Given name
Cheyenne
“unintelligible speaker”
Cheyenne is used as a given name. Interpretations include “unintelligible speaker” (Native American) and “of the tribe of the Great Plains; of the unintelligible speakers” (Native American). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
Interpretations include “unintelligible speaker” (Native American) and “of the tribe of the Great Plains; of the unintelligible speakers” (Native American). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Where it comes from
An origin associated with this spelling is Native American.
How it developed
In French usage, Cheyenne is a diminutive of CRI. In French usage, Cheyenne is a diminutive of Šahíya.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1946. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Cheyenne through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 73,428
- 2,696 boys · 70,732 girls
- Most popular year
- 1996
- 4,975 babies
- 2025
- 285
- #920 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −45%
- Cooling
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 1% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 285 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 920 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 45.6% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 4,866 in 1996. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (37). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 59,831 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Cheyenne’s family of names
In English usage, Cheyenne has a diminutive in CHEY. Cheyenne has a related form in Cheyanne. In English usage, Cheyenne has a related form in Shyanne.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 19
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Across languages 2
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Cheyenne
- Cheyenne JacksonAmerican actor and singerborn 1975
- Cheyenne KimballAmerican singer-songwriter, guitarist, mandolinistborn 1990
- Cheyenne BrandoTahitian model and the daughter of Marlon Brando1970–1995
- Cheyenne GohSingaporean speed skaterborn 1999
- Cheyenne Parker-TyusAmerican basketball player (born 1992)
- Chey DunkleyEnglish association football playerborn 1992
- Cheyenne WoodsProfessional golferborn 1990
- Cheyenne RosenthalGerman lugerborn 2000
- Cheyenne CarronFrench film directorborn 1976
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Cheyenne, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Cherokee
“a tribal name”
2% boys · 98% girls
Kiana
“from an ancient family” · “of an ancient family”
>99% girls
Nayeli
“one who loves and is loved”
>99% girls
Chumani
“resembling a dewdrop”
>99% girls
Shoshone
“a tribal name”
>99% girls
Tehya
“one who is pre- CIOUS”
>99% girls
Dyani
“having the grace of a deer”
4% boys · 96% girls
Shawnee
“a tribal name”
>99% girls