Ojibwe Name Generator
Anishinaabe names, name words and family names
Browse Ojibwe names from the historical record and from Anishinaabemowin: leaders such as Waubojeeg (White Fisher) and Shingwaukonse (Little Pine), name words like Migizi (Bald Eagle) and Biidaaban (Dawn Is Coming), doodem names, and family names such as Kingbird, Pitawanakwat and Cadotte.
About Ojibwe names
The Ojibwe, called Chippewa in the United States and Saulteaux on the Canadian prairies, are one of the Anishinaabe peoples. Their homelands circle the upper Great Lakes, from Ontario and Michigan through Wisconsin and Minnesota to Manitoba, Saskatchewan and North Dakota, and their language is Anishinaabemowin. A traditional name is not picked from a list. It is given in ceremony by a namer, often an elder who has dreamed it, and it binds the two for life. Every person also inherits a doodem, a clan, through the father: Ajijaak (crane), Maang (loon), Makwa (bear), Waabizheshi (marten) and others. These names belong to living people and are not costumes.
This list was drafted to keep to what is on record: names of historical people as treaty clerks and missionaries wrote them down, such as Waubojeeg (White Fisher) and Bagone-giizhig (Hole in the Day), the everyday words that names are built from, clan names, and family names of Ojibwe communities today: Kejick and Pitawanakwat from the language, Kingbird and Stillday in translation, Cadotte and Beaulieu from the fur trade.
The names and meanings on this page have not been checked by Ojibwe speakers. If you need a real Ojibwe name, ask your family and elders, or contact the language program of an Ojibwe nation.
How to choose Ojibwe names
- Treat the historical names as the names of particular people. Waubojeeg, Shingwauk and Bagone-giizhig were leaders whose descendants are alive today, so use them as reference points, not as names for invented characters.
- For a modern character, a full name such as Marvin Sam or Bernice Cloud is the realistic choice. Most Ojibwe people carry an English or French given name and a family name, and may also hold a name given in ceremony.
- Let the family name place the character: Kingbird and Stillday point to northern Minnesota, Pitawanakwat and Manitowabi to Manitoulin Island, Poitra and Azure to Turtle Mountain in North Dakota, Quewezance and Keshane to Saskatchewan.
- Spellings change with the writer and the century. Older records have forms like Waubojeeg, while the double vowel system taught in most language programs today writes words as in Waabooz and Ma'iingan. The Ojibwe People's Dictionary of the University of Minnesota lets you look a word up and hear speakers say it.
- Skip the cliches. Made-up names in the "Running Wolf" style are not Ojibwe, and a doodem is an inherited clan, not a personality type.
Frequently asked questions
How are Ojibwe names traditionally given?
A name is given in a ceremony by a namer, often an elder, who receives it through a dream. The namer and the child keep a bond for life, and a person may receive more than one name over the years. That is why a name from a list, this one included, is a starting point for a story or for learning and not a traditional name.
What do Ojibwe names mean?
Many are built from words for animals, birds, sky and weather. In this list you will find Migizi (Bald Eagle), Makwa (Bear), Waabooz (Snowshoe Hare) and Biidaaban (Dawn Is Coming), and historical names such as Shingwaukonse (Little Pine) and Ozaawindib (Yellow Head). The English in parentheses is the name a person was known by in English or a plain translation, and where the record gives no sure one the name stands alone.
Are these real Ojibwe names?
The list was drafted to hold names from the historical record, words from Anishinaabemowin and family names carried in Ojibwe communities, not invented ones. It has not been checked by Ojibwe speakers, so a spelling or a meaning may be wrong. The full names pair common given names with family names and are not meant to be any real person. If you need a real Ojibwe name, ask your family and elders or contact the language program of an Ojibwe nation.
What is the difference between Ojibwe, Chippewa and Anishinaabe?
Ojibwe and Chippewa are two forms of the same word: Chippewa is the usual legal name in the United States, and Ojibwe or Ojibway is more common in Canada. Anishinaabe is the people's own name for themselves and also takes in related nations such as the Odawa and Potawatomi. On the Canadian prairies the Plains Ojibwe are often called Saulteaux.
