Baby names inspired by Canada’s First Nations: Ojibwe

From Bineshii (meaning bird) to Ziigwan (meaning spring), there are dozens of traditional Ojibwe names with beautiful meanings and generations of history.

The Anishinaabe Peoples have existed, and are presently existing, on their traditional territories of the Great Lakes since time immemorial. As the processes of colonization began to impede on our ways of life, Anishinaabemowin, the name of our language (also called Ojibwe), slowly began to fade away into a deep slumber. Anishinaabe families attempted to hold onto what they could in regards to our culture, ways of life, and wellbeing.

Despite the past, and on-going attempts of colonization, many Anishinaabe families have maintained the cultural practice of naming our children in our mother tongues. Anishinaabemowin may not be spoken as much, however, it still makes itself known in many families. And one of those ways is through the names of our children.

Naming our children in Anishinaabemowin is an act of revitalization, resistance, and resurgence. It is a means, and an expression, of Anishinaabe identity. Many families turn to names in their lineages and bloodlines, passing them down to the next generation. Often, with the names come stories of relatives who carry significance in families. This is to ensure that those who have passed, are never truly gone. And the names continue to hold great power and significance. 

Some Anishinaabe children carry both an Anishinaabe name and an English name. And many families carry the Anishinaabe name for strictly ceremonial purposes, as the names can be sacred, holding a deep responsibility to carry the name forward.

Regardless of how Anishinaabe families carry the practice of naming our children in our mother tongues, the important reminder is this: Anishinaabe names for our children are a vital practice, as it maintains and holds the stories, legacies, and histories of generations of peoples that colonialism could never destroy.

Here are some traditional Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) names that may inspire you*.

*We recognize that there are different Anishinaabemowin dialects across the country, and spellings may vary.

Unisex Ojibwe names

Name	Meaning
Bineshii	bird
Binesi	thunderbird
Biskane	the fire is burning
Giishkaatig	cedar
Miskwaadesi	painted turtle
Nagamo	he/she is singing
Niimi	he/she is dancing
Waaseyaa	first light from the rising sun
Waawaate or Waussi-noodae	Northern Lights
Zenibaa	ribbon

Girls’ Ojibwe names

Name	Meaning
Aki	Earth
Aniib	elm
Aniibish	leaf
Aniibishan	leaves
Anwaatin	it is calm
Bawaajige	dreams
Daanis	daughter
Dakaasin	a cool wind
Gichigami	ocean
Giizhig	day
Megis	shell
Memengwaa	butterfly
Miigwan	feather
Miin or Miinan	blueberry plant
Minwaadizi	is kind
Miskomin	raspberry
Mizhakwan	it is a clear sky
Namid	star dancing
Neebin	summer
Nindaanis	my daughter
Nishiime	younger sister
Waabigwan	flower
Waabizii	swan
Waawaatesi	firefly
Wakwi or Okwi	cloud
Wenona/Winona/Wenonah	first born daughter
Ziigwan	Spring

Boys’ Ojibwe names

Name	Meaning
Animkii	thunder
Asin or Asiniig	rock
Azaadi	poplar tree
Dewe'igan	drum
Dibikad	night
Geezis	the sun
Giiwedin	North
Giizhigoon	sky
Gizhaate	it is sunny
Ininaatig	maple
Ishkode	fire
Migizi	eagle
Mikom	ice
Mitig	tree
Mukwoh or Makwa	bear
Myeengun	little wolf
Nibaa	sleeps
Niigaanii	he leads
Noodin	wind
Ogichidaa	warrior
Ogimaa or Ogimaag	king
Shkaabewis	helper to the medicine people
Waabakwa	polar bear
Waagosh or Waagoshag	fox
Waatese	there is lightening
Waawaashkeshi or Wauwauskaeshih	deer
Waubun	dawn
Wiigwaas	birch bark
Ziibi or Ziibiin	river

Still searching for an all-Canadian baby name? Check out these names inspired by Canada’s geography.