This list includes 14 Native American girl names that start with A, from “Abequa” to “Ayita”. They come from various tribal languages and often reflect nature, family roles, or cultural stories. Use them for baby naming, fiction characters, or cultural research.

Native American girl names that start with A are female given names originating in Indigenous North American languages. Many such names honor natural elements, family roles, or cultural stories, so they carry layered meanings. Some names, like “Ayita,” appear in oral traditions connected to dance or celebration.

Below you’ll find the table with Name, Pronunciation, Meaning & Origin, Notes, and Citation.

Name: The given name as used historically or presently, so you can quickly scan and pick favorites.

Pronunciation: Include simple phonetic spelling so you can say the name confidently and check rhythm and stress.

Meaning & Origin: Provide concise meanings with tribal attribution so you understand cultural context and the name’s original sense.

Notes: Flag disputed meanings, regional variants, or usage notes so you can weigh cultural sensitivity and modern application.

Citation: List a short source note for each name so you can follow up with original references for more detail.

Native American girl names that start with A

NamePronunciationMeaningTribal origin & source
Abequaah-BAY-kwahShe stays at homeOjibwe (Baraga, 1878)
Adsilaah-JEE-lahBlossom, flowerCherokee (Cherokee Nation Dict.)
Akiktaah-KEEK-tahShe looks for, to searchLakota (Deloria, 1978)
AlaAH-lahBuck (deer)Miwok (Broadbent, 1964)
Algomaal-GO-mahValley of flowers; disputedAlgonquian (H. Schoolcraft)
Amadahyah-mah-DAH-heeForest water; disputedCherokee (disputed source)
AmaAH-mahWaterCherokee (Cherokee Nation Dict.)
AnabaAH-nah-bahShe returns from warDiné (Navajo) (Young & Morgan)
Anpaytooahn-PAY-tooDayLakota/Dakota (Buechel & Manhart)
Aponiah-PON-eeButterflySiksika (Blackfoot) (Frantz & Russell)
At’éédaht-AYDGirlDiné (Navajo) (Young & Morgan, 1987)
Awenasaah-way-NAH-sahMy homeCherokee (Native-Languages.org)
Awinitaah-wee-NEE-tahFawnCherokee (Mooney, 1900)
Ayitaah-YEE-tahFirst to dance; disputedCherokee (disputed source)

Descriptions

Abequa
A traditional Anishinaabe (Ojibwe/Chippewa) name recorded in 19th-century dictionaries. The meaning reflects a valued quality of being a homemaker or having a steady presence.
Adsila
From the Cherokee word “atsilv.” A popular and authentic nature-based name that evokes imagery of spring and beauty, a common theme in Cherokee naming practices.
Akikta
A virtue name from the Lakota verb meaning “to search for something.” Lakota names often describe an action, a personal quality, or an event from a person’s life.
Ala
A Southern Sierra Miwok name recorded for women. Interestingly, its root word ‘ala-‘ relates to “buck,” showing how gendered meanings can differ across cultures.
Algoma
Not a traditional name, but one coined by ethnologist Henry Schoolcraft in the 1800s from Algonquian word parts. It has historical significance but is not tribally authentic.
Amadahy
Widely listed as a Cherokee name, but its etymology is questioned by linguists. While “ama” means water, the “adahy” element for “forest” is not verified. Use with caution.
Ama
From the Cherokee word “ama.” A simple, elemental name. While an authentic word, its widespread use as a traditional given name is not extensively documented.
Anaba
A traditional Diné name. Names describing an event or action are common, and this one reflects strength and resilience, possibly from a family’s war-related history.
Anpaytoo
From the Lakota word “aŋpétu.” It connects the bearer to light, clarity, and the sun (Aŋpétu Wi), a powerful female spiritual being in Lakota cosmology.
Aponi
From the Siksika (Blackfoot) word “apanii.” While the word is authentic, its use as a traditional personal name is not widely recorded but has seen modern adoption.
At’ééd
The literal word for “girl” in the Diné language. It can be used as a personal name, similar to how “Colleen” (meaning “girl”) is used as a name in Irish.
Awenasa
A poetic name from the Cherokee language, evoking a sense of belonging and place. Its historical use as a personal name is less documented than others.
Awinita
A classic and well-documented Cherokee girl’s name. The fawn symbolizes gentleness, grace, and a connection to the natural world. Appears in historical records.
Ayita
Frequently found on baby name websites but is not a verifiable Cherokee word for “first” or “dance.” Its authenticity as a traditional name is highly questionable.
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