Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
With picturesque landscapes, vibrant flowers, and white sand beaches, Hawaiians have an eternal connection with the land, sea, and universe, which reflects in their names too. The rhythmic sounds of the Hawaiian baby names evoke exotic images of this landscape while staying true to the culture. Traditional Hawaiian names were primarily gender-neutral and were considered to have two meanings- one being the literal meaning, and the other a symbolic meaning. In earlier times, the babies were named by Kupuna, the eldest member of the family, right at the time of birth. The name could have appeared in the form of a sign in a dream or vision. Hence, the given name had a symbolic meaning only known to the family. It was believed that if someone outside the family knew the name's true meaning, they could harm the person who had that name. So, to protect the name bearer from potential dangers, the family kept the symbolic meaning of the name a secret.
Apart from nature, Hawaiian names are also inspired by historical events, geographical features, and moʻolelo or stories. In addition, they also gave much more importance to one's lineage and genealogy as a means to remember the familial legacy. Therefore, Hawaiians would also pick ancestral names handed down from generation to generation, and this tradition is still somewhat prevalent (1). Today, Hawaiian baby names mostly refer to nature or have positive meanings. Some such examples include Ahe meaning soft breeze; Kaiona, meaning ocean, and Lani, meaning sky. A few other modern day names are also inspired by spiritual connotations or the traits a parent may wish for the child to possess such as Oline, meaning joyful and Keone meaning God's gracious gift. Some parents even pick trendy American first names for their children. But for the middle spot, they stick to a traditional Hawaiian name. Below is our wide selection of Hawaiian baby names, along with their meanings. We’ve also added the name in alphabetical order for better navigation.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Laia |  |  Girl | Sweet-speaking |
| Laiana | |  Unisex | Loving; Graceful; Charming |
| Lailani | | Girl | Heavenly flower |
| Laini | | Girl | Heaven; Sky |
| Laki | | Unisex | Lucky; Fortunate |
| Lanai | | Girl | Porch; Open-sided veranda |
| Lani | | Girl | Sky; Heaven; Royal |
| Lanikai | | Unisex | Heavenly beach |
| Lanni | | Girl | Heavenly one; The sky |
| Laylani | | Unisex | Exotic, enchanting, beautiful |
| Laylanie | | Girl | Heavenly flower; Heavenly lei |
| Lei | | Girl | Flower; Thunder |
| Leia | | Girl | Heavenly child; Heavenly flowers; Lioness |
| Leialoha | | Unisex | A child who is cherished and loved |
| Leiana | | Girl | Heavenly flower; Child of heaven |
| Leiani | | Unisex | Heavenly flowers; Royal child |
| Leiko | | Unisex | A petite flower |
| Leilana | | Girl | A flower that grows in heaven |
| Leilani | | Unisex | Royal child |
| Leina | | Girl | Weaver |
| Lelani | | Girl | Heavenly, tranquil, and flower-like |
| Lenai | | Girl | Porch; Moon; Torch |
| Leolani | | Girl | Heavenly woman |
| Leylani | | Unisex | Heavenly flower, tender beauty |
| Liam | |  Boy | Strong-willed warrior |
| Liko | | Boy | Bud |
| Liliani | | Girl | Gracious and delicate |
| Liliha | | Girl | Angry disregard |
| Lilinoe | | Girl | Fine mist; Cool mist |
| Liliuokalani | | Girl | Honored ruler or heavenly royalty |
| Lilo | | Unisex | Generous one; God is my oath |
| Loe | | Unisex | King |
| Logan | | Boy | Little hollow |
| Lolani | | Unisex | Royal hawk |
| Loni | | Girl | A sky in Hawaiian; A Light in Latin or Solitary in English |
| Louann | | Girl | Enjoyment |
| Louanne | | Girl | The one who is enjoying life |
| Lua | | Girl | A contended; Relaxes and joyful individual |
| Luann | | Girl | Delight and amusemen |
| Luanna | | Girl | Enjoyment, Happiness and Bliss |
| Madison | | Boy | Son of Maud |
| Maelani | | Girl | Heavenly flower |
| Maelia | | Unisex | Exotic, feminine, unique |
| Mahana | | Unisex | Radiant, energetic, spirited |
| Mahealani | | Unisex | Moonlit night; Full moon |
| Mahina | | Girl | Lunar god |
| Maikah | | Unisex | Strength; Leadership; Determination |
| Mailani | | Girl | Heavenly flower |
| Maile | | Girl | A vine or a shrub |
| Mailee | | Girl | A vine plant |
| Maka | | Girl | Beloved one |
| Makai | | Boy | Towards the sea |
| Makaia | | Unisex | Gift from God |
| Makaio | | Unisex | One who was a God's gift |
| Makana | | Girl | A girl who is a gift to the world |
| Makani | | Boy | Wind; Ghost |
| Makeila | | Unisex | Beauty; Graceful |
| Makelina | | Girl | From Magdelene |
| Makia | | Unisex | Purposeful; Focused |
| Makoa | | Boy | Strong and courageous |
| Malana | | Girl | Light; Buoyant |
| Malani | | Girl | She who is from the sky |
