408 Hawaiian Baby Names From The Land Of Beaches

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.

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Browse Baby Names By Gender

Browse Baby Names By Alphabet

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Name Gender Meaning
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Olivia
Baby Girl Sign Girl Peace; Olive tree
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Luke
Baby Boy Sign Boy Bringer of light; From Lucania; Light
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Kai
Baby Boy Sign Boy Sea; Keeper of the keys; Shell; Pier; From the sea
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Kehlani
Baby Girl Sign Girl Sea and sky; The heavens
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Alani
Baby Girl Sign Girl Little rock; Handsome; Orange tree or orange fruit; Peaceful; Fragrant
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Alana
Baby Girl Sign Girl Harmony; Offering; Beautiful; Exalted; Precious; Child
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Kailani
Baby Girl Sign Girl Sea; Sky; Heaven; The royal one
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Kaylani
Baby Girl Sign Girl Ocean and sky
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Leia
Baby Girl Sign Girl Weary; Heavenly child
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Malani
Baby Girl Sign Girl She who is from the sky; Garland
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Makai
Baby Boy Sign Boy Who is like God; Ocean
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Koa
Baby Boy Sign Boy Warrior; Koa tree
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Alanna
Baby Girl Sign Girl Harmony; Offering; Beautiful; Exalted; Precious; Child
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Nalani
Baby Girl Sign Girl Serenity of the skies; Calm skies; The heavens; Royal
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Aliana
Baby Girl Sign Girl Torch; Corposant; Moon; Sun; Most Holy; Noble and gracious
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Keilani
Baby Girl Sign Girl Heaven; Sky; Glorious chief; Royal one
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Kiana
Baby Girl Sign Girl Ancient; Divine; Goddesslike; Essence
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Kahlani
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Sea; Sky
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Meilani
Baby Girl Sign Girl Heavenly flower; Dark; Heavenly May
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Alannah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Harmony; Offering; Beautiful; Exalted; Precious; Child
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Lailani
Baby Girl Sign Girl Heavenly flowers; Heavenly garland of flowers; Royal child
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Kaleah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Joy; Happiness
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Aylani
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Chief; Orange tree
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Laylani
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Heavenly flowers; Royal child
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Maleni
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Dark; Black; Sky; Heaven
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Khalani
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Sea and sky; Earth
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Leylani
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Heavenly flowers; Royal child
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Khai
Baby Boy Sign Boy Crowned; Royalty; Ocean
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Kianna
Baby Girl Sign Girl Ancient; Divine; Goddesslike; Essence
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Jaylani
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Sea; Ocean; Heaven
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Keoni
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is gracious
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Kalea
Baby Girl Sign Girl Joy; Happiness
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Noelani
Baby Girl Sign Girl Heavenly mist
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Naylani
Baby Girl Sign Girl The heavens; The Chiefs;
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Alanah
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Little rock; Handsome; Precious; My child; Harmony; Elevated
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Luana
Baby Girl Sign Girl Lion; Happiness
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Keyon
Baby Boy Sign Boy Homeland; To construct; Respect; Strong; God is gracious
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Kaliah
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Beloved
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Makoa
Baby Boy Sign Boy Fearless; Courageous; Aggressive
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Anylah
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Air; Wind; Heavenly messenger; Angel
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Alakai
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex The leader
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Naia
Baby Girl Sign Girl Wave; Sea foam; Aspiration; Wish; Desire; Dolphin; To flow
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Kaelani
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Sea and sky; Majestic
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Armoni
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Of the palace; Palatial
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Ailany
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Chief
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Kekoa
Baby Boy Sign Boy The warrior; Koa tree
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Kamaya
Baby Girl Sign Girl Precious one
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Kaleia
Baby Girl Sign Girl Curled flower; Twisted flower
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Lani
Baby Girl Sign Girl Sky; Heaven; Royal; Hope; Wool; Lion
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Keion
Baby Boy Sign Boy Lion; Of Zeus; The homeland; To construct; Strong; Respect
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Kahlia
Baby Girl Sign Girl Desire; Flowers
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Maylani
