Hawaiian name

A Hawaiian name is a name in the Hawaiian language. Such names are popular not only in Hawaiian families, but also among other residents of Hawaiʻi, and even in the United States mainland among both non-native and native Hawaiians, especially in states such as Utah and California.

Meanings of Names

Genuine Hawaiian names are unisex. Their meanings are often symbolic. Mist and coolness symbolize happiness in a warm climate. Lei means a child, because a beloved child is carried like a lei on the parent's shoulders. A child can also be a flower or a bud, regardless of its sex. Modern parents tend to be more prosaic, calling a child a child, as in Keikilani and Kamalani.

For many Hawaiian words, the ʻokina ( glottal stop ) and kahakō (macron to denote a long vowel) are important to the meaning of a word. They are often ignored in English texts, or ʻokinas added where they don't belong. The name list includes warnings about the worst misspellings that can change the meaning of a name into something unpleasant.

History of Namegiving

Old Hawaiians coined a new name for each child, with careful thought of its meaning. Children could be named after relatives, but names were not copied from other families. Surnames did not exist. In 1860 Kamehameha IV signed the Act to Regulate Names. Hawaiians were to take their father's given name as a surname, and all children born henceforth were to receive a Christian, i.e. English, given name. Hawaiian names were transferred into middle names. The law was not repealed until 1967.

After the annexation of Hawaii to the U.S., knowledge of the Hawaiian language deteriorated. Grandparents could give traditional names to the next two generations, but a baby born into a Hawaiian family in the 2000's is very unlikely to have any native speaker relatives. The English-speaking environment creates a pressure to melt Hawaiian names into the Western naming system, as an established set of phonemes chosen for their pleasant exotic sound rather than their meaning. Phonetic renderings of Western names, such as Malia and Keoni, have become names in their own right. The film industry produces pseudo-Hawaiian names, from Aloma of the South Seas (1926) to Lilo & Stitch (2002).

Popularity Surveys

This information is based on a survey of Hawaiian given names of persons born in 1900-1989 and 2000-2005, from obituaries in Honolulu Advertiser and Honolulu Star Bulletin 1994-2004, and samples of births and marriages on O'ahu in Honolulu Star Bulletin 2000-2005. It's a small sample with an uneven age distribution, and centered on O'ahu. But no one else seems to have researched the subject at all.

The 3,750 persons in the survey had a total of 1,996 different names.418 of these names had eight or more syllables (up to 44).The proportion of long names was diminishing but it took an upward turn in 2000-2005. Hawaiian names occur as middle names until the 1960's. Even today, middle names outnumber first names by four to one. A minority of parents have started giving nothing but Hawaiian names to their children. In births registered on O'ahu 2001-2002, about 25% of girls and 15% of boys received at least one Hawaiian name.

Many favorite names a hundred years ago, like Kealoha, Kalei, Leialoha, and Keonaona, were popular with both sexes. Today, the trendiest names are different for girls and boys. 31% of women but only 11% of men had names ending in -lani,-o-ka-lani,-o-nā-lani or (a recent innovation) -mai-ka-lani. 46% of men but only 33% of women had names beginning with the definite article Ka-/Ke-.

Leilani was the absolute favorite name for women in this survey. Other popular women's names included:

1900-1939: Kuʻulei, Leinaʻala, Leialoha, Leinani, Leimomi
1940-1969: Puanani, Leialoha, Haunani, ʻIwalani, Uʻilani, Ululani
1970-1989: Malia, Kēhaulani, Kuʻuipo, Maile, Noelani, Puanani
2000-2005: Malia, Noelani, Māhealani, Kuʻuipo, Alana, Keikilani

Kalani was a reasonably popular men's name in all age groups. Other popular names for men included:

1900-1939: Kealoha, Kalei, Kamaka
1940-1969: Keʻala, Kāwika, Kanani, Kameāloha
1970-1989: Ikaika, Kāwika, Alika, Keola
2000-2005: Kai, Kekoa, Kainoa, Ikaika, Kaimana, Keoni, Makana, Nāinoa

The numbers in parentheses after each entry below tell how many times the name appeared in the survey ( f = female, per 2039; m = male, per 1711). All names with at least 3 bearers are included. (-) means that the name did not appear at all.

The Social Security Administration gives out annual lists of the top hundred names for boys and girls in the State of Hawaii, starting from the year 1960. They are based on first names while a Hawaiian name usually comes second. A few Hawaiian names make it into these lists every year and they are all noted in the entries below.

List of Hawaiian names

This list is meant for names borne by at least three real Hawaiian persons, not for name suggestions or assumed names. To help to understand the meaning of the names, words are separated by hyphens. The hyphens should not be used in ordinary text.

