100 Cherokee Dog Names Full of History and Wisdom

Zack Keithy, our author, is a certified veterinarian technician (UC Blue Ash) for over 6 years (contact him here). The articles written here are based on his expertise and experience, combined with a review by our expert vet reviewers including Dr M. Tarantino. Learn more about us here.

If you’re looking for a dog name with depth and meaning, why not draw inspiration from Cherokee culture?

Cherokee names often reflect nature, strength, and wisdom—perfect for a loyal companion.

Whether you’re searching for something rooted in history, connected to the earth, or tied to animals, there’s a Cherokee name that captures your dog’s essence.

Let’s dive into a list of beautiful, powerful names that honor this rich heritage and suit your furry friend’s unique personality.

Popular Themes for Cherokee Dog Names

1. Nature-Inspired Cherokee Dog Names

Cherokee culture has a deep connection to nature, and many names reflect the beauty of the earth, animals, and the elements.

1. Ahyoka (means “she brought happiness”)
2. Atsadi (means “fish”)
3. Ahuli (means “drum”)
4. Onacano (means “spirit of the wind”)
5. Waya (means “wolf”)
6. Tsula (means “fox”)
7. Aponi (means “butterfly”)
8. Tahoma (means “water”)
9. Odakota (means “friend to the people”)
10. Ahuli (means “drum”)
11. Delsin (means “wildflower”)
12. Kitchi (means “brave”)
13. Wesa (means “cat”)
14. Alesi (means “the great one”)
15. Chavi (means “tree”)
16. Tayanita (means “young deer”)
17. Yona (means “bear”)
18. Ahtah (means “bear spirit”)
19. Takoda (means “friend to everyone”)
20. Totsu (means “mountain”)

2. Virtue and Strength Cherokee Dog Names

Cherokee names often reflect the qualities that are valued in individuals, such as strength, courage, and loyalty.

1. Akikta (means “fighter”)
2. Ahyoka (means “she brought happiness”)
3. Delsin (means “wildflower”)
4. Eluwilussit (means “strong”)
5. Gatlin (means “he who is a fighter”)
6. Odakota (means “friend to the people”)
7. Waya (means “wolf,” symbolizing bravery)
8. Yiska (means “the night has passed”)
9. Ase (means “force, power”)
10. Tsalagi (means “Cherokee”)
11. Inola (means “black fox”)
12. Kitchi (means “brave”)
13. Takoda (means “friend to everyone”)
14. Wakanda (means “great spirit”)
15. Aponi (means “butterfly” symbolizing transformation)
16. Taliwa (means “peaceful”)
17. Yiska (means “night has passed”)
18. Nunh (means “strength”)
19. Tsula (means “fox” symbolizing adaptability)
20. Adahy (means “in the oak woods”)

3. Animal-Inspired Cherokee Dog Names

Cherokee people have great respect for animals, often seeing them as symbols of strength, wisdom, and spirit.

1. Waya (means “wolf”)
2. Tsula (means “fox”)
3. Yona (means “bear”)
4. Ahuli (means “drum,” often associated with sound made by animals)
5. Atsadi (means “fish”)
6. Alesi (means “the great one” – often associated with the mighty eagle)
7. Okhi (means “hawk”)
8. Dakotah (means “friend to all” – often used for social animals like wolves)
9. Totsu (means “mountain” – symbolizing the enduring nature of mountain lions)
10. Cheno (means “the chief of wolves”)
11. Wesa (means “cat”)
12. Aponi (means “butterfly”)
13. Tsali (means “deer”)
14. Gadi (means “stork”)
15. Atsadi (means “fish”)
16. Tala (means “wolf”)
17. Ahuli (means “drum,” symbolizing the rhythm of nature’s creatures)
18. Luyu (means “snowbird”)
19. Ohkwa (means “deer”)
20. Akikta (means “fighter” – often a symbol of the strength of a bear)

4. Cherokee Words for Common Traits

These names come from Cherokee words that embody simple, yet powerful traits, perfect for your dog.

1. Awi (means “sun”)
2. Tsalagi (means “Cherokee”)
3. Sani (means “the old one”)
4. Takhoma (means “water”)
5. Wenoka (means “peaceful”)
6. Waya (means “wolf”)
7. Jaco (means “hunter”)
8. Salali (means “squirrel”)
9. Kitchi (means “brave”)
10. Talasi (means “corn”)
11. Aponi (means “butterfly”)
12. Adahy (means “in the oak woods”)
13. Ahshe (means “friend”)
14. Chinook (means “strong wind”)
15. Onacano (means “spirit of the wind”)
16. Ata (means “father”)
17. Askuwhe (means “mother”)
18. Ahuli (means “drum”)
19. Cheno (means “chief of wolves”)
20. Makwa (means “bear”)

5. Tribal and Historical Cherokee Dog Names

Cherokee history is rich with leaders, warriors, and significant cultural figures, and their names can honor the past.

1. Sequoyah (name of the creator of the Cherokee alphabet)
2. Tsali (a Cherokee hero who led his people to freedom)
3. Redbird (symbolic of the Cherokee people’s connection to the land)
4. Waya (meaning “wolf,” a symbolic spirit animal)
5. Chatuga (a historical Cherokee name)
6. Ahuli (meaning “drum,” a symbol in Cherokee culture)
7. Keeto (named for a Cherokee chief)
8. Atsadi (meaning “fish”)
9. Tenasi (the name of the ancient Cherokee capital)
10. Ayita (a Cherokee name meaning “first to dance”)
11. Onacano (means “spirit of the wind”)
12. Tawn (name of a powerful Cherokee leader)
13. Ase (means “force, power”)
14. Zhoh (a Cherokee name for strength and wisdom)
15. Kanati (meaning “luck” and often associated with hunters)
16. Ochus (a historical Cherokee name for warriors)
17. Salali (meaning “squirrel,” often used for energetic figures)
18. Kiowa (another tribe, but often used for strong personalities)
19. Yonah (means “bear,” symbolizing leadership)
20. Jo (a historical name symbolizing protection)