of Mystery |
|
Chimalus |
– Bluebird |
Sheboygo |
– Writer |
|
Chissakid |
– Juggler |
Skajuna |
– Eagle |
Four Feathers Nation 