Search for names here!
Origin, Meaning, And History of Moana
The name Moana has Polynesian, Maori, and Hawaiian origins. The meaning of this name is ‘ocean’ or ‘deep sea.’ It is derived from the name of the Polynesian sea God. Samoa is an island nation; in the native language, Samoan, the term ‘lanu moana’ means ‘blue colored.’ The name Moana was initially a gender-neutral name associated with a large expanse of water. Later, due to standard popular cultural references, the name became more associated with a feminine role.
Moana is a traditional name that has stood the test of time and is still prevalent in New Zealand, Hawaii, Samoa, and all the other Polynesian Islands. All of these island nations thrive due to the bountiful seas surrounding them. Therefore, the name holds great significance and is regarded as sacred by the indigenous people.
Moana is pronounced ‘mo-AH-nuh’ or ‘MWA-nuh’. Similar names include Mona, Mina, Iona, Meena, and Simona. The name Moana can have several pet names, such as Mo, Ana, Anne, and Moa. Disney recently adopted the name for a movie that has caused the popularity of the name to skyrocket.
The name has always been a common name among the inhabitants of the Polynesian Islands. It spread to the mainland of the US because of the immigrants. They are usually from the island nations and migrated to the mainland for a better life and carried along their culture and customs.
In the world of fictional characters, the most memorable is the Disney Princess Moana. The animated movie is insightful. It gives the audience a first-hand glimpse into the culture and beliefs of the island dwellers. The story follows the journey of self-discovery of a teenage girl. It also teaches us never to give up in the face of adversity and to believe in our limitless strength. The movie’s animation whisks the viewer to a tropical paradise full of wonder and fantasy.
How To Pronounce Moana?
Famous People With The Name Moana
- Moana Maree ManiapotoNew Zealand singer who performs a fusion of traditional Maori haka, chants, and taonga puoro
- Moana Carcasses KalosilA Vanuatuan politician, Prime Minister of Vanuatu from 2013 to 2014
- Moana Wolfgramm FeingaMember of the 1980s family pop band The Jets, released her hit debut album at 12
- Cheyl Moana Marie NunesAn American television presenter, musician, and beauty pageant winner
- Talayna Moana NikoraStunt coordinator known for her work in Mad Max: Fury Road and Thor: Love and Thunder
Moana On The Popularity Chart
The US Social Security Administration chart below shows how the name Moana has performed over the years. Let’s study the data in detail.
Popularity Over Time
Moana was unpopular from 1980 to 2010. After that, it saw a transient increase, with its highest popularity in 2017, when 141 babies per million shared the name. Check out the graphical representation for detailed insights.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The ranking of the name Moana was low in the 1980s but saw a fluctuation in the following years. The name received its best rank in 2017 when it was placed at 1558. The graph below shows the trend.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound to Moana
If you like how Moana sounds, check out the options below for more such names.
Names With Similar Meaning to Moana
Look no further if you are looking for baby names that are related to the ocean and the deep blue sea. Here are some worthwhile names to consider.
Name Numerology For Moana
