Hawaiian Names

Malea, for familiar to Americans spelled Malia as in Malia Obama, is a Top 100 name in Germany and Switzerland. In the US, only about 40 baby girls were named Malea last year, versus 1100 named Malia.

A close relative of the very popular Leilani, with just a hint of Lulu.

Hawaiian name meaning "thunder".

Overly teasable.

Pacific island member of the currently-in-favor Lila/Leila family and one of the most attractive and unique girls' names starting with P.

Combining the elements laʻa meaning "sacred, holy" and kea meaning "clear, bright, white, La'akea is a name with a vibrant feel to it. The name was chosen by actress and former MMA fighter Ronda Rousey and her husband Travis Browne for their first daughter in 2021.

Iolana is a hip-swaying, melodic, and unusual choice. Similar Hawaiian bird-themed choice: Iolani.

An appealing unisex Hawaiian name (more commonly used for boys) with a lovely meaning and vibrant sound. It derives from the words ke "the" and aloha "love". Keahloha is also a common Hawaiian surname.

An unusual Hawaiian nature name with an appealing vowel-rich sound.

For such a short, simple name, Pela has many possible derivations and meanings. It's most commonly cited as a short form of Penelope, but can also be a nickname for Pelagia, a name related to the sea.

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.

Liona is a feminine name that likely developed as a variant of Leona, which derives from the Latin word 'leo' meaning 'lion.' This elegant variation carries the same powerful connotations of strength, courage, and majesty associated with the lion. The slight modification in spelling gives the name a softer, more melodic quality while maintaining its regal essence. Though relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, Liona has seen occasional usage across Europe. The name's balance of strength and femininity makes it appealing to parents seeking a distinctive yet accessible option with classical roots. Its musical quality and meaningful connection to the powerful lion imagery offer a name that is both beautiful and symbolically rich for a daughter.

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.

One of the Hawaiian names being discovered by stylish parents, especially Californians.

This phonetic spelling variation of Iolani could is bang on trend with Leilani, Meilani, and the like, yet was given to fewer than 10 baby girls during the last year on record.

An uncommon elaboration on the popular Noa sound, this Hawaiian name was traditionally given as a third name where the first two names were honor names.

Kalena is one of those names that has a pleasant-if-synthetic feel. Research turns up a range of origins and meanings, but the most reliable peg it as a derivation of Katherine.

One of the many Hawaiian variants of European names to come out of King Kamehameha IV's 1860 edict mandating the use of Western-style baby names in the tropical archipelago.

A possible long form to get to the hip nickname Kai.