Whilst watching [name_m]Hawaii[/name_m] 5-0 today, I was reminded about how intriguing I find Hawaiian culture, and how much I love Hawaiian names! (Plus, my grandpa served in the [name_f]Air[/name_f] Force, and was stationed in Guam part of that time, and I think maybe even [name_m]Hawaii[/name_m], although I’m not sure about that bit. If he was, I think a Hawaiian name would be a cool tie to that!)
I have a couple I love already–Ikaika and [name_m]Koa[/name_m] for boys, and Ailea (at least, I’ve seen somewhere that this is a Hawaiian name, said eye-[name_m]LAY[/name_m]-ah?), Auli’i (I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] this, although I figure this might be too tied to Auli’i Cravalho with [name_f]Moana[/name_f]?), [name_f]Malia[/name_f] (Hawaiian form of [name_f]Mary[/name_f]/[name_f]Maria[/name_f]), [name_f]Maile[/name_f] (said similarly to [name_f]Miley[/name_f], I believe), and [name_f]Kaia[/name_f] (although I generally think of this as Scandinavian, since the Scandinavian etymology has more meaning for me?) for girls, but I’m wondering if there are some really great other ones out there?
I’ve checked behindthename before, but they don’t have a ton of listings, so I’m wondering where else to look (that’s a reputable site–not all name databases are…) for a good database of Hawaiian names?
Thanks, Berries!
I don’t know the first thing about Hawaiian names, so I’m of no help! But there is a user here on nameberry, I beleive she’s called @mahealani_mommy, who has been talking about Hawaiian names for her baby. She seems to have some knowledge Hawaiian names, so she might be able to help you!
[name_m]Hi[/name_m]! [name_m]Ive[/name_m] been having the same trouble with hawaiian naming sites. What ive been doing lately is looking through facebook on like hawaiian pages (ie 808viral) thru the comments section and reading peoples names also thru the friends lists of ppl from hawaii. Or u could google hawaiian history and get inspiration from royalty names. Theyre usually pretty long but they are usually a sentence so u can try to break up thr name into multiple names and choose one. Any word can be a name in hawaiian so u can start with some ideas and translate them. Also hawaiian names have a literal meaning and a deeper poetic meaning for instance [name_f]Leilani[/name_f] literally means garland of flowers from heaven but its intended poetic meaning is child of heaven because a lei represents a childs arms wrapped around the parent (a hug)! I have a couple family members that i ask to translate so if u have some ideas i can try to help u out!
Some ideas off the top of my head (not going to put ones that are always on naming sites like [name_f]Noelani[/name_f] [name_f]Leilani[/name_f] etc though i do like them. Trying to put some possible new ones):
Ku’ulei- my child/flowers garland
Kailei-sea child
[name_u]Ali[/name_u]'ikai- princess of the sea
[name_m]Nohea[/name_m]-lovely
Wainani-prn vy-nani- beautiful water
Kaleo-the voice
Leinani-beautiful child
Anuenue-rainbow
Pomaika’i-blessing
Kawena-prn kuh-vena-the glow
Kanani-beautiful
Mahealani-full moon night
Mahina-moon
Ku’uipo-sweetheart/my heart. I have mixed feelings on this one cuz it can mean lover
Alohalani-love of heaven
Anuhea-cool breeze/happiness
Tahitian names are quite pretty too! Have u looked into those? Ie., Tiare, Heiana
So anything can be a name in hawaiian and u can combine words just try to have it correctly translated ”
Oh and i love Auli’i btw and have the same reservations. But i am considering a name that is also the name of a popular singer and i just figure yeah ppl will know (well some ppl) thats how i was inspired but the name holds enough in its own right to be usable. Idk if that makes sense. [name_f]Kinda[/name_f] like its not the same to me as naming your baby [name_f]Beyonce[/name_f]. Thats obviously in honor of [name_f]Beyonce[/name_f] where Auli’i is just a lovely name and some ppl might remember its the name of moanas lead actress…idk if im explaining myself right lol
I think this is a good idea.
