How to say it
KO · da
ˈkoʊ.də
Masculine
Koda
Friend, ally
What it means
From the Dakota and Sioux word for 'friend' or 'ally'; also used as a short for Dakota.
Koda comes from the Dakota and Lakota word for 'friend' or 'companion,' and doubles as a short form of Dakota. Disney's Brother Bear gave it a lovable bear cub named Koda, helping it climb among parents drawn to short, warm, nature-touched names like Koa and Kai. It reads friendly and easygoing. Kota is the alternate spelling.
How to spell Koda
The standard spelling is Koda. Common variants include Kota, Kodah, Koday, but Koda is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #411 in 2023, currently #411 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Worth knowing
A Dakota/Sioux word for 'friend'; also a short for Dakota.
- Pop culture
The bear cub Koda in Disney's Brother Bear.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Koda the bear cub of Disney's Brother Bear
Spelling variants
- Kota
- Kodah
- Koday
Names with the same feeling
Common questions
- What does the name Koda mean?
- From the Dakota and Sioux word for 'friend' or 'ally'; also used as a short for Dakota.
- What does Koda mean in Native American?
- In Native American, Koda means "Friend, ally." Koda comes from the Dakota and Lakota word for 'friend' or 'companion,' and doubles as a short form of Dakota. Disney's Brother Bear gave it a lovable bear cub named Koda, helping it climb among parents drawn to short, warm, nature-touched names like Koa and Kai. It reads friendly and easygoing. Kota is the alternate spelling.
- Is Koda short for Dakota?
- Yes. Koda is a short form of Dakota, and it carries the same meaning, "Friend, ally." These days many parents use Koda as a given name in its own right, not only as a nickname.
- How do you pronounce Koda?
- Koda is pronounced ˈkoʊ.də. Say it as KO-da, with the stress on the "ko" syllable.
- How do you spell Koda?
- The standard spelling is Koda. Common spelling variants include Kota, Kodah, Koday.
- Is Koda a boy or girl name?
- Koda is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Koda?
- Koda ranked #411 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.