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A

ʻAilana– "Loving". NOTE: without the ʻokina,ailana could refer to sexual intercourse. (2f)
Akana – Common Hawaiian surname derived from Cantonese informal prefix "Ah" plus some personal name. Used as a given name possibly for family reasons. (2f,2m)
Ake-akamai – "Yearning for wisdom" (1f)
Akela – Hawaiian for Adele and Asher. (2f )
Alakaʻi – "Leader" (3m) Variant: Ke-alaka'i (1m)
Alana – "Awakening".Also Hawaiian for Alan and its feminine form Alana. Included in the top hundred names 1985-2005. (11f,1m)
ʻAlani – "Orange tree or fruit" NOTE: alani is a type of brown seaweed (Dictyota), an upland tree (Pelea), or a type of moss. (Alani/ʻAlani 2f)
Alapaʻi – Listed as the Hawaiian form of Alfred, but this is a pre-contact, unisex name, used by Big Island royalty. (2f,1m)
Aliʻi – "Chief".New usage, Keliʻi and Kealiʻi having been the normal forms earlier. (5m)
Aliʻi-loa – "Distant or high chief".(2m)
Alika – (M) Hawaiian form of Alex and Alexander. Included in the top hundred names 1998. (9m)
Aloha – "Love" (4f, 2m)
ʻAlohi– "Shining". (2m) Variant: Ke-ʻalohi (1f)
ʻAlohi-lani – "Heavenly brightness". Name of a mythical land. (6f,1m)
Amoe – (F) Hawaiian form of Cantonese Amoy (Ah Mooi) "younger sister". (2f)
ʻĀnela – (F) "Angel" or Hawaiian for Angela. Included in the top hundred names 1998-2005. (8f)
Ānuenue – "Rainbow". (2f,1m)
Anu-hea – "Cool fragrance" (3f)
Ao-lani– "Heavenly cloud" or "light of heaven". Name of mountains in Polynesia, the most famous being Aoraki/Mount Cook in New Zealand.(-) Variants: Ke-ao-lani (1f,1m), Ke-ō-lani (2f), Ke-ao-o-ka-lani (1m), Ke-aō-ka-lani (1f).
ʻAu-kai – "Seafarer" (3m) Variant: Ka-'au-kai (1m)
ʻAu-lani – "Royal messenger, heavenly traveller" (6f,1m)
ʻAuliʻi – "Dainty, neat" (1f)
ʻAwapuhi – "Wild ginger"(Zingiber zerumbet and other species), famous for fragrance in Hawaiian poetry. (-)

E

ʻEhu-kai – "Sea spray" (4m) Variant: Ka-ʻehu-kai (-)
Enoka – (M) Hawaiian for Enoch and Enos.(3m)
ʻEwa-lani – (F) "Heavenly woman" (ʻEwa is Hawaiian for Eve, figuratively meaning "woman") (2f). An early twentieth century spelling was Eva-lani(4f)

H

Haʻaheo– "Cherished with pride" (4m)
Hale-a-ka-lā – "House of the sun". For the crater of Maui,Haleakalā. (1f)
Haliʻa – "Fond remembrance" NOTE: halia could mean "slow" (1f)
Hana-lei – "Lei bay". Place name from Kaua'i also used as a Hawaiian form of Henry.(1m) The official Hawaiian form of Henry is Hanalē .(-)
Hanohano – "Glorious". (2m)
Hau-nani – "Beautiful snow" (10f) Variant: Ka-hau-nani (-)
Hauʻoli – "Happiness" (3f,6m)
Hāwea – Name of a mythical drum brought from Tahiti. Place name and a personal name in legends. (1f,1m)
Hea-lani – "Heavenly mist". Name of Kalākaua's boathouse and musical group. A church of North Kona. (3f,1m)
Hekili – "Thunder" (2m). Variant: Ka-hekili,name of a Maui chief (2m)
Hiapo – "First born". (2m)
Hiʻiaka – Name of a goddess, Hiʻiaka,the favorite sister of Pele.(3f)
Hiʻi-lani – "Held in the arms of heaven" (5f,1m)
Hiʻi-lei – "Cherished child, carried in the arms" (3f)
Hilinaʻi – "Trust". (1f,1m)
Hina – "Gray; prostrate". Hina is a moon goddess, patron of Molokai.(2f,1m)
Hīnano – "Pandanus flower" (2m). Variant: Ka-hīnano (2f)
Hiwahiwa – "Precious" (2f). Variant; Ka-hiwahiwa (1f,1m)
Hōkū – "Star".E.g.singer Hōkū Ho.(1f)
Hōkū-lani – "Heavenly star" (10f,1m).Variants: Hōkū-o-ka-lani (1f), Ka-hōkū-o-ka-lani (3m).
Hoʻokano – "Proud". (3m)
Hoʻonani – "Adornment" (1f,1m)
Hoʻopiʻi – "Ascent" (2m)
Hua-lani – "Heavenly fruit" (3f,1m)
Hūʻeu – "Mischievous".E.g. Big Island chiefs. (2m)

