VLog: Navajo "Baby Names" & Navajo Naming Concepts

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I get e-mails and RU-vid messages saying, "I am having a baby and want to give my child a Navajo name. Can I name them such & such?" Or, "How do you translate this into Navajo for a Navajo name?" It's kind of hard because although you'll have a name written all cool, you may not be pronouncing it correctly or it may not flow with the general concepts that go behind the "typical" traditional Navajo names.
In this video, I go into how Navajo names are usually formed, the different types, what they mean, and stories associated with a few. I hope you enjoy it & please watch this before you send me an e-mail asking for a very complex Navajo name translation for a child!
This video does not go into traditional concepts of such things as the "Naming Ceremony." Accounts of that differ & it is beyond the scope of this video.
Here is the "general" categories for Navajo names, at least this is the categories as I see them:
1. Traditional Navajo "War" Names
2. Names Based on Personality/Features (Nicknames)
3. Clan-Influenced Names
4. Names Based on Where A Person is From
5. Names from Ancestry
This is not an "official" breakdown on names, but just a "general" category as I see them. People may agree or disagree with how I classify them, but that's the categories I used. I also give examples of the names in the video. Note, the examples are not all inclusive. There are BUNCHES of names not listed here:
1. Traditional Navajo "War" Names
Male war names begin with "Hashké (Warrior/Angry):"
Hashké Ahoo'nił (Warrior Who Advances)
Hashké Dilwo'ii (Running Warrior)
Hashké Haayá (Warrior Who Came Out)
Hashké Naabaah (Warrior Who Raids)
Hashké Neiniihí (Warrior Who Hands Out Things)
Hashké Yił Naabaah (Raids With Anger)
Female war names end with "Baa' (Raider/Female Warrior):"
Ádeezbaa' (She Leads the Raid)
Ahééníbaa' (She Raided In A Circle)
Bíjiibaa' (They Met Her In Battle)
Ch'íníbaa' (She Came Out Raiding)
Taazbaa' (She Raided Among Them)
2. Names Based on Personality/Features (Nicknames). These names can vary and there are MANY names in this cateory:
Ashkii Anádlohí (Laughing Boy)
At'ééd Anádlohí (Laughing Girl)
Ashkii Ádíláhí (Naughty Boy)
At'ééd Ádíláhí (Naughty Girl)
Ashkii Nééz (Tall Boy)
At'ééd Nééz (Tall Girl)
Adika'í (Card Player/Gambler)
Atsidii (Silversmith)
Bilí̜í̜' Łizhinii (His Horse is Black)
Bilí̜í̜' Nitsxaazii (His Horse is Big)
Bináá' Dootł'izhí (Blue Eyes)
Bitsii' Noodó̜o̜zii (Streaked Hair)
Chi̜i̜h Názbasii (Hooped Nose)
K'ó̜zhii (One With Bad Body Odor)
Łí̜í̜' Niyiishó̜o̜hii (Horse Trainer)
Tsiishch'ilí (Curley Hair)
Hastiin Nchxó̜'ó (Ugly Man)
Asdzá̜á̜ Chxó̜'ó (Ugly Woman)
Hastiin Áłts'íísígíí (Small Man)
Asdzá̜á̜ Áłts'íísígíí (Small Woman)
Dinéchilí (Little Man)
Hastiin Naabaahí (Man Who Raids)
Hastiin Sání (Old Man)
Naabaahii Yázhí (Little Raider)
Naabaahii Tsoh (Big Raider)
Hataałii Yázhí (Little Medicine Man)
Hataałii Tsoh (Big Medicine Man)
Łí̜í̜' Náyoołbał (Whirls With His Horse)
Łí̜í̜' T'á̜á̜' Yisił (He Holds Back His Horse)* Geronimo's Navajo Name!
Shándíín (Sunlight)
3. Clan-Influenced Names. If a person moves to another part of the reservation where that clan is rare, people may call them by their clan as well.
Asdzáá Tó Aheedlíinii (Woman of the "Water-Flows-Together" Clan)
Asdzáá Áshi̜i̜hii (Woman of the "Salt" Clan)
Hastiin Ta'neeszahnii (Man of the "Tangle-People" Clan)
Hastiin Hónágháahnii (Man of the "One-Who-Walks-Around" Clan)
Tsin Naajinii Tsoh (Big Man of the "Black-Streaked Stick" Clan)
Tsi'naajinii Anádlohí (Laughing One of the "Black-Streaked Stick" Clan)
4. Names Based on Where A Person is From. Again, if a person moves to a region where their hometown is rarely heard or known, their Navajo name may be based on that:
Hastiin Adah Híílíní (Man of Grand Falls, AZ)
Asdzáá Tsé Aha̜a̜' Íí'áhí (Woman from "Los Gigantes Buttes")
Asdzáá Tsé Íí'áhí (Woman of Standing Rock)
Asdzáá Ba̜a̜h Nitsighas (Woman of the "Sand-Sided Hill")
5. Names from Ancestry.
Bá'álíilii Baadaaní (The-One-With-Magic-Power's In-Law)
Asdzáán Bitł'ízí Łichí'í Biyáázh (Red Goats Woman's Son)
These are "general" rules and this is not a concise list of names but are merely examples of Navajo names. There are A LOT MORE of names not listed in this video... bunches more... but I used the few here just to try to illustrate the types of names. I hope you enjoyed this... if you have questions... ask! lol, enjoy! :-)

