Not too long ago I posted about interesting Spanish word names we are pondering. We are also considering using a Maori name as a first or second name to represent the fact that our baby will be born in New Zealand and to honor people that we know here. It is fairly common to hear Maori words used as names here in NZ, although not all of these words are commonly used as names (but some are).
Have a look, give feedback if you like. Any that stand out as particularly usable or not usable? Mostly curious to how they sound to folks who have never heard them before. And of course would love to hear from any kiwis.
Boy:
Kaitiaki- (ky-tee-ah-kee) Guardian, caretaker
Rakau- (RAH-ko) tree
Rongo- peace, to make peace
[name]Manu[/name]- (mah-noo) bird
Kahu- (kah hoo) hawk
[name]Tane[/name]- (tah nay) boy, man
Girl: Aotea- (ah-o-tay-ah) ao means cloud, aotea is a type of jade that resembles clouds, also part of the Maori name for New Zealand (aotearoa)
Aoatea- (ao [name]AH[/name] teh ah) dawn
Aroha- (ah-ro-hah) love
Airini- (eye-ree-nee) [name]Peace[/name]
[name]Kiri[/name]- (kee ree) tree bark
[name]Non[/name] Gender Specific:
Koha- (ko-hah) Gift
Kauri- (ko-ree) A giant tree endemic to NZ
Ahi- ([name]Ah[/name]-hee) [name]Fire[/name]
Whenua- (Fen-o-ah) [name]Land[/name]
Marama- (ma-rah-ma) [name]Moon[/name]
Atawhai- (ah tah fye) Kindness
Hotoke- (ho toh kay) [name]Winter[/name]
I am a kiwi, so my opinions are based on names I would expect to hear in NZ.
The usable names from your list [name]IMO[/name] are:
[name]Manu[/name], [name]Tane[/name] and Kahu for a boy, and [name]Kiri[/name], Marama and Aroha for a girl.
I note that [name]Kiri[/name] is more likely to end up being pronounced by a kiwi as [name]Ki[/name]-ree.
I have both a [name]Manu[/name] and a [name]Tane[/name] in my extended family, and I know a little [name]Kiri[/name]. Also, [name]Kiri[/name] Te Kanawa would be a great namesake (world renowned opera singer).
I would also suggest Moana (moe-ah-nah) meaning sea. It is a beautiful name.
Okay, also meant to say Moana would be a girl’s name.
And, I would probably not use Koha as it is a commonly used term to seek a donation even in english (i.e. entrance to this museum is by gold coin koha). It crops up a lot in everyday language in NZ. I would also not use kauri. again just because it is a commonly used term in NZ. That is, it is used in english language in NZ when talking about kauri trees or kauri furniture etc.
Lastly, I would check with someone versed in tikanga before using Kaitiaki, as you may find it is inappropriate as a name, as I have always thought it carried a special significance. However, I could be completely wrong about this.
Hey, I am in NZ too - I was going to suggest Moana too, but I see that has already been mentioned…
I like…
Boys…
[name]Tane[/name]
Kaitiaki
Kahu (every Kahu I have met seems gorgeous…lol)…
Girls…
[name]Kiri[/name] (again - they all seem gorgeous)
Aroha
Aotea
there are some totally gorgeous Maori names - I say go for it!
@ March- That’s so funny, because we know a Koha, a Kaitiaki, and a Kauri. But, yeah would definitely check in with our Maori friends, (our baby’s adoptive auties and uncles ) before we actually name bubba. I like the meaning of Moana, but don’t love the sound of it for some reason. Thanks for your reply!
Tui is also a lovely name used here-either gender. (The bird-not to be mistaken with the beer)!
Marama is (in my opinion) a girls name. [name]Tane[/name] is my fave boys name and [name]Kiri[/name] girls name.
I would love to use Aroha in the future if I have a baby girl.
From your list I like: [name]Manu[/name], Kahu, [name]Tane[/name], Aroha (obviously), [name]Kiri[/name] (although my pronunciation is as a previous poster has mentioned: [name]Ki[/name]-ree, just like [name]Kiri[/name] Te Kanawa).
Some other Maori names of people I’ve known:
Mereana
Ngaire (ny-ree)
Tui
[name]Pania[/name]
Kowhai
[name]Just[/name] came across this thread as I’m interested in Maori names - being kiwi and married to a Maori myself. I [name]LOVE[/name] the name Atawhai. My husband has a cousin called Whai and I really like it, but I like Atawhai even better.
I just came back from vacation in New Zealand. An absolutely beautiful country. What city do you live in? I visited Auckland & Rotorua!
On your list, I like Aotea because of its significance & meaning in NZ, as well as [name]Manu[/name] & Kahu for boys. I also like [name]Kiri[/name] & Aroha for girls!
Oh, I love this thread! So interesting. My husband and I met and started dating on a study abroad trip in Australia and New Zealand, so I would love to find a way to incorporate these kinds of names. The only ones from your list I don’t like are Rakau (sounds like [name]Rocco[/name] to me, which I’m not a fan of) and Rongo (sounds like wrong-o). The rest are beautiful, though mose people here in the US wouldn’t pronounce them right
) before we actually name bubba. I like the meaning of Moana, but don’t love the sound of it for some reason. Thanks for your reply!