I

ʻIhi-lani – "Sacred one from Heaven" (1m,1f)
Ikaika – "Strong". Included in the top hundred names 1980-1995.(1f,21m)
ʻIlima – The flower of O'ahu (Sida fallax).(-) Variant: Nā-ʻilima (2f).
Ima-i-ka-lani – Name of a blind but victorious legendary chief. (2m)
ʻImi-ʻike – "Seeker of knowledge" (1f,1m)
Ioane – (M)Hawaiian biblical form of John, often found in nineteenth-century documents. (2m)
Iokepa – (M) Hawaiian form of Joseph.(4m)
ʻIo-lana – (F) "To soar like a hawk", "soaring hawk".Also Hawaiian form of Yolanda. (2f)
ʻIo-lani – "Royal hawk" .Name of Kamehameha II and Kamehameha IV,and of a palace and a school in Honolulu.(1f,1m)
Ipo – "Sweetheart" or "lover" (2m)
Ipo-lani – "Heavenly sweetheart" (2f). Variants: Ka-ipo-lani (-), Ka-ipō-ka-lani (1m), Kuʻu-ipo-lani (1f).
ʻIwa-lani – "Heavenly frigatebird(Fregata minor palmerstoni)",symbolic for "majestic beauty". An inter-island steamer was so called.(13f)

