This is a list of extinct languages of North America, languages which have undergone language death, have no native speakers and no spoken descendant, most of them being languages of former Native American tribes.
| Language Endangerment Status by UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger category | |
|---|---|
| Extinct (EX) | |
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| Endangered | |
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| Safe | |
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Other categories | |
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Related topics
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UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger categories | |
There are 219 Indigenous, 2 Creole, 3 European, 5 Sign and 13 Pidgin languages listed. In total 242 languages.
Canada
Indigenous languages
| Language name | Language family | Extinction date | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beothuk | unclassified | 6 June 1829 | ||
| Laurentian | Iroquoian | late 16th century | ||
| Neutral Huron | Iroquoian | 1671 | ||
| Nicola | Na-Dene | early 20th century | ||
| Pentlatch | Salishan | 1940 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Petun | Iroquoian | 17th century | ||
| Tagish | Na-Dene | 2008 | ||
| Southern Tsimshian | Tsimshianic | 2013 | Revival attempts underway |
European language dialects
| Language or dialect name | Dialect parent language | Language family | Extinction date | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland Irish | Irish | Indo-European | 20th century |
Pidgin languages
| Language name | Pidgin parent language(s) | Extinction date | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algonquian–Basque pidgin | Basque, Algonquian | approx. 1711 | ||
| Haida Jargon | Haida | 1830s | ||
| Inuktitut-English Pidgin | Inuktitut, English | 1960s | ||
| Labrador Inuit Pidgin French | French, Inuktitut | 18th century | ||
| Nootka Jargon | Nuu-chah-nulth | (date missing) | ||
| Slavey Jargon | Slavey, French | 19th century |
Caribbean
Indigenous languages
| Language name | Language family | Extinction date | Locations | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caquetio | Arawakan | 1862 | ABC islands (Leeward Antilles) | |
| Ciguayo | unclassified | 16th century | Hispaniola | |
| Guanahatabey | unclassified | 16th century | Cuba | |
| Kalinago/Island Carib/Iñeri | Arawakan | 1920s | Windward Islands (Guadeloupe to Grenada, except Barbados) | |
| Macorix | unclassified | 16th century | Hispaniola | |
| Shebayo | Arawakan | 19th century | Trinidad | |
| Taíno | Arawakan | 19th century | Widespread throughout Caribbean | |
| Yao | Cariban | 17th century | Trinidad, French Guiana |
Central America
Indigenous languages
| Language name | Language family | Extinction date | Locations | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alagüilac | unclassified | before 16th century | Guatemala | |
| Cacaopera | Misumalpan | 20th century | El Salvador | |
| Chiquimulilla | Xincan | 1996 | Guatemala | |
| Chʼoltiʼ | Mayan | late 18th century | Guatemala, Belize | |
| Corobicí | Chibchan | (date missing) | Costa Rica | |
| Cueva | unclassified (Choco?) | by 1535 | Panama | |
| Dorasque | Chibchan | (date missing) | Panama | |
| Huetar | Chibchan | 17th century | Costa Rica | |
| Guazacapán | Xincan | 1997 | Guatemala | |
| Jumaytepeque | Xincan | 1997 | Guatemala | |
| Honduran Lenca | Lencan | 20th century | Honduras, El Salvador | |
| Mangue/Chorotega | Oto-Manguean | 19th century | Nicaragua, Honduras, and Costa Rica | |
| Matagalpa | Misumalpan | 1997 | Nicaragua | |
| Sinacantán | Xincan | 20th century | Guatemala | |
| Subtiaba | Oto-Manguean | 20th century | Nicaragua | |
| Voto | Chibchan | (date missing) | Costa Rica | |
| Western Jicaque | Jicaquean | late 19th centuery | Honduras | |
| Yupiltepeque | Xincan | 1920s | Guatemala |
Sign languages
| Language name | Extinction date | References |
|---|---|---|
| Bribri Sign Language | by 1991 |
Greenland
European language dialects
| Language name | Language family | Extinction date | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenlandic Norse | North Germanic | late 15th or early 16th century |
Pidgin languages
| Language name | Pidgin parent language(s) | Extinction date | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Greenlandic Pidgin | Greenlandic | 19th century |
Mexico
Indigenous languages
