Origins Of Traditional Hawaiian Names (Naming Traditions)
In Hawaiian culture, there’s a high value placed on one’s ancestry. So, it isn’t surprising that many Hawaiian names honor ancestors and other aspects of their culture.
The naming traditions also follow certain aspects of the Hawaiian and Polynesian cultures or history, such as picking names based on a baby’s personality traits. Other names are chosen from a sign that their parents or other family members received in a dream. (1)
Some baby names are also picked to remember a loved one or commemorate an event. (1)
The Beauty In Choosing Hawaiian Baby Names
Some parents prefer to pick an exotic-sounding, non-English name (such as Hawaiian baby names) over an English name because they love the unique sound and spelling of popular names from other languages.
We prepared this list to share some of the most popular, trending Hawaiian names with their meanings to help you pick the best one that suits your baby.
What’s The Most Common Hawaiian Name?
The trending names can vary, but the following are some of the most common Hawaiian names: (2)
- Kainoa and Kai for boys
- Kailani and Malia for girls
You can find their meanings and other popular baby names below.
Popular Hawaiian Baby Boy Names
Hawaiian Nature Boy Names
Some nature names for boys:
- Alapai – Coastal area
- Aukai – Seafarer
- Hema – South
- Kahawai – River
- Kahikū – Star
- Kamaile – Vein of a lei
- Keawe – Southern star
- Keola – Life
- Koukakala – Dark river
- Mahi’ai – Farmer
- Mamo – Yellow bird
- Manu – Bird
- Mauka – Toward the mountain
- Maunakea – White mountain
- Maunawili – Twisted mountain
- Moanalua – Valley or stream
- Na’alehu – The volcanic ashes
- Nahele – Forest
- Oliwa – Olive tree
- Onaona – Sweet fragrance
- Pahokee – Grassy waters
- Pupuhi – Blow or as a strong wind
What’s A Hawaiian Name For A Boy?
- Anakoni – Valuable
- Analu – Manly
- Kahalo – Light-footed one
- Kai – Sea
- Kainalu – Surf
- Kainoa – Place or a father’s namesake
- Kaleo – Pure, but can also mean a saying or expression
- Kalino – The brilliant one
- Kamaha’o – Amazing and wonderful
- Luano – Enjoyment
- Maika’i – Good health
- Māui – A ‘trickster’ demigod
Strong Hawaiian Boy Names
- Alaka’i – Guide or leader
- Ali’i – Chief or leader
- Aloiki – Renowned war
- Ano – Awe and reverence
- Etana – Strong, dedication, or strength
- Haikili – God of thunder
- He pohaku – Stone
- Huaka’i – Journey or path taken
- Ino – Storm
- Ka’eo – Strong zealous
- Kalākaua – The day of battle
- Kanakamana – Powerful man
- Kapena – Captain
- Kawikani – The strong one
- Kekoa – Courageous, but can also mean coral
- Koa ikaika – Strong warrior
- Lokela – Famous warrior
- Makaʻala – Vigilant, alert, or watchful
- Mano – Shark or a passionate lover
- Mililani – To praise
Special Hawaiian Names For Boys
- Alo – The face
- Apela – Old
- Hauoli – Happiness
- Havika – Beloved
- Iki – Small
- Kahale – Home
- Kahinu – To anoint
- Kaiaulu – A pleasant or gentle breeze
- Kaikane – Strong sea
- Kaholo – Swift
- Kaipo – Sweetheart
- Kakahiaka – Morning
- Kaui – The youthful one
- Kekapa – The cloth
- Māhoe – Twin
- Meka – Eyes or beloved one
- Nohea – Handsome
Hawaiian Versions Of English Boy Names
- Akamu – Adam
- Akoni – Anthony
- Alani – Alan
- Alekanekeio – Alexander
- Alika – Alec
- Amosa – Amos
- Ekewaka – Edward
- Iokepa – St. Joseph
- Ionakana – Jonathan
- Kawika – David
- Kimo – James
- Lopaka – Robert
- Makaio – Matthew
- Mikala – Michael
- Nikolao – Nicholas
- Pakelika – Patrick
Hawaiian Names For Boys With Heavenly Meanings
Some spiritual names for boys:
- Anuenue Akua – God’s rainbow or rainbow’s spirit
- Apekalmoa – My father is peace
- Elta – The Lord is my God
- Haoa – Hot as the sun
- Kalani – Of the heavens
- Kapono – Righteous
- Keahilani – Heaven’s fire
- Ke’alohilani – Heavenly brightness
- Kealakekua – Pathway of the gods
- Kealamauloa – The path of eternity
- Keona – God’s gracious gift
- Kimokea – Honoring God
- Lono – God of the harvest
- Mana – Divine power
- Pukalani – Heavenly gate
- Uhane – Soul
- Wehilani – Adornment from heaven
Popular Hawaiian Baby Names For Girls
Hawaiian Nature Names For Girls
- Alaula – Light of dawn
- Ava – Bird
- Anuenue – Rainbow
- Haleakalā – House of the rising sun
- Iolana – To soar like an eagle
- Kailua – Two seas
- Kalama – Flaming torch
- Kumulāʻau – Tree
- Mahina – Moon
- Moana – Ocean
- Naia – Dolphin
- Palila – Bird
- Pōhaku – Rock
- Wai nani – Beautiful water
What’s A Good Name For A Hawaiian Girl?
- Aulani – King’s messenger
- Kaia – The sea
- Kailani – Beach and sky
- Kalena – Radiate
- Kona – Lady
- Leilani – Heavenly child
- Maile – Vine
- Malie – Calm
- Nani – Beautiful
What’s A Pretty Hawaiian Name?