Ka

Ka-ʻahu-manu– "The bird (feather) cloak", a symbol of royalty.Ka'ahumanu was the favorite wife of King Kamehameha and his de facto successor.(1f)
Ka-ʻau-moana – "The seafarer" (1f,3m)
Kaena – "Praised" .An identical name occurs in a fantasy movie (Kaena : The Prophecy). (Ka'ena/Kaena 2f,3m)
Ka-ʻena – "The red-hot glow".A brother of Pele. (Ka'ena/Kaena 2f,3m)
Kāʻeo – "Full of knowledge" (4m)
Kahaʻi – From the legendary Polynesian navigator,Kahaʻi.(1m)
Ka-hala-o-māpuana – "The pandanus of wafted fragrance".A demigoddess, one of the maile sisters. (-)
Ka-hale-wai – "The prison; the treasury; the water house".A common surname, might have been chosen as a given name for family reasons.(2f,3m)
Ka-hanu-ola – "The breath of life". (1f)
Ka-hea-lani – "The heavenly mist" Included in the top hundred names 2005.(11f)
Kahiau – "Generous". (1f,1m)
Kahiki-lani – "Heavenly Tahiti", name given to mythical lands after the old Hawaiians forgot how to sail to real Tahiti.(1f,1m)
Ka-hula – "The hula dancer" (3f)
Kai – "Sea". An identical boys' name of Danish origin is currently fashionable in the UK and U.S.A. Included in the top hundred names for boys in Hawaiʻi 1995-2005. (4f,26m)
Kaia – "Sea of--", as a short form of some long name. The meaning of this name is uncertain. In old documents it might stand for Ka-i'a "the fish". (2f)
Ka-ihe – "The spear". (1f,1m)
Kaila– "Style", "fashion", "stylish". Kaila is also an American spelling variant of Kayla. Included in the top hundred names for girls 1999-2005. (4f)
Kai-lani – "Sea and sky" or "Heavenly seas" (2f)
Ka-ʻili – "The skin;the pebble". Kāʻili "snatcher" was a war god. Ka-ili could mean "wrecked" or "inheritance", but spelled that way it is more probably a variant of Kaylee or Kylie. (Ka'ili/Kā'ili/Kaili 2f,1m)
Ka-ʻili-hiwa – "The black skin" (2f,1m)
Ka-ʻili-kea – "The fair skin", as of light-skinned Hawaiians. (1f,1m)
Kaimana – "Diamond" or "sea filled with Mana " Included in the top hundred names for boys 1993-94, 1999-2005. (2f,12m)
Ka-ʻimi – "The seeker". Also the Spanish clover (Desmodium canum). (1f,3m)
Ka-ʻimi-naʻau-ao – "The seeker of knowledge".E.g.a sister of King Kalākaua who died in childhood.(2m).
Ka-ʻimi-pono – "The seeker of righteousness" (4m)
Kaina – "Younger sister of a girl; younger brother of a boy" (2f,2m) Variant with same meaning: Kaikaina (1m)
Kai-nalu – "Billowy sea". Included in the top hundred names for boys 1996-2005. (7m)
Ka-inoa – "The namesake". For example, the grandson of John could be named John Kainoa or Kainoa John. Included in the top hundred names for boys 1991-2005. (14m)
Ka-inoa-kupuna – "The namesake of one's grandparent" (2m)
Kai-olohia – "Calm sea", figuratively " peace of mind" (1m)
Ka-ipo – "The sweetheart" (2f,10m)
Ka-ʻiu – "The lofty one" (1m)
Ka-ʻiu-lani – "The royal sacred one".Ka'iulani was the last Crown Princess (8f)
Ka-ʻiu-pono – "Leader of the righteous".(-)
Kala – "Free of sorcery".Also Hawaiian form of Sarah.(Kalā/Kala 3f,3m)
Ka-lā – "The sun". (Kalā/Kala 3f,3m)
Ka-laʻe – "The clearness". (2f)
Ka-lā-hiki-ola – "The life-bringing sun".A Big Island hill and church.(1f,1m)
Ka-la'i – "The peace" (2f,3m)
Ka-laʻi-ākea – "The peace spread far". Name of a wind. (-)
Ka-lama – "The lama tree",endemic ebony (Diospyros), from which torches were made, hence figuratively "the torch, lamp, enlightenment". Kalama was the Queen of Kamehameha III.Common surname.(1f,3m)
Ka-lani – "The sky or heavens; the royal chieftain". Included in the top hundred names for boys 1975-77 and occasionally in 1989-2005. (4f,48m)
Ka-lani-kiʻekiʻe – "The royal highness".(1f,1m)
Kale – (M) Hawaiian form of Charles.(4m)
Ka-le'a – "Joy, happiness",but also "orgasm". Kalea would mean "to choke". Usage of both names is quite recent. (Kale'a/Kalea 5f)
Ka-lehua-wehe – "The opening lehua". Name of a surf at Waikīkī.(1f,1m)
Ka-lei – "The flower wreath" or "The child". A common first part of compound names. (4f,13m)
Ka-lei-aliʻi – "The royal child". (-)
Ka-lei-aloha – "The beloved child" (4f,3m)
Ka-lei-kau-maka – "The child looked upon with love and pride"(1f,6m)
Ka-lei-nani – "The beautiful child" (4f,2m)
Ka-lei-o-ka-lani – "The child of heaven" (2f,2m). Variant: Ka-lei-lani (2f).
Ka-lei-onaona – "The fragrant lei, the lovely child".(-)
Ka-lei-wohi – "The high born child".(2f)
Ka-lena – "The yellow(a royal color);the lazy one". Also Hawaiian for Karen. Included in the top hundred names 1999, 2003-2004.(3f)
Ka-leo – "The voice" (1f,9m)
Ka-leo-lani – "The heavenly voice" (4f,5m). Variants: Ka-leō-ka-lani(4m), Ka-leo-o-ka-lani(1m).
Kaleponi – "California", presumably for birth there.(2f)
Kali – "Hesitation" or "Wait" (usually part of a compound name).Hawaiian for Carrie and Gary. (2f)
Kalia – Name of a native tree (Elaeocarpus bifidus). (4f)
Ka-liko – "The bud" (2f,2m) Variant: Liko (-)
Ka-liko-lehua – "The lehua bud" (1m)
Kalili – Name of a native violet, also known as nani-Wai'ale'ale (Viola kauaensis). (2f,1m)
Ka-lua – "The second one", but also "the pit, outhouse, toilet".Common surname.(2f,3m)
Ka-luhi – "The carefully tended one."(2m)
Ka-maile – "The maile vine" (3f,2m)
Ka-maka – "The eyes; the beloved one; the bud or descendant". Common surname.(3f,5m)
Ka-makana-mai-ka-lani – "The gift from heaven". New type of name that can be used to translate Jonathan, Nathaniel, Theodore or Dorothy. (2f,1m). Variants: Ka-makana-mai-ke-akua(1m), Ka-makana-o-ka-lani(1m).
Ka-makana-makamae-mai-ka-lani – "The precious gift from heaven". New name. (2f,1m)
Ka-māla – "The garden". NOTE: Ka-mala means "aching, sour".(4f)
Kama-lani – "Royal child" Included in the top hundred names for girls many times during 1996-2005. (4f)
Kama-lei – "Beloved child" (6f,3m)
Kamāliʻi – "Prince, princess".NOTE: kamali'i just means "children". (1m)
Ka-malu – "The shade; the protected one" (2f,1m)
Ka-mea-ʻiʻo-makamae – "The truly precious thing" (1f,1m)
Ka-meāloha – "The beloved one".E.g.singer John Kameaaloha Almeida. (2f,4m) Variant: Ka-mea-aloha (-)
Kamila – "Camellia" (3f)
Kamuela – (M) Hawaiian form of Samuel (10m)
Ka-naʻi –"The conqueror" (3m)
Ka-naʻi-aupuni – "The conqueror of the nation".A title of Kamehameha, and the name of an old newspaper. (1m)
Kanaka-nui – "Big man" (2m)
Kanamu – E.g.a surname. Exact spelling not known.(3m)
Ka-nani – "The beauty, glory". Common first part of compound names. Included in the top hundred names for girls 1982,2002. (14f,6m)
Ka-nani-mau-loa – "The eternal glory".Also the strawflower(Helichrysum bracteatum).(-)
Ka-nani-o-kuʻu-home – "The adornment of my home". (1f)
Kāne – "Male". One of the four leading gods, a benevolent god of creation. NOTE:Kane is an English name and means a skin disease in Hawaiian. (Kāne/Kane 4m).
Kaniela – (M) Hawaiian form of Daniel (5m)
Ka-noa – "The free one, commoner" (1f,4m)
Ka-noe-lani – "The heavenly mist" (5f,1m)
Ka-noe-lehua – "The lehua flower mist" (3f)
Ka-ʻohu – "The mist; adorned with leis". (1f)
Ka-ʻohu-lani – "The heavenly mist" (1f)Variant: Ka-ʻohu-o-ka-lani (1f)
Ka-ʻōpua – "The puffy clouds".(1f,1m)
Kāpena – "Captain". Included in the top hundred names for boys 1988.(-)
Kāpiʻi-oho – "Curly hair".An O'ahu chief. (1f,2m)
Ka-piʻo-lani – "The heavenly arch",i.e. the rainbow. Kapiʻolani was the Queen of King Kalākaua. (4f)
Ka-pono – "The righteousness" or "the goodness" (1f,4m)
Ka-pua – "The flower" A common first part of compound names.(1f,2m)
Kapu-lani – "Chiefly taboo" (1f,2m)
Ka-puni – "The favorite". Name borne by legendary kahunas.(1f,2m)
Ka-ʻuhane – "The soul" (5m)
Ka-uʻi – "The youth, the beauty" (4f,1m)
Ka-uʻi-o-nā-lani – "The beautiful youth of heaven".(4f).Variants: Ka-u'i-o-ka-lani (1f), Ka-u'i-lani (2f,1m)
Kaulana – "Famous" (1f,4m)
Kaumana – "Powerful(?)" Kaʻūmana is a place name. (3m)
Ka-wai – "The water",symbol of life and wealth. (2f,4m)
Ka-wai-lani – "The heavenly water" (5f,1m)
Ka-wai-lehua –"The lehua honey". (2f)
Ka-wehi – "The decoration; the song".(-) Variant: Ka-wehiwehi (2f).
Ka-wehi-o-nā-pua – "The adornment of flowers".(2f)
Ka-welo – "The family trait". A legendary chief of Kaua'i. (2m)
Ka-wena – "The glow" .E.g. Mary Kawena Puku'i. Included in the top hundred names 2005. (4f)
Kāwika – (M) Hawaiian form of David. King David Kalākaua is called Kāwika in chants. Included in the top hundred names 1976-99,2003. (22m)
Ka-wohi-kū-kapu-lani – "The high-born chief(ess) surrounded by royal taboo".(-)

