Hawaiian Names

Kaena is a pleasant sounding unisex Hawaiian place name, the westernmost point of the island of Oahu. In the computer-generated fantasy movie Kaena: The Prophecy, the character of Kaena is voiced by Kirsten Dunst.

Kaena

The Hawaiian word for passionfruit is a new Lili- name possibility, given to five baby girls one recent year. In Hawaii, the fruit name is often written as liliko'i. 

Lilikoi

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

Lulani

A beautiful and approachable Hawaiian girl's name that would easily cross into the mainland.

Mahana

A nice meaning -- congruent with the recent vogue for names like Blessing -- helps offset this Hawaiian name's proximity to overused Makayla and McKenzie. 

Makana

A lovely Hawaiian name that was surprisingly only given to a handful of baby girls last year, but that would cross cultures with ease.

Nanea

Aloha is more familiar but less namelike than Alohi, a Hawaiian name that means bright and shining. However, with the rise of word names, Aloha might make an undeniably cool and modern choice. Aloha Wonderwell (born Idris Hall) was dubbed "The World's Most Widely Travelled Girl" in the 1920s.

Aloha

Emalia is a feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be a variation of Amalia, which derives from Germanic roots meaning 'work' or 'labor,' suggesting industriousness and diligence. Alternatively, it could be related to Emily (from the Latin 'aemulus' meaning 'rival' or 'eager') or even be a distinctive spelling of Amelia (a Germanic name meaning 'work'). In Hawaiian contexts, Emalia is sometimes used as a Hawaiian form of Emily or Amelia. The name has a flowing, melodic quality with its balanced syllables and soft consonants. While not among the most common names in Western countries, Emalia offers parents a beautiful alternative to more popular 'Em-' names, combining familiarity with uniqueness. Its international versatility and pleasant sound have contributed to its modest but steady usage in recent decades.

Emalia

Iolani feels quintessentially Hawaiian, a stylish origin for <a href="https://nameberry.com">baby names</a> 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.

Iolani

This lovely and lilting Hawaiian name is among our favorite <a href="https://nameberry.com/search/girls-names/u">girl names beginning with U</a> and could make a rare alternative to the likes of Kalani or Leilani. Notably borne by model Uilani Owens, it can also be written as Uʻilani.

Uilani

Keke is a multicultural double-punch nickname, notably borne by actress Keke Palmer. Palmer was born Lauren Keyana, yet her nickname does not derive from her middle name — her older sister had an imaginary friend named Keke.
 
In the US, Keke is often used as a variation of Kiki or the Hawaiian version of Kate. In Finland, Keke — pronounced KAY-kay — is a nickname for Gertrud.

Keke

This lovely Hawaiian name can also be spelled Keali'i.

Keliʻi

Keoki is a masculine Hawaiian name that serves as the traditional Hawaiian equivalent of George. The name emerged through the adaptation of foreign names following European contact with the Hawaiian islands. Keoki carries the warm, melodic qualities characteristic of Hawaiian names, with their vowel-rich pronunciations. The name reflects Hawaii's complex cultural history of indigenous tradition meeting external influences. While primarily used in Hawaii and among Hawaiian families, Keoki has gained some recognition beyond the islands as interest in Hawaiian culture has spread. For those of Hawaiian heritage, the name represents cultural identity and connection to the islands, while others might choose it for its pleasing sound and exotic feel.

Keoki

As a Maori name, Kaui is a feminized form of Kauri, a type of native tree.

 In Hawaiian, Kauʻi means "the youthful one".

Kaui

Kauai is known as the Garden Isle of Hawaii. Ironically, it qualifies as a baby name based on spelling variation and homonym Kawhi, as in basketball star Kawhi Leonard.

Kauai

Visitors to Hawaii's Garden Isle may want to commemorate the island's beauty with this place-name.

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.

Kikilia

Kilikina is a feminine Hawaiian name that means 'Christina' or 'follower of Christ,' representing the Hawaiian adaptation of the Greek name. In Hawaiian naming tradition, foreign names were often adapted to fit the language's phonetic patterns, which includes only 13 letters. The melodic quality of Kilikina exemplifies the flowing, vowel-rich nature of Hawaiian language. Though not common outside Hawaii, the name carries cultural significance within Hawaiian communities and among those celebrating Polynesian heritage. Kilikina blends Christian tradition with indigenous Hawaiian linguistic elements, making it meaningful for families honoring both cultural streams. The name has a rhythmic, musical quality when pronounced properly with Hawaiian inflection.

Kilikina

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."

Kimo

A unisex Hawaiian name with a fitting meaning. It also happens to mean "cloud" in Maori.

Kapua

are becoming more widely used in the US in recent years, especially for girls. 

are particularly popular, thanks to the resurgence of the name Leilani. It's even inspired parents to create pseudo-Hawaiian names for their daughters, such as Jenni "JWOWW" Farley did for her daughter Meilani.

As the world gets smaller, parents in the mainland US and beyond become more familiar with Hawaiian names. Two important influences: the presidency of Barack Obama, who was born and raised in Hawaii and whose oldest daughter Malia bore a Hawaiian name, and the Disney animated film 

 include Kehlani, Alani, Kailani, Kaia, and Nalani. 

Hawaiian girl names that are uniquely popular in Hawaii itself include Kalea, Makena, and Mahina, Popular Hawaiian boy names in their native state include Kaimana and Nakoa.

Hawaiian names are known for their rhythmicity, significant meanings, and evocative beauty. If you're looking for a 

, consider these choices for both girls and boys.

Hawaiian girl names and Hawaiian boy names with meanings and popularity, including Kailani, Mahina, Keanu, and Nakoa, with meanings, origins, and popularity (Page 6)