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All 500 Ojibwe names
A: 45 names
- Aamoo (Bee)
- Aamoons (Little Bee)
- Aanakwad (Cloud)
- Aandeg (Crow)
- Aazhawigiizhigokwe (Hanging Cloud)
- Abotossaway
- Achneepineskum
- Addikonse (Little Caribou)
- Adik (Caribou)
- Adik Doodem (Caribou Clan)
- Adikameg (Whitefish)
- Agnes Mushkooub
- Aisance
- Ajetance
- Ajidamoo (Red Squirrel)
- Ajijaak (Sandhill Crane)
- Ajijaak Doodem (Crane Clan)
- Aki (Earth)
- Akiwenzie
- Albert Syrette
- Alfred Bombay
- Alice Gokee
A, continued
- Alvin Maday
- Amik (Beaver)
- Amik Doodem (Beaver Clan)
- Amos Beardy
- Anang (Star)
- Anang Councillor
- Andaigweos (Crow's Flesh)
- Angeline Massaway
- Animikii (Thunderer)
- Aninaatig (Sugar Maple)
- Annie Leoso
- Archie Tuckwab
- Arnold Snake
- Asin (Stone)
- Asiniiwin (Stone Child)
- Assinewe
- Aubid
- Auginaush
- Awaazisii (Bullhead)
- Awaazisii Doodem (Bullhead Clan)
- Ayaabens (Little Buck)
- Ayabe-way-we-tung
- Azure
B: 36 names
- Babiizigindibe (Curly Head)
- Bagone-giizhig (Hole in the Day)
- Bamewawagezhikaquay
- Beargrease
- Bearhart
- Beaulieu
- Bebamikawe
- Belgarde
- Bellanger
- Bellecourt
- Bernice Cloud
- Beverly Stately
- Biauswah
- Biboon (Winter)
- Big Canoe
- Bigboy
- Biidaaban (Dawn Is Coming)
- Biidaaban Pine
- Bineshiinh (Bird)
- Binesi (Thunderbird)
- Binesi Jacko
- Bisonette
- Bizhiki (Buffalo)
- Bizhiw (Lynx)
- Bizhiw Doodem (Lynx Clan)
- Boissoneau
- Bonga
- Brandon Severight
- Bressette
- Brooke Drift
- Bruce Keeshig
- Bruyere
- Buckanaga
- Buhkwujjenene (Man of the Wilderness)
- Bushie
- Busticogan
C: 21 names
- Cadotte
- Carol Jacko
- Catherine Budreau
- Cecilia Paypompee
- Charles Littlewolf
- Charlotte Negani
- Chegahno
- Chester Moose
- Cheyenne Staples
- Clarence VanZile
- Clifford Isham
- Cody Pelly
- Commanda
- Copegog
- Copenace
- Cora Snache
- Corbiere
- Corbine
- Courchene
- Crystal Wind
- Curtis Kitchemonia
D: 23 names
- Dagwaagin (Fall)
- Dale Tuesday
- Daniel Toulouse
- Darlene Thunder
- Dawn Jondreau
- Debassige
- Decoteau
- Defoe
- Delbert Benjamin
- Delores Eagle
- Dennis Anaquod
- Denomie
- Deschampe
- Desjarlait
- Dibiki-giizis (Moon)
- Diindiisi (Blue Jay)
- Dokis
- Donald Atatise
- Doris Crow
- Drumbeater
- Duane Amyotte
- Dwayne Keplin
- Dylan Gambler
E: 18 names
- Earl Misegan
- Edna Shilling
- Edwin Jacko
- Elijah Pego
- Elizabeth Bedeau
- Ella Belille
- Elmer Drift
- Emma LaPrairie
- Emmett Councillor
- Enmegahbowh (He Who Stands Before His People)
- Equaysayway (Traveling Woman)
- Esens (Little Shell)
- Eshkawkogan
- Eshkebugecoshe (Flat Mouth)
- Esiban (Raccoon)
- Esther Beardy
- Eugene Kewageshig
- Eva Skead
F: 5 names
- Fairbanks
- Fineday
- Florence DePerry
- Floyd Pendegayosh
- Frank Comegan
G: 29 names
- Gaagaagi (Raven)
- Gahbow
- Gayaashk (Gull)
- Gekek (Hawk)
- Gekek Doodem (Hawk Clan)
- George Wind
- Gerald Keepness
- Geraldine Turtle
- Geshick
- Giigoonh (Fish)
- Giiwedin (North Wind)
- Giizhig (Sky)
- Giizhig Staples
