Hawaiian Dog Names
Updated Wed Feb 14 2024
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Hawaiian dog names conjure up imagery of bright blue skies and waters, gorgeous mountain landscapes, and colorful flowers. Hawaiian names are rising in popularity across the US for babies, and this infatuation is beginning to carry over into the canine world as well.
Hawaiian female dog names include the lyrical Leilani, Kailani, and Alani. Hawaiian male dog names include short and sweet Kai and Koa.
Other popular Hawaiian dog names include Moana and Maui, Lilo and Nani from Disney films, as well as monikers made known by celebrities such as Keanu Reeves and Auli'i Cravalho.
Unique Hawaiian dog names include Iolani, Anela, and Lilinoe for female dogs, and Kainoa, Makaio, and Akoni for male dogs.
Search our entire collection of Hawaiian names for dogs below, ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.
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- Kai
Origin:
Hawaiian, Frisian, ChineseMeaning:
"sea; warrior; triumph"Description:
Kai is an internationally flexible name with many possible origins and meanings, growing in popularity in the US and a diverse range of European countries.
- Kaia
Origin:
Latin, Scandinavian, or HawaiianMeaning:
"to rejoice or sea"Description:
The new Maia, the next Kayla, Kaia has been on the charts since the year 2000. You might see it as a female form of the also-rising Kai, which means sea in Hawaiian and is sometimes used for girls as well, or as a Kardashianization of the ancient goddess name Caia.
- Koa
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"warrior; flowing tree native to Hawaii"Description:
The international popularity of Noah has led to some parents searching for alternatives and the rhyming Koa is now attracting more attention than ever. With it's cool K initial and summery, nature-inspired feel, this punchy three letter name has risen more than 600 places since it entered the US charts in 2017.
- Kane
Origin:
CelticMeaning:
"warrior"Description:
A name of multiple identities: a somewhat soap-operatic single-syllable surname, a homonym for the biblical bad boy Cain, and, when found in Japan and Hawaii, it transforms into the two syllable KA-neh. Kane also has multiple meanings: in Welsh, it's "beautiful"; in Japanese, "golden"; and in Hawaiian, "man of the Eastern sky."
- Lilia
Origin:
Spanish, Italian and RussianMeaning:
"lily"Description:
Lilia is pretty double L name that makes for sparkly, floral choice with plenty of international flair. More distinctive that Lily, less popular than Liliana, Lia, and Lilian, Lilia was a new entry to the US Top 1000 in 2023.
- Leilani
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"heavenly flower"Description:
Lyrical, lively and bold, Leilani is a name that feels fresh, floral, and summery. Sharing sounds with the popular Lillian, Layla and Luna, Leilani joined the US Top 100 in 2020.
- Naia
Origin:
Hawaiian, Greek, BasqueMeaning:
"dolphin; to flow; wave, sea foam"Description:
A multicultural option that's equally intriguing but more unusual than Maia. Connected to water and the ocean, it is a Top 100 choice in Spain and Puerto Rico and has been rising up the charts in France and the UK in recent years. Alternative (and equally multicultural) spelling alternative Nya has also proved popular.
- Malia
Origin:
Hawaiian variation of MaryMeaning:
"bitter"Description:
Malia rose up the charts back in 2009 when it was brought into the spotlight as the name of the Obama's eldest daughter. It leapt into the US Top 200, and while it hasn't reached that level of popularity again, it now sees steady usage, and is given to around 1100 girls every year.
- Keanu
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"the coolness, or the cool breeze"Description:
An evocative name brought from Hawaii to the mainland by Keanu Reeves, who was born in Beirut to a part-Hawaiian, part-Chinese father. It moved into the Top 1000 for the first time in over a decade in 2016. Keanu ranks among
- Kailani
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"sea and sky"Description:
This name's similarity to Kalani and pretty Hawaiian origin helped catapult it into the Top 1000 for the first time in 2013.
- Nalani
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"calm skies"Description:
Evocative of tranquil island escapes. One of several Hawaiian (and pseudo-Hawaiian) names ending in "-ani" that's soaring in popularity, Nalani made its debut on the US Top 1000 in 2016.
- Kalani
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"the heavens"Description:
Kalani is a rhythmic name that can be used for either gender though it is predominantly used on girls in the US. With its celestial meaning, and cool K beginning, it only entered the US Top 1000 for the first time in 2015. Now in the Top 400, it joins Kai and Leilani as popular choices with Hawaiian origins.
- Kaleo
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"the voice"Description:
Kaleo is one of a number of fast-rising Hawaiian names, thanks to its cool combination of sounds reminiscent of Kainoa and Mateo.
- Lio
Origin:
Variation of Leo, LatinMeaning:
"lion"Description:
This alternative spelling of Leo is popular with German-speaking parents. It's rare in English-speaking areas, which could be a burden, but the advantage is that it could be short for (or honor) a name such as Julio or Lionel.
- Moana
Origin:
Maori, SamoanMeaning:
"deep ocean, sea"Description:
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 the heroine Ofelia in Pan's Labyrinth. Moana may also be a color name for a deep ocean blue ("lanu moana"). Moana and other Disney Princess Names are the subject of a featured blog.
- Nakoa
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"the warriors"Description:
Nakoa is a Top 100 name for boys in Hawaii. It became more widely known after actors Lisa Bonet and Jason Mamoa chose it for their son.
- Kalea
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"joy, happiness"Description:
Kalea is a Top 100 name for girls in Hawaii, that may also be spelled as Kale'a. Sources differ on the meaning of the name, but the most authoritative land on "joy or happiness", with other suggestions being "clear", "call, voice", "the bright one" or a combination of other Hawaiian names, such as Kalani and Leilani.
- Kamala
Origin:
Hindi, HawaiianMeaning:
"lotus or pale red; or, a garden"Description:
A multicultural name that manages to sound soft and strong at the same time, Kamala is also another name for the Hindu goddess Lakshmi.
- Alani
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"orange tree"Description:
A name known in several cultures.
- Alika
Origin:
Hawaiian; SwahiliMeaning:
"truthful; most beautiful"Description:
Alika is a multicultural choice that's far off the beaten track.