Chief
Meaning of Chief
The name Chief (pronounced cheef) descends from Old French chef and ultimately the Latin caput, meaning “head” or “leader.” Originally a title of authority in English, it has since been adopted as a given name, carrying associations of guidance and command. In the United States, Chief has maintained a modest presence—hovering around the 900th rank in recent years with roughly thirty births annually and 26 occurrences in 2024. As in Persian tradition, where leadership is captured in names like Shah or Shahanshah, Chief suggests a similar stateliness, yet it unfolds without ornamental complexity. Its monosyllabic form is as direct as a caravan guide across the Dasht-e Kavir, projecting resolve without excess. While it is hardly the sort of name that requires a coronation, its bearing suggests one.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as cheef (/tʃiːf/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Chief
| Chief Joseph - |
| Chief Seattle - |