Ke

Kea – "White, clear".(1f)
Ke-ahi – "The fire" .Common surname.(2f,4m)
Ke-aka – "The shadow, reflection". Also Hawaiian form of Jack.(2f,1m).
Ke-aka-o-ka-lani – "The heavenly shadow". (2m)
Ke-ala – "The pathway". (Ke'ala/Keala 7f,10m)
Ke-ʻala – "The fragrant", symbolic for "esteemed, chiefly".E.g. Kumu Franklin Leonard Ke'ala Kwan. (Ke'ala/Keala 7f,10m)
Kea-lani – "Heavenly whiteness" (4f)
Ke-aliʻi – "The chief, nobleman". A common first part of compound names. (10m)
Ke-aliʻi-ʻau-kai – "The sea-faring chief". (1f,1m). Names with similar meaning: Keli'i-'au-kai (1m), Keli'i-holo-kai (1m), Ke-ali'i-o-ke-kai (1m).
Ke-aloha – "Love; the loved one". Also a common surname, indicating that it was popular in the nineteenth century. (9f,20m)
Ke-aloha-lani – "Heavenly love, mercy" (3f,3m) Variants: Aloha-lani (3f), Ke-aloha-o-ka-lani (1f), Ke-aloha-o-nā-lani (1f).
Ke-aloha-pau-ʻole – "Love never ending" (4f)
Ke-ʻalohi-lani – "The heavenly brightness". Name of a mythical land, and of a star. (9f,1m)
Ke-ani – "The soft breeze".(1f)
Ke-anu – "The coolness". E.g. actor Keanu Reeves. Included in the top hundred names 1993-2005. (7m)
Ke-ānuenue-o-ka-lani – "The rainbow of the sky" (2f)
Ke-ao – "The daylight; the cloud" (2f,2m)
Ke-awe – "The thread". Name of ancient Big Island chiefs. (6m)
Kēhau – "Dew". Name of a gentle land breeze. (2f,1m)
Kēhau-lani – "Heavenly dew". Included in the top hundred names 1997. (19f,2m)
Kēhau-nani – "Beautiful dew" (2f,1m)
Keiki-lani – "Heavenly child" (9f) Variants: Keiki-o-ka-lani (1f,1m), Keiki-o-nā-lani (1f).
Keiki-o-ka-ʻāina – "Child of the land" (1m)
Kei-lani – "Heavenly glory" (2f)
Ke-kai-mālie – "The calm seas". (1f,1m)
Ke-kaulike – "The equality". Name of a princess, sister to Queen Kapi'olani. (2m)
Ke-koa – "Brave; the soldier; the koa tree" Included in the top hundred names 1979 and almost every year during 1986-2005. (1f,22m)
Ke-kona – "Second" (time unit). More probably Ke-kona "the leeward wind" (1f,2m)
Keliʻi – "The chief", contraction of Keali'i. A common first part of compound names and surnames. (13m)
Keoki – (M) Hawaiian for George(3m)
Ke-ola – "The Life" Included in the top hundred names for boys 1974,1978-79,1981. (2f,17m)
Ke-ona – "The attractive one",but also "the mite, louse".(4f,4m)
Ke-onaona – "The soft fragrance" (5f,4m)
Ke-one – "The sand", poetically "homeland". (3m)
Keoni – (M) Hawaiian vernacular form of John. Included in the top hundred names almost every year in 1977-2005. (19m)
Kepano – (M) Hawaiian for Stephen.(1f,2m)

