The name Cherokee is of Native American origin and has a rich history and cultural significance behind it. It is derived from the Cherokee people, who are one of the largest indigenous tribes in North America.
The term "Cherokee" itself translates to mean "People of a different speech" or "Tsalagi" in their own language. This name was given by other Native American tribes due to the unique language spoken by the Cherokee people.
The history of the Cherokee people dates back thousands of years, with their ancestors migrating from the north and settling in the southeastern United States. They established a complex society with advanced agriculture, government, and culture. The Cherokee were also known for being one of the first Native American tribes to adopt a written language, which was developed by Sequoyah around 1820.
Today, the name Cherokee is not only associated with their rich history but also as a powerful symbol of strength, resilience, and unity among indigenous peoples. It continues to be an important part of Native American culture and heritage, celebrated throughout generations.
The name Cherokee has been given to a total of 2553 babies born in the United States between 1920 and 2023, according to available records. The popularity of this name has varied significantly over time.
In the early decades of the century, there were only a handful of births each year with the name Cherokee. Between 1920 and 1948, there were just five births each year on average. However, starting in the mid-1950s, we began to see an increase in the number of babies named Cherokee.
The most significant jump occurred between 1972 and 1976, during which time the annual number of births with this name nearly quadrupled, from 17 in 1972 to a peak of 42 in 1989. This trend continued into the early 1990s, with the highest number of Cherokee births recorded at 143 in 1998.
However, after reaching its peak, the popularity of the name Cherokee began to decline steadily. Between 2005 and 2016, there were fewer than 50 births each year on average. And since then, the number has continued to decrease, with only 13 births recorded in 2022.
Despite this recent decline in popularity, the name Cherokee still holds historical significance in the United States, with over two thousand babies having been given this name throughout its history.