Find out how popular the first name Coyote has been for the last 31 years (from 1993 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Coyote by gender

Based on the last 31 years of data, Coyote is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 96% of people named Coyote being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 19 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Coyote.

The history of the first name Coyote

The given name Coyote is derived from the Nahuatl word 'coyotl', which refers to the wild canine species native to North America. The Nahuatl language was spoken by the Aztec and other Nahua peoples of central Mexico, dating back to the 7th century AD.

Coyote was a prominent figure in the mythology and folklore of many Native American tribes, often depicted as a trickster or a spirit guide. In Navajo creation stories, the Coyote is one of the most important characters, representing wisdom, cunning, and adaptability.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Coyote can be found in the Florentine Codex, a 16th-century ethnographic study of Aztec culture and history written by the Franciscan friar Bernardino de Sahagún.

Throughout history, there have been notable individuals who bore the name Coyote. One such person was Coyote Ugly (c. 1857-1879), a Native American woman from the Spokane tribe who was known for her unconventional beauty and defiant spirit. She was the inspiration for the 2000 film "Coyote Ugly" and the chain of Coyote Ugly Saloons.

Another famous bearer of the name was Coyote Willard (1899-1989), a Navajo artist and ceremonial singer who played a crucial role in preserving and promoting Navajo culture and traditions.

In the world of literature, Coyote is the name of a character in the novel "Coyote Waits" by Tony Hillerman (1925-2008), a celebrated author known for his mystery novels set in the Navajo Nation.

Coyote Gulch is the name of a renowned hiking trail in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah, named after the coyote that inhabits the region.

While the name Coyote is primarily associated with Native American cultures, it has also gained popularity as a given name among non-Native individuals, particularly those who appreciate its connection to nature and symbolism of adaptability and resilience.

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 Coyote was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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