Ki, Ko, Ku

Kiana – (F) Hawaiian form of Diana. E.g.author Kiana Davenport.Included in the top hundred names 1983,1989-2005. (8f)
Kiani – "Gently waving". Name of a Bratz doll since 2006, after "Kiana" was withdrawn for copyright reasons. Included in the top hundred names for girls 2002. (3f)
Kiele – "Gardenia; fragrance.".The Tahitian cognate, Tiare, is a common girls' name in Hawaii.(1f)
Kilohana – "Superior"(2m)
Kimo – (M) Hawaiian form of James (6m)
Kina – (F) "China (the country)." Hawaiian form of Dinah,Tina and Gina. (1f)
Kini – "Multitude". "King",as a loan word and a surname. Also Hawaiian form of Jane,Jean,Jennie,Gene and Dean. (2m)
Koa – "Warrior; the koa tree" (6m)
Kona – "Leeward",name of a famous wind. Also Hawaiian form of Don and Donna. (1f,1m)
Kōnane – "Bright moonlight" (2f)
Konapiliahi – "Strong" (3m)
Kū – "Upright". One of the four great gods, best known as the god of war. (2m)
Kū-aliʻi – "Chief-like, kind". Name of an ancient chief. (2f,1m)
Kukuna-o-ka-lā – "Ray of the sun; the mangrove" (1f,1m)
Kula-manu – "Plain with birds" (2f)
Kū-lani – "Of heavenly nature" .A Big Island cone,and site of a prison camp.(2m). Variant: Ke-kū-lani (-)
Kūlia – "Striving, fortunate". Kulia is a Hawaiian form of Julia. (Kūlia/Kulia 2f)
Kunāne – "Brother of a girl",an affectionate term. (1m)
Kuʻu-aloha – "My love" (3f,4m)
Kuʻu-ʻānela-lani – "My heavenly angel" (1f). Variants: Ku'u-'ānela-o-ka-lani (1f), ʻĀnela-lani (1f).
Kuʻu-ipo – "My Sweetheart" (21f,2m)
Kuʻu-lani –"My king or queen".(1f)
Kuʻu-lei – "My lei, beloved child carried on my shoulders". (28f,1m)
Kuʻu-lei-aloha – "My beloved child" (6f)
Kuʻu-lei-lani – "My heavenly lei or child" (5f,1m)
Kuʻu-lei-nani – "My beautiful child" (5f)
Kuʻu-momi-makamae – "My precious pearl" (2f)

L

Laʻa-kea – "Sacred light" (4m)
Lahapa – Hawaiian form of Rahab.Possibly also of Hawaiian origin, since it occurs in compound names. (3f).
Lāhela – (F) Hawaiian for Rachel.(6f)
Lana – "Afloat" or "Calm as still waters" (1f)
Lanakila – "Victory" (1f,2m)
Lani – "Sky, heavenly",figuratively "chiefly, royal". Also a common nickname for the numerous names ending in -lani. Such names were not used by commoners in the Kingdom of Hawaii. Included in the top hundred names for girls 1961,1975. (15f,4m)
Lea – (F) A mythological goddess of canoe builders. (1f)
Lehua – The lehua flower (Metrosideros polymorpha ), figuratively "warrior, friend, expert".(10f,2m) Variant: Ka-lehua (3f,1m)
Lehua-nani – "Beautiful lehua" (2f)
Lei – "Wreath of flowers",figuratively "a child" (14f,1m)
Lei-aloha – "Beloved child" (25f,4m)
Lei-hua – "Globe amaranth" (Gomphrena globosa), literally "fruit lei". (2f)
Lei-ko – (F)Hawaiian-Japanese hybrid name "lei child", given to women of Japanese ancestry in Hawaii.(6f)
Lei-lani – "Heavenly lei",figuratively "royal child" Included in the top hundred names 1961-63 and 1967-2005.(111f,3m)
Lei-lehua – "Lei of lehua flowers; talented child". (1f,2m) Variant: Ka-lei-lehua (1m), Nā-lei-lehua (1f).
Lei-mamo – "Lei of mamo feathers", figuratively "rare and precious child".(2f,1m) Variant: Ka-lei-mamo (1m)
Lei-momi – "Pearl necklace" (19f) Variants: Ka-lei-momi (2f), Ku'u-lei-momi (3f)
Leina-ʻala – "Gust of fragrance" (29f)
Lei-nani – "Beautiful child" (11f,1m)
Leo-lani – "Heavenly voice".Le'olani would mean "chiefly height". (3f,2m)
Lī – "Chill". Fairly recent use as a middle name suggests that it could also be a form of Lee .(3f,1m)
Līhau – "Cool and fresh" Name of a Maui mountain, and a gentle rain. (3f)
Liʻiliʻi – "Small". After a given name of either sex, similar to "Junior".(1f,1m) Variant: Liʻi (-)
Likeke – (M) Hawaiian form of Richard (4m)
Līlia – "Lily", a loan word. (3f)
Lili-noe – "Fine mist".A goddess of mists. (4f)
Lilo – (F) "To be lost".Lilo & Stitch is a Disneyworld invention. The name has not been used in Hawaii. (-)
Lī-loa – "Long time ago". An ancient chief. (2m)
Loke – "Rose",as a name and a loan word. (3f)
Loke-lani – "Heavenly rose" (11f.) An early twentieth century spelling was Roselani(4f)
Lono – "News, remembrance". God of agriculture and fertility.(1f,1m)
Lopaka – (M) Hawaiian form of Robert. (6m)
Luana – "Content, at ease". Name of a fictitious princess in the play/film "Bird of Paradise" 1912/1932. (7f)
Luka – Hawaiian form of Ruth and Luke. (1f,2m)
Luʻukia – "Coconut fiber lashing". A legendary woman.(1f)