Опубликовано:

8 апр 2012

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Комментарии : 165

@kaptainrogers 10 лет назад

my name is like Ha' bijiibaa'. Not sure If I spelled it right. It's suppose to mean 'She was pushed' While my mom was in labor with me she was having a hard time. My Gradnmother came over and knocked the doctor out of the way :D and pushed down on her stomach and I popped out. That's how I got my name :D

@kristianzen23 2 года назад

😄 💕

@ThomasHardmanJr 12 лет назад

Exceptional. This is not just an awesome example of pronunciation, it's also very good insight into a lot of background, history, how things work among the Navajo people who still speak the language and preserve tradition and culture.

@africanprincess21 6 лет назад

Thanks for the video. I love how Navajo language sounds.

@RubyGloomDude 11 лет назад

Interesting. Here in the Mohawk Nation, male names sometimes begin with Ra- (he's/he's a/he has) example: Rahonhtaneken (he has two ears side by side). For female names, it usually has Katsi'tsi(a)- (flower) and -iio (nice) in it. Karonhiahawi (she carries the sky) is another example of the female names. :)

@sie5221 6 лет назад

You're the best! 😎I hope you don't stop making videos! Thank you for teaching me my culture!! 😍🌴

@daybreakwarrior 12 лет назад

Lol, thanks but don't be that impressed, I wish I knew more :-) ... Again, this page is "guided" by my viewers... they ask questions... I either answer them individually or at once in a video! Lol, for some viewers, this video was a long-awaited answer! lol

@Kiisa513 5 лет назад

Thank you 🙏🏾 for sharing your culture.

@purespirit9 12 лет назад

Wow you know so much, i'm impressed. Keep teaching & translating your language skills. Your awesome!

@Fayanora 6 лет назад

This is very useful for my writing, I just wish there was the words in the description. Trying to find an online Navajo/English dictionary with enough words in it is hard.

@dandelionlys 5 лет назад

I’m assuming from this comment the words weren’t there before. But he put all the names in the description with their translations. (I do realize this is a year late lol)

@harryfeng4199 3 месяца назад

Have u ever managed to find a good online dictionary? I’m writing too and would appreciate some suggestions

@peggycollinslloyd8357 5 лет назад

Thank you for the this video. I've heard the words Ashkii and At'eed used to describe a Navajo male and female but I never knew what it meant.

@headhonchess 12 лет назад

Love the descriptive story examples you give in the explanations.

@nancychiquito9906 4 года назад

Thank you so much for your time and help with insights on our cultures

@yogaunity4797 6 лет назад

Thank you for sharing this information. I enjoy your channel.

@fitzy1874 8 лет назад

thank you for making and sharing this video!

