Deciding on the name for our first baby!

Hello everyone!

Our little girl is due in early summer and we thought it might be time to finally settle on a name. We’ve had some issues deciding between the names on our list, which is why I took to this site in hope that you might help us solve our ‘crisis’ :smiley:

My husband is Native Hawaiian and I’m from [name_f]Ireland[/name_f], but have been living in [name_m]Hawaii[/name_m] for five years now. As soon as we found out about the pregnancy, we decided that our child would have a Hawaiian name.

Our first pick and current favourite is [name_f]Iolana[/name_f]. Not only do we think it’s gorgeous, we absolutely [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] the meaning which is ‘to soar’, and we like that we could use [name_f]Io[/name_f] and [name_f]Lana[/name_f] as nicknames.

Another name on our list would be [name_f]Kalea[/name_f]. Our problems with this name are that it’s becoming increasingly popular and it’s very similiar to our surname, same goes for [name_f]Kalena[/name_f], another name we really like.

We also love [name_f]Elora[/name_f] and it’s pretty much the only non-Hawaiian name we would consider.

So yeah, it’s between these:

[name_f]Iolana[/name_f]
[name_f]Kalea[/name_f]/[name_f]Kalena[/name_f]
[name_f]Elora[/name_f]

Any help/opinions would be greatly appreciated :slight_smile:

[name_f]Kalea[/name_f] is my favourite of your options!

If you’re worried about popularity, have you considered [name_f]Leilani[/name_f], [name_f]Lana[/name_f], [name_f]Alana[/name_f] (which is both Irish and Hawaiian, from what I have found), [name_f]Kaila[/name_f] (Kah-ee-lah) Keilani or [name_u]Kalani[/name_u]?

[name_f]Iolana[/name_f] is beautiful in sound and meaning and it seems like you’re leaning that way, so don’t hesitate.

Alamea and [name_f]Halia[/name_f] are my guilty pleasure Hawaiian names, for what it’s worth.

One of my favourite names is [name_f]Noelani[/name_f]. It’s quite an uncommon name and its Hawaiian !

I love the meaning of [name_f]Iolana[/name_f]!

[name_f]Iolana[/name_f], because it seems you favor it and it is super super cute.

I’d go with [name_f]Iolana[/name_f]! :slight_smile: I like the meaning and the nickname options.

[name_f]Iolana[/name_f] is my favourite - I love the meaning and the nickname [name_f]Io[/name_f]! [name_f]Iolani[/name_f] is lovely, too.

I’d steer clear of [name_f]Kalea[/name_f] and [name_f]Kalena[/name_f] if they don’t work with your surname. [name_f]Elora[/name_f] is nice but doesn’t feel as distinctive as [name_f]Iolana[/name_f] to me, and you don’t get your Hawaiian name.

I think [name_f]Iolana[/name_f] sounds like the best option. What a pretty name, beautiful meaning and great nicknames!

I wouldn’t even consider names that don’t sound great with the surname. The child has to wear both as their life’s label.

Another vote for [name_f]Iolana[/name_f]. [name_f]Lovely[/name_f] name with lovely meaning. :slight_smile:

[name_f]Iolana[/name_f] seems your favorite, and it’s gorgeous!

[name_f]Iolana[/name_f] is my favourite by far

[name_f]Iolana[/name_f]!

Beautiful name and meaning, and adorable nn options.