Find out how popular the first name Cheyenne has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Cheyenne by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Cheyenne is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 97% of people named Cheyenne being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 354 female babies and 6 male babies born with the name Cheyenne.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 6 baby boys were named Cheyenne in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Cheyenne

The name Cheyenne originates from the Algonquian language spoken by Native American tribes, particularly the Cheyenne people. It is believed to have emerged in the 17th or 18th century, during the time when French and other European explorers first encountered and documented these Indigenous groups.

The word "Cheyenne" is derived from the Sioux word "Shai-ena," which translates to "people of a different language" or "foreigners." This name was given to the Cheyenne tribe by their Sioux neighbors, reflecting the linguistic and cultural differences between the two groups.

Historically, the Cheyenne people were nomadic and inhabited regions across present-day Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska. They were known for their skilled horsemanship, warrior traditions, and their role in the conflicts with the United States government during the westward expansion of the 19th century.

While the name Cheyenne does not have a direct connection to ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been documented in various historical records and accounts from the 18th and 19th centuries, including the journals of explorers, military reports, and treaties between the Cheyenne tribe and the U.S. government.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Cheyenne was in the 1820s, when the famous mountain man and trapper, James Beckwourth (1798-1868), lived and traded with the Cheyenne people. Another notable figure was Black Kettle (c. 1803-1868), a prominent Cheyenne chief who advocated for peace with the United States government.

In more recent history, Cheyenne has been used as a given name for both males and females. Some notable individuals with this name include Cheyenne Jackson (born 1975), an American actor and singer; Cheyenne Woods (born 1990), an American professional golfer and niece of Tiger Woods; and Cheyenne Brando (1970-1995), the daughter of actor Marlon Brando.

Additionally, the name Cheyenne has been used in popular culture, such as the 1960s television series "Cheyenne," which featured Clint Walker as the lead character, and the 1988 film "Cheyenne Warrior," starring Kelly Preston and Shareen Mitchell.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Cheyenne was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Cheyenne, please contact us.

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