Dakota

Meaning: Ally, friend
Origin: Dakota — From the people's own name

Girl's name · #296 in the US (2025) · 2020s wave

53% girls · 47% boys — Dakota is split almost evenly between girls and boys among recent newborns. Dakota →

Popularity over time

Dakota first appeared in 1915, vanished from the records entirely for 36 years, and since returning in 1958 has climbed back to #296. About 41,000 girls have carried it in all.

Across the states

See where Dakota is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 46 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Dakota ranks in other countries and regions.

#314 in New Zealand (2025) · #324 in Scotland (2025) · #334 in N. Ireland (2025) · #490 in England & Wales (2025) · #834 in Canada (2025) · #885 in Ireland (2025) · #1,593 in Italy (2024) · #3,068 in Ecuador (2025) · #4,058 in France (2025) · #773 in Poland (2023) · #1,422 in Austria (2019) · #1,383 in Belgium (2016) and 1 more.

Famous Dakotas

Dakota Fanning — American actress (born 1994)
Dakota Johnson — American actress (born 1989)
Dakota Blue Richards — English actress (born 1994)
Dakota Kai — New Zealand professional wrestler (born 1988)
Dakota Ditcheva — British Muay Thai fighter and mixed martial artist (born 1999)

In stories & tradition

Dakota North — Fictional character in the Marvel Comics universe
Dakota Knight — Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV series)

What Dakotas become

Among 108 notable people named Dakota:

Entertainers appear 2.51× more often than among typical names — e.g. Dakota Fanning, American actress (born 1994).

Similar names: Miracle · Daniela · Renata · Aiyana · Alayna · Samara

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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