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Dakota

Girl name · 186 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Dakota: 186 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 17 births in 2018.

The name Dakota comes from the Dakota Sioux people, meaning “friend” or “ally” in their native language—a fittingly warm and welcoming origin. It gained prominence as a given name in the late 20th century, helped by actresses Dakota Fanning and Dakota Johnson, who brought the name into the mainstream. The name also famously connects to the two American states, North and South Dakota, named after the indigenous tribe. Unisex and widely used across English-speaking countries, Dakota has a gentle, open-hearted feel that appeals to many parents, though it remains less common in Scotland than in the US.