Niya

(Ŋī'ŷāĥ), Ni'Ya

Origin: Lakota (Siouan language family)

Definition: The Breath of life; Breath; breathe ; to breathe.

Related to: Tani'ya : a fresh breath.

Origin: Lakota Creation Story.

Wakan Tanka ( grandfather Spirit, Creator, Ancient Energy) created the spirit Niya. Niya breathed life into the people with their first breath, and would be the first to determine if a human would live. The first word a human would say upon taking their first breath, would walk with you for the rest of your life, and be the last word you say upon the moment of natural death.

Used as a name: "Hey, Niya, what you doing?"

Used in lakota: (Restricted by ************)