M

Māhea-lani – "Heavenly haze; full moon night".E.g.Brook Māhealani Lee,Miss Universe 1997. Included in the top hundred names for girls 1998-99, 2002. (17f,2m)
Mahi-ʻai – "Farmer".(1f,1m)
Mahina – "Moon" or "Moonlight". Included in the top hundred names 2003. (3f)
Maikaʻi – "Good".(1m)
Maile – "The maile vine",appearing as four sweet-scented sisters in legend. Included in the top hundred names 1967-2005. (20f)
Maile-lau-liʻi – "Small leaf maile", one of the plant forms and a demigoddess. (1f)
Maka– "Eyes",figuratively "beloved"; "bud",figuratively "child".(2f,1m)
Maka-ʻala – "Eyes wide awake, watchful".Also suggested as a translation of Gregory.NOTE: maka-ʻalā means "blind".(-) Variant: Ka-maka-ʻala (1m).
Ma-kai – "Seaward". Recent usage.(1f,2m)
Makala-pua – "Blossoming forth". Name of a song honoring Queen Liliʻuokalani. (-)
Makamae – "Precious" (4f,1m)
Makana – "Gift" Included in the top hundred names for boys in 2000,2002,2004. (5f,7m) Variant: Ka-makana (3m)
Makani – "Wind", sometimes symbolic for "anger". (2f,1m) Variant: Ka-makani (2m)
Maka-nui – "Big eyes",figuratively "important, greatly loved".(1f,2m)
Maka-o-ka-lani – "Heavenly eyes; royal bud or child". (1m) Variants: Ka-maka-o-ka-lani (-), Nā-maka-o-ka-lani (2m), Maka-lani (1m).
Makoa – "Fearless" Included in the top hundred names for boys 2002. (5m)
Malama – "Month,moon,light".Place name. (Mālama/Malama 1f)
Mālama – "To take care of; fidelity". (Mālama/Malama 1f)
Maleka – (F) Hawaiian form of Martha,also an old word for America.(4f)
Malia – (F) Hawaiian biblical form of Mary. Included in the top hundred names 1965-2005. (42f)
Mālia-lani – "Heavenly calm". Malia-lani "Heavenly Mary" is also used as a name. (-)
Mālie – "Calm". (1f)
Malina – "Calming" or "soothing" (2f)
Maluhia – "Peace"(2f). Variant: Ka-maluhia (1m).
Malu-lani – "Heavenly shade or protection". Star name and ship name.(3f,1m) Variants: Ka-malu-o-ka-lani (1f), Ka-malu-o-nā-lani (1f).
Mamo – The black-and-yellow Hawaiian honeycreeper (Drepanis pacifica), highly prized for its feathers and now extinct; also "safflower" and "descendant".(1f) Variant with archaic article: Ke-mamo (-)
Mana – "Supernatural power,mana."(2f,2m) Variant: Ka-mana (1m)
Manu – "Bird" (1f,2m)
Manuia – E.g. an ancient chief. (3m)
Māpuana – "Fragrance" (8f,1m)
Māui – From the demigod, Māui (2m)
Mauna-kea – "White mountain",the snow-topped Mauna Kea,the highest mountain of Hawaiʻi. (1m)
Mea-liʻi – "Little one" (1f)
Mele – (F) Hawaiian vernacular form of Mary. Also a Hawaiian word "song, chant" (3f)
Melia – "Plumeria" Included in the top hundred names 2000-2001. (2f)
Mikaʻele – Hawaiian for Michael,Michaela and related names. (1f,1m). Variant, also unisex: Mikala (1m).
Mikahala – Ship name turned into a given name around 1900. Originally a corruption of "Mr. Hall" (1f)
Mikiʻala – "Alert" (2f)
Mili-lani – "Caressed of heaven, favorite" (5f)
Moana – "Ocean" (8f,4m)
Moani – "Fragrant breeze" (3f)
Moani-ke-ʻala – "The fragrance is wind-blown" (1f)
Mokihana – Name of the flower of Kaua'i (Pelea anisata), with berries strung into leis.(5f)
Momi – "Pearl" (6f,1m)
Momi-lani– "Heavenly pearl" (6f)

