Cherokee is an uncommon given name of American origin, derived from the Native American tribe of the same name. The Cherokees are known for their rich history and culture, making the name Cherokee unique and culturally significant. It is believed that the name originated from a Creek phrase meaning "people of a different speech," reflecting the distinct language spoken by the Cherokee people. Today, Cherokee is used as both a first name and surname, with its usage predominantly found in the United States.
The name Cherokee has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past century, with notable spikes since the late 1980s. The most striking trend is the consistent rise in births from 1986 onwards, with peaks in 1994 (124 births) and 2008 (40 births). However, there's a noticeable decline after 2015, suggesting a recent decrease in its popularity. Overall, Cherokee has been used for a total of 2553 newborns over the period from 1920 to 2023.