The friend or little bear
Kodah is often used as a shortened form of Dakota, a Native American name meaning 'friend' or 'ally'. It is also frequently associated with the Japanese word for 'rice paddy' or the Native American-inspired name Koda, which gained popularity through the film Brother Bear.
About 44 boys were named Kodah in 2025.
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
A young grizzly bear cub who befriends the protagonist · Brother Bear
