Dakota is from the Dakota Sioux word for the Dakota people — meaning "friends, allies" — the group's self-designation; the modern states of North and South Dakota and the historical Dakota Territory take their name from the same root. Originally a unisex name; in the United States the use as a feminine first name surpassed male use after 2003. A top-200 US baby name for girls from 1995 to 2017. Dakota Johnson (born 1989) — American actress; daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, granddaughter of Tippi Hedren — three generations of Hollywood; star of the Fifty Shades film trilogy (2015-2018), Bad Times at the El Royale (2018), The Lost Daughter (2021), Madame Web (2024). Dakota Fanning (born 1994) — American actress whose breakout role at 7 in I Am Sam (2001) made her the youngest person ever nominated for a SAG Award. Hannah "Dakota" Fanning's sister Elle Fanning is also an actress.
Featured throughout American culture and the Lakota-Dakota-Nakota linguistic family histories.
Dakota reduces to one — the number of friends and allies.