The Ponca are a Midwestern Native American tribe of the Dhegihan branch of the Siouan language group.

There are two federally recognized Ponca tribes: the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska and the Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma.

Their traditions and historical accounts suggest they originated as a tribe east of the Mississippi River in the Ohio River valley area and migrated west for game and as a result of Iroquois wars.The term Ponca is the name of a clan among the Kansa, Osage, and Quapaws.

The meaning of the name is "Cut Throat".