"people of a different speech, alien speakers"
Origin: Lakota Sioux
Language: Lakota
Cheyenne
Pronunciation: [ sh-eye-EHN ]
Girl Name
#871 Most Popular
Steady
2 Syllables
Spirit of the American West — wide open and untamed
American
Native American
French
Earthy
Bold
Modern
Whimsical
Unique
Meaning & Origin
Things to Know About This Name
- The Cheyenne are a living Native American people, and using their tribal name as a personal name is considered by many to be culturally inappropriate
- Some parents may receive pushback from Indigenous rights advocates
The Story of Cheyenne
Cheyenne is derived from the Lakota Sioux word Shahiyena or Shahiyela, meaning people who speak a different language or alien speakers — reflecting how the Sioux described their neighboring tribe. The French transliterated this into Cheyenne, the form that entered English. The Cheyenne Nation itself uses the name Tsetsehestahese, meaning the people, in their own language. Cheyenne became a girl's name in America largely through Western frontier associations and the Wyoming capital.
Cheyenne peaked as a girls name in the United States in the 1990s, part of the trend toward place names and Western-themed names like Dakota, Sierra, and Savannah. It has been declining since the early 2000s as awareness of the cultural sensitivity around using tribal names has grown.
The Cheyenne are a living Indigenous nation in the Great Plains, currently based in Montana and Oklahoma. Cheyenne, Wyoming is named after the tribe and serves as the state capital. The name carries both the romance of the American West and complex questions about cultural appropriation.
Fun Facts
- Cheyenne, Wyoming was named after the Cheyenne people and became Wyoming's capital in 1869
- The Cheyenne Nation has approximately 10,000 enrolled members today across Montana and Oklahoma
Cheyenne in Other Languages
French
Cheyenne
Lakota
Shahiyena
English
Cheyenne
Spanish
Cheyenne
Famous People Named Cheyenne
C
Cheyenne Jackson
Actor
1975
American actor and singer known for roles in American Horror Story and 30 Rock
C
Cheyenne
Other
The Cheyenne people are a living Native American nation of the Great Plains, today located primarily in Montana and Okla...
The Cheyenne people are a living Native American nation of the Great Plains, today located primarily in Montana and Oklahoma
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #871
- Total SSA Count
- 310
- Cultural Origins
- American Native American French
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Chey
Pairs Well With
Cheyenne Rose
Cheyenne Marie
Cheyenne Ann
Cheyenne Lynn
Cheyenne Renee
Cheyenne Jo
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Cheyenne is also used as a boy name, ranked #16395.
View Cheyenne as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cheyenne
What does the name Cheyenne mean?
"people of a different speech, alien speakers" (from Lakota Sioux). Cheyenne is derived from the Lakota Sioux word Shahiyena or Shahiyela, meaning people who speak a different language or alien speakers — reflecting how the Sioux described their neighboring tribe. The French transliterated this into Cheyenne, the form that entered English. The Cheyenne Nation itself uses the name Tsetsehestahese, meaning the people, in their own language. Cheyenne became a girl's name in America largely through Western frontier associations and the Wyoming capital.
What is the origin of the name Cheyenne?
Cheyenne has Lakota Sioux, American, Native American, and French origins. In Lakota Sioux, it means "people of a different speech, alien speakers".
Is Cheyenne a boy or girl name?
Cheyenne is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #871. As a boy name, it is ranked #16395. Cheyenne is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Cheyenne?
Cheyenne is pronounced sh-eye-EHN.
How popular is the name Cheyenne?
Cheyenne is currently ranked #871 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Cheyenne?
Common nicknames for Cheyenne include Chey.
What are good middle names for Cheyenne?
Popular middle name pairings include Cheyenne Rose, Cheyenne Marie, Cheyenne Ann, Cheyenne Lynn, Cheyenne Renee, and Cheyenne Jo.
What are good sibling names for Cheyenne?
Names that pair well with Cheyenne as siblings include Dakota, Sierra, Savannah, Cody, Austin, and Montana.
How many syllables does Cheyenne have?
Cheyenne has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Cheyenne a common or rare name?
Cheyenne is moderately common, ranked #871 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Cheyenne
Cheyenne is a girl name with American, Native American, and French origins . The name means "people of a different speech, alien speakers" in Lakota Sioux .
Is Cheyenne a boy or girl name? Cheyenne is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #871 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #16,395. Cheyenne is more commonly used as a girl name.
Cheyenne is currently ranked #871 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Cheyenne has 2 syllables and is pronounced sh-eye-EHN, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Cheyenne include Chey. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Cheyenne include Cheyanne . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.