| Language or dialect name | Dialect parent language | Language family | Extinction date | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acaxee | Uto-Aztecan | 17–18th century | |||
| Cabil | Mayan | (date missing) | May be Chicomuceltec | ||
| Cazcan/Caxcan/Kaskán | Uto-Aztecan | 16th or 17th century | |||
| Chiapanec | Oto-Manguean | 20th century | |||
| Chicomuceltec | Mayan | 1970s or 1980s | |||
| Chontal of Guerrero | unclassified | (date missing) | |||
| Chumbia | unclassified | (date missing) | |||
| Cochimí | Yuman–Cochimí | early 20th century | |||
| Comecrudo | Comecrudan | 19th century | |||
| Cuitlatec/Cuitlateco | Language isolate | 1960s | |||
| Classical Náhuatl | Nahuatl | Uto-Aztecan | late 16th century | used as the lingua franca of the Aztec Empire until its collapse | |
| Eudeve | Uto-Aztecan | 1930s | |||
| Mamulique | Comecrudan | 19th century | |||
| Maratino | unclassified | (date missing) | |||
| Monqui | unclassified | (date missing) | |||
| Naolan | unclassified | 1950s | |||
| Otomi (Jalisco) | unclassified | (date missing) | |||
| Quinigua | unclassified | (date missing) | |||
| Southern Pame | Pame | Oto-Manguean | mid 20th century | ||
| Pericú | unclassified | before 1800 | |||
| Pochutec | Uto-Aztecan | 20th century | |||
| Solteco Zapotec | Zapotec | Oto-Manguean | 19th century | ||
| Tapachultec | Mixe–Zoque | 1930s | |||
| Teojomulco Chatino | Chatino | Oto-Manguean | early 20th century | ||
| Tepecano | Uto-Aztecan | 20th century | |||
| Tequistlatec | Tequistlatecan | (date missing) | |||
| Tubar | Uto-Aztecan | 20th century | |||
| Waikuri | unclassified | before 1800 | |||
| Xixime | Uto-Aztecan | 17–18th century | |||
| Zapotec (Jalisco) | unclassified | (date missing) |
United States
Indigenous languages
| Language or dialect name | Language family | Extinction date | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achumawi | Palaihnihan | 2013 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Adai | unclassified | 19th century | ||
| Ais | unclassified | 18th century | ||
| Carolina Algonquian/Pamlico/Croatoan | Algic | 1790s | ||
| Alsea/Yaquina | Language isolate | 1942 | Alsea and Yaquina are thought to be either two related languages or two dialects of the same language | |
| Apalachee | Muskogean | 18th century | Revival attempts underway | |
| Aranama | unclassified | 19th century | ||
| Atakapa | Language isolate | 20th century | ||
| Atsina/Gros Ventre | Algic | 2007 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Atsugewi | Palaihnihan | 1988 | ||
| Awaswas | Utian | 19th century | formerly known as "Santa Cruz" | |
| Barbareño/Šmuwič | Chumashan | 1965 | Revival attempts underway. Barbareño and Ineseño may be related dialects of the same language or closely related languages | |
| Bidai | unclassified | 19th century | ||
| Biloxi | Siouan | 1930s | ||
| Caddo/Hasí꞉nay | Caddoan | 14 July 2025 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Cahto/Kato | Na-Dene | 1960s | ||
| Calusa | unclassified | 19th century | ||
| Catawba | Siouan | 1959 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Cayuse | Language isolate | 1930s | ||
| Chalon | Utian | 19th century | ||
| Upper Chehalis | Salishan | 2001 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Lower Chehalis | Salishan | 1990s | ||
| Chemakum/Chimakum/Chimacum | Chimakuan | 19th century | ||
| Chico/Valley Maidu | Maiduan | 21st century | ||
| Chimariko | Language isolate | 1950s | ||
| Chitimacha/Sitimaxa | Language isolate | 1940 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Chiwere/Iowa-Otoe-Missouria/Báxoje-Jíwere-Ñút'achi | Siouan | 1996 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Chochenyo | Utian | 1934 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Coahuilteco | Language isolate | 18th century | ||
| Columbia-Moses | Salishan | 2 May 2023 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Cowlitz | Salishan | 20th century | Revival attempts underway | |
| Cupeño | Uto-Aztecan | 1987 | ||
| Esselen | Language isolate | 19th century | ||
| Erie | Iroquoian | 17th century | ||
| Etchemin | Algic | 17th century | ||
| Eyak | Na-Dene | 2008 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Galice/Galice-Applegate/Upper Rogue River | Na-Dene | 1963 | ||
| Halchidhoma/Xalychidom | Yuman–Cochimí | (date missing) | ||
| Hanis/Coos | Coosan | 1972 | ||
| Holikachuk | Na-Dene | 2012 | ||