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Heavenly flower
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Kayloni
Baby Girl Sign Girl Ocean sky
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Lulu
Baby Girl Sign Girl Pearl; Famous warrior; Light; Precious; Peaceful
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Bane
Baby Boy Sign Boy Ban; Bear; Cause of distress; Long-awaited child
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Kalena
Baby Girl Sign Girl Pure; Flower
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Maelani
Baby Girl Sign Girl Heavenly; Dark; Black
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Mailani
Baby Girl Sign Girl A gift from the heavens; A gift from God
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Nakai
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Quieted; Pacified; The seas; Middle pit or well; Wanderer
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Moana
Baby Girl Sign Girl Ocean; Vast expanse of water
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Kalayah
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Lost; Joy; Happiness; Field pea
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Calia
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex The flower wreath; Beloved; Very beautiful
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Kaloni
Baby Girl Sign Girl Sky; The royal one
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Ohana
Baby Girl Sign Girl Family
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Alanie
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Graceful; Orange tree
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Ikaika
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Strong
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Leiana
Baby Girl Sign Girl To bind; Climbing vine; Soft; Tender; Delicate; Wreath
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Malea
Baby Girl Sign Girl Flower; Rebelliousness; Wished for child; Beloved
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Aulani
Baby Girl Sign Girl King's messenger; Messenger of a chief; Royal messenger
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Alany
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Orange tree; Orange fruit; Little rock; Handsome
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Kanoa
Baby Boy Sign Boy The free one
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Kyon
Baby Boy Sign Boy Dog; The homeland
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Lelani
Baby Girl Sign Girl Heavenly flowers; Royal child
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Jaylanie
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Victory; Heaven; Sky; Royalty
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Kale
Baby Boy Sign Boy Man; Army; Beautiful victory; Cultivator; Slender
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Nakoa
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Warrior; Brave
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Alaynah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Little female bear; Wisdom; Knowledge; Harmony; Offering; Beautiful; Exalted; Precious; Child; Light
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Kyleah
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Narrows; Channel; Strait; Happiness
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Ailana
Baby Girl Sign Girl Halo; Moonlight; Loving
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Kamea
Baby Girl Sign Girl The one and only
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Aolani
Baby Girl Sign Girl Cloud; Heaven; Sky
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Kanai
Baby Boy Sign Boy Warrior; Gold; Metal; Money; Fanatic
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Leilana
Baby Girl Sign Girl A flower that grows in heaven; Royal child; Majesty
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Maile
Baby Girl Sign Girl A vine or a shrub
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Mylani
Baby Girl Sign Girl My heaven; Gentle caress
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Anuhea
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Cool or soft fragrance
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Maui
Baby Boy Sign Boy Name of a demigod; Trickster god
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Kona
Baby Boy Sign Boy Leeward; Small name; Small offering; Peak; Woman;Wife
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Maylie
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Gracious; Dear; Soldier; Wildflower
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Miliani
Baby Girl Sign Girl Gentle caress
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Male
Baby Boy Sign Boy Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Wished for child; Beloved
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Maleyah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Love; Beloved; Rebelliousness; Sea of bitterness
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Hani
Baby Boy Sign Boy Happy; Carefree; To move lightly; To touch
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Kaylanie
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Sea; Heaven
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Lui
Baby Boy Sign Boy Light; From Lucania; Famous warrior; Thunder
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Luanna
Baby Girl Sign Girl Happiness; Famous warrior; Grace
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Malana
Baby Girl Sign Girl Light; Buoyant
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Malu
Baby Girl Sign Girl One who brings peace
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Alekai
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Leader
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Kaileah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Joy; Pleasure; Sea of joy
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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.

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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

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Kamehameha the Great
    https://www.nps.gov/puhe/learn/historyculture/kamehameha.htm
  2. Queen Lili'uokalani
    https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/queen-lili-uokalani.htm
  3. 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

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