The name Sequoia derives from the Cherokee language and refers to the towering redwood trees found in California. The name was first coined in the early 19th century by the Austrian botanist Stephan Endlicher, who named the giant tree species after the Cherokee leader Sequoyah.

Sequoyah, who lived from around 1770 to 1843, was a silversmith and later the creator of the Cherokee syllabary, a writing system that allowed the Cherokee language to be written down for the first time. His name is believed to have meant "pig's foot" or "he who makes it red" in the Cherokee language.

The name Sequoia gained popularity as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the United States, where it was often used as a way to honor the majestic redwood trees and the Cherokee heritage. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name was Sequoia Semmes, born in 1882, the daughter of Confederate general Raphael Semmes.

Throughout history, the name Sequoia has been borne by several notable individuals, including Sequoia Gonzalez, a Chicana activist and writer who co-founded the feminist magazine Hijas de Cuauhtémoc in the 1970s. Sequoia German, born in 1939, was a member of the American Indian Movement and participated in the occupation of Alcatraz Island in 1969-1971.

Another notable bearer of the name was Sequoia Pickett, born in 1972, a Native American actress and activist known for her roles in films like "Smoke Signals" and "The World's Fastest Indian." Sequoia Houston, born in 1991, is a contemporary Native American artist and fashion designer whose work celebrates her Cherokee heritage.

One of the most famous individuals named Sequoia was Sequoia Samers, born in 1914, a Cherokee artist and educator who played a crucial role in preserving and promoting Cherokee culture and art. Her intricate basket weaving and pottery works are now part of the permanent collections of various museums.