| Houma | Muskogean | after 1907 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Ineseño/Sʰamala | Chumashan | 1965 | Revival attempts underway. Barbareño and Ineseño may be related dialects of the same language or closely related languages | |
| Island Chumash/Isleño/Cruzeño | Chumashan | 1915 | ||
| Central Kalapuya | Kalapuyan | 1954 | ||
| Kansa | Siouan | 1982 | ||
| Karankawa | unclassified | 1858 | ||
| Karkin | Utian | 1950s | ||
| Kathlamet | Chinookan | 1930s | ||
| Kiksht/Upper Chinook/Columbia Chinook/Wasco-Wishram | Chinookan | 2012 | ||
| Kitanemuk | Uto-Aztecan | 1940s | ||
| Kitsai | Caddoan | 1940 | ||
| Klallam/Clallam/Ns'Klallam/S'klallam | Salishan | 2014 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Klamath/Klamath–Modoc/Lutuamian | Plateau Penutian | 2003 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Konomihu | Shastan | 1940s | ||
| Kwalhioqua-Clatskanie | Na-Dene | 20th century | ||
| Loup | Algic | 18th century | May have been 5 different languages | |
| Lower Chinook | Chinookan | 1930s | ||
| Luiseño | Uto-Aztecan | 2010s | ||
| Lushootseed | Salishan | 2008 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Maidu | Maiduan | 2007 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Makah | Wakashan | 2002 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Mandan | Siouan | 2016 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Massachusett/Natick/Wôpanâak/Pokanoket/Nonantum/Indian | Algic | 19th century | Revival attempts underway. As of 2014, 5 children are native speakers, 15 are proficient second-language speakers and 500 are adult second-language learners. | |
| Mattole/Mattole-Bear River | Na-Dene | 1930s | ||
| Miami-Illinois | Algic | 20th century | Revival attempts underway | |
| Miluk/ Lower Coquille | Coosan | 1939 | ||
| Mitchigamea | Siouan | 18th century | ||
| Bay Miwok | Utian | (date missing) | ||
| Coast Miwok | Utian | 1970 | ||
| Lake Miwok | Utian | 1990s | ||
| Northern Sierra Miwok | Utian | 1990s | ||
| Plains Miwok | Utian | 1990s | ||
| Mohican/Mahican | Algic | 1940s | Revival attempts underway | |
| Mohegan-Pequot/Mohegan-Pequot-Montauk/Secatogue/Shinnecock-Poosepatuck | Algic | 1908 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Molala | Plateau Penutian | 1958 | ||
| Mutsun | Utian | 1930 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Nanticoke/Piscataway | Algic | 1840s | Revival attempts underway. Nanticoke and Piscataway may be related dialects of the same language or closely related languages | |
| Nansemond | unclassified | before 20th century | May have been Algic | |
| Narragansett | Algic | 18th–19th century | ||
| Natchez | Language isolate | 1957 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Nawathinehena | Algic | 19th century | ||
| Nicoleño | Uto-Aztecan | 1853 | ||
| Nisenan | Maiduan | 2000s | Revival attempts underway | |
| Nooksack | Salishan | 1988 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Nomlaki | Wintuan | 20th century | ||
| Northern Kalapuyan | Kalapuyan | 1937 | ||
| Nottoway/Cheroenhaka | Iroquoian | 1838 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Obispeño/tiłhini | Chumashan | 1917 | ||
| Ofo | Siouan | 20th century | ||
| Okwanuchu | Shastan | 20th century | ||
| Osage | Siouan | 3 November 2005 | As of 2009, 15–20 2L speakers and ongoing revival | |
| Pamunkey | unclassified | before 20th century | May have been Algic | |
| Piro Pueblo | Tanoan | 1900 | ||
| Plains Apache | Na-Dene | 2008 | ||
| Lipan Apache | Na-Dene | early 21st century | Presumely | |
| Central Pomo | Pomoan | before 2000 | ||
| Eastern Pomo/Clear Lake Pomo | Pomoan | 2007 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Northern Pomo | Pomoan | 2005 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Northeastern Pomo | Pomoan | 1961 | ||
| Southern Pomo | Pomoan | 2014 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Powhatan/Virginia Algonquian | Algic | 18th century | ||
| Purisimeño | Chumashan | early 20th century | ||
| Quapaw | Siouan | 19 April 2022 | ||
| Quileute | Chimakuan | 1999 | ||
| Quinault | Salishan | 1996 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Quiripi/Mattabesic/Quiripi-Unquachog/Quiripi-Naugatuck/Wampano | Algic | 20th century | ||
| Ramaytush | Utian | 1915 | ||
| Rumsen/Rumsien/San Carlos Costanoan/Carmeleno | Utian | 1939 | ||
| Salinan | Language isolate | 1958 | ||
| Scahentoarrhonon | Iroquoian | approx. 1652 | ||
| Serrano | Uto-Aztecan | 2002 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Shasta | Shastan | 20th century | ||
| New River Shasta | Shastan | 1926 | ||