@poglore5910 7 лет назад

This was extremely educational, Thanks for the video.

@CaroleMcDonnell 12 лет назад

Wow this was so good. Thanks for explaining this. I especially love the underlying concept that life is a thing that one needs strength in... a good fight.

@robertschlesinger1342 4 года назад

Very interesting video by an knowledgeable person. Many thanks for your posted informative video notes.

@DaveHuxtableLanguages 2 года назад

This is wonderful. So glad to see you are still making videos 12 years on. Ahéhee'!

@boomer235 12 лет назад

I really appreciate your contribution. Please keep it up.

@La.máquina.de.los.sueños 7 лет назад

Kwai! Nd'elewizi Victor! My grand mother is abenaki, and sadly native languages tend to disapear as our elders passing to the other world. I admire your RU-vid initiative. Continue your nice job! Meegwetch!! :D p.s. you have such a calm voice!!

@AngelLopez-zd1vu 8 лет назад

I really enjoyed learning the navajo language, it's great ! and making fried bread,lol. keep it coming, thank you

@sarahdavis16ify Год назад

Thank you for your videos- I often say, especially now that I am reaching 40 years old. Creatros keep on creating because you never know who will stumble upon on need it at just the right moment. I am enjoying your video for knowledge and reference base for writing and I enjoy hearing the deep meaning and pronunciation

@GoodMorningButch Год назад

This is so interesting! Thank you very much for sharing.

@ianthompson9201 9 лет назад

Very clear and informative. Thanks.

@bahe2010utube 9 лет назад

Warrior name is reserve for those went into combat!

@lisataylor9011 Год назад

Thank you. I have grown up in Arizona. And i greatly appreciate your teaching. I'm in Colorado now

@xiperivera2946 6 лет назад

thank you so much for doing this! my baby boy was born two months ago and we haven't given him an official name, he is still Blue, which is what we have been calling him since he was the size of a blueberry inside his mama's belly. we live by the rio grande, right on the border with mexico and given the history of dispute and how mistreated this majestic river has been, we would like to give our baby boy a name that tells where he's from, but that also honors that river. i've done a little research and learned that the Navajo know the Rio Grande as Tooh Ba'aadi, which means female river. my question is, how would you say friend of the Too Ba'addi? Thank you in advance!!!

@deiner 11 лет назад

Thank you for this channel.

@Leezah422 12 лет назад

wow, thanks for that. nice video as always!

@ohmeowzer1 4 года назад

So I interesting I just found your clan video..i am so grateful for this...thank you

@JokergurlsAce 11 лет назад

ooh i see , my grandmas gave me two different names lol a nickname and a name, my name in navajo , the one who brought back happiness my nickname , long legs , lol

@vegvisirskald2172 3 года назад

You just gave me a potential familial link to a Navajo artist bro. My last name happens to be Cody. It is pretty rare to have as a family name. This is great. My great grandfather was a strong link to the Cherokee already....but to find a new connection like this is wonderful. Some distant cousin I am sure but all the same. Peace and blessings to you bro.

@RosieBegayLeRoy 8 лет назад

Your work here with naming & interp is well explained. Thanks & we keep learning. A'he'hee'

@loribegay6999 11 лет назад

I was taught that names were given to females by their maternal or paternal grandmothers or maternal or paternal aunts. And men received their names only through the Enemy Way ceremony, and for that reason, they were sacred names not to be shared with non-Navajos. I received my name from my paternal grandmother - a name that was passed down to me from my bizhi (my father's sister).

@mariakoponen6720 10 лет назад

I was born 9. of February 1959 in Europe/ Finland/ in Helsinki (Finlands capital), on the season, which is in Finland the coldest season of the year. My birthday was a very windy and cold day. That's why I got the first name 'Frost Wind'. It is finnish and is in english Frostwind. My mother's father was half Navajo and half Latino. My mother is, therefore, 1/4 Navajo and I'm 1/8 of the Navajo. I got the name according to the weather conditions that prevailed on my birthday.

@rowdyty 10 лет назад

Nice video!!