- Giizhigookwe (Sky Woman)
- Giizhik (Cedar)
- Giizis (Sun)
- Gimiwan (Rain)
- Ginebig (Snake)
- Giniw (Golden Eagle)
- Ginoozhe (Northern Pike)
- Ginoozhe Doodem (Pike Clan)
- Gladys Poler
- Goggleye
- Goodsky
- Gookooko'oo (Owl)
- Gordon Matrious
- Gourneau
- Greensky
- Gwiiwizhenzhish (Bad Boy)
H: 6 names
- Hannah Poupart
- Harvey Cobiness
- Hazel Medicine
- Headbird
- Henry Losh
- Homesky
I: 5 names
- Ida Martineau
- Irene Petiquan
- Isaac Shawboose
- Isabelle Anakwad
- Ishkode (Fire)
J: 7 names
- Jacob Strang
- Jeanette Goulais
- Josephine Maday
- Josiah Anishinabie
- Jourdain
- Joyce Pelly
- Julia Pamp
K: 25 names
- Ka-ke-ka-penais (Bird Forever)
- Kaboni
- Kahgee
- Kahgegagahbowh (He Who Stands Forever)
- Kahkewaquonaby (Sacred Feathers)
- Kakaygeesick (Everlasting Sky)
- Kakegamic
- Kakeway
- Katawabeda (Broken Tooth)
- Kawbawgam
- Ke-we-tayash (Flying Round)
- Kechewaishke (Great Renewer)
- Keeshkemun (Sharpened Stone)
- Keesick
- Keewatin
- Kegedonce
- Kegg
- Keith Malaterre
- Kejick
- Kenneth Catcheway
- Keshane
- Kineubenae (Golden Eagle)
- Kinew
- Kingbird
- Kishkauko
L: 20 names
- Laducer
- LaFernier
- LaFountain
- LaFriniere
- Lawrence Restoule
- LeGarde
- Leona Keepness
- Leroy Cappo
- Lightfeather
- Lillian Kabestra
- Lloyd Teeple
- Lonechild
- Longclaws
- Loonsfoot
- Lorraine Quill
- Louis Fobister
- Louise Restoule
- Lucy Gurnoe
- Lussier
- Lyle Kishiqueb
M: 65 names
- Ma'iingan (Wolf)
- Ma'iingan Doodem (Wolf Clan)
- Maang (Loon)
- Maang Doodem (Loon Clan)
- Maangozid (Loon's Foot)
- Mabel Comegan
- Madahbee
- Madeline Wakanabo
- Madjeckewiss
- Maggie Basina
- Maingans (Little Wolf)
- Makwa (Bear)
- Makwa Doodem (Bear Clan)
- Makwa Drift
- Mamakwa
- Mamongazeda
- Mandamin
- Manitowabi
- Manoomin (Wild Rice)
- Manoominikeshiinh (Ricemaker)
- Manypenny
- Marcellais
- Margaret Day
- Marie Recollet
- Marji-Gesick
- Marlene Loon
- Martha Fiddler
- Martin Sayers
- Marvin Sam
- Mary Matrious
- Mashkode-bizhiki (Bison)
- Maungwudaus
M, continued
- Mawedopenais
- McGeshick
- Meawasige
- Medweganoonind (He Who Is Spoken To)
- Meekis
- Melvin Wiggins
- Memengwaa (Butterfly)
- Memengwaa Day
- Metigwob
- Migizi (Bald Eagle)
- Migizi Doodem (Eagle Clan)
- Migizi Sayers
- Migwans
- Miin (Blueberry)
- Mikinaak (Snapping Turtle)
- Mikinaak Doodem (Turtle Clan)
- Mildred Pitchenese
- Minogiizhig (Fine Day)
- Minweweh
- Mis-co-muk-quoh (Red Bear)
- Mis-koo-kenew (Red Eagle)
- Mishibinijima
- Miskomin (Raspberry)
- Miskwaadesi (Painted Turtle)
- Mitigomizh (Oak)
- Monague
- Moonias
- Mooz (Moose)
- Mooz Doodem (Moose Clan)
- Mosay
- Moses Sowmick
- Musqua
- Musquakie
N: 32 names
- Na-na-wa-nanaw (Center of Bird's Tail)
- Na-sha-ke-penais (Flying Down Bird)
- Naagaanab (Foremost Sitter)
- Nadjiwon
- Naganub
- Nagweyaab (Rainbow)
- Nahnebahwequay (Upright Woman)
- Nahwegahbow
- Namaypoke
- Nancy Bebeau
- Nawajibigokwe
- Nawash
- Nayquonabe
- Nebenaigoching
- Negwanebi
- Nenookaasi (Hummingbird)
