100 Cool Cherokee Last Names
The Cherokee have generations of rich heritage involving a history, language, and traditions that are inseparable from their identities.
One of them is the backstories behind the names used by Cherokees.
A lot of these names would reflect the disposition of a person, nature, or relationship with one another.
These, therefore, hold deep meaning and speak of blood, kinship, or something deeper than a name.
Whether inherited or changing with time, Cherokee surnames mark generations of experience and history and provide a glimpse into the values, customs, and resilience of the Cherokee Nation.
The article seeks to explore some of the most significant and meaningful Cherokee last names and the stories they have to tell.
Cherokee last names
Ahyoka – Means “She brought happiness,” often associated with a joyful or uplifting person.
Aganita – Refers to someone who is “good at finding things” or “finder.”
Aquillo – A surname tied to the meaning “leader” or “chief.”
Bena – Meaning “son of the bear” or “bear,” a symbol of strength and courage.
Chala – Refers to “red” or “warrior,” associated with those who are bold.
Chinook – Refers to “strong” or “powerful,” representing resilience.
Donadagohvi – Meaning “he who returns,” symbolizing someone who has come back home.
Gadugi – Means “work together,” related to communal effort and unity.
Gawonii – Means “a person who lives in the valley.”
Hialeah – A name often associated with the “prairie,” symbolizing natural beauty.
Iga – Meaning “a person who is generous,” associated with kindness.
Jocassee – Refers to “a place of water,” connected to the rivers and streams.
Kitchi – Means “great” or “powerful,” symbolizing leadership and strength.
Kawoni – Meaning “he who is surrounded by plenty,” symbolizing abundance.
Kweku – Meaning “a person who is cheerful.”
Lelawi – Refers to “a place of laughter,” suggesting a joyful person.
Maka – Means “earth” or “ground,” indicating a connection to nature.
Mose – Derived from “the son of a warrior.”
Nayati – Meaning “a hunter,” associated with survival and skill.
Nikomah – Means “good-hearted,” representing kindness.
Oconee – Refers to a “water place” or “river,” symbolizing life and sustenance.
Onacano – Means “son of the leader” or “chief.”
Oosoomoo – Refers to “he who is steadfast” or “persistent.”
Sani – Means “the old one” or “wise,” representing respect for elders.
Sikah – Refers to “a person who is quick,” symbolizing agility and cleverness.
Talon – Refers to the sharpness of an eagle’s claws, symbolizing strength and precision.
Taliwa – Means “long life,” associated with a healthy and prosperous existence.
Tashka – Meaning “man” or “warrior.”
Tene – Refers to a person from the “twin” or “the two,” symbolizing duality.
Tochu – Means “bear,” representing bravery and strength.
Tawodi – Means “hawk,” symbolizing vision and freedom.
Tsali – Refers to a historical Cherokee leader, meaning “a firebrand” or “someone who sparks action.”
Waya – Means “wolf,” often associated with strength, loyalty, and family ties.
Wayaak – A variant meaning “strong wolf” or “powerful.”
Wi*la – Meaning “a bright star,” symbolizing hope and guidance.
Yonaguska – Meaning “leader,” often used by influential figures in Cherokee history.
Zihnah – Refers to “peaceful” or “calm.”
Ahuli – Meaning “a person who is musical,” associated with harmony.
Arbor – Refers to someone who lives near trees or a sheltered place.
Bacon – Derived from “a person who lives in the meadow” or “near the woods.”
Delsa – Refers to “a strong warrior.”
Etsi – Meaning “fire,” often symbolizing the spark of life or energy.
Jahi – Refers to “earth,” representing grounding and stability.
Lomasi – Meaning “pretty flower,” representing beauty.
Mishka – Means “a strong protector.”
Niyol – Refers to “wind,” symbolizing freedom and change.
Sakima – Means “king” or “leader,” associated with sovereignty and authority.
Takoda – Refers to “friend to everyone,” symbolizing openness and kindness.
Wekesa – Meaning “man born during a harvest,” indicating prosperity.
Yiska – Refers to “a person who is the firstborn,” symbolizing importance in the family.
Ahyoka – Means “she brought happiness.”
Askuwheteau – Refers to “a person who is a fast runner.”
Atakullakulla – Means “a man who is a leader.”
Begay – Refers to “son of,” commonly used to indicate a family relation.
Bighead – Refers to a person with a prominent or respected head, symbolizing wisdom or leadership.
Chadlee – Means “a person who is quick to act.”
Chattahoochee – Refers to a river name, meaning “rock” or “stone.”
Cherokee – Refers to the tribe itself, often meaning “people of different speech.”
Cheveyo – Means “spirit warrior,” symbolizing strength and leadership.
Chetola – Refers to “a good companion,” symbolizing friendship.
Cunliffe – Refers to a “place by the hill.”
Dawes – Refers to someone from the “town” or “village.”
Degataga – Means “a man who works for peace.”
Doxtater – Refers to “a healer” or someone involved with medicinal practices.
Duyuk – Meaning “a strong person.”
Gadugi – Refers to “people working together” or “cooperation.”
Gahika – Meaning “man of the water” or “riverside.”
Gulay – Refers to “a person of good heart.”
Gwenoke – Means “warrior spirit,” symbolizing bravery.
Hokte – Refers to “a person who is strong and fast.”
Huntsman – Refers to “one who hunts.”
Jiskee – Means “a person who is unafraid.”
Kachina – Refers to the spirit beings of Native American belief.
Kakwita – Means “someone who brings gifts” or “generous one.”
Kawiga – Refers to “the one who lives in the place of the pine tree.”
Keeah – Means “the earth” or “ground,” symbolizing a deep connection with nature.
Kiowa – Refers to “the tribe” or “people of the plains.”
Koda – Means “friend,” signifying trust and camaraderie.
Koen – Refers to “a person who is known for their wisdom.”
Kuykendall – Refers to “one who is from a valley.”
Lunseford – Refers to a “person who lives by the place of a river.”
Makah – Means “earth,” representing a connection to nature.
Marcel – Derived from “a man who is noble or honorable.”
Mankiller – Refers to a fierce warrior, often used historically as a surname for strong leaders.
Mankoy – Means “strong man.”
Meadows – Refers to “a person who comes from a meadow.”
Mitchell – Refers to “who is like God,” symbolizing divinity and strength.
Natchitoches – Refers to “a place of the people.”
Nayati – Means “hunter,” signifying someone skilled in hunting or survival.
Nikan – Refers to “friend” or “companion.”
Oosoomoo – Refers to “the persistent one,” symbolizing endurance.
Onacano – Means “son of the chief.”
Otsi – Refers to “the one who lives near a mountain.”
Perry – Refers to “a person from the pear tree.”
Peyton – Refers to “a warrior” or someone who fights for a cause.
Sahale – Means “high place” or “a place that is elevated,” symbolizing spiritual strength.
Sequoia – Refers to the giant tree of the same name, symbolizing endurance and longevity.
Shawnee – Refers to “southerners,” a Native American tribe historically in the region.
Ski – Meaning “swift” or “a quick-moving person.”
Tapiwa – Means “a wise person,” symbolizing knowledge and wisdom.
