"friend; ally"
Origin: Lakota Sioux
Language: English
Kodah
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Friendship made into a name, warm and open
Native American (Lakota)
American
Nature Inspired
Friendly
Indigenous
Warm
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Kodah
Kodah is a variant spelling of Koda, derived from the Lakota Sioux word meaning friend or ally. The Lakota people of the Great Plains have a rich naming tradition where names reflect character, relational qualities, and connection to community rather than simply familial lineage. The variant spelling Kodah gives it visual distinctiveness while honoring its indigenous roots. The name carries the warmth and openness that the concept of friendship holds in Lakota culture, where communal bonds are deeply valued.
Koda and its variants rose in popularity following the Disney film Brother Bear (2003), where Koda is a young, friendly bear cub. The name gained further momentum as appreciation for Native American names and Indigenous heritage grew in broader American culture.
In Lakota culture, friendship and kinship are foundational social values — expressed in the phrase mitakuye oyasin meaning all my relations, which reflects the belief in interconnectedness of all beings. Naming a child Kodah honors this relational worldview and the Lakota language.
Historical Record
Kodah first appeared in US Social Security records in 2017.
Over 30 babies have been named Kodah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kodah is a new entry on the US charts , currently ranked #25,513 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- In the Disney film Brother Bear (2003), Koda is an energetic and friendly young bear cub who teaches the protagonist about love and family
- The name Dakota — popular both as a place name and given name — shares similar Siouan language roots, meaning friend or ally
- Lakota is one of the dialects of the Sioux language, spoken primarily in North and South Dakota and neighboring states
Kodah in Other Languages
Lakota
Kodah
Spanish
Coda
Japanese
コーダ
Popularity Over Time
#25,513
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
New Entry
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Kodah with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #25,513
- Total SSA Count
- 6
- Cultural Origins
- Native American (Lakota) American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Kodi
Ko
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kodah
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
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Also a Boy Name
Kodah is also used as a boy name, ranked #3477.
View Kodah as a boy name →Similar Names
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German/Yiddish (Klein) origin
"small, little"
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Latin origin
"place of happiness"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kodah
What does the name Kodah mean?
"friend; ally" (from Lakota Sioux). Kodah is a variant spelling of Koda, derived from the Lakota Sioux word meaning friend or ally. The Lakota people of the Great Plains have a rich naming tradition where names reflect character, relational qualities, and connection to community rather than simply familial lineage. The variant spelling Kodah gives it visual distinctiveness while honoring its indigenous roots. The name carries the warmth and openness that the concept of friendship holds in Lakota culture, where communal bonds are deeply valued.
What is the origin of the name Kodah?
Kodah has Lakota Sioux, Native American (Lakota), and American origins. In Lakota Sioux, it means "friend; ally".
Is Kodah a boy or girl name?
Kodah is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #25513. As a boy name, it is ranked #3477. Kodah is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Kodah?
Kodah is currently ranked #25513 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Kodah?
Common nicknames for Kodah include Kodi.
What are good middle names for Kodah?
Popular middle name pairings include Kodah Rain, Kodah Sky, Kodah Mae, Kodah Grace, and Kodah Lynn.
What are good sibling names for Kodah?
Names that pair well with Kodah as siblings include Dakota, Kaya, Tala, River, and Sage.
How many syllables does Kodah have?
Kodah has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Kodah a common or rare name?
Kodah is an uncommon name, ranked #25513 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Kodah?
Are there other spellings for Kodah?
Related spellings include Koda.
About the Name Kodah
Kodah is a girl name with Native American (Lakota) and American origins . The name means "friend; ally" in Lakota Sioux .
Is Kodah a boy or girl name? Kodah is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #25,513 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #3,477. Kodah is more commonly used as a boy name.
Kodah is currently ranked #25,513 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Kodah has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Kodah include Kodi and Ko. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Kodah include Koda . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis