Dakota

“Ally, friend — from the Dakota people's own name” — Dakota (Siouan) origin

Girl's name · #295 in the US (2025) · 2020s

Dakota has appeared in US records since 1915 — best rank #190 (2006) · 41,458 babies named Dakota all-time · 1 in 1,600 girls born in 2025.

Around the world: about 1 in 1,100 girls in New Zealand (2025) · about 1 in 1,800 girls in Scotland (2025) · about 1 in 1,800 girls in N. Ireland (2025).

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

Famous Dakotas

Dakota Fanning — American actress (born 1994)
Dakota Johnson — American actress (born 1989)
Dakota Blue Richards — English actress
Dakota Kai — New Zealand professional wrestler
Dakota Staton — American jazz vocalist (1930-2007)

In stories & tradition

Dakota North — Earth-616
Dakota Knight — Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

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).

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