Hawaiian Names
- Kūhaʻo
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"independent"Description:
This lovely Hawaiian name may need some additional support for spelling and pronunciation.
- Kalolina
Origin:
Hawaiian variant of CarolineDescription:
Add this seldom-heard name to the vast array of international takes on Caroline.
- Kainoa
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"the namesake"Description:
Unisex Hawaiian name with great potential on the mainland.
- Kakalina
Origin:
Hawaiian variation of KatherineDescription:
Kakalina may have a sound that invites ridicule, but it's the Hawaiian form of Katherine.
- Akela
Origin:
Hawaiian variation of Asher or AdelaDescription:
Akela is one of the unisex names used in Hawaii to signify Anglo choices: in Akela's case, Asher for boys or Adela for girls.
- ’auli’i
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"dainty; cute"Description:
The name Auliʻi entered the mainland American eye through the Hawaiian actress Auliʻi Cravalho who voiced the featured Disney Princess in the film Moana. 'Auli'i is another legitimate spelling of this beautiful name.
- Haukea
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"white snow"Description:
A Hawaiian option for a winter-born daughter. Derived from the elements hau, meaning "snow," and kea, "white."
- Elikapeka
Description:
Elikapeka is the Hawaiian form of Elizabeth, a name of Hebrew origin meaning 'God is my oath.' This melodic adaptation demonstrates how traditional Western names were transformed to fit Hawaiian phonology during missionary periods in the 19th century. Hawaiian language doesn't contain certain consonants found in European languages, leading to this distinctive interpretation. The name carries cultural significance as it represents the blending of Western and Hawaiian traditions. While not among the most common Hawaiian names, Elikapeka has special importance in Hawaiian cultural history and continues to be used to honor both Hawaiian heritage and biblical connections. The name flows with the characteristic vowel-rich quality of Hawaiian language, creating a musical, gentle sound. For families with Hawaiian roots, it offers a way to connect with cultural heritage while maintaining links to the widely recognized Elizabeth.
- Mahana
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"warmth, heat"Description:
A beautiful and approachable Hawaiian girl's name that would easily cross into the mainland.
- Nanea
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"fascinating"Description:
A lovely Hawaiian name that was surprisingly only given to a handful of baby girls last year, but that would cross cultures with ease.
- Makana
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"gift"Description:
A nice meaning -- congruent with the recent vogue for names like Blessing -- helps offset this Hawaiian name's proximity to overused Makayla and McKenzie.
- Iolani
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"hawk of royalty"Description:
Iolani feels quintessentially Hawaiian, a stylish origin for baby names these days thanks to Malia, the Hawaiian name of the Obamas' older daughter. The initial I is pronounced with a long e sound, as in Waikiki, and the name Iolani has four syllables.
- Ehlani
Origin:
Invented nameDescription:
Girl names ending in -lani are invented every year — Ehlani is among the latest pseudo-Hawaiian inventions.
- Pua
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"flower"Description:
Overly teasable.
- Launa
Origin:
Variant of Lana or HawaiianMeaning:
"to meet"Description:
Launa is the Hawaiian verb meaning "to meet," but many will hear this as Lana with a New Jersey accent, or Lorna with a stuffy nose.
- Ipo
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"sweetheart"Description:
A lovely and lovable Hawaiian word meaning "sweetheart," Ipo is sometimes used as a given name or found as an element of names, as in Kaipo.
- Auli'i
Origin:
Hawaiian, 'dainty, cute, neat'Description:
Hawaiian teen prodigy Auli'i Cravalho burst onto the scene as the star of Disney's animated "Moana" in 2016, bringing this distinctive name to the forefront. The glottal stop, or "okina," between the two I's makes it a somewhat tough sell off the islands, though Cravalho's stunning performance of "How Far I'll Go" at the 2017 Oscars is almost winning enough to overcome that.
- Kikilia
Origin:
Hawaiian variation of CeciliaDescription:
This Hawaiian name breathes new (warm) life into the traditional Cecilia and offers the added attraction of the spunky "Kiki" as an obvious nickname option.
- Kani
Description:
Kani is a feminine name of Hawaiian origin meaning 'sound of the ocean.' It can also be found in Japanese culture, where it means 'crab.' The name has connections to nature and carries a melodic quality that reflects its oceanic roots. In some African cultures, variations of Kani can be found with different meanings. While not among the most common names in Western countries, Kani has been gradually gaining appreciation for its brevity, distinctive sound, and multicultural appeal. Parents drawn to unique names with natural associations might find Kani particularly attractive. Its simplicity makes it easy to pronounce across different languages, contributing to its growing international appeal.
- Momi
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"pearl"Description:
A cutesy Hawaiian name with a pretty meaning.
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