| Siuslaw | Language isolate | 1960 | ||
| Southern Patwin | Wintuan | (date missing) | ||
| Susquehannock/Conestoga | Iroquoian | 18th century | ||
| Taensa | Language isolate | late 19th century | Probably Natchez dialect. | |
| Takelma | Language isolate | 1934 | ||
| Tamien | Utian | (date missing) | ||
| Tataviam | Uto-Aztecan | 1916 | ||
| Tawasa | Language isolate | 18th century | Possibly Timucuan dialect. | |
| Tillamook | Salishan | 1972 | ||
| Timucua | Language isolate | 18th century | ||
| Tongva/Gabrielino/Gabrieleño | Uto-Aztecan | 20th century | Revival attempts underway | |
| Tonkawa | Language isolate | 1940s | ||
| Tübatulabal | Uto-Aztecan | 2008 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Tunica/Luhchi Yoroni/Tonica/Yuron | Language isolate | 1948 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Tuscarora | Iroquoian | 2020 | ||
| Tutelo/Tutelo–Saponi | Siouan | 1982 | ||
| Tututni/(Lower) Rogue River/Upper Coquille/Nuu-wee-ya | Na-Dene | 1983 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Twana/Skokomish | Salishan | 1980 | ||
| Upper Umpqua | Na-Dene | 1950s | ||
| Unami | Algic | 2002 | ||
| Ventureño/Mitsqanaqa'n | Chumashan | 20th century | ||
| Wailaki/Eel River Athabaskan | Na-Dene | 1960s | ||
| Wappo | Yuki–Wappo | 1990 | ||
| Wenro | Iroquoian | 17th century | ||
| Wichita | Caddoan | 2016 | ||
| Wintu | Wintuan | 2003 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Wiyot/Wishosk/Soulatluk | Algic | 1962 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Woccon | Siouan | early 18th century | Revival attempts underway | |
| Yana/Yanan | Language isolate | 1916 | ||
| Yoncalla/Southern Kalapuya/Yonkalla | Kalapuyan | 1930s | ||
| Yuchi | Language isolate | August 27, 2021 | Revival attempts underway | |
| Yuki/Ukomno'm | Yuki–Wappo | 1983 | ||
| Yurok/Chillula/Mita/Pekwan/Rikwa/Sugon/Weitspek/Weitspekan | Algic | 2013 | Revival attempts underway |
European languages or dialects
| Language name | Language family | Extinction date | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jersey Dutch | Indo-European | 20th century |
Creole languages or dialects
| Language name | Creole parent language(s) | Extinction date | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mohawk Dutch | Dutch creole and Mohawk | 19–20th century |
Pidgin languages
| Language name | Pidgin parent language(s) | Extinction date | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broken Oghibbeway | Ottawa Ojibwe and Fox | after 1820s | |
| Pidgin Delaware | Delaware | 19th century | |
| Massachusett Pidgin | Massachusett | early 18th century | |
| Massachusett Pidgin English | English and Massachusett | early 19th century | |
| Mobilian Jargon | Muskogean | 1950s |
Sign languages
| Language name | Extinction date | References |
|---|---|---|
| Henniker Sign Language | 20th century | |
| Martha's Vineyard Sign Language | 1952 | |
| Plateau Sign Language | 18th century | |
| Sandy River Valley Sign Language | 19th century |
U.S. Virgin Islands
Creole languages
| Language name | Creole parent language(s) | Extinction date | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Negerhollands | Dutch creole, Danish, English, French, Spanish, and African | 1987 |
United States and Canada
Indigenous languages
| Language or dialect name | Dialect parent language | Language family | Extinction date | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Abnaki dialect | Abnaki language | Algic | 1993 | ||
| Wyandot | Iroquoian | 1972 | Revival attempts underway by the Wyandotte Nation (United States) and Huron-Wendat Nation (Canada) | ||
| Tsetsaut | Na-Dene | early 1930s |
Pidgin languages
| Language name | Pidgin parent language(s) | Extinction date | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eskimo Trade Jargon | Iñupiaq | 20th century |
United States and Mexico
Indigenous languages
| Language or dialect name | Language family | Extinction date | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amotomanco | unclassified | (date missing) | ||
| Cotoname | Language isolate | 20th century | ||
| Garza | Comecrudan | 19th century | ||
| Ópata | Uto-Aztecan | 20th century | Revival attempts underway among Opata people | |
| Solano | unclassified | 18th century |
See also
- List of extinct Uto-Aztecan languages
- List of extinct languages of South America
- Extinct languages of the Marañón River basin
- List of extinct languages of Central America and the Caribbean
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