- Neome
- Nepinak
- Nibi (Water)
- Nigig (Otter)
- Nigig Doodem (Otter Clan)
- Niibin (Summer)
- Niibin Skead
- Nika (Canada Goose)
- Nika Doodem (Goose Clan)
- Ningewance
- Noah Fiddler
- Nodinens (Little Wind)
- Noodin (Wind)
- Noodin Toulouse
- Norman Ackley
- Northbird
O: 23 names
- Oakgrove
- Ode'imin (Strawberry)
- Odjig
- Ogiishkimanisii (Kingfisher)
- Ogimaa (Leader)
- Ogimaakwe (Woman Leader)
- Oginii-waabigwan (Rose)
- Ojiig (Fisher)
- Okemos (Little Chief)
- Olive Sunday
- Oliver Enosse
- Omakakii (Frog)
- Omashkooz (Elk)
- Oo-za-we-kwun (Yellow Quill)
- Opichi (Robin)
- Osaugie
- Osawamick
- Oshawana
- Oshogay
- Oskineegish
- Ottertail
- Ozaawindib (Yellow Head)
- Ozhaguscodaywayquay (Woman of the Green Glade)
P: 16 names
- Panamick
- Parisien
- Patrick Pine
- Paudash
- Pauline Ashopenace
- Pearl Fobister
- Pedoniquotte
- Pegahmagabow
- Peguis
- Peter Skead
- Pewaush
- Philip Madwayosh
- Philomene Guimond
- Pitawanakwat
- Poitra
- Powassan
Q: 2 names
- Quaderer
- Quewezance
R: 11 names
- Rachel Strang
- Raymond Nickaboine
- Redsky
- Rita Toulouse
- Roland Patnaude
- Ronald Boshkaykin
- Rose Tibbetts
- Rosebear
- Roy Sunday
- Russell Chosa
- Ruth Councillor
S: 33 names
- Sarah Newago
- Sassaba
- Shabaiash
- Shaboshkung
- Shalifoe
- Shannacappo
- Shawanda
- Shawano
- Shawundais (Sultry Heat)
- Shaydayence (Little Pelican)
- Shaynowishkung (He Who Rattles)
- Shingabawossin (Image Stone)
- Shingobe
- Shingoop (Balsam)
- Shingoose
- Shingwauk (Pine)
- Shingwaukonse (Little Pine)
- Shirley Whitefish
- Simon Kahgegab
- Skinaway
- Sophie Villebrun
- Soulier
- Southwind
- Spears
- St. Germaine
- Standingready
- Stephen Owl
- Stillday
- Stoneypoint
- Straightnose
- Suggashie
- Summer Benjamin
- Susan Quigno
T: 10 names
- Tagawinini
- Tagwagane (Two Lodges Meet)
- Tara Valliere
- Taypaywaykejick
- Terry Kakakaway
- Theresa Pahpasay
- Trepania
- Trottier
- Tuhbenahneequay
- Tyler Pasqua
V: 7 names
- Verna Cappo
- Vernon Boshey
- Veronica Kokopenace
- Victor Recollet
- Victoria Neadeau
- Violet Smoke
- Vizenor
W: 47 names
- Wa-ko-wush (Whippoorwill)
- Waabajijaak (White Crane)
- Waaban (Dawn)
- Waabigwan (Flower)
- Waabigwan Isham
- Waabizheshi (Marten)
- Waabizheshi Doodem (Marten Clan)
- Waabizii (Swan)
- Waabooz (Snowshoe Hare)
- Waagosh (Fox)
- Waaseyaa (It Is Bright)
- Waaseyaa Benjamin
- Waawaashkeshi (Deer)
- Waawaate (Northern Lights)
- Waawaatesi (Firefly)
- Wabakinine
- Wabanquot (White Cloud)
- Wabbicommicot
- Waboose
- Wadena
- Wagamese
- Wahbahdick
- Wahbanosay
W, continued
- Wahweyaycumig (Round Earth)
- Waishkey
- Wakemup
- Wallace Medicine
- Walter Smoke
- Wasson
- Waubojeeg (White Fisher)
- Wawanosh
- Wawatam
- Wayne Kabatay
- Wazhashk (Muskrat)
- Webkamigad
- Wemigwans
- Wesley Simcoe
- Weyaus
- Whetung
- Whitebird
- Whitefeather
- Whitehawk
- Wiigwaas (Birch Bark)
- Wildcat
- Wilfred Staples
- William Snache
- Winnifred Simcoe
Y: 3 names
- Yellowhead
- Yvette Mainville
- Yvonne Pasqua