Dakota

Meaning: Ally, friend
Origin: Dakota (Siouan) — From the Dakota people's own name

Girl's name · #296 in the US (2025) · 2020s wave

53% girls · 47% boys — Dakota is split almost evenly between girls and boys among recent newborns. Dakota →

Popularity over time

Dakota first appeared in 1915, vanished from the records entirely for 36 years, and since returning in 1958 has climbed back to #296. About 41,000 girls have carried it in all.

Across the states

See where Dakota is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 46 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Dakota ranks in other countries and regions.

#314 in New Zealand (2025) · #337 in Scotland (2025) · #355 in N. Ireland (2025) · #497 in England & Wales (2025) · #946 in Ireland (2025) · #969 in Canada (2024).

Famous Dakotas

Dakota Fanning — American actress (born 1994)
Dakota Johnson — American actress (born 1989)
Dakota Blue Richards — English actress
Dakota Kai — New Zealand professional wrestler
Dakota Staton — American jazz vocalist (1930–2007)

In stories & tradition

Dakota North — Marvel Comics
Dakota Knight — Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV series)

What Dakotas become

Among 108 notable people named Dakota:

Entertainers appear 2.51× more often than among typical names — e.g. Dakota Fanning, American actress (born 1994).

Similar names: Aspen · Daniela · Renata · Aiyana · Alayna · Makenna

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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