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At a Glance: Name: Cheyenne – Meaning: a Sioux exonym for the Cheyenne people, often explained as 'people who speak a different/unintelligible language' – Origin: Siouan (Dakota/Lakota) — ethnonym – Gender: Girl – Pronunciation: shy-AN
Cheyenne (pronounced shy-AN) is a girl's name with Siouan roots, drawn from a Dakota/Lakota word for the Cheyenne people, often explained as 'people who speak a different/unintelligible language'. It has a modern feel and suits parents drawn to outdoorsy, nature-inspired, free-spirited, boho names.
Meaning & Origin of Cheyenne
Meaning: A Sioux exonym for the Cheyenne people, often explained as 'people who speak a different/unintelligible language'.
Origin: Siouan (Dakota/Lakota) — ethnonym.
Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.
How to Pronounce Cheyenne
Phonetic: shy-AN IPA: /ʃaɪˈæn/
Popularity of Cheyenne
Cheyenne peaked at #68 in 1996, when 4,866 girls were given the name. By 2024 it had settled at #867 with 310 babies, so it's now a much rarer choice than it was in the 1990s.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1946–2024.
Make Cheyenne Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Cheyenne, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
Names With a Similar Story
Derived from shared style, era, and origin data (or, for names we have no style data for, a similar Social Security popularity trajectory) — not a hand-picked list.
FAQ
What does the name Cheyenne mean?
A Sioux exonym for the Cheyenne people, often explained as ‘people who speak a different/unintelligible language’. (Source: Wiktionary, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Cheyenne)
How do you pronounce Cheyenne?
Cheyenne is pronounced shy-AN (IPA: /ʃaɪˈæn/).
Is Cheyenne a popular name right now?
Cheyenne peaked at #68 in 1996 and is ranked #867 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1946–2024.)
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