Fun Facts About the Name Oklahoma
- 5 babies named Oklahoma: U.S. records list 5 babies given the name Oklahoma from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Oklahoma Mean?
Oklahoma means "red people" in Choctaw, a Muskogean language spoken by the Choctaw people. The name is formed from Choctaw okla, "people," and humma (also spelled homma), "red." It is a Choctaw phrase rather than an inherited personal name; the phrase refers to Native Americans. As a first name, Oklahoma is a transferred use of the American place name.
Oklahoma Name History & Origins
The name originated in the nineteenth century as a proposed name for Indian Territory. In 1866, during treaty negotiations after the Civil War, Choctaw leader and Presbyterian minister Allen Wright proposed Oklahoma as a name for Indian Territory, drawing on the Choctaw words for "people" and "red." The name was later used for Oklahoma Territory, organized in 1890 in the western part of Indian Territory, and for the state of Oklahoma, admitted to the Union in 1907. Its use as a personal name is not part of traditional Choctaw naming; it follows the place name.
How Popular is the Name Oklahoma?
Oklahoma has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 1907. Its best rank was #2,300 in 1907.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1907 | #2,300 | 5 | 0.0016% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
Most Popular Girl Names That Start with O
How the Name Oklahoma Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are patient, persevering and strong willed. You are a good student, absorbing knowledge easily and retaining it well. You are either a saint or a sinner. You tend to hold things inside and suffer in silence. You are frank, methodical and believe in law, system and order.
Dependable, very down-to-earth and well grounded, you are always looking for meaningful work, a career where you can take pride in your work and do the best job you are capable of. Your prime desire is to build protected and secure environment at home and at work. You can be very persuasive in achieving goals and gaining objectives. You can be very detailed and well-organized and possess great organizational skills. At times you may appear too stubborn and overly critical to others, but your practical approach to life and productivity makes you one of the most beneficent members of community.
✦ Oklahoma's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Oklahoma's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.