I bought a very small dictionary while vacationing in [name_m]Hawaii[/name_m] a few years back. In the front it had the Hawaiian equivalents of Anglo names. But it’s in my dorm and I’m home for spring break, so I don’t currently have access to it. I’ll look at it when I go back to school.
[name_f]Malia[/name_f] is really pretty! I don’t know many Hawaiian names, but here are some I really like;
[name_f]Kailani[/name_f]
[name_f]Leilani[/name_f]
[name_u]Kalani[/name_u] (different from [name_f]Kailani[/name_f], which surprised me!)
Keala
Makana
[name_f]Maleah[/name_f]
[name_f]Noelani[/name_f]
[name_f]Nalani[/name_f]
Lokelani (loke = rose, from the English word, thus related to Roselani) and Aolani (ao = cloud) are ones I’ve been liking! I also like [name_u]Hoku[/name_u] (star), like the singer, and Lilikoʻi (passionfruit — not actually sure this is used as a name).
Its me again lol i thought of a fee more:
Ka’iulani (last princess of hawaii)
Lilinoe -goddess of the mist
Keikilani-child of heaven
Haunani- beautiful snow
[name_m]Hi[/name_m]'ilani- to exalt
Tehani is a tahitian name meaning caress
Kainalu- sea wave. Alot of boys use this name but all names are technically unisex
[name_f]Iolana[/name_f]- to soar
[name_f]Iolani[/name_f]- exalted hawk. Its also the name of the palace and private school so my partner vetoed it cuz he thinks it sounds snobby but i still think its pretty
Napua- the flowers
Lehua- a type of flower
I will try to think of more! 
Sanoe- prn. suh-noy “Sanoe is the Hawaiian word meaning “the mist that drifts over our mountains”. Alludes to the man drifting in like the mist to see his “ipo” (sweetheart). Sanoe is a famous song composed by [name_f]Queen[/name_f] Liliuokalani who wrote the words and the music.”
U’ilani- heavenly beauty
Also what u can do is listen to hula songs and see if u like anything in the lyrics as a name. Or other hawaiian songs. Fiji has some pretty songs he sings in hawaiian (and other languages too) plus theres many other singers too.
Thank you, everyone! (Especially you, @mahealani_mommy! I’m pretty sure you went way beyond the call of duty here hahaha.) I especially like Kailei–is it said similarly to kye-lay?
@laurendh - thank you for the offer! I think that’s mostly what behindthename does–I’ve seen the Hawaiian forms of [name_f]Christina[/name_f] ([name_f]Kilikina[/name_f], I think? If I’m remembering correctly), [name_f]Abigail[/name_f] (Apikalia?), [name_f]Elizabeth[/name_f] ([name_f]Elikapeka[/name_f]), [name_f]Jessica[/name_f] ([name_f]Iekika[/name_f]), [name_f]Catherine[/name_f] ([name_f]Kakalina[/name_f]), [name_f]Karen[/name_f] ([name_f]Kalena[/name_f]), [name_f]Stephanie[/name_f] (Kekepania), [name_f]Maria[/name_f] ([name_f]Malia[/name_f]), and [name_f]Victoria[/name_f] (Wikolia). They’re all intriguing, and I’m especially drawn to Apikalia, [name_f]Elikapeka[/name_f], and [name_f]Malia[/name_f], but I’ve noticed I seem to like Hawaiian names that are less attached to English counterparts, if that makes sense? There’s a few of them that I’ve seen on btn ([name_f]Maile[/name_f], [name_f]Kalea[/name_f], [name_f]Nalani[/name_f], [name_f]Leilani[/name_f], etc., etc.), but I’ve noticed that I am especially drawn in by Hawaiian “A” names, and there were few of those on btn, sadly!
@tanaquil - I’ve actually come across Lilikoi (although I assume this is the Americanized spelling?), although I don’t know if Hawaiians themselves use it?
I was also planning on searching the Hawaiian popularity list to see if there were any other ones there, maybe?
Yes kailei is prn just like that!
