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Polynesian and South Sea Islander Names

  1. Rangi

    • Origin:

      Maori

    • Meaning:

      "sky"

    • Description:

      In Maori and other Polynesian mythology Rangi or Ranginui was a god of the sky, husband of the earth goddess Papa or Papatuanuku. This strong and simple Māori name would make for a fresh celestial choice.
  2. Nyree

    • Origin:

      English from Maori

    • Meaning:

      "flaxen"

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Maori

    • Meaning:

      "angel"

    • Description:

      This feminine name — simply "angel" imported into Māori phonology — is fresher than Angela and less Hollywood than Angelina.
  4. Anahera

    • Origin:

      Maori

    • Meaning:

      "angel"

    • Description:

      This feminine name — simply "angel" imported into Māori phonology — is fresher than Angela and less Hollywood than Angelina.
  5. Manaia

    • Origin:

      Maori

    • Meaning:

      "embellishment; spiritual messenger"

    • Description:

      Manaia is one of the most popular gender-neutral names in New Zealand, on that country's Maori Top 10 for boys but used nearly equally for girls.
  6. Roimata

    • Origin:

      Maori

    • Meaning:

      "teardrop, tears"

    • Description:

      A Maori name famously borne by NZ actress Roimata Fox. The winner of the 2015 series of New Zealand's The X Factor sang a love song about a woman with this name.
  7. Kauri

    • Origin:

      Maori or Finnish

    • Meaning:

      "tree or deer"

    • Description:

      A Maori name derived from a type of tree native to New Zealand's North Island.
  8. Moerani

    • Origin:

      Tahitian

    • Meaning:

      "sleep heaven"

    • Description:

      This gender-neutral Tahitian name has a peaceful meaning.
  9. Manaia

    • Origin:

      Maori

    • Meaning:

      "embellishment; spiritual messenger"

    • Description:

      The Manaia is a mythological creature in Māori culture, a common motif in Māori art. Usually depicted as having the head of a bird, the tail of a fish and the body of a man, the Manaia is traditionally believed to be the messenger between the earthly world of mortals and the domain of the spirits, and its symbol is used as a guardian against evil.
  10. Pania

    • Origin:

      Maori, a mythological sea maiden

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Tahitian, meaning unknown

    • Description:

      The Polynesian place name Tahiti was given to the island by its natives, although the origins of this name have been lost to history. Tahiti was once a Polynesian kingdom, but today is a part of the Society Islands in French Polynesia.
  12. Pomare

    • Origin:

      Tahitian

    • Meaning:

      "night cough"

    • Description:

      This gender-neutral royal name of Tahiti was inspired by the death of a child from a night cough, not the most positive reference especially in the age of Covid.
  13. Erena

    • Description:

      Erena is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Māori tradition, it serves as a variant of Helen, meaning 'bright one' or 'shining light.' The name also appears in Japanese culture with various kanji combinations offering meanings like 'blessed with goodness' or 'beautiful blessing.' In some European contexts, it may function as a variation of Irene, meaning 'peace.' This multicultural name features a melodic three-syllable rhythm with a feminine ending that flows naturally. Though relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, Erena offers parents a name with international appeal and positive connotations across different cultures. Its distinctive sound sets it apart while remaining accessible and pleasant to pronounce.

  14. Vaihere

    • Origin:

      Tahitian

    • Meaning:

      "beloved water"

    • Description:

      Tahitian names are not well-known beyond the South Sea islands, but with their nature meanings and the new popularity of Hawaiian names, they may travel far in the future.
  15. Viliami

    • Origin:

      Tongan form of William

    • Description:

      William has any international variations, including the super-popular Liam. This version is largely unknown beyond the South Sea Islands.
  16. Maui

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian, Polynesian mythology

    • Description:

      The name of the second-biggest (and third-most populous) island in Hawaii was one of the fastest-rising boys' names of 2017. A major factor was surely Dwayne Johnson's character in Moana, the Polynesian demigod named Maui, a mythological trickster who slowed the sun to create the days. (It fell back to normal levels in the following years.)
  17. Tevita

    • Origin:

      Fijian and Tongan form of David

    • Description:

      David is a classic Biblical name with many international versions. This South SeaI Islander name is largely unknown in the wider world.
  18. Vaitiare

    • Origin:

      Tahitian

    • Meaning:

      "water flower"

    • Description:

      Tiare, which means flower, is also a name and would make a simpler South Sea Islander choice. Vaitiare adds a water element.
  19. Herenui

    • Origin:

      Tahitian

    • Meaning:

      "big love"

    • Description:

      The Tahitian roots of Herenui are here, which means love, and nui, which means big. So this South Sea Islander name can be translated as "big love".
  20. Marama

    • Origin:

      Maori and Tahitian

    • Meaning:

      "moon; bright"

    • Description:

      The name of a male lunar deity in Maori mythology, Marama is nevertheless now used as a female name in New Zealand – no doubt because its warm sound lends itself to contemporary feminine trends. In Tahitian, it means "bright, clear".