Native American Baby Names
Native American baby names are very fascinating to study. Today, if you look in the phone book or talk to them, you find that their first names are just like other locals' names. Names like Bart, Barbara, Chuck, Delbert, Hank, Katelyn ... ... but Native American baby names weren't always "English" and much of the rich meanings of true Native American names are lost in translation. When I speak of Native American Indians, I am speaking of the Native Indians in the Americas -- North and South America. There were many tribes when explorers came to North and South America. When North America was divided into countries, some tribes were divided by the border between Canada and the United States -- for example, the Blackfoot Indians. Some Blackfeet are in northern Montana and others in southern Alberta. The Native American people, have no borders.Non-Natives have a tendency to misinterpret the meanings of Native American Indian names. Names are literally interpreted instead of interpreting the real meaning of the name and why it was given. For example, the brave named Sweaty-Blanket did not sleep with a dirty blanket; the name indicates he was a hard and tireless rider. Mr. Two Belly was one who provided so well for his family that his children were plump. Big Mouth was a good tribal speaker. Many Indian names interpreted by the English come out sounding awkward and conceal the true significance of the name. If English scribes came along today to interpret our names, we would have some very awkward names too. "Kennedy" means "big head". "Cameron" means "crooked nose". "Daniel" means "judge". So a child with the name of "Kennedy Savage" would be known as "Wild Big Head!" Native names were given and changed at critical times of life such as birth, puberty, or some notable feat ... and they didn't always have the same names. They changed throughout life. Sometimes Native American baby names were suggested by a dream of the father. Some tribes had names for use in the winter and other names for use in the summer. There are very few lists of Native American baby names. That's because true native names are and were given by spiritual leaders who know/knew the children they name. Each name is significant and individual -- chosen for that one particular child. There are two excellent books of American Native Indian baby names and meanings, written by Native Americans. I wholeheartedly recommend these books to you because you can be sure these names are authentic Native American baby names. To learn more about these Two Great Books of American Native Indian baby names -- Click Here! I've also started gathering a few Native baby names together to start a list on this website. I can't verify that they are all accurate. Click Here for my FREE list of Native American baby names. Join Baby Names Updates to get updates of baby names lists. If you know any more names, please contact me and I'll put them on the list. Thanks! Join Baby Names Updates to get updates of baby names lists. Click Here for Irish baby names here. Click Here for How to Create a Baby Name. Click Here for unique Baby Poems.
Links to Native American Indian siteshttp://www.native-languages.org-- Native Languages of the Americas. There are articles about the culture and language of Native American Indians http://www.native-languages.org/baby.htm -- advice about and explanation of baby names. |
