Hawaiian Names
- Iokepa
Description:
Iokepa is a masculine Hawaiian name that is the Hawaiian form of Joseph, which has Hebrew origins meaning 'God will increase.' The name reflects Hawaii's unique linguistic traditions and cultural heritage, demonstrating how Biblical names were adapted into the Hawaiian language following European contact. Pronounced 'yo-KEH-pa,' it features the melodic vowel patterns characteristic of Hawaiian names. Iokepa remains primarily used within Hawaiian families and communities, representing cultural pride and connection to heritage. For Hawaiian families, choosing this name often reflects a desire to honor both ancestral traditions and family connections while celebrating the distinct cultural identity of Hawaii.
- Hawaii
Origin:
Place-nameDescription:
An actual Hawaiian first name would convey the aura of the islands more originally and effectively.
- Lokelani
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"heavenly rose"Description:
Popular in Hawaii during the first half of the 20th century.
- Hekili
Origin:
HawaiianDescription:
Hawaiian name meaning "thunder".
- ʻehukai
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"sea spray"Description:
An intriguing pathway to the hip nickname Kai.
- Kaimana
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"the power of the ocean"Description:
Kaimana is one of
- Maui
Origin:
Hawaiian place name and Polynesian mythology nameDescription:
While Maui was a male trickster god in Polynesian mythology, the well-known Hawaiian place name Maui can work for either gender.
- Kapua
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"the flower or child"Description:
A unisex Hawaiian name with a fitting meaning. It also happens to mean "cloud" in Maori.
- Uleki
Description:
Uleki is a masculine name with African origins, particularly found in some East African cultures. The name is relatively uncommon in Western countries, giving it a distinctive quality for those seeking unique names. Uleki may carry meanings related to 'light' or 'brightness' in certain contexts, though meanings can vary by specific cultural origin. The name has a melodic quality with its alternating vowel-consonant pattern, making it pleasant to pronounce. Despite its rarity in global naming statistics, Uleki represents the growing trend of parents seeking names with international roots and distinctive sounds that stand out while still being relatively straightforward to pronounce.
- Anela
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"angel"Description:
Anela is the equivalent of Angela, which means angel. Anela is also one of
- Kimo
Origin:
Hawaiian variant of JamesDescription:
An upbeat Hawaiian name with the fashionable -o ending, Kimo would theoretically be an appealing choice... were it not for its homophony with the grim word "chemo."
- Kapono
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"the good"Description:
Kapono is seen as both a given name and a surname in Hawaii. One notable bearer is musician Kapono Beamer, from an influential Hawaiian family.
- Hiʻiaka
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"carry + embryo; hold + essence"Description:
In Hawaiian mythology, Hiʻiaka is the youngest sister of the volcano goddess Pele. In the legend, Pele's mother entrusts her with looking after an egg, which then turns into a baby girl who Pele names Hiʻiakaikapoliopele, meaning "Hiʻiaka in the bosom of Pele."
- Kalake
Description:
Kalake is an uncommon feminine name with a melodic quality. It may have origins in various cultures, potentially drawing from Pacific Islander or African naming traditions, though its specific etymology is not widely documented. The name features a pleasing rhythm with its alternating consonant-vowel pattern. Kalake might be related to words meaning 'bird' or 'to fly' in some languages, though interpretations vary across cultures. As a contemporary choice, it offers parents seeking distinctiveness a name that sounds modern yet has an organic, natural quality. While not ranking on popular name charts, Kalake exemplifies the growing interest in names with global sounds and unique character combinations.
- Ikaika
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"strong"Description:
The strong sounds in this energetic Hawaiian name mirror its meaning.
- Kauai
Origin:
Hawaiian place-nameDescription:
Visitors to Hawaii's Garden Isle may want to commemorate the island's beauty with this place-name.
- Keali’i
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"the chief, nobleman"Description:
This lovely Hawaiian name can also be spelled Keli'i.
- Kanoa
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"the free one"Description:
Kanoa is a fashionable Hawaiian boy name that resembles Kainoa in sound and style, but not in frequency of use. Kanoa is currently undiscovered, but is definitely a name to watch.
- Lehua
Origin:
HawaiianMeaning:
"flower of the ohia; warrior; sweetheart"Description:
This beautiful Hawaiian girl's name has a lot of potential to cross over to the mainland as Leilani and similar names enjoy their current spotlight.
- Makaio
Origin:
Hawaiian form of MatthewMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
A refreshing variation on the Biblical classic Matthew, this Hawaiian form blends the stylish -o ending with the cool Kai sound. First appearing in the US stats in 1999, it has been climbing steadily upwards ever since.
Introducing the Nameberry App
Find your perfect baby name together with our new mobile app.
- Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
- Names you match on are saved to your shared list
- Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
- Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
- Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.
Sign up to be notified when the app launches and to receive a discount on full access.