114 Hawaiian Names Your Baby Will Thank You For

There is a lot to celebrate about Hawaiian culture beyond luaus, leis, and ukulele songs. Even the language offers something special. Using only 13 letters, words born from this alphabet are packed with nuance. "Aloha," for instance, may read like a simple greeting, but its meaning also extends to include mercy, grace, kindness, and more. And Hawaiian names are no different.

In addition to their translations, many bear strong connections to the spiritual world. Others circle back to special events, and some are even inspired by specific personality quirks. Below, we've listed many Hawaiian names to mull over for your child. We've also provided some information on specific naming traditions and their Hawaiian roots.

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Origins of Hawaiian Names & Naming Traditions

Today, many Hawaiian names remain tethered to an English equivalent. The name "Akamu" roughly translates to "Adam," just as "Malia" does "Mary," for instance. But that's something that only kicked off after 1860, when King Kamehameha, the fourth monarch of Hawaii, signed the Act to Regulate Names.

The statute held that any child born from that point on would be given a Christian English first name. The parents could use a more traditional Hawaiian name for the child's middle name, while the father's given name would serve as the child's surname.

As time went on, commitment to the act started to loosen up, and residents began gravitating more towards hybrids, like the ones listed above. Before that, Hawaiian names were entirely unisex. There was also a very distinct naming system in ancient Hawaii; one that revolved around six specific motivations:

There's the concept of inoa po, where new parents arrive at the child's name in a dream. There's also inoa ho'ailona, or a name inspired by a vision or mystical sign. That's not to be confused with inoa 'ulaleo, a name heard from a mystical voice.

There's also inoa ho'omana'o, a name given to commemorate a certain celebration or event. Inoa kupuna is something that occurs across most cultures and refers to a name inspired by a relative or an ancestry. Lastly, there's inoa ewe, a name inspired by the baby's own individual personality.

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100+ Traditional Hawaiian Baby Names

Before we dive into our list, there's something else you should know about names of Hawaiian origin: These titles are often accompanied by an apostrophe or an "okina," (an official consonant in the Hawaiian language). It's how they appear in traditional Hawaiian form, though it may cause some confusion over here on the mainland.

If it turns into too much of a headache, know that these punctuations can be removed without changing the significance of the name. So, the name "Hali'a" can also be spelled as Halia, just as "Hawai'i" carries the same meaning as "Hawaii," and so on.

So, now that we've gotten that out of the way, it's time to kick things off. See which Hawaiian baby name below you like most!

Popular Hawaiian Baby Boy Names

1. Akoni: Priceless
2. Akamu: Red earth
3. Alaka'i: Guide or leader
4. Alapai: Coastal area
5. Aukai: Sailor
6. Ekewaka: Wealthy protector
7. Kahalo: Light-footed
8. Kamaile: Vein of a lei
9. Keanu: Cool breeze (You may also recognize this one because of award-winning actor Keanu Reeves.)
10. Koa: Warrior
11. Koukakala: Dark river
12. Laʻakea: Sacred light
13. Luano: Enjoyment
14. Makani: Wind
15. Mamo: Yellow bird
16. Meka: Eyes or beloved one
17. Nahele: Forest
18. Oliwa: Olive tree
19. Onaona: Sweet fragrance
20. Pahokee: Grassy waters
21. Waipuna: Cherished one or spring water

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Hawaiian Boy Names With Mystical Meanings

22. Aolani: Heavenly cloud
23. Elta: "The Lord is my God"
24. Haoa: Hot as the sun
25. Hikialani: Look to heaven
26. Kāne: Named after the highest of Hawaii's four major gods and creator of all living things.
27. Kawika: The Hawaiian version of "David," an Old Hebrew name meaning "beloved of Yahweh."
28. Kealakekua: Pathway of the gods
29. Ke'alohilani: Heavenly brightness
30. Keon: God is gracious
31. Kimokea: Honoring God
32. Lono: God of the harvest
33. Malulani: Protected by heaven
34. Maui: One of Hawaii's eight major islands. Also known as the God of Fire.
35. Mililani: To praise
36. Pukalani: Heavenly gate
37. Rangi: God of the sky
38. Uhane: Soul
39. Wehilani: Adornment from heaven

Traditional Hawaiian Names for Your Baby Girl

40. Alamea: Precious volcanic stone
41. Alana: Offspring; the feminine form of "Alan."
42. Alaula: Light of dawn
43. Alawna: Precious
44. Apikaila: My father's joy
45. Gali: Wave
46. Haleakalā: House of the sun
47. Haukea: White snow
48. Haunani: Beautiful snow
49. Iolana: To soar
50. Ka'ahumanu: Bird cloak
51. Kaia: Derived from the Hawaiian word meaning "sea."
52. Kaipo: Sweetheart
53. Maleia: Gentle waters
54. Moana: Wide expanse of water or deep sea
55. Naia: Dolphin
56. Oleen: Joyous
57. Polunu: Chubby
58. Uluwehi: Growing in beauty
59. Wikolia: Victorious

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Hawaiian Girl Names Inspired by Heaven

60. Ahulani: Heavenly shrine
61. Fetia: She who rules over heaven and earth
62. Kamalani: Heavenly child
63. Kaili: Departing spirit
64. Kalani: Of the heavens
65. Kaniela: Only God is my judge
66. Keikilani: Heavenly child
67. Kiana: Moon baby
68. Kulani: Rising towards heaven
69. Lanikai: Heavenly beach
70. Lekika: God beholds
71. Makana: Gift from God
72. Nālani: The heavens of the chiefs
73. Noelani: Heavenly mist or a beautiful girl from heaven
74. Pi'ilani: Ascent to heaven
75. Ualohekeakua: God has listened
76. Ululani: Inspired by heaven

Hawaiian Flower Names For Girls

77. Aelan: Beautiful flower
78. Kaleighia: Happiness and flowers
79. Kaleia: Curled flower
80. Kapua: The flowers
81. Kaulana: Famous are the flowers
82. Kiele: Gardenia
83. Kiely: Garden of flowers
84. Lehua: The name for the Hawaiian state flower
85. Leiko: Petite flower
86. Leilani: Heavenly flower
87. Leimomi: Pearl flowers
88. Oliana: Oleander
89. Pikake: Jasmine
90. Maile: Vine
91. Puanani: Beautiful flower
92. Pua: Flower or offspring
93. Roselani: Red rose
94. Waiola: Violet flower

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Unisex Hawaiian Baby Names

95. A'ala: Fragrant
96. 'Ailana: Island
97. Ailani: High Chief
98. Ahe: Softly blowing breeze
99. Akela: Lucky or noble
100. Aulii: Something which is very delicious
101. Eusebio: One who worships well
102. Hanalei: Crescent bay
103. Healani: Haze from the heavens
104. Hilo: First night after the new moon
105. Kahiwa: Sacred vine
106. Kanoa: The free one
107. Kapano: Righteous
108. Konane: Bright moonlight
109. Ku'u Hoaloha 'Oi: Best friend
110. Iolani: Royal hawk
111. Mahina: Moon or moonlight
112. Nalani: Calmness of the skies
113. Olina: Joyful
114. Pali: Cliff

Wrapping Up

That's it for our list of traditional Hawaiian names, but be sure to check back with us soon for more ideas. You can also sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss out on what's coming next!