Right, I’d like to know too. There’s an Instagram user who goes by the name, @_lilikoi, but she is blonde - probably not Native Hawaiian? And anyway I’m not sure it’s her legal name. I found an interview in which she says, “My mom named me ‘[name_f]Lili[/name_f]’ after lilikoi blossoms, which are these super alien-like flowers that you can find all over [name_m]Hawaii[/name_m].”
Also I wanted to expand on Aolani, which I found out has a slightly more complex meaning - the first element, Hawaiian ao means “(high) cloud” but also means “light,” “day,” “dawn” and “world.” (This is combined with lani “heaven, sky.”) I think Aolani feels similar to [name_f]Iolanda[/name_f]/[name_f]Iolanthe[/name_f] names. I find it so appealing and the meaning is lovely!
Has Alaula been suggested? It means “light of early dawn” or “sunset glow” from Hawaiian ala “path, road” and ula “flame.”
The mother of [name_f]Queen[/name_f] [name_f]Lili[/name_f]ʻuokalani was named Analeʻa, but I couldn’t find the meaning. Lastly, a pretty Fijian name is [name_f]Elenoa[/name_f] - I couldn’t find the meaning for that either but I think it could be a form of [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f], since [name_f]Elenola[/name_f] is the Hawaiian form of [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f].
I love [name_f]Malia[/name_f], it’s a name I wanted for my own daughter, but my husband doesn’t like it. I also like [name_f]Malina[/name_f] (mean peace in Hawaiian). Good luck!
My favourite Hawaiian name is [name_f]Noelani[/name_f]
We named our daughter Laleia (la-lay-a) which sounds Hawaiian
From Let’s Learn a [name_m]Little[/name_m] Hawaiian by [name_u]Ray[/name_u] Helbig:
Boys’ names
[name_m]Aaron[/name_m]—Aalona
[name_m]Abel[/name_m]—Apela
[name_m]Abner[/name_m]—Apenela
[name_m]Abraham[/name_m]—Apelehama
[name_m]Adam[/name_m]—Akamu
[name_m]Albert[/name_m]—Alapaki
[name_m]Alexander[/name_m]—Alekanekelo
[name_m]Alfred[/name_m]—Alapai
[name_u]Alton[/name_u]—Alakona
[name_m]Amos[/name_m]—Amoka
[name_m]Andrew[/name_m]—Anolu
[name_m]Anthony[/name_m]—[name_m]Akoni[/name_m]
[name_m]Archibald[/name_m]—[name_m]Aki[/name_m] or Akipala
[name_m]Arthur[/name_m]—Aka
[name_m]Austin[/name_m]—Aukaina
[name_m]Augustus[/name_m]—Aukake
[name_u]Baldwin[/name_u]—Polowina
[name_m]Barney[/name_m]—Pane
[name_m]Bartholomew[/name_m]—Pakolomio
[name_m]Benjamin[/name_m]—Peniamina
[name_m]Barnabas[/name_m]—Palenapa
[name_u]Bert[/name_u]—Peka
[name_u]Blaine[/name_u]—Palene
[name_m]Caesar[/name_m]—Kaikala
[name_m]Caleb[/name_m]—Kalepa
[name_m]Calvin[/name_m]—Kalawina
[name_m]Carl[/name_m]—Kalela or [name_f]Kala[/name_f]
[name_m]Cecil[/name_m]—Kikila
[name_m]Cephas[/name_m]—Kepa
[name_m]Charles[/name_m]—[name_m]Kale[/name_m]
[name_m]Christian[/name_m]—Kalikiano
[name_u]Claude[/name_u]—Kalaukio
[name_m]Clement[/name_m]—Kelemeneke
[name_m]Cleveland[/name_m]—Kelewelana