@UniverseEarthSpirit 2 года назад

Good Channel thank you 🙏🏼

@conniewebster1498 5 лет назад

thankyou for sharing your language ive always liked native America .. lots of respect. for. code talkers in WWII.

@xavierjjackson6887 11 лет назад

OMFG so glad to hear your happy voise

@MrAllmightyCornholioz 2 года назад

Cool video. Finally come up with a Navajo name for myself: Ashkii Ná'áshó̜'iitsoh. TY for the vid :D

@cactusroadrunner5277 6 лет назад

Thank you it's very helpful. A website to look at these ideas on names would be so helpful. I know it's asking for you to do extra but please think about it? My mom use to tell me on Warrior names it was reserved for those who fought in battle? True? My beloved aunt gave me a Navajo name....she was a Warrior Woman i loved her so much RIP. I was a Navajo police woman as well. Thank you again for sharing.

@ohmeowzer1 4 года назад

Very interesting thank you

@ellenberaud1208 2 года назад

i love it. I am learning Dine bizaad. The only place i can find audio is youtube. Your video is great, thank you very very much.

@BenjaminWirtz 8 лет назад

In terms of last names there are 3 different styles I have noticed. The most common seems to be something based on something Navajo and these names are the most common like Begay, or Yazzie. The second is based on a first name but often in a nickname form, such as Charlie or Jimmy. The third would be descriptive, such as an adjective followed by a noun, something like Greeneyes (I haven't met anyone with that one specifically but it fits the style). Someone gave me the nickname Hostiin Tł'ízi.

@FINEFELINESMAMAJEN 12 лет назад

Oohhh...OK :) Thanks for the heads up ♥

@rrisingsun23 12 лет назад

Thanks bro. I love in cali and dont know alot of dine' words or names

@Rachulie 8 лет назад

Mad respect to the Navajo now that I know both genders of names are powerful and warrior names. I love to see that in cultures.

@ohmeowzer1 4 года назад

Liked and subscribed

@tanyatsinijinni5070 5 лет назад

Great video. Greetings from the Valley of the Sun. I am wondering if you might be able to help me. My great grand father's name was "laughing man" is there a way to spell this in Navajo?

@azkasper8651 Год назад

Shizhe'é told me that my indian name is " Hashké Yíł Níyá " I was real surprised when I reminded him & he finally remembered it. 💯💯💯

@rebeccawixomrogers8877 8 лет назад

My relatives call me Mósí Yázhí because they always thought I'm very cat-like in how I present myself.

@citrusblast4372 2 года назад

Mr. Grand Falls is such a cool name 😂

@gladisbegaye9785 5 лет назад

Interesting

@lindapete9127 3 года назад

It's cool , some of your words are sacred ,ad old names are sacred that what our elders said ,also names your saying in use for our ceremonys for secret names .

@kianca05smith 3 года назад

That is very interesting! I know that their names always have a meaning to it which I think is pretty cool. So a question I have to ask is what does the name Hastiin To' Haali mean? 🤔

@FINEFELINESMAMAJEN 12 лет назад

Aww...I like this one :) my dad calls me nilésjí? = Niléshé? (Lefty) heehee

@mariakoponen6720 10 лет назад

So my full name is Maria Routatuuli Koponen. There is two first names Maria and Routatuuli (Routatuuli is in english Frostwind). My family name is - according to my father - Koponen. That is an old finnish family name of the eastern part of Finland (meaning little horse carriage).

@marinaneww4676 4 года назад

Also is there a difference between a name and a Navajo name? Cause my great grandmother her name was angela but i had seen a facebook post that had said her Navajo name was Glee'niłth'bah i was just wondering cause that caught my attention

@mandarobertson1769 4 года назад

Just found this informative video. Can you please share how you would say "Tahoma"? Thank you,

@savlove9470 6 лет назад

My neice is the first of our family to have blue eyes so i was looking on how to configure “little blue eye warrior”? Please help! & plus i was glad to find your channel.. trying to learn and then teach my children the language!

