Polynesian and South Sea Islander Names
- Marama
Origin:
Maori and TahitianMeaning:
"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".
- Pele
Origin:
Hawaiian goddess of fireDescription:
Pele is a female name in Hawaiian culture that could make a provocative choice for a modern girls. Others might think you named your daughter after the all-time great soccer player, but the simple, rare, and lovely name Pele has mythological roots.
- Viliami
Origin:
Tongan form of WilliamDescription:
William has any international variations, including the super-popular Liam. This version is largely unknown beyond the South Sea Islands.
- Heremoana
Origin:
TahitianMeaning:
"beloved ocean"Description:
Moana may be the best-known South Sea Islander name thanks to Disney. This puts a male spin on the appealing nature name.
- Tangaroa
Origin:
Maori mythological name, ocean godDescription:
In Polynesian mythology Tangaroa was the god of the sea, the son of Rangi and Papa. He separated his parents' embrace, creating the earth and the sky.
- Manaia
Origin:
MaoriMeaning:
"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.
- Poerava
Origin:
TahitianMeaning:
"black pearl"Description:
Tahiti is famous for its beautiful pearls, which are cultivated and collected from the black lip oyster. While you might think of pearls being white, Tahitian pearls are known as 'black pearls' and come in black, dark green, and grey with undertones of green, pink, silver blue and yellow. Poerava is the native Tahitian name for the pearls and is used as a feminine name.
- Moerani
Origin:
TahitianMeaning:
"sleep heaven"Description:
Moerani is a gender-neutral Tahitian name that might be translated as sleep heaven or sleep sky, perhaps reflecting a wish for a peaceful baby.
- Tahiti
Origin:
Polynesian place name, meaning unknownDescription:
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.
- Tama
Origin:
Maori, MeskwakiMeaning:
"son or boy; crash of thunder"Description:
A simple, easily-translated Maori name that coincides with a stormy Meskwaki name (also spelled Taimah) used as a country and city name in the US.
- Pania
Origin:
Maori, a mythological sea maidenDescription:
Pania is a possible alternative to Tania, if you want to go the New Zealand rather than Russian route.
- Vaimiti
Origin:
TahitianMeaning:
"salt water"Description:
This ocean-oriented name is one of the Tahitian names unknown in the wider world.
- Rangi
Origin:
MaoriMeaning:
"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.
- Maaka
Description:
Maaka is a masculine name with Polynesian origins, particularly prominent in Māori culture where it means 'strength' or can refer to 'red ochre,' a sacred earth pigment. In the Māori language, the name carries connotations of power and spiritual significance. While relatively uncommon globally, Maaka maintains cultural importance in New Zealand and other Polynesian communities. The name's straightforward pronunciation (MAH-ah-kah) and meaningful heritage make it an attractive choice for parents seeking a name with cultural depth and positive attributes. Maaka remains relatively rare outside of Polynesian communities, giving it a distinctive quality for those who bear it.
- Maata
Description:
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 Marta or Martha. The name has a rhythmic, open sound with its repeated 'a' vowels that makes it flow easily. Though uncommon in Western countries, it has traditional significance in Pacific Island communities. Maata carries a connection to indigenous heritage and natural elements, reflecting cultural values of beauty and presence. While relatively rare globally, the name has seen occasional use outside its cultures of origin as parents increasingly seek names with meaningful cultural roots and distinctive sounds.
- Maui
Origin:
Hawaiian, Polynesian mythologyDescription:
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.)
- Heitiare
Origin:
TahitianMeaning:
"flower crown"Description:
Heitiare is a classic Tahitian name that's virtually unknown in the US.
- Tevita
Origin:
Fijian and Tongan form of DavidDescription:
David is a classic Biblical name with many international versions. This South SeaI Islander name is largely unknown in the wider world.
- Oliana
Origin:
PolynesianMeaning:
"oleander"Description:
Lilting choice. "Oleanna" is the title of a David Mamet play.
- Nyree
Origin:
English from MaoriMeaning:
"flaxen"Description:
Anglicized form of Ngaire, this name is sometimes heard in New Zealand and very occasionally in England.
The Nameberry App Is Live
Find your perfect baby name together in our iPhone app, now available on the App Store.
- Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
- Names you match on are saved to your shared list
- Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
- Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
- Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.