[name_m]Clifton[/name_m]—Kalipekona
[name_m]Cornelius[/name_m]—Kolenelio
[name_m]Cyrus[/name_m]—Kila
[name_m]Dan[/name_m]—Kana
[name_m]Daniel[/name_m]—Kaniela
[name_m]David[/name_m]—Kawika
[name_m]Donald[/name_m]—Konala
[name_m]Edgar[/name_m]—Eka
[name_m]Edmund[/name_m]—Ekemana; Ailuene
[name_m]Edward[/name_m]—Aikue; Ailuene
[name_m]Edwin[/name_m]—Ailuene
[name_m]Eli[/name_m]—[name_m]Eli[/name_m]
[name_u]Elias[/name_u]—Elikai
[name_m]Elijah[/name_m]—[name_u]Elia[/name_u]
[name_m]Elmer[/name_m]—Elama
[name_m]Ernest[/name_m]—Eneki
[name_m]Eugene[/name_m]—Ailukini
[name_m]Ezra[/name_m]—Ekela
[name_m]Ferdinand[/name_m]—Pelekina
[name_u]Francis[/name_u]—[name_m]Palani[/name_m]
[name_m]Frank[/name_m]—[name_m]Palani[/name_m]
[name_m]Frederick[/name_m]—Pelelika
[name_m]Gabriel[/name_m]—Kapeliela
[name_m]George[/name_m]—[name_m]Keoki[/name_m]
[name_m]Gerald[/name_m]—Kelala
[name_m]Gideon[/name_m]—Kikiona
[name_m]Gilbert[/name_m]—Kilipaki
[name_m]Gordon[/name_m]—Kokona
[name_m]Harold[/name_m]—[name_m]Hale[/name_m]
[name_m]Harry[/name_m]—[name_m]Hale[/name_m]
[name_m]Harvey[/name_m]—Halewe
[name_m]Henry[/name_m]—Heneli
[name_m]Herbert[/name_m]—Hapaki
[name_m]Herman[/name_m]—Helemana
[name_m]Hiram[/name_m]—Hailama
[name_m]Homer[/name_m]—Homela
[name_m]Horace[/name_m]—Holeka
[name_u]Howard[/name_u]—Hoaka
[name_m]Hugh[/name_m]—Huko
[name_m]Hugo[/name_m]—Huko
[name_m]Isaac[/name_m]—Aikake or Ikaaka
[name_m]Israel[/name_m]—Ikelaela
[name_m]Jack[/name_m]—[name_m]Keaka[/name_m]
[name_m]Jacob[/name_m]—[name_m]Iakopa[/name_m]
[name_u]James[/name_u]—Kimo
[name_u]Jay[/name_u]—Ke
[name_m]Jeremiah[/name_m]—Ielemia
[name_u]Jerry[/name_u]—Kele
[name_u]Jesse[/name_u]—Ieke
[name_m]Jimmy[/name_m]—Kime
[name_m]Joel[/name_m]—Ioela
[name_m]Jonah[/name_m]—[name_f]Iona[/name_f]
[name_m]Jonathan[/name_m]—Kiakona
[name_m]Joseph[/name_m]—[name_m]Iokepa[/name_m]
[name_m]Joshua[/name_m]—Iwikua
[name_m]Judah[/name_m]—Iuka
[name_m]Julian[/name_m]—Kioula
[name_m]Julius[/name_m]—Kioula
[name_m]Kenneth[/name_m]—Kanaina
[name_u]Lawrence[/name_u]—Lowena
[name_u]Laurence[/name_u]—Lowena
[name_m]Leonard[/name_m]—Leonala
[name_m]Leopold[/name_m]—Leopolo
[name_m]Levi[/name_m]—[name_m]Lewi[/name_m]
[name_m]Lewis[/name_m]—[name_m]Lui[/name_m]
[name_u]Loren[/name_u]—Lolena
[name_m]Louis[/name_m]—[name_m]Lui[/name_m]
[name_u]Lorrin[/name_u]—Lolena
[name_m]Luke[/name_m]—[name_m]Luka[/name_m]
[name_m]Luther[/name_m]—Lukela
[name_f]Lota[/name_f]—Loka
[name_m]Manuel[/name_m]—[name_f]Manuela[/name_f]
[name_m]Mark[/name_m]—Maleko
[name_m]Martin[/name_m]—Makini
[name_m]Matthew[/name_m]—Makaio
[name_m]Moses[/name_m]—[name_m]Moke[/name_m]
[name_u]Micah[/name_u]—[name_f]Maika[/name_f]
[name_m]Maximilian[/name_m]—Makimilio
[name_m]Nathan[/name_m]—Kamakana
[name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m]—Nakaniela
[name_m]Nicholas[/name_m]—Nikolo
