50 Hawaiian Baby Names

Learn the meaning and origins of popular Hawaiian baby names

hawaii beach

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About 1500 years ago, Polynesians made their way to a collection of islands in the Pacific Ocean and established what we now know as Hawaii. Over time, they developed the unique art, food, and even religions in Hawaii that make it such an iconic place in the world today.

While browsing this list of Hawaiian baby names for boys and girls, you might notice that many of them sound quite similar. This is largely because the Hawaiian language uses an abbreviated alphabet which consists of only 12 letters — seven consonants (h, k, l, m, n, p, w) and five vowels (a, e, i, o, u).

Popular Hawaiian Baby Names for Girls 

Here are some popular and unique Hawaiian baby names for girls along with their meanings, origins, and other interesting information.

 Alamea

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Precious, whole 
  • Peak Popularity: Alamea is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for girls in the United States.

 Alana

  • Origin: Hawaiian, Gaelic, Irish
  • Meaning: An offering
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lana, Allana, Alanna
  • Famous Namesakes: Alanna Goldie, Canadian fencer; Alannah Currie, New Zealand musician
  • Peak Popularity: The name Alana began peaking in the mid-1980s and is still trending.

 Alohi

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Shining, brilliant
  • Peak Popularity: Alohi is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for girls in the United States.

Fun Fact: Though it sounds similar to the Hawaiian greeting Aloha, the two are entirely different words!

 Halia

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Remembrance of a loved one
  • Famous Namesakes: Halia Beamer, internet celebrity
  • Peak Popularity: Halia is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for girls in the United States, however in 2020 it was 37th in popularity for a girl's name in Hawaii.

 Haukea

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: White snow
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kea
  • Peak Popularity: Haukea is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for girls in the United States.

Fun Fact: This name is two words combined: hau, which means snow, and kea, which means white.

Kailani

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Sea and sky, sea and heaven
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kalani, Kalanie, Kaila
  • Famous Namesakes: Kailani Craine, Australian figure skater
  • Peak Popularity: Kailani is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for girls in the United States, however in 2020 was 61st in popularity for names in Hawaii.

Fun Fact: Kai means sea, and lani means heaven or sky.

Kaia

  • Origin: Hawaiian, Greek
  • Meaning: The sea
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kiya, Kai
  • Famous Namesakes: Kaia Gerber, American model; Kaia Iva, Estonian politician
  • Peak Popularity: Kaia is currently experiencing a surge in popularity, which began in the 2010s.

 Luana

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Enjoyment
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lulu, Lu, Ana
  • Famous Namesakes: Luana, Italian singer-songwriter and co-founder of Belladonna
  • Peak Popularity: Luana was particularly popular in the United States from 1940 to 1950.

Fun Fact: Luana is also the name of an Iowa town in the continental United States.

Kalei

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Flower wreath, happiness
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kali, Cali, Kaleigh
  • Peak Popularity: Kailei is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for girls in the United States.

Kali

  • Origin: Hawaiian, African, Greek, Hindi
  • Meaning: Rosebud
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kalie
  • Famous Namesakes: Kali Rocha, American actress
  • Peak Popularity: Kali was most popular in the United States from the mid-1990s to 2015.

Keala

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Pathway
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: None
  • Famous Namesakes: Keala Kennelly, American surfer; Keala Settle, American singer
  • Peak Popularity: Kaela was most popular in the United States from 1990 to 2000.

Makani

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Wind
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: None
  • Famous Namesakes: Makani Harrelson, daughter of actor Woody Harrelson
  • Peak Popularity: Makani is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for girls in the United States.

Fun Fact: The name Makani is technically unisex, as are many Hawaiian names.

Lana

  • Origin: Greek, Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Light, floating
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Alana, Lonna
  • Famous Namesakes: Lana Del Rey, singer; Lana Turner, actress
  • Peak Popularity: Lana was most popular in the United States from 1940 to 1970. In 1948, roughly 1450 girls were given this name in the U.S.

Leia

  • Origin: English, Hebrew, Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Lioness
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lea, Leigh, Leah, Leyah
  • Famous Namesakes: Léia Scheinvar, botanist
  • Peak Popularity: Leia reached height popularity in the United States in the mid-2010s.

Fun Fact: You might recognize this name from the Star Wars franchise, but the name dates back to biblical times.

 Lokelani

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Small red rose
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Loki, Lani
  • Famous Namesakes: Lokelani McMichael, American triathlete
  • Peak Popularity: Lokelani is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for girls in the United States.

Fun Fact: The lokelani, a small red rose, is the official flower of the Hawaiian island of Maui.

