International Baby Names
Polynesian and South Sea Islander Names
Across 4 pages
of 4
The names
Hine
Maori
"girl"
Would be the Maori equivalent of Cora or any other name meaning maiden.
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…
Kauri
Maori or Finnish
"tree or deer"
A Maori name derived from a type of tree native to New Zealand's North Island. It's also an ancient Finnish name, likely derived from kauris , the Finnish word for "deer".
Manaia
Maori
"embellishment; spiritual messenger"
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.
Manaia
Maori
"embellishment; spiritual messenger"
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…
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…
Ngaire
Maori
"flax flower"
This name is common in New Zealand and Australia, with famous bearers including TV producer Ngaire Fuata and academic and author Ngaire Woods. It is pronounced ng (like the end of sing) -EYE-ree.
Nikau
Maori
"palm tree"
Nikau is among the most popular Maori names for boys in New Zealand. It sounds like a cousin to Nicholas, but Nikau is actually the name of a palm tree native to the islands.
Roimata
Maori
"teardrop, tears"
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.
Tama
Maori, Meskwaki
"son or boy; crash of thunder"
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.
Heirani
Tahitian
"heavenly crown; heavenly flowers"
The Tahitian variation of Leilani.
Heitiare
Tahitian
"flower crown"
Heitiare is a classic Tahitian name that's virtually unknown in the US.
Heremoana
Tahitian
"beloved ocean"
Moana may be the best-known South Sea Islander name thanks to Disney. This puts a male spin on the appealing nature name.
Herenui
Tahitian
"big love"
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".
Maeva
Tahitian
"welcome"
Though it sounds like a variation of the Irish Maeve, Maeva actually hails from Tahiti, and is currently enjoying a wave of popularity in France, where it ranks in the Top 100, possibly via popular…
Moerani
Tahitian
"sleep heaven"
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.
Moerani
Tahitian
"sleep heaven"
This gender-neutral Tahitian name has a peaceful meaning.
Pomare
Tahitian
"night cough"
This royal Tahitian name was borne by four kings and a queen of Tahiti. It was created after a royal baby died of a night cough, perhaps not the happiest meaning.
Pomare
Tahitian
"night cough"
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.
Tamatoa
Tahitian
"child warrior"
Names that convey strength and power are popular today, and this Tahitian name makes a rare choice in the category.
