Dakota is a distinctive choice, ranked #400 in 2024. Your child is likely to be the only Dakota in their class.
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UK Rank 2024
#400
US Rank #272
About the Name Dakota
2024 marks Dakota's peak year in UK records so far, sitting at UK #400. The name has climbed 121 places in the last five years — a significant surge by any measure. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996.
Dakota is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it ranks even higher at #272, where it enjoys a particularly strong following.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Dakota
Unlikely. With around 108 UK babies named Dakota per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Dakota in his class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Dakota is currently rising in popularity in the UK, up 121 places over the last five years to #400 in 2024. If this trend continues, it will become more common in classrooms over the next decade.
Dakota is more popular in the US (#272) than in the UK (#400). Names with strong rankings in both countries tend to have broad cross-cultural appeal, working well for international families or those with ties to both nations.
Notable people named Dakota include: Dodge Dakota — The Dodge Dakota, marketed as the Ram Dakota for the final two years of production, is a mid-size pickup truck manufactured by Chrysler and marketed by its...; Dakota Meyer — Dakota Louis Meyer is a United States Marine serving with the United States Marine Corps Reserve..
Dakota appears in the US top 500 at #272 in 2024 — moderately popular in America, though less so than in the UK.
108
UK babies named Dakota (2024)
< 1
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.1
In a school of 600
↑ 121 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Dakota
Likely around 1 other Dakota in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Dakota
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
The Dodge Dakota, marketed as the Ram Dakota for the final two years of production, is a mid-size pickup truck manufactured by Chrysler and marketed by its Dodge Truck division and later its Ram Truck division — across three generations. It used body-on-frame construction and a leaf spring/live axle rear end and was the first mid-size pickup with an optional V8 engine.
Dakota Louis Meyer is a United States Marine serving with the United States Marine Corps Reserve. A veteran of the War in Afghanistan, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Ganjgal on September 8, 2009, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.