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Polynesian and South Sea Islander Names

  1. Ngaire

    • Origin:

      Maori

    • Meaning:

      "flax flower"

    • Description:

      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.
  2. Moerani

    • Origin:

      Tahitian

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  3. Awhina

    • Origin:

      Maori

    • Meaning:

      "help, support"

    • Description:

      A pretty name with an admirable meaning, but note the "wh" is pronounced like an English "f".
  4. 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".
  5. 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.
  6. Papa

    • Origin:

      Maori

    • Meaning:

      "earth"

    • Description:

      A baby girl named Papa might cause some confusion, but the Papa (or Papatuanuku) of Polynesian mythology is the mother or earth goddess.
  7. Vaimiti

    • Origin:

      Tahitian

    • Meaning:

      "salt water"

    • Description:

      This ocean-oriented name is one of the Tahitian names unknown in the wider world.
  8. Mele

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian, Tongan, and Samoan

    • Meaning:

      "song"

    • Description:

      Some sources say Mele is a South Sea Islander form of Mary, but it's also a name in its own right meaning song.
  9. Pomare

    • Origin:

      Tahitian

    • Meaning:

      "night cough"

    • Description:

      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.
  10. Moerani

    • Origin:

      Tahitian

    • Meaning:

      "sleep heaven"

    • Description:

      This gender-neutral Tahitian name has a peaceful meaning.
  11. Heitiare

    • Origin:

      Tahitian

    • Meaning:

      "flower crown"

    • Description:

      Heitiare is a classic Tahitian name that's virtually unknown in the US.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. Maui

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian place name and Polynesian mythology name

    • Description:

      While Maui was a male trickster god in Polynesian mythology, the well-known Hawaiian place name Maui can work for either gender.
  16. 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.
  17. Heirani

    • Origin:

      Tahitian

    • Meaning:

      "heavenly crown; heavenly flowers"

    • Description:

      The Tahitian variation of Leilani.
  18. 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.

  19. Ngaio

    • Origin:

      Maori

    • Meaning:

      "reflections on the water"

    • Description:

      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 Zealand, also called the Mousehole Tree.
  20. Hine

    • Origin:

      Maori

    • Meaning:

      "girl"

    • Description:

      Would be the Maori equivalent of Cora or any other name meaning maiden.