@v-man7037 4 года назад

Asdzaa yaashii bí naa dooh kilishii. My navajo weighting isn't right but that's how to say it. Small or young lady with blue eyes.

@jleonorholona4450 7 лет назад

thank you .... my gpa was born in TAHACHI...his name Tsosie Holona...i was the 1st born grand child...i was very close to my gpa... my daughter was pregnant with my grandson . my gpa came to me a dream...he told me to name this grandchild Tsosie coz this name was a strong name n he'll will have medicine..so im trying to find out if Tsosie has a meaning.... my grandson is 4 yrs old...n he's so much like my gpa...ppl we'll give him toys or gifts..they say he's different always a happy n good spirit. a few ppl told me him n his sister were sunchildern....thank you for your time

@avataroftheblue 2 года назад

This is a wierd question, there is a name in a language that has a connection to Navajo language, a male name I believe spelt in english Kyeyi I believe pronnounced something like Kai - ey -yai, is there something similar in Navajo? either a name or meaning? thanks

@gildagiddens3739 8 лет назад

thank you. I want to meet you learn.

@nathalieebrahimi-camens238 3 года назад

Thank you so much for this video! I am writing a screenplay and there are some Navajo characters, so this will be very helpful in giving them accurate names!

@H4ML0CK 9 лет назад

Would an individual be given a number of names or would they only receive one that is used (like they're called from birth by a nickname or they're given a traditional warrior name but everyone calls them by a nickname)?

@TrisakAminawn 11 лет назад

Dumb question here! :D DC Comics long ago and carelessly gave their character Roy Harper a backstory where he grew up in the Navajo Nation. They named his foster father 'Brave Bow,' and I cannot for the life of me begin to render that into Navajo. Using the English version feels both rude and unrealistic. The 'Brave' *could* suggest one of these Hashké names, but it clearly has to be paired with a word that does something. I'm told a Navajo sentence is mostly verb, so. May I ask for guidance?

@samanthaclark7579 11 лет назад

do you have blogs about songs? like your mary had a little lamb? Id like to sing them to shiyazh

@kailani37 4 года назад

Hi there, how do you pronounce Haseya? Is it like Ha zee ya or Ha see ah or neithet? Thanks

@cayetanobetty 10 лет назад

My Navajo name is red girl because I'm red faced for whatever weather I lime this for learning thanks

@ivanaddi418 2 года назад

I really like to know how Navajo people call San Luis Valley in native language, or my be there is particular name for land around Tsisnaasjini mountain, Thank You for work you do!!!

@alyssanez9632 10 лет назад

How would you spell lady warrior its the name i pick for my daughter

@dravenweg2688 11 лет назад

I have curly hair so I was almost named tsiishch'ilí

@yukyuk21 12 лет назад

I'm glad you've made this channel, i'm writing a novel with parts set in new mexico and i want to include the Navajo in the story, i was wondering if you'd be able to help me get some of my facts right?

@emmasomol776 2 года назад

when would these names be used? during normal conversations or only on certain occasions.

@SayaAensland 11 лет назад

So a person's name can/could change throughout their life. Are modern Navajo required to have an "official" "birthname", i.e. something that's put in a birth certificate or driver's licence?

@lookerfromaz 12 лет назад

Nizhoni, ...wanted to include that when names are given to an individual, as they grow up, s/he may have multiple names for one individual.

@askumar826 2 года назад

Hey man, Is there a program for beginners to be part of immersion program to learn language and Navajo culture.

@lharui Год назад

I’m thinking of adopting a puppy that was given to a friend by someone from a Navajo reservation. I’m told it was pronounced “Yoonka” (or yunka/Yoonca…) I don’t know how to spell it and have failed trying to look this up. But I would love to know what it means. Any idea? She’s a female black and white border collie mix. Lots of energy. Thanks! I know this is a random question and I don’t expect a response. But it doesn’t hurt to try!

@jaboi2317 9 лет назад

How do you pronounce ajei? I know it means "my heart" but how do you say it?

@marinaneww4676 4 года назад

Would Né'éshjaa' be a good name? It means owl or great owl.

