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Hawaiian Names

  1. Aloha

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "hello; goodbye"

    • Description:

      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.
  2. Keawe

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "the strand, the thread"

    • Description:

      Keawe was the name of several Hawaiian chiefs and may be used as an epithet to symbolise powerful lineage. It appeared frequently in 19th century Hawaiian records as a given name and a surname, while more recently, it has only been given to a small handful of boys each year across the US.
  3. Kamaka

    • Origin:

      Maori, Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "rock; beloved child"

    • Description:

      Popular in Hawaii in the first decades of the 20th century, this name also means "rock" in Māori.
  4. Ehlani

    • Origin:

      Invented name

    • Description:

      Girl names ending in -lani are invented every year — Ehlani is among the latest pseudo-Hawaiian inventions.
  5. Haunani

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful snow"

    • Description:

      Hawaiian names tend to evoke sunshine and warm weather — this option is more appropriate for a wintertime baby.
  6. Iakopa

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"

    • Description:

      Hawaiian form of Jacob
  7. Kapua

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "the flower or child"

    • Description:

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

    • Description:

      Ulesi is a masculine name with African origins, primarily found in certain East African cultures. Though relatively uncommon in global usage, the name carries distinctive cultural significance in its regions of origin. The name has a melodic quality with its balanced syllables and flowing sound. While specific meaning details vary according to precise cultural context, Ulesi generally conveys positive attributes in the communities where it is used. The name remains relatively rare in Western countries, maintaining its cultural distinctiveness. For parents seeking a name with authentic African heritage that is both pronounceable in English and uncommon, Ulesi offers an appealing option that honors African cultural traditions while having a contemporary sound.

  9. Hualani

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "heavenly fruit"

    • Description:

      An intruiging and rare Hawaiian "-lani" name to add to the books if you are looking for an alternative to trendy Leilani and Kehlani.
  10. Aleka

    • Description:

      Aleka is a feminine name with Greek roots, derived from Alexandra or Alexia, which ultimately come from the Greek "alexein" meaning "to defend" or "to help". As a diminutive form, Aleka carries the same protective connotations in a more endearing package. While not among the most common names in Western countries, it has maintained steady usage particularly in Greek communities and diaspora. Aleka offers a distinctive yet accessible alternative to more popular Alexandra derivatives. The name combines a melodic quality with strong historical connections, making it both distinctive and meaningful for parents seeking a name with depth and elegance.
  11. Kauai

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian place-name

    • Description:

      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.
  12. Mililani

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "carried from Heaven"

    • Description:

      Names ending in -lani have become so fashionable, people have taken up creating pseudo-Hawaiian names that emulate the sounds of the language (here's looking at you, Meilani). Mililani is at once on-trend, extremely rare, and authentically Hawaiian — the best of all worlds.
  13. Palani

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian variation of Frank

    • Description:

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

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "scarlet sage"

    • Description:

      A pretty, botanical choice that features in a much covered song called Pua Lililehua, this is the Hawaiian name for salvia coccinea, a plant with bright red flowers, more commonly known as Scarlet Sage, Tropical Sage or Texas Sage. Olympic surfer Carissa Moore chose Lililehua for her daughter Olena's middle name in 2025.
  15. Pua

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "flower"

    • Description:

      Overly teasable.
  16. Maui

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian, Polynesian mythology

    • Description:

      The name of the second-biggest (and third-most populous) island in Hawaii was one of the fastest-rising boys' names of 2017. A major factor was surely Dwayne Johnson's character in Moana, the Polynesian demigod named Maui, a mythological trickster who slowed the sun to create the days. (It fell back to normal levels in the following years.)
  17. Alohi

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "shining, brilliant"

    • Description:

      Just one letter separates Alohi from the famous Hawaiian greeting "aloha," but that one letter makes all the difference.
  18. Hanalei

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "crescent bay or garland valley"

    • Description:

      An appealing Hawaiian name which belongs to a town, river and bay on Kauaʻi island in Hawaii. The two possible meanings of the name, "crescent bay" or "garland (lei) valley" both describe the beauty of the place.
  19. 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.
  20. Liko'ula

    • Origin:

      Hawaiian

    • Meaning:

      "leaf bud, newly opened leaf + red"

    • Description:

      A lively but melodic name of Hawaiian origin, Liko'ula was recently chosen by former MMA fighter and actress Ronda Rousey and her husband Travis Browne. The name possibly combines liko meaning "bud or newly opened leaf" with 'ula meaning "red".

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