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Hawaiian Names for Girls

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Jun 09 2020
Hawaiian names for girls are becoming more fashionable every day, with lani appended to a range of prefixes to produce lovely sounds and names such as Leilani, Kalani, and Melani. If you have Hawaiian ancestry or you simply love the sound of the language and feel of the land, consider one of these Hawaiian names for your baby girl.

Here, our full list of Hawaiian girl names. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
  1. Kaia

    • Origin:

      Latin, Scandinavian, or Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "to rejoice or sea"

    • Description:

      The new Maia, the next Kayla, Kaia has been on the charts since the year 2000. You might see it as a female form of the also-rising Kai, which means sea in Hawaiian and is sometimes used for girls as well, or as a Kardashianization of the ancient goddess name Caia.
  2. Lilia

    • Origin:

      Spanish, Italian and Russian

    • Meaning:

      "lily"

    • Description:

      Lilia is pretty double L name that makes for sparkly, floral choice with plenty of international flair. More distinctive that Lily, less popular than Liliana, Lia, and Lilian, Lilia was a new entry to the US Top 1000 in 2023.
  3. Leilani

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "heavenly flower"

    • Description:

      Lyrical, lively and bold, Leilani is a name that feels fresh, floral, and summery. Sharing sounds with the popular Lillian, Layla and Luna, Leilani joined the US Top 100 in 2020.
  4. Malia

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian variation of Mary

    • Meaning:

      "bitter"

    • Description:

      Malia rose up the charts back in 2009 when it was brought into the spotlight as the name of the Obama's eldest daughter. It leapt into the US Top 200, and while it hasn't reached that level of popularity again, it now sees steady usage, and is given to around 1100 girls every year.
  5. Naia

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian, Greek, Basque

    • Meaning:

      "dolphin; to flow; wave, sea foam"

    • Description:

      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 France and the UK in recent years. Alternative (and equally multicultural) spelling alternative Nya has also proved popular.
  6. Kai

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "sea"

    • Description:

      This appealing multi-cultural name, pronounced KYE, is beginning to be used for girls as well as boys. Among its many derivations and meanings: "sea" in Hawaiian, "forgiveness" in Japanese, "willow tree" in Navajo, "food" in Maori, and "earth" in Scandinavian. For girls, it debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2010.
  7. Kalina

    • Origin:

      Polish

    • Meaning:

      "viburnum"

    • Description:

      Kalina, known as a girls' name throughout Eastern Europe, translates literally to viburnum in Polish, making it a botanical name. Viburnum is a flowering shrub. Some sources translate this name as simply "flower." Variations may include Kaline, Kalena, and Kalene.
  8. Kailani

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "sea and sky"

    • Description:

      This name's similarity to Kalani and pretty Hawaiian origin helped catapult it into the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013.
  9. Alika

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian; Swahili

    • Meaning:

      "truthful; most beautiful"

    • Description:

      Alika is a multicultural choice that's far off the beaten track.
  10. Kalea

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "joy, happiness"

    • Description:

      Kalea is a Top 100 name for girls in Hawaii, that may also be spelled as Kale'a. Sources differ on the meaning of the name, but the most authoritative land on "joy or happiness", with other suggestions being "clear", "call, voice", "the bright one" or a combination of other Hawaiian names, such as Kalani and Leilani.
  11. Alani

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "orange tree"

    • Description:

      One of those names you may not even be aware of if you haven't been paying attention to recent naming trends, Alani was given to more than 700 baby girls in the US in one recent year, to be the second most popular feminization of Alan after Alana. It's certainly the most modern-sounding female version of Alan.
  12. Nalani

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "calm skies"

    • Description:

      Evocative of tranquil island escapes. One of several Hawaiian (and pseudo-Hawaiian) names ending in "-ani" that's soaring in popularity, Nalani made its debut on the US Top 1000 in 2016.
  13. Maliyah

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian variation of Mary

    • Meaning:

      "bitter"

    • Description:

      This version of Malia (as in Obama) peaked at Number 296 in 2009. Though Maliyah has lost ground since then, it's surprisingly enduring for a newly-fashion name whose pop culture connection was more than a decade ago.
  14. Maile

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian nature name

    • Description:

      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 correct pronunciation is more like MY-lay or MY-leh.
  15. Iolani

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "hawk of royalty"

    • Description:

      Iolani feels quintessentially Hawaiian, a stylish origin for baby names these days thanks to Malia, the Hawaiian name of the Obamas' older daughter. The initial I is pronounced with a long e sound, as in Waikiki, and the name Iolani has four syllables.
  16. Ani

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian; Igbo

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful"

    • Description:

      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.
  17. Emalia

    • Description:

      Emalia is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variation of Amalia, which derives from Germanic roots meaning 'work' or 'labor,' suggesting industriousness and diligence. Alternatively, it could be related to Emily (from the Latin 'aemulus' meaning 'rival' or 'eager') or even be a distinctive spelling of Amelia (a Germanic name meaning 'work'). In Hawaiian contexts, Emalia is sometimes used as a Hawaiian form of Emily or Amelia. The name has a flowing, melodic quality with its balanced syllables and soft consonants. While not among the most common names in Western countries, Emalia offers parents a beautiful alternative to more popular 'Em-' names, combining familiarity with uniqueness. Its international versatility and pleasant sound have contributed to its modest but steady usage in recent decades.

  18. Palila

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "a bird"

    • Description:

      Pacific island member of the currently-in-favor Lila/Leila family and one of the most attractive and unique girls' names starting with P.
  19. Kaena

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "praised"

    • Description:

      Kaena is a pleasant sounding unisex Hawaiian place name, the westernmost point of the island of Oahu. In the computer-generated fantasy movie Kaena: The Prophecy, the character of Kaena is voiced by Kirsten Dunst.
  20. Halia

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian, Greek

    • Meaning:

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

    • Description:

      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 and approachable sound, Halia may see more use in the future.