[name_u]Noah[/name_u]—[name_f]Noa[/name_f]
[name_u]Noel[/name_u]—[name_f]Noela[/name_f]
[name_u]Ollie[/name_u]—[name_m]Ole[/name_m]
[name_m]Oliver[/name_m]—[name_f]Oliwa[/name_f]
[name_m]Oscar[/name_m]—Oka
[name_u]Owen[/name_u]—Owene
[name_m]Paul[/name_m]—[name_m]Paulo[/name_m]
[name_m]Peter[/name_m]—[name_m]Pekelo[/name_m]; Pika
[name_m]Philip[/name_m]—Pilipo
[name_m]Preston[/name_m]—Pelekekona
[name_m]Ralph[/name_m]—Lalapa
[name_m]Raphael[/name_m]—Lapaela
[name_m]Raymond[/name_m]—Lemona
[name_m]Reuben[/name_m]—Lupine
[name_u]Rex[/name_u]—Leke
[name_m]Richard[/name_m]—Likeke
[name_m]Robert[/name_m]—Lopaka
[name_m]Roger[/name_m]—Lokeke
[name_u]Roy[/name_u]—Loe
[name_m]Rufus[/name_m]—Lupeka
[name_m]Samson[/name_m]—Kamekona
[name_m]Samuel[/name_m]—Kamuela
[name_u]Seth[/name_u]—Kepa
[name_m]Saul[/name_m]—Kaulo
[name_m]Silas[/name_m]—Kila
[name_m]Simeon[/name_m]—Kimeona
[name_m]Simon[/name_m]—Kimona
[name_m]Solomon[/name_m]—Kolomona
[name_m]Stephen[/name_m]—Kinoini
[name_m]Thaddeus[/name_m]—Kakina
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m]—Keohokalole
[name_m]Thomas[/name_m]—Koma or Kamaki
[name_m]Titus[/name_m]—[name_m]Kiko[/name_m]
[name_m]Tommy[/name_m]—Kome
[name_m]Wayne[/name_m]—Wene
[name_m]Walter[/name_m]—Walaka
[name_m]William[/name_m]—Wiliama
My best friends middle name is Mikaia (ma-kay-ah), according to her it’s Hawaiian.
@tanaquil - [name_f]Elenoa[/name_f] and [name_f]Elenola[/name_f] are gorgeous! I love the idea of [name_f]Elenola[/name_f] to get me to [name_f]Lola[/name_f], but I feel like, realistically, I’d just use [name_f]Lena[/name_f] instead (or even classic [name_f]Eleanor[/name_f]). I really like [name_f]Elenoa[/name_f], though–I’ll have to give her some thought!
@laurendh - wow, what a list! I’ll have to give it some more thought when I have a spare moment. I found several new boys’ names I love that are Hawaiian (Kainoa, Kekoa… I have the rest saved on a list somewhere), but I’ll have to see if I can add some of those, too! I love some other Hawaiian forms of Biblical names, like [name_m]Ikaia[/name_m] ([name_m]Isaiah[/name_m]), Makaio ([name_m]Matthew[/name_m]), etc. That list is so detailed–what does the girls’ one look like?
I love Kainoa and Kekoa! My brothers name is Kekoa so we’re not using it. We’ve chosen Nakoa if we’re having a boy. My sons name is Ikaika (mn). I’ll come up w a boys list (its fun for me lol) idk why but it takes me longer w boys names but i choose them more quickly. I can think of a huge list for girls but then have trouble choosing.
@mahealani_mommy - I’ll eagerly await that list! I’ve just gotten back into [name_m]Hawaii[/name_m] Five-0, and I’m loving hearing all the Hawaiian names. And och, I adore Ikaika so, so much–your son’s name is gorgeous! (As are your daughters, obviously.) Isn’t it weird how one gender seems so easy, but the other is SO hard?!