Loni

  • Origin: English, Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Sky
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lonnie
  • Famous Namesakes: Loni Anderson, actress
  • Peak Popularity: Loni has never been a popular name, but it did see a small spike in the 1980s.

Leilani

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Heavenly wreath
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Leila, Lani
  • Famous Namesakes: Leilani Rose De Marco, dancer; Leilani Jones, stage actress.
  • Peak Popularity: Leilani started gaining popularity in the United States in the 1990s and continues to peak. It was the 29th most popular name given to girls in 2020.

Fun Fact: Leilani combines two words in the Hawaiian language: lei, which means wreath, and lani, which means heavenly.

Lilo

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Generous one
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: None
  • Famous Namesakes: Lilo Ramdohr, member of the White Rose resistance group in Nazi Germany
  • Peak Popularity: Lilo is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for girls in the United States.

Fun Fact: You might recognize the name Lilo from the famous cartoon duo, Lilo and Stitch, which is set in Hawaii!

Malia

  • Origin: Hawaiian, Spanish
  • Meaning: Rebelliousness, brave, diligent
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations:
  • Famous Namesakes: Malia Obama, President Obama’s daughter; Malia Jones, American model
  • Peak Popularity: Malia has skyrocketed in popularity since 2008, largely because it is the name of President Barack Obama’s oldest daughter.

 Mililani

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Praise, exalt
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Milly, Mili, Lani
  • Famous Namesakes: None
  • Peak Popularity: Mililani is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for girls in the United States.

Fun Fact: Mililani is the name of a Hawaiian town in Honolulu County.

Naia

  • Origin: Hawaiian, Latin
  • Meaning: Dolphin, to flow
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Nya, Naya
  • Famous Namesakes: Naia Guz Sanchez, actor; Naya Rivera, American actress
  • Peak Popularity: Naia hasn't been a popular name in the United States, but the alternative spelling Nya, saw a small surge in the 1990s.

 Nalani

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Calm skies
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Nala, Lani
  • Peak Popularity: Nalani is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for girls in the United States.

 Nana

  • Origin: Hawaiian, Spanish
  • Meaning: Spring, grace
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Nanna, Nanny, Nanette, Ana
  • Famous Namesakes: Nana Mizuki, Japanese voice actor
  • Peak Popularity: Nana hasn't been a popular name in the United States, but it did have a few small, random spikes in the 1800s.

Fun Fact: In Hawaii, Nana is the name of both a spring month and a star.

Okalani

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Heavenly
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Lani
  • Peak Popularity: Okalani is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for girls in the United States.

 Oliana

  • Origin: Hawaiian, Spanish
  • Meaning: Variant of oleander
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Oli, Ana, Liana
  • Peak Popularity: Oliana is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for girls in the United States.

Popular Hawaiian Baby Names for Boys 

Here are some popular and unique Hawaiian baby names for boys along with their meanings, origins, and other interesting information.

 Akamu

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Of the Earth
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Aka, Kamu
  • Peak Popularity: Akamu is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.

Fun Fact: This name is the equivalent of the Hebrew name, Adam.

Akoni

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Too great to calculate (inestimable)  
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Koni
  • Peak Popularity: Akoni is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.

 Anakoni

  • Origin: Hawaiian, Latin, Greek
  • Meaning: Priceless, worthy of admiration
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Anakin, Koni
  • Peak Popularity: Anakoni is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.

Fun Fact: Anakoni is the Hawaiian variation of the name Anthony.

Bane

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Long-awaited child
  • Peak Popularity: Bane is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.

 Keanu

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Cool breeze over the mountains
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: None
  • Famous Namesakes: Keanu Reeves, actor
  • Peak Popularity: The name Keanu hasn't ever been exceptionally popular in the United States, but there was a small surge in the mid-90s, likely as a result of famous actor Keanu Reeves gaining popularity himself. Keanu peaked at 512th in the U.S. in 2020, and was the 52nd most popular name in Hawaii.

 Kai

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: The sea
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ky, Ki, Chi
  • Famous Namesakes: Kai Ryssdal, radio host; Kai Altair, American musician
  • Peak Popularity: Kai started gaining momentum as a boy's name in the 1990s and continues rising in popularity. In 2020 Kai reached an all-time high rank of 93 in the U.S. and was seventh in popularity in Hawaii.

 Koi

  • Origin: Hawaiian, Native American
  • Meaning: Urge, implore
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Coy
  • Peak Popularity: Koi is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.

