Yosemite first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Yosemite has been for the last 1 years (from 1993 to 1993) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Yosemite

A name of Ahwahneechee origin meaning "killer bear"

Popularity of Yosemite by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Yosemite is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1993, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Yosemite.

Year Male Count Female Count
1993 0 5

The history of the first name Yosemite

The name Yosemite has its origins in the Miwok and Paiute Native American tribes of what is now known as the Yosemite Valley region of California. It is believed to have been derived from the Miwok word "uzumati," which roughly translates to "grizzly bear." The Paiute tribe referred to the area as "Yo-Se-Mite," meaning "those who kill."

Yosemite was first recorded in 1851 by the Mariposa Battalion, a state militia that was pursuing Native American tribes during the Mariposa Wars. The name was initially applied to the valley itself, but eventually became associated with the national park that was established in the area in 1890.

While the name Yosemite is most commonly associated with the famous national park, there are a few notable individuals throughout history who have borne this name. One of the earliest recorded instances was Yosemite John Smith, a mountain man and guide who lived in the late 19th century and was known for his explorations of the Sierra Nevada region.

Another notable Yosemite was Chief Yosemite, a leader of the Ahwahnechee tribe who lived in the Yosemite Valley during the mid-19th century. He played a significant role in the interactions between his tribe and the incoming settlers, and was eventually forced to relocate from the valley.

In more recent times, Yosemite Sam was the name of a famous cartoon character from the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies series, voiced by Mel Blanc. This short-tempered outlaw was known for his catchphrase "What's up, doc?" and his never-ending pursuit of Bugs Bunny.

Yosemite Facelija was a professional basketball player from Croatia who played in the Euroleague and the NBA in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was known for his defensive prowess and was part of the Croatian national team that won the bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics.

Finally, Yosemite National Park itself has become synonymous with the name, attracting millions of visitors each year to witness its stunning granite cliffs, waterfalls, and ancient giant sequoia trees. The name Yosemite has become an iconic part of American culture and a symbol of the country's natural beauty and rich Native American heritage.

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

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

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"Yosemite first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 4, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/yosemite-meaning-and-history/.

"Yosemite first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/yosemite-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 4 May, 2025

Yosemite first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/yosemite-meaning-and-history/.

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