Dakota
Meaning of Dakota
Dakota, pronounced duh-KOH-tuh (/dəˈkoʊtə/), drifts into the ear like a prairie wind scented with espresso—an unexpected but delightful meeting of the Great Plains and la dolce vita. Rooted in the language of the Dakota people, one of the Sioux nations, the name means “friend” or “ally,” a built-in promise of companionship as comforting as a warm bowl of minestrone on a chilly evening. Unbound by gender, Dakota suits daughters and sons alike, and its popularity charts read like an epic train ride from Milan to Venice: slow to start in the 1960s, then gathering steam through the ’80s, before settling into a steady, top-300 rhythm in recent years. Parents often choose it for the wide-sky imagery it evokes—sun-bleached plains, wild horses, open roads—yet it wears equally well with crisp city clothes and a side of tiramisù. In short, Dakota is a name that shakes hands easily, smiles quickly, and leaves everyone humming a tune of friendly possibility.
Pronunciation
British English
- Pronunced as duh-KOH-tuh (/dəˈkəʊtə/)
American English
- Pronunced as duh-KOH-tuh (/dəˈkoʊtə/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Dakota
| Dakota Mayi Johnson is an American actress and British Academy Film Award nominee. |
| Dakota Fanning is an American actress known for blockbuster and indie roles from childhood into adulthood, earning nominations for a Golden Globe, a Primetime Emmy, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. |
| Dakota Blue Richards is an English actress who debuted at 13 as Lyra in The Golden Compass and later starred in Dustbin Baby, The Secret of Moonacre, and Skins, with roles across film, TV, and stage. |