Fun Fact: Koi is also the name of a Japanese variety of carp fish. It is also considered the Hawaiian equivalent of the name Troy.

Kale

  • Origin: Hawaiian, Gaelic
  • Meaning: Strong, manly
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kayle, Kail, Cale
  • Famous Namesakes: Kale Ane, American football player; Kale Browne, actor
  • Peak Popularity: Kale experienced a small surge in popularity from 1995 to 2010.

Fun Fact: Though it’s pronounced differently, the word “Kale” in the English language also refers to a dark, leafy green vegetable.

Kana

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: God’s judgment
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kanaiela
  • Peak Popularity: Kana is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.

Fun Fact: Kana was the name of a Maui demigod who could take the form of a rope and stretch from Molokai to Hawaii.

Kaleo

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: One voice
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Leo
  • Peak Popularity: Kaleo is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.

Fun Fact: In the Hawaiian language, Ka means “the” and Leo means “voice” or “sound.”

Kekoa

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Brave one, the warrior
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Keko, Keiko, Koa
  • Famous Namesakes: None
  • Peak Popularity: Kekoa is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States. However, in 1972 it hit the baby name charts at position #1923.

 Makani

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Wind, breeze
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Maka, Ani, Kani
  • Famous Namesakes: Makani Harrelson, daughter of actor Woody Harrelson
  • Peak Popularity: Makani is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.

Fun Fact: Makani is considered a unisex name in Hawaii.

Hailama

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Famous or renowned brother
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: None
  • Famous Namesakes: None
  • Peak Popularity: Hailama is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.

Fun Fact: Hailama is considered the Hawaiian equivalent to Hiram, a Hebrew name.

Havika

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Beloved
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Havi
  • Peak Popularity: Havika is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.

Fun Fact: Havika is considered the Hawaiian equivalent to David, a Hebrew name.

Ilima

  • Origin: Hawaiian, Hebrew
  • Meaning: Flower
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Alima, Ulima, Lima, Ili
  • Peak Popularity: Ilima is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.

Fun Fact: Ilima is the official flower of Oahu, a bright yellow flower that's part of the Hibiscus family.

Ionakana

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: A gift from God
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Iona, Kana, Ana
  • Peak Popularity: Ionakana is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.

Fun Fact: The name Ionakana is a variant of the very common Hebrew name, Jonathan.

Iulio

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Youthful
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Julio, Julito, Julia, Julius, Jullian, Julen
  • Famous Namesakes: None
  • Peak Popularity: Iulio is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.

 Kaimana

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Power of the ocean
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kai, Mana, Kaima, Ana
  • Famous Namesakes: None
  • Peak Popularity: Kaimana is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States. It was ranked 84th for Hawaiian boys in 2020.

Fun Fact: The name Kaimana combines two common Hawaiian words: Kai, which means “ocean” or “sea,” and mana, which translates to “power.” Kaimana is also derived from the English word, diamond.

Kalani

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Sea and sky, chief
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kalanie, Kala, Kalan
  • Famous Namesakes: Kalani Hilliker, dancer; Kalani Chapman, surfer; Kalani Prince, Hawaiian YouTuber
  • Peak Popularity: Kalani is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.

Fun Fact: Kalani is the male version of the Hawaiian name, Kalanie.

Kapono

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Proper or righteous one, virtuous
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kapon, Kopone
  • Peak Popularity: Kapono is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.

 Keoni

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: God is gracious
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Keo
  • Peak Popularity: Keoni is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.

Fun Fact: The name Keoni is considered the Hawaiian equivalent to the Hebrew name, John.

Kimo

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Supplanter
  • Famous Namesakes: Kimo Armitage, American poet; Kimo Williams, American musician
  • Peak Popularity: Kimo is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.

Fun Fact: This common Hawaiian name is the equivalent to Jim or James.

Maleko

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Of Mars, warrior
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Malek
  • Peak Popularity: Maleko is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.

Fun Fact: This common Hawaiian name is the equivalent to Mark.

Mano

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Shark
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Iman, Manny
  • Famous Namesakes: Mano Brown, singer
  • Peak Popularity: Mano is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.

 Makaio

  • Origin: Hawaiian
  • Meaning: Gift Of God
  • Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kai
  • Peak Popularity: Makaio is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.

Fun Fact: This common Hawaiian name is the equivalent to the Hebrew name, Matthew.

 

2 Sources
Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Hawaii History. Polynesian Migrations.

  2. Social Security Administration. Popular Baby Names.

By Wendy Rose Gould
Wendy Rose Gould is a lifestyle reporter with over a decade of experience covering health and wellness topics.