Hawaiian Names

Aylany

Hawaiian, Hispanic variation of Aileen or Aylin

"high chief; shining light, of the moon"

Ailany was one of the fastest rising names of 2024, while Aylani and Ailani also rose up the charts. While this spelling ranked well outside the US Top 1000 in the latest stats, it nevertheless saw…

Naia

Hawaiian, Greek, Basque

"dolphin; to flow; wave, sea foam"

A multicultural option that's equally intriguing but more unusual than Maia. Connected to water and the ocean, it is a Top 100 choice in Spain and Puerto Rico and has been rising up the charts in…

Noelani

Hawaiian

"heavenly mist"

Unusual yet accessible Hawaiian choice. The Noel beginning makes it a possible name for baby girls born at Christmas .

Makena

Scottish, Meru, or Hawaiian

"son of Kenneth; happy one, gift"

Makena may be one of the names with the most diverse range of possible roots. It can be a spelling variation of the Scottish surname McKenna, or a name from the East African Meru community with a…

Anela

Hawaiian

"angel"

Anela is the equivalent of Angela, which means angel. Anela is also one of hawaii's top baby names .

Ani

Hawaiian; Igbo

"beautiful"

Folk singer DiFranco popularized this simple, appealing form. In Igbo mythology, Ani is one of the names of the goddess of the earth, fertility, creativity, and morality.

Halia

Hawaiian, Greek

"remembrance of a loved one, cherished memory; briny"

Halia is one of Hawaii's top baby names, in the Top 50 for girls in 2021. Rare yet quietly on the rise outside of Hawaii, it was given to around 64 girls in a recent year. With its appealing meaning…

Koah

Variation of Koa or Koach, Hawaiian, Hebrew

"warrior; strength"

Likely used as a spin on Koa with a hint of Noah about it too, this form debuted in the US charts for boys in 2025. The same year saw it (quietly) rise for girls too, with 51 babies given the name,…

Kalena

Hawaiian or Danish variation of Katherine or Karen

"pure"

Kalena is one of those names that has a pleasant-if-synthetic feel. Research turns up a range of origins and meanings, but the most reliable peg it as a derivation of Katherine.

Lilo

German, diminutive of Liselotte; Hawaiian

"God is my oath + freeman; generous one"

Lilo is the name of the spunky little Hawaiian girl character in the Disney movie Lilo & Stitch -- and is also Lindsay Lohan's nickname. Multi-cultural, it can be found in Hawaiian, German and Hebrew…

Mahi

Sanskrit; Hawaiian; French

"earth goddess; strong; bitter"

Mahi is another name for the Hindu earth goddess Bhumi. It also means strong in Hawaiian and might be a medieval French variation of Mary. But most modern Americans would hear it as the name of the…

Maile

Hawaiian nature name

Captivating and appealing name — a maile is a vine used to make leis — getting noticed via writer Maile Meloy. Many pronounce it ala Miley, as in Cyrus, though native Hawaiian speakers say the…

Liona

Liona is a feminine name that likely developed as a variant of Leona, which derives from the Latin word 'leo' meaning 'lion.' This elegant variation carries the same powerful connotations of…