Dakota

Dakota is a unisex name of English origin. Its meaning is not recorded in the standard references we check — we would rather tell you that plainly than guess. In 2024 it was given to 2,208 babies in the United States.

Dakota at a glance

Gender
Unisex name
Origin
English & American
Meaning
Not recorded in standard references
Pronunciation
/dəˈkəʊtə/

About the name Dakota

Dakota belongs to the English & American tradition. Its roots are documented, even though its precise meaning is not recorded in the standard references — an honest gap we prefer to a confident guess.

In the United States, Dakota first appears in Social Security records in 1915 and has been given to 132,430 babies since 1880, including 2,208 in 2024.

Dakota in US records

First recorded (US)
1915
Babies named Dakota in 2024
2,208
Total since 1880
132,430

Dakota in England & Wales records

First recorded (since 1996)
1996
Babies named Dakota in 2025
98
Total since 1996
2,027

Similar names

More names from the English & American shelf:

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Dakota mean?

The meaning of Dakota is not recorded in the standard references we check. Rather than repeat an unsourced claim, we leave it open — its English origin is documented, but its exact meaning is not.

Is Dakota a boy or girl name?

Dakota is a unisex name. In 2024, 2,208 babies received the name in the US.

What origin is the name Dakota?

Dakota comes from the English & American tradition.

How popular is the name Dakota?

Dakota is uncommon in US records — it first appears in 1915 and has been given to 132,430 babies since 1880.

How do you pronounce Dakota?

Dakota is pronounced /dəˈkəʊtə/ (IPA).

Share this name

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Meaning and origin for this page were checked against this source. US popularity figures are from the Social Security Administration's public baby-names data. England & Wales figures are from the Office for National Statistics. If you spot an error, write to [email protected] — accuracy is the whole point of this site, and corrections are made fast.