N

Naʻau-ao – "Daylight mind, knowledge". (1f,1m)
Nahenahe – "Soft, gentle" (1f)
Naiʻa – "Porpoise". Included in the top hundred names for girls 2002. (1f,1m)
Nā-inoa – "The namesakes". Similar to Kainoa. E.g.navigator Nāinoa Thompson.Included in the top hundred names 1994, 1998-2002.2005. (12m)
Nā-lani – "The Heavens" Included in the top hundred names 2001.(10f,3m).
Nanea – "Fascinating" Included in the top hundred names 2005. (3f)
Nani – "Beauty" or "Splendor".Common ending of given names.(9f,1m).
Nā-pua – "The flowers" (3f,1m)
Nā-pua-lani – "The heavenly flowers" (5f)
Noa – (M) "Freed of taboo; a commoner". Also Hawaiian form of Noah. Included in the top hundred names 2001. (2m)
Noe – "Mist" or "misty rain" or "misty" (2f) Variant: Ka-noe (1f).
Noʻeau – "Clever, artistic". (1m) Variant: Ka-noʻeau (1m)
Noe-lani – "Mist of heaven" Included in the top hundred names 1980. (23f,1m)
Nohea – "Handsome", "lovely" (4f,5m)
Nohea-lani – "Beauty from Heaven" (3f)
Nohelani – E.g. singer Nohelani Cypriano. (4f)

O

Onaona – "Soft fragrance; gentle and attractive" (2f)
Okalani – "Heaven; name for girl 03262007"

P

Pā-ʻana-a-ka-lā – "Sunshine".(-)
Pahu-kula – "Golden casket". A lady was named Ka-pahu-kula-o-Ka-māmalu in 1824 when Queen Kamāmalu's golden coffin was brought to Hawaii from London. (1m) Variant: Ka-pahu-kula (-)
Pali – "Cliff", symbolic for handsome.(2m)
Pali-kapu – "Sacred cliff" (2m)
Pau-ahi – "Consumed by fire; putting out a fire". Name of a star.Bernice Pauahi Bishop was the last heir to King Kamehameha. She was named for an aunt who had been saved from a fire as a child.(4f,2m)
Paulo – (M) Hawaiian form of Paul. (3m)
Piʻi-kea – "The life ascends". A chiefess of Maui.(3f,1m)
Piʻi-lani – "Heavenly ascent". A chief of Maui. (7f)
Pili-aloha – "Beloved companion" (1f,1m)
Pōhai-ke-aloha – "Love encircles" (1f,1m)
Pōhaku – "Stone". Sometimes used as a translation of Peter. (2m)
Pōmaikaʻi – "Good fortune" (2f,3m)
Poʻo-kela – "Outstanding". Name of a Maui church. (4m)
Pua – "Flower",figuratively "child". (4f,2m)
Pua-lani – "Heavenly flower" (13f,1m).Variant with similar meaning: Ka-pua-o-ka-lani (2f,1m).
Pua-mana – "Flower with branches, the horseweed; child with mana".(3f)
Pua-nani – "Beautiful flower" (23f)
Pumehana – "Warm-hearted". (2f)
Puna – "Spring of water" (1f,1m)
Puna-hele – "Favorite",literally "spring that goes on". (1f,2m)
Pūnohu – "Rising mist". (1m)

U

Uʻi-lani – "Heavenly young beauty" (11f)
Ulu-lani – "Heavenly inspiration".An ancient chiefess. (15f)
Ulu-wehi – "Lush and beautiful verdure" (4f). Variant: Ka-ulu-wehi (1f).

W

Wahine-ʻau-kai – "Sea-faring woman" (-) Variant: Ka-wahine-ʻau-kai(-)
Wai-anu-hea – "Misty cool water" (-)
Wai-lani – "Heavenly water" (1f).Variant: Wai-o-lani (1f)
Wai-ola – "Water of life",with religious associations both in ancient Hawaii and in Christianity. Also Hawaiian form of Viola.(3f) Variant: Ka-wai-ola (1f,1m)
Wai-puna – "Spring water",symbolic for sweetheart.(1m)Variant: Ka-wai-puna (-)

References

Eileen M.Root: Hawaiian Names - English Names.1987.Press Pacifica
Mary Kawena Pukui and Samuel H.Elbert: Hawaiian Dictionary.1986 and 1971 editions. University of Hawaii Press.
Mary Kawena Pukui,Samuel H.Elbert,Esther T.Mo'okini: Place Names of Hawaii.1974.University of Hawaii Press.

External links