- Aloha – Love
- Haukea – White snow
- Haunani – Beautiful snow
- Kau’i – The youthful one
- Mino’aka – Smile
- Nani kōkī – Supremely beautiful
- Noelani – Heavenly mist
- Puanani – Beautiful child
- Uʻilani – Royal beauty
Hawaiian Flower Names For Girls
Some beautiful flower names for your little girl:
- Kalei – The flowers
- Kaleia – Curled flower
- Kapua – Blossom
- Kiele – Gardenia
- Lehua – Hawaii state flower (blossoms of the Ohia tree)
- Lei – Flowers
- Leimomi – Pearl flowers
- Lokelani – Small red rose
- Oliana – Oleander
- Pikake – Jasmine
- Pua – Flower
- Pualani – Heavenly flower
- Roselani – Red rose
Hawaiian Names For Girls With Heavenly Meanings
Baby girl names with spiritual meanings:
- Anela – Angel
- Aolani – Heavenly cloud
- Edena – Eden
- Heiau – Temple
- Hōkūlani – Heavenly star
- Lolani – Bird of heaven
- Kaili – Departing spirit
- Kalea – Prayers
- Kamalani – Heavenly child
- Kiana – Moon baby.
- Laka – Goddess of the hula
- Lani–kai – Heavenly beach
- Na’au – Heart and mind
- Nālani – The heavens
- Pele – Volcano goddess
Hawaiian Names For Girls With Unique & Special Meanings
- Ahonui – Patience
- Alamea – Precious, volcanic stone
- Alana – Awakening
- Hanohano – Noble
- Hoʻomana – Adored
- Ka mea ʻimi – The seeker
- Ka’ahumanu – Bird cloak
- Kanoa – Hollow of land
- Ke’ala – The path
- Lili’uokalani – High born
- Malu – Peacefulness
- Mana’o – Thoughts
- Mele – Poem
- Peni – Penny
- Pule – Prayer
- Uluwehi – Growing in beauty
- Wena – Glow
Hawaiian Form Of English Baby Girl Names
- Apikalia – Abigail
- Elikapeka – Elizabeth
- Iekika – Jessica
- Kakalina – Katherine
- Kala– Sarah
- Kekepania – Stephanie
- Kilikina – Christina
- Makayla – Michaela
- Malia – Mary
- Melika – Melissa
- Wikolia – Victoria
Unisex Hawaiian Baby Names For Boys & Girls
Traditional Hawaiian Baby Names (Unisex)
- A’ia’i – Bright like the moon
- Ailani – High chief
- Ainakea – White land
- Akamai – Smart or clever
- Akela – Happy or contented
- Ali’ikai – Queen or king of the sea
- Eleu – Alert and lively
- Hau’oli – Happiness
- Healani – Haze from the heavens
- Ikaika – Strong and powerful
- Ka Hiwa – Sacred vine
- Kaimana – Powerful sea
- Kamea – The one and only
- Kaulanne – Famous
- Kealoha – The loved one
- Keilani – Glorious chief
- Lulua ‘ina – Freckles
- Polunu – Chubby
- Ualoheke Akua – God has listened
Unisex Hawaiian Baby Names With Lovely Meanings
- A’ala – Fragrant
- Ahuahu – Healthy
- Alohi – Shining and brilliant
- ‘Akau – North or right, but also means god
- Hoku – Star
- Io lani – Royal hawk
- Kahiau – Generosity
- Kahula – Dancing
- Kapano – Righteous
- Konane – Bright moonlight
- Mahana – Be warm
- Makani – The wind
- ‘Olina – Joyful
Unisex Hawaiian Middle Names
Some gender-neutral names for your little one:
- Ahe – Soft
- Aheahe – Softly blowing breeze
- ‘Ailana – Island
- Akahi – For the first time
- Hali’a – Remembrance of a loved one
- Hiapo – Firstborn
- Inoa – Namesake
- Keahi – Fire
- Keanu – The cool breeze
- Keone – The sand or the homeland
- Ku’u Hoaloha ‘Oi – Best friend
- Ku’u Maka – Apple of my eye
- Maka – Favorite one
- Pilialoha – Close friend
- Punahele – Favorite
FAQs
What Hawaiian Name Means Moon?
Mahina is a name that means moon in Hawaiian.
What’s The Hawaiian Name For The Sky?
Lani has many different meanings in the Hawaiian language, including sky, heavenly, majesty, and royal.
What Hawaiian name means gift of God?
There are at least two names that mean a gift of God:
- Makana
- Makaio – also another form for Matthew
What Hawaiian Name Means Beautiful?
Nani and Kanani are Hawaiian names that mean beautiful.
What Hawaiian Name Means Brave?
Koa is a Hawaiian name that means brave or fearless.
Things To Consider When Choosing Hawaiian Baby Names
The rich Hawaiian culture has lots of beautiful and exotic names you can choose from, but the apostrophes found in these Hawaiian names might not be compatible with many systems that are used with English names.
Your child might need to explain to their teachers and friends that the apostrophe, known as the okina, is a part of their name. But you can also opt to remove it.
For example, the name Hali’a can also be spelled as Halia, which has the same meaning.
The apostrophe in Hawaiian names serves as a guide for pronouncing the vowels in the names. If you see an okina in between two vowels, then it means that you need to pronounce them both.
Example, Ka‘anapali is pronounced as Kah-ah-naw-PAW-lee, not Ka-NAH-poli or KAW-nah-paw-lee.
REFERENCES
(1) https://www.papahanaumokuakea.gov/heritage/kapainoa.html
(2) https://www.hawaiibusiness.com/most-popular-baby-names-in-hawaii/
