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 | |
---|---|---|---|
Kalei | Unisex | The child; The flowers | |
Kaleia | Girl | Curled flower; Twisted flower | |
Kaleighia | Girl | Happiness or bliss; Flowers | |
Kaleo | Unisex | Sound; Voice | |
Kalino | Boy | The brilliant one | |
Kalon | Boy | Sky | |
Kalona | Girl | Sky in Hawaiian; Singer in Hebrew; Plain | |
Kaloni | Girl | Sky, the Rroyal one | |
Kamaia | Unisex | Calm; Quiet one | |
Kamalei | Girl | Beloved child | |
Kamaya | Girl | Precious one | |
Kamea | Girl | The one and only | |
Kamie | Unisex | Desire or longing | |
Kanani | Girl | The one who is beautiful | |
Kani | Girl | Sound | |
Kanoa | Boy | The free one | |
Kanuha | Boy | The sulky one | |
Kapena | unisex | Captain | |
Kapono | Unisex | Righteous | |
Kapueo | Unisex | Owl in Hawaiian | |
Kapula | Unisex | Prayer | |
Kapuni | Unisex | Favorite One | |
Kaua | Boy | Sensitive; One who is sensitive by nature | |
Kauai | Unisex | Place of beauty | |
Kaui | Boy | The youth is beautiful | |
Kawena | Unisex | The rosy glow in the sky | |
Kawika | Boy | Favorite; Beloved Friend | |
Kawikani | Boy | The one who is strong | |
Kayl | Boy | The man who is free | |
Kaylani | Girl | Ocean; Sky | |
Keahi | Unisex | Fire | |
Keahilani | Unisex | Heaven's fire | |
Keaka | Boy | Brave warrior; Valiant protector | |
Keala | Unisex | The path; The road | |
Kealamauloa | Boy | The eternal path or the path of eternity | |
Kealani | Unisex | The clear and white heaven | |
Kealii | Unisex | Chief | |
Kealoha | Unisex | The one who is loved | |
Kealohi | Unisex | The one who shines | |
Kealohilani | Unisex | The shine of the heaven | |
Keani | Unisex | Breeze or wave | |
Keanu | Unisex | Cool breeze over the mountains | |
Kehau | Girl | Heavenly dew | |
Kehlani | Girl | Sea and sky | |
Keia | Unisex | The one; The kind | |
Keiana | Unisex | Graceful; Divine grace | |
Keiki | Unisex | Child | |
Keikilani | Unisex | Heaven's child | |
Keilana | Girl | Joyful ocean | |
Keilani | Girl | Heaven; Sky; Glorious chief; Royal one | |
Keimoni | Boy | The ocean of uniqueness or knowledge | |
Keka | Unisex | Chosen; Selected; Appointed | |
Kekai | Unisex | The sea | |
Kekala | Girl | She is chosen | |
Kekepania | Girl | Crowned in victory | |
Kekoa | Boy | The warrior | |
Kela | Unisex | To wait | |
Kelani | unisex | Heaven | |
Kelanie | Unisex | Unique; Mysterious; Beautiful | |
Kelii | unisex | The chief | |
Kelina | Girl | Bright, pure, and shining one | |
Kellii | Boy | Chief | |
Keloni | Unisex | Strong; Brave; Noble | |
Keo | Unisex | Strong and courageous | |
Keoki | Unisex | Hawaiian variation of George | |
Keomi | Select Gender | The life | |
Keona | Boy | God is gracious | |
Keone | Girl | God's gracious gift | |
Kepakiano | Boy | God's gift | |
Kepler | Boy | Hatter; Cap maker | |
Kiala | Unisex | Bright; Clear | |
Kiana | Girl | Grace of God | |
Kianah | Unisex | Divine; Heavenly | |
Kiano | Girl | Strong; Adaptable | |
Kida | Unisex | stringed musical instrument | |
Kiele | Girl | Fragrant blossom | |
Kielle | Girl | Gardenia | |
Kiely | Girl | Garden of flowers | |
Kika | Boy | Battle place | |
Kila | Unisex | Strong; Powerful; Brave | |
Kilani | Unisex | Mighty; Powerful | |
Kilo | Boy | One who observes the stars; Daydreamer | |
Kilohana | unisex | Superior; Best | |
Kimo | Boy | One who replaces or supplants; A supplanter | |
Kina | Girl | Vindicated | |
Kinipela | Girl | Wave | |
Koa | Boy | Warrior | |
Koalani | Unisex | The heavenly path | |
Kona | Boy | Leeward | |
Konala | Boy | World ruler | |
Konane | Boy | Konane means Light | |
Ku | Unisex | Good; Nest | |
Kualii | Boy | Kualii means A Famous Chief | |
Kukane | Boy | Means Like a Man | |
Kulani | Boy | Kulani means Like heaven, to reveal Heaven | |
Kye | Boy | Ocean | |
Kylani | Unisex | Heaven; Sky | |
Kyroh | Unisex | Mysterious and unique | |
Lahahana | Boy | Warmth of the sun | |
Lahela | Girl | Innocent lamb | |
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.
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