Dakota Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Dakota is used for both girls and boys. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Dakota?
Dakota is spelled D-A-K-O-T-A. The name has 6 letters.
Dakota at a Glance
- Usage
- Used for both girls and boys
- Meaning
- Dakota means “friend,” “ally,” or “friendly” in the Sioux Native American language.
- Origin
- Dakota is derived from the Sioux language and is connected to the Dakota Sioux tribe in the United States.
- Pronunciation
- dah-KOH-tah · 3 syllables
Dakota Popularity in 2025
Rank#295
Recorded Births1,035
Rank#319
Recorded Births1,074
- Girls usage fell 22 places to #295 and recorded 125 fewer births compared with 2024.
- Boys usage rose 7 places to #319 and recorded 14 more births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Dakota Mean?
Dakota means “friend,” “ally,” or “friendly” in the Sioux Native American language.
Origin: Dakota is derived from the Sioux language and is connected to the Dakota Sioux tribe in the United States.
How Do You Pronounce Dakota?
Pronunciationdah-KOH-tah
Syllables3
What Is the History of the Name Dakota?
- History
- The name Dakota has been used as both a given name and a place name, reflecting its roots in Native American heritage and its use in American naming practices.
Dakota Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2014 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 1,035 | #295 |
| 2025 | Boys | 1,074 | #319 |
| 2024 | Girls | 1,160 | #273 |
| 2024 | Boys | 1,060 | #326 |
| 2023 | Girls | 1,191 | #262 |
| 2023 | Boys | 1,017 | #328 |
| 2022 | Girls | 1,210 | #259 |
| 2022 | Boys | 945 | #347 |
| 2021 | Girls | 1,163 | #270 |
| 2021 | Boys | 958 | #339 |
| 2020 | Girls | 1,175 | #257 |
| 2020 | Boys | 920 | #346 |
| 2019 | Girls | 1,269 | #259 |
| 2019 | Boys | 973 | #344 |
| 2018 | Girls | 1,322 | #246 |
| 2018 | Boys | 944 | #349 |
| 2017 | Girls | 1,362 | #231 |
| 2017 | Boys | 1,000 | #340 |
| 2016 | Girls | 1,417 | #227 |
| 2016 | Boys | 874 | #376 |
| 2015 | Girls | 1,334 | #242 |
| 2015 | Boys | 943 | #356 |
| 2014 | Girls | 1,149 | #283 |
| 2014 | Boys | 894 | #357 |
When Was Dakota Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1995 · Boys
6,575 recorded births
National rank #56
1996 · Boys
6,067 recorded births
National rank #58
1997 · Boys
5,664 recorded births
National rank #66
1994 · Boys
5,535 recorded births
National rank #69
Where Dakota Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Girls
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| MD | #114 | 38 |
| MS | #151 | 16 |
| LA | #162 | 25 |
| AL | #166 | 26 |
| DE | #167 | 5 |
| GA | #175 | 58 |
Top States for Boys
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| OK | #133 | 35 |
| MS | #165 | 19 |
| AK | #165 | 5 |
| DE | #168 | 6 |
| SC | #178 | 31 |
| KY | #180 | 31 |