[name_m]Long[/name_m] story short, I have a [name_u]Cherokee[/name_u] ancestor who was adopted as an infant into my family after she was left behind when her family was forced out on the trail of tears. She was given the name [name_f]Rebecca[/name_f]. I love that she lives on through the straight dark hair and high cheek bones in my family.
Does anyone know of a [name_u]Cherokee[/name_u] equivalent to “[name_f]Rebecca[/name_f]”? It means “to bind” or “to ensnare”. Something along those lines. Or if there isn’t an equivalent, does anyone know a [name_u]Cherokee[/name_u] name that would give appropriate homage to her unique life story? I’d love to give a name like this to my daughter so that [name_f]Rebecca[/name_f]'s story can live on. I’m not a fan of the actual name [name_f]Rebecca[/name_f] though.
Very interesting concept. I don’t know any [name_u]Cherokee[/name_u] names, and I’m guessing you’re going to have to do some off-Nameberry research (which is terrifying :o ). My biggest piece of advice is to, when you find a name, make sure you are pronouncing it correctly. Also, maybe it would be beneficial to talk to someone who is more in touch with their [name_u]Cherokee[/name_u] heritage about the baby naming process, because I’ve heard that in some tribes it was better to make up your own name instead of picking from a list, and such.
But I wish you the best of luck! I love the story behind the name!
I would recommend contacting someone within a [name_u]Cherokee[/name_u] tribe for help with this. There is very little accurate information on Native American baby names online. I would also urge you to attempt to verify this story before contacting a tribe member. This story of the white family adopting an [name_f]Indian[/name_f] baby is familiar to me because it’s a common myth in genealogy. I can tell you from personal experience, researching both my family and other people’s families, that claims of Native American ancestry are rarely true. Straight dark hair and high cheekbones are not proof of Native American ancestry, as these features are not unique to Native Americans.
Ninovan means home, I believe.
[name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_u]Sequoia[/name_u]? It’s [name_u]Cherokee[/name_u] for [name_f]Sparrow[/name_f]. I think that’s very pretty and recognizable due to the trees in Northern [name_u]California[/name_u]. I know [name_u]Tennessee[/name_u] is also [name_u]Cherokee[/name_u] but I don’t know what it means.
I love your story.
My husband’s great-grandmother was full-blooded [name_u]Cherokee[/name_u], but he has blonde hair and blue eyes. The only physical trait he holds is the high cheek bones.
His great-grandmother was named “Arzona”, and we are considering “Leotie” which means “flower of the prairie”.
Why not try the naming ritual of the [name_u]Cherokee[/name_u]? Wait until birth to pick a final name, see what name your sweet baby calls for. This is what we are doing. Best of luck!
Yes I agree with pp’s. I would be very careful. The internet told me that [name_f]Nova[/name_f] meant ‘Chasing dragonflies’ or ‘Chasing Butterflies’ in Hopi and I came to nameberry only to find that is not want it means at all 
So I would definetly consult someone who will be able to verify a names meaning.