Kaya

Kaya is a feminine name of Native American origin long linked to the Nimi'ipuu tribe. Widely recognized by their French-christened name Nez Percé, the Nimi'ipuu were perhaps best known for their instrumental part in creating the Appaloosa horse breed. As inhabitants of the plateau between the Rocky Mountains and the Cascade Range, it is perhaps unsurprising that Kaya became one of its enduring appellations. A short-form of Kaya'aton'my, Kaya means "she who arranges rocks" and found acclaim within the American Girl series. In this fictional realm, Kaya is fondly depicted as a resourceful, courageous, and intelligent figure—no doubt a homage to her historically powerful roots.