Tag Archives: Native American Names

Anahí

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Gender: Female
Origin: debated
Meaning: debated
(ah-nah-EE)

The name, which has recently become extremely popular in South American countries, is clouded in mystery and legend.

In legend, Anahí was the daughter of a Guarani chief, her and her father tried to fight the Spanish, but were finally subdued. In punishment, the Conquistador’s tied Anahí to a tree and set her on fire. Legend says that the next day, the same tree bloomed flowers, and that is supposedly how the Ceibo tree got its flowers.

The Ceibo is the national flower of Argentina.

Some sources believe that the name may be of Guarani origin and mean “flower of the sky.” Or that it is simply the Guarani word for the Ceibo tree itself. Still other sources contend that it is a derivative of the Assyrian Anahita, and that it first appeared in South America via Lebanese and Assyrian immigrants at the beginning of the 20th-century.

The name is currently borne by famous Mexican actess, Anahí Portillo (b. 1983).

In 2008, the name ranked in at 437 for the top 1000 names in the U.S.

(upper left, Ceibo tree, national flower of Argentina).

Pocahantas

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Gender: Feminine
Origin: Native American Algonquin
Meaning: “frolicsom; wanton; she is playful.”
Pronunciation: (po-kuh-HAHN-tus)

    Pocahantas was a woman of many names, contrary to popular belief, Pocahantas was her childhood name, as an adult, her tribe gave her the names of Matoaka/Matoika and Amonute. When she converted to Christianity and married the Englishman John Rolfe, she chose the name Rebecca as her “English” Christian name.

    Pocahantas was born around 1595, and was the daughter of the famous Indian chieftan, Powhatan. She is known for her legendary encounter with John Smith.

    There is a county in her homeland of West Virginia, named for her.

    Though a sort of legendary heroine in American history, there has been no further records indicating usage of Pocahantas as a first name. With the sudden surge of popularity as such names as, Americus, Dakota, Daytona, Tacoma and Cheyenne, this name might make a far more substantial and legitimate alternative.

    However, you might be wondering how to get a good nickname out of this one, possible cute nicknames are Po, Pokey Tuss or Hanti (HAHN-tee).