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

Popularity of Oneida by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Oneida is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 9 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Oneida.

The history of the first name Oneida

The name Oneida has its origins in the Iroquoian languages spoken by the indigenous Oneida Nation, a tribe that was part of the Iroquois Confederacy. The Oneida people inhabited areas of what is now central New York state and were one of the original Five Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy.

The name Oneida is derived from the Oneida word "onayote'a.ka", which translates to "people of the standing stone". This likely referred to a significant upright stone that held cultural or spiritual significance for the Oneida people. The name has also been interpreted to mean "granite people" or "people of the boulder".

In historical records, the name Oneida first appears in accounts and writings from the early European settlers and explorers who encountered the Oneida Nation in the 17th century. The Oneida tribe played a notable role in the American Revolutionary War, with some members siding with the British and others with the American colonists.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Oneida was Oneida Edmunds, a prominent chief of the Oneida Nation who was born around 1630. He was instrumental in negotiating treaties and land agreements with the British colonial authorities in the late 17th century.

Another famous Oneida was Oneida Wilcox, a respected elder and peacemaker born in the mid-18th century. She was known for her efforts to promote unity and reconciliation within the Iroquois Confederacy during a period of conflict and upheaval.

In the 19th century, Oneida Edmunds Jr., born in 1805, was a prominent leader and advocate for the Oneida Nation. He worked tirelessly to protect the rights and land claims of his people in the face of increasing encroachment by settlers and the United States government.

Oneida Kingiohsayehta, born in 1876, was a renowned Oneida artist and craftsman. He was celebrated for his intricate and beautiful beadwork, which helped to preserve and promote the traditional art forms of the Oneida people.

Finally, Oneida Polanco, born in 1919, was a notable educator and activist who dedicated her life to promoting the cultural heritage and rights of indigenous peoples. She played a pivotal role in establishing educational programs and initiatives focused on preserving the language, traditions, and history of the Oneida Nation.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!