Their name for themselves was kwuda, which means “coming out,” a reference to their origin story. It later evolved into the name “Kiowa,” which means “the Principal People” to the tribe. The name Kiowa (pronounced KIE-uh-wuh) comes from the Comanche word “Kaigwa,” meaning “two halves differ,” describing Kiowa warriors who cut their hair on only one side and left the other side long.