@PasscodeAdvance 3 года назад

Navajo naming is a chad move

@Aikokurasgirl 12 лет назад

On a similar note, I'm writing a children's book series, and my main character is Navajo and I'm looking to learn more about the culture and to find some names that fit my characters. Would you bee willing to help me with that?

@donnasanchez5484 5 лет назад

How do you say, baby or child in both, Navajo and in Apache?

@user-ci7hb5rt1i 6 лет назад

in korea ashke means young people gijibae means young girl

@darkstaroblivion 9 лет назад

my daughter is half navajo and ive always since she was 2 hours old called her snowbird ,, could you help me learn how to say her name in navajo

@cameronjonessr.1440 3 года назад

How would u pronounce "Big Heart" in Navajo? I'm hoping there's a way lol

@Krankster83 9 лет назад

I am looking to naming our Baby boy or Baby girl with Navajo name, they will be 3/4 Dine........Do we pick a baby name as first name followed by second name as middle? IE.....Dine name, English name, Last name......

@blahblahblah9200 10 лет назад

My middle name is Ahkaybebah...I have no idea what it means. It was a grandmother's name. She told my mom while she was pregnant to give the baby her name is she was a girl. Taadaaa! Lol

@daybreakwarrior 12 лет назад

Sure, why not :-)

@aleishadiyxoxo1402 8 лет назад

I tired Navajo names but my nephew per furs his apache name witch is little sheep

@everwild82 2 года назад

Hello. I was wondering if the name Adriel is a Navajo name as some online sources say it is? According to some websites, it is said to mean "beaver or symbol of skill". If you are familiar with this name, do you know how it would be pronounced? I've heard Ay-dree-el and Ah-dree-el. Thank you. Love your videos.

@daybreakwarrior 2 года назад

Good afternoon. Sorry to say that, "Adriel" is most likely not a Navajo word since the Navajo language does not contain an "R" sound. Beaver in Navajo is "chaa." To say someone is skilled, you can say, "Yiyiichįįh." There are other ways to say skilled, but those variants do not sound like "Adriel."

@everwild82 2 года назад

@@daybreakwarrior Thank you very much for getting back to me. I appreciate your help. You're a wealth of knowledge!

@Fayanora 5 лет назад

Question: I heard that Navajo names are only used in rituals and so on. So what do Navajo people usually call each other if not by their names?

@amyhun4487 4 года назад

Good question. This is something I was wondering abou too.

@bahe3977 2 года назад

English names 🤣

@vincenta6440 6 лет назад

I need a translation for a few names in navajo I want to surprise a few people I know, the names are Bitsoe, Nanni-bah, and Tzienni-bah

@joselinegomez1489 3 года назад

How do you pronounce Anádlohí?

@Dibelchii300 10 лет назад

I had so many names from different grandparents. For example, Ashkii Nitiihi (Stolen Boy), Jaa yazhi (Short Legs), Hastiin Bikwos Doondzili (Man with weak neck) that was actually my baby name, Ke'ilto' Hashke (Broken Warrior?) and T'aa' Dibelchi'i (Brown Leaf) or Hastiin Dibelchi'i (Mr. Brown).

@jakobauger6805 6 лет назад

These are good names for a white man like myself. I can pronounce them without sounding bad, in fact these are pretty easy, though I've studied languages with similar sounds before...

@bahe3977 2 года назад

@@jakobauger6805 LMFAO man w the weak neck looking ahh 🤣🤣🤣🤣

@ianwilson1518 6 лет назад

I'm doing some preliminary work on a Western graphic novel that has several Navajo characters. This helped a lot. I think that naming traditions are weird in general. I knew a guy named Cameron, which in Scottish Gaelig means "The one with the crooked nose".

@waldoversteckt1053 10 лет назад

What would a male be named if he was born with big hands?

@fanofeverything3336 7 лет назад

Shadíín

@alianii- 2 года назад

My Navajo name is K'enanbah I was never told what it meant, all I know is my biological mothers' Mom gave me that name. Could someone help me translate it?