Baby Name Popularity Profile

Dakota

Data-driven SSA statistics, rankings, and historical trends for Dakota.

✦ Allies or friends 🌍 Other nature traditional
National Rank (2025) #296
All-Time Peak Rank #190 Achieved 2006
Total U.S. Births 41,458 since 1880
Unisex Distribution 49.3% Boy / 50.7% Girl Highly Balanced
First Recorded 1915 Last seen: 2025
Peak Decade 2000s 1,839 births in 2006
💡 The Dakota Vibe: Considered a Modern Trend. A contemporary choice reflecting current cultural naming rhythms and popularity brackets.

🌍 Meaning & Etymology

Primary Meaning Allies or friends
Language Origin Other
Origin Type single
Derived from the name of the Dakota people, meaning 'allies' or 'friends' in the Sioux language.
Common Nicknames
Kota
Pronunciation: dah-KOH-tah
Themes & Categories
nature traditional
Etymology confidence: High · Under review

📖 The Story Behind Dakota

According to SSA data, Dakota achieved its highest historical rank of #190 in 2006. Its highest annual registration volume occurred in 2006 with 1,839 babies. Between 2015 and 2025, modern registrations have decreased by 22.4%. Overall, the name has maintained a ranked presence for 55 consecutive years.

📊 Factual Timeline & Current Trajectory (1880 – 2025)

Registration footprint of Dakota across 145 years of SSA data.

5-Year Trajectory Declining
10-Year Shift -22.4% Decline
18801920196020002025

📈 Popularity Milestones & Volatility

Busiest Year on Record 1,839 births in 2006
Years in Top 100 0 yrs
Years in Top 500 35 yrs
Registry Streak 55 yrs
Historical Volatility Moderately Volatile
Largest 1-Year Jump N/A
Decade-by-Decade Registration Volumes
1880s: 0
1890s: 0
1900s: 0
1910s: 8
1920s: 6
1930s: 0
1940s: 0
1950s: 31
1960s: 63
1970s: 105
1980s: 565
1990s: 9,151
2000s: 12,404
2010s: 12,191
2020s: 6,934

📐 Sound & Spelling Structure

Phonetic Syllables Da-ko-ta
Letter Count 6 letters
Spelling Complexity Moderate
Length Percentile Longer than 25.7% of names
Linguistic Profile: Longer than 25.7% of SSA names. Starts with D, a letter used by only 6.6% of SSA names.

🛠️ Sibling & Surname Cadence Tool

Enter a surname or sibling name to test how it pairs with Dakota.

📍 Authentic State & Regional Rankings

Highest Ranking State Nevada
Top States Nevada, Idaho, Arizona, Alaska, Colorado
States with Data 51
State 2025 Rank Total Births Peak Year 5-Yr Velocity
Nevada #245 348 2022 Insufficient historical volume
Idaho Unranked 326 2004 Insufficient historical volume
Arizona #322 868 2006 Insufficient historical volume
Alaska Unranked 95 2005 Insufficient historical volume
Colorado #395 799 2007 Insufficient historical volume
Utah #199 541 2008 Insufficient historical volume
Florida #294 2,250 2006 +6.7% Growth
Maryland #116 990 2016 +15.2% Growth
Delaware #183 129 2015 Insufficient historical volume
Washington #346 1,007 2006 Insufficient historical volume
Oregon #304 564 2006 Insufficient historical volume
Georgia #176 1,465 2024 14.7% Decline
New Mexico #191 268 1997 Insufficient historical volume
Missouri #335 1,087 2017 37.9% Decline
North Carolina #355 1,360 2006 8.8% Decline
Oklahoma #503 631 1992 Insufficient historical volume
Tennessee #252 974 2006 3.1% Decline
Indiana #379 1,058 2006 Insufficient historical volume
District of Columbia Unranked 199 2013 Insufficient historical volume
Virginia #275 999 2005 21.1% Decline
Michigan #237 1,659 2016 37.7% Decline
Kentucky #458 760 2004 Insufficient historical volume
South Carolina #201 633 2006 Insufficient historical volume
Kansas #412 453 1998 Insufficient historical volume
Louisiana #162 775 2006 19.4% Decline
Texas #304 3,241 2006 2.6% Decline
Mississippi #156 538 2017 Insufficient historical volume
Arkansas #236 451 2006 Insufficient historical volume
Ohio #283 1,889 2006 32.8% Decline
Nebraska Unranked 292 2005 Insufficient historical volume
Alabama #168 714 2007 7.1% Decline
New Hampshire Unranked 120 1997 Insufficient historical volume
Montana Unranked 115 1998 Insufficient historical volume
Iowa #329 492 1998 Insufficient historical volume
Wyoming Unranked 49 1999 Insufficient historical volume
Wisconsin #719 706 2006 Insufficient historical volume
California #436 3,330 2006 23.2% Decline
Connecticut #327 351 2021 Insufficient historical volume
Illinois #265 1,575 2015 7.0% Decline
Maine Unranked 139 1998 Insufficient historical volume
West Virginia Unranked 287 1998 Insufficient historical volume
Pennsylvania #281 1,617 2006 +2.6% Growth
Minnesota #431 539 2009 Insufficient historical volume
New Jersey #297 741 2018 20.0% Decline
New York #392 1,927 2006 30.2% Decline
Massachusetts #424 582 2006 Insufficient historical volume
North Dakota #206 68 2017 Insufficient historical volume
Hawaii Unranked 61 2016 Insufficient historical volume
Rhode Island Unranked 56 2007 Insufficient historical volume
South Dakota #199 47 2008 Insufficient historical volume
Vermont Unranked 6 2005 Insufficient historical volume

👨‍👩‍👧 Sibling Name Suggestions

👦 Brother Suggestions
Rafael Javier Angelo Israel Cristian Fernando Ashton Andres Miguel Jaylen
👧 Sister Suggestions
Nayeli Serena Fatima Kylie Brianna Malia Mackenzie Peyton Gracie Kaylee

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