Maori Names for Girls

Nyree

English from Maori

"flaxen"

Anglicized form of Ngaire, this name is sometimes heard in New Zealand and very occasionally in England.

Kai

Hawaiian

"sea"

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…

Ngaio

Maori

"reflections on the water"

New Zealand writer Ngaio (born Edith Ngaio) Marsh is the best-known bearer of this Maori nature name, properly pronounced ng (like the end of sing) -EYE-oh. It is the name of a tree indigenous to New…

Pania

Maori, a mythological sea maiden

Pania is a possible alternative to Tania, if you want to go the New Zealand rather than Russian route.

Kiri

Maori

"tree bark"

The name Kiri was made famous by New Zealand soprano Kiri Te Kanawa, whose original name was Claire. Cute but slight, Kiri is close to several other names from Kiriah to Keira to Kyra and its…

Moana

Maori, Samoan

"deep ocean, sea"

This Maori name, often heard in New Zealand, is an attractive, evocative choice for lovers of the ocean made famous – perhaps too famous – by the Disney heroine. Moana was also an alternate name for…

Kirrily

Aboriginal, Australian

"tree bark or leaf"

Kirrily, which rhymes with cheerily, is a name that's uniquely popular in Australia. It originated in recent decades as an elaboration of several similar names – the European Kyra or Keira, the Maori…

Maata

Maata is a feminine name with Polynesian roots, particularly found in Māori culture where it can mean 'face' or 'appearance.' In some Finnish and Estonian contexts, it may be related to the name…