50 Hawaiian Baby Names

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

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