| Malea | | Girl | Hawaiian name describing something that is possible; Probable |
| Maleko | | Boy | King; Ruler; Powerful |
| Maliana | | Girl | She who is beautiful |
| Malina | | Girl | Soothing |
| Mallu | | Girl | One who exudes peacefulness |
| Malo | | Boy | A Victorious Man; Winner |
| Malu | | Girl | One who brings peace |
| Mana | | Unisex | One who is full of spirit |
| Maneha | | Unisex | Wise; Intelligent |
| Manoa | | Unisex | Place of peace and tranquility |
| Mason | | Boy | Stone worker |
| Maui | | Boy | Strong-willed |
| Maylani | | Unisex | Heavenly flower |
| Maylee | | Girl | She who resembles a wild flower |
| Meka | | Girl | Eyes |
| Mele | | Boy | One who is happy; Merry |
| Mia | | Girl | Mine; Dear; Darling |
| Mila | | Girl | Gracious; Dear |
| Milani | | Girl | A soft and gentle affectionate touch |
| Miliani | | Girl | Gentle caress |
| Mililani | | Unisex | A gentle touch from the heaven |
| Millian | | Girl | Strong; Determined |
| Moana | | Girl | Ocean |
| Moanna | | Girl | Ocean; A variant form of Moana |
| Moke | | Boy | A person who is sweetened with honey; One who is remarkably fine |
| Monay | | Unisex | Descendant of the protector |
| Mumu | | Unisex | Dream |
| Nainoa | | Boy | One who guards the kids or small children |
| Nakea | | Unisex | Pure; Genuine; Full of life |
| Nakoa | | Unisex | Warrior, brave, powerful |
| Nalani | | Girl | Calm skies; Serenity of the heavens |
| Nalanie | | Girl | The calm sky |
| Nalea | | Unisex | Flower-like; Delicate |
| Nalu | | Unisex | Wave; Surf |
| Nana | | Unisex | The name of a Spring month; Fresh or green vegetables; The status of a monarch. |
| Nanea | | Girl | Land of heaven |
| Nani | | Unisex | Beauty; Glory; Grace |
| Napua | | Girl | Resembles flowers |
Hawaiian baby names serve as an articulate representation of the region’s history, culture, and traditions. Rooted in nature, ancestors, spirituality, and royalty, these names convey a deep sense of belonging and respect for the natural world and ancestral lineage. While embracing modern influences, Hawaiians continue to cherish their naming customs as a means of preserving their unique identity and cultural legacy for future generations. The above-listed names are a few such culturally significant names with generous meanings.
Infographic: Nature-Inspired Hawaiian Baby Names With Meanings
Hawaiian baby names are known to draw inspiration from the island's lush landscapes. These names, with profound meanings, showcase the region's history and cultural practices. The following infographic explores some of the most notable and exquisite Hawaiian names you may consider for your baby.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which Hawaiian names mean love, angel, and beautiful?
Hawaiian names such as Aloha, Kealoha, Kaleikaumaka, and Kealohapauʻole bear meanings such as love, the beloved child, or loved one. In addition, we have Anela, which means angel. Finally, names such as Ani, Leinani, and Kaili mean beautiful.
2. What are some Hawaiian baby names starting with the letter "N"?
Hawaiian baby names such as Nani (glory, beauty), Noa (rest, repose), Noelani (heavenly mist), Nalu (wave, surf), and Nanea (fascinating, interesting) start with N and have profound and beautiful meanings.
3. What are some Hawaiian baby names inspired by the ocean?
The ocean plays an important role in influencing Hawaiian baby names. Names such as Moana (ocean, deep sea), Makai (toward the sea), and Puakai (ocean flower) are inspired by the magnificent water body.
4. What are some Hawaiian baby names with historical significance?
Several unique Hawaiian names bear historical significance. These may include Kamehameha (inspired by Kamehameha the Great, who united the Hawaiian islands) (1), Liliʻuokalani (inspired by the only queen and last sovereign monarch of the Hawaiian kingdom) (2), and Lunalilo (inspired by William Charles Lunalilo, a monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom who wrote the kingdom's national anthem) (3).
5. What are some gender-neutral or unisex Hawaiian baby names?
Several Hawaiian baby names can be used for both genders, some of them include Kai (sea), Kalani (the heavens), Leilani (heavenly flowers), Māui (name of a mythological character), Moana (ocean, deep sea), and Pua (flower).
6. What are some Hawaiian baby names for twins?
Some name pairs such as Kai-kainalu (sea-wave), Oliwa-Onaona (olive-softly fragrant), Ahonui-Aloha (patience-love), and Pua-Nani (flower-beauty) may be suitable for twin babies.
References
- Kamehameha the Great
https://www.nps.gov/puhe/learn/historyculture/kamehameha.htm - Queen Lili'uokalani
https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/queen-lili-uokalani.htm - He aliʻi komo mua : a glimpse into the life of King William Charles Lunalilo
https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/items/ad32721a-88ea-49fb-99e8-e56cb88f966f/full
