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, IrishMeaning: An offeringAlternative Spellings & Variations: Lana, Allana, AlannaFamous Namesakes: Alanna Goldie, Canadian fencer; Alannah Currie, New Zealand musicianPeak Popularity: The name Alana began peaking in the mid-1980s and is still trending.
Alohi
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: Shining, brilliantPeak Popularity: Alohi is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for girls in the United States.
Halia
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: Remembrance of a loved oneFamous Namesakes: Halia Beamer, internet celebrityPeak 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: HawaiianMeaning: White snowAlternative Spellings & Variations: KeaPeak Popularity: Haukea is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for girls in the United States.
Kailani
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: Sea and sky, sea and heavenAlternative Spellings & Variations: Kalani, Kalanie, KailaFamous Namesakes: Kailani Craine, Australian figure skaterPeak 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.
Kaia
Origin: Hawaiian, GreekMeaning: The seaAlternative Spellings & Variations: Kiya, KaiFamous Namesakes: Kaia Gerber, American model; Kaia Iva, Estonian politicianPeak Popularity: Kaia is currently experiencing a surge in popularity, which began in the 2010s.
Luana
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: EnjoymentAlternative Spellings & Variations: Lulu, Lu, AnaFamous Namesakes: Luana, Italian singer-songwriter and co-founder of BelladonnaPeak Popularity: Luana was particularly popular in the United States from 1940 to 1950.
Kalei
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: Flower wreath, happinessAlternative Spellings & Variations: Kali, Cali, KaleighPeak 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, HindiMeaning: RosebudAlternative Spellings & Variations: KalieFamous Namesakes: Kali Rocha, American actressPeak Popularity: Kali was most popular in the United States from the mid-1990s to 2015.
Keala
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: PathwayAlternative Spellings & Variations: NoneFamous Namesakes: Keala Kennelly, American surfer; Keala Settle, American singerPeak Popularity: Kaela was most popular in the United States from 1990 to 2000.
Makani
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: WindAlternative Spellings & Variations: NoneFamous 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.
Lana
Origin: Greek, HawaiianMeaning: Light, floatingAlternative Spellings & Variations: Alana, LonnaFamous Namesakes: Lana Del Rey, singer; Lana Turner, actressPeak 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, HawaiianMeaning: LionessAlternative Spellings & Variations: Lea, Leigh, Leah, LeyahFamous Namesakes: Léia Scheinvar, botanistPeak Popularity: Leia reached height popularity in the United States in the mid-2010s.
Lokelani
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: Small red roseAlternative Spellings & Variations: Loki, LaniFamous Namesakes: Lokelani McMichael, American triathletePeak Popularity: Lokelani is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for girls in the United States.
Loni
Origin: English, Hawaiian Meaning: Sky Alternative Spellings & Variations: LonnieFamous Namesakes: Loni Anderson, actressPeak Popularity: Loni has never been a popular name, but it did see a small spike in the 1980s.
Leilani
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: Heavenly wreathAlternative Spellings & Variations: Leila, LaniFamous 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.
Lilo
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: Generous oneAlternative Spellings & Variations: NoneFamous Namesakes: Lilo Ramdohr, member of the White Rose resistance group in Nazi GermanyPeak Popularity: Lilo is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for girls in the United States.
Malia
Origin: Hawaiian, SpanishMeaning: Rebelliousness, brave, diligentAlternative Spellings & Variations: Famous Namesakes: Malia Obama, President Obama’s daughter; Malia Jones, American modelPeak Popularity: Malia has skyrocketed in popularity since 2008, largely because it is the name of President Barack Obama’s oldest daughter.
Mililani
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: Praise, exaltAlternative Spellings & Variations: Milly, Mili, LaniFamous Namesakes: NonePeak Popularity: Mililani is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for girls in the United States.
Naia
Origin: Hawaiian, Latin Meaning: Dolphin, to flowAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nya, NayaFamous Namesakes: Naia Guz Sanchez, actor; Naya Rivera, American actressPeak 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: HawaiianMeaning: Calm skiesAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nala, LaniPeak 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, SpanishMeaning: Spring, graceAlternative Spellings & Variations: Nanna, Nanny, Nanette, AnaFamous Namesakes: Nana Mizuki, Japanese voice actorPeak Popularity: Nana hasn’t been a popular name in the United States, but it did have a few small, random spikes in the 1800s.
Okalani
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: Heavenly Alternative Spellings & Variations: LaniPeak 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, SpanishMeaning: Variant of oleanderAlternative Spellings & Variations: Oli, Ana, LianaPeak 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: HawaiianMeaning: Of the EarthAlternative Spellings & Variations: Aka, KamuPeak Popularity: Akamu is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.
Akoni
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: Too great to calculate (inestimable) Alternative Spellings & Variations: KoniPeak 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 admirationAlternative Spellings & Variations: Anakin, KoniPeak Popularity: Anakoni is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.
Bane
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: Long-awaited childPeak 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: HawaiianMeaning: Cool breeze over the mountainsAlternative Spellings & Variations: NoneFamous 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 AmericanMeaning: Urge, imploreAlternative Spellings & Variations: CoyPeak Popularity: Koi is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.
Kale
Origin: Hawaiian, GaelicMeaning: Strong, manlyAlternative Spellings & Variations: Kayle, Kail, CaleFamous Namesakes: Kale Ane, American football player; Kale Browne, actorPeak Popularity: Kale experienced a small surge in popularity from 1995 to 2010.
Kana
Origin: Hawaiian Meaning: God’s judgmentAlternative Spellings & Variations: KanaielaPeak Popularity: Kana is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.
Kaleo
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: One voiceAlternative Spellings & Variations: LeoPeak Popularity: Kaleo is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.
Kekoa
Origin: Hawaiian Meaning: Brave one, the warriorAlternative Spellings & Variations: Keko, Keiko, KoaFamous Namesakes: NonePeak 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: HawaiianMeaning: Wind, breezeAlternative Spellings & Variations: Maka, Ani, KaniFamous Namesakes: Makani Harrelson, daughter of actor Woody HarrelsonPeak Popularity: Makani is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.
Hailama
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: Famous or renowned brotherAlternative Spellings & Variations: NoneFamous Namesakes: NonePeak Popularity: Hailama is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.
Havika
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: BelovedAlternative Spellings & Variations: HaviPeak Popularity: Havika is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.
Ilima
Origin: Hawaiian, HebrewMeaning: FlowerAlternative 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.
Ionakana
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: A gift from GodAlternative Spellings & Variations: Iona, Kana, AnaPeak Popularity: Ionakana is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.
Iulio
Origin: Hawaiian Meaning: YouthfulAlternative Spellings & Variations: Julio, Julito, Julia, Julius, Jullian, JulenFamous Namesakes: NonePeak 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: HawaiianMeaning: Power of the ocean Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kai, Mana, Kaima, AnaFamous Namesakes: NonePeak 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.
Kalani
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: Sea and sky, chiefAlternative Spellings & Variations: Kalanie, Kala, KalanFamous Namesakes: Kalani Hilliker, dancer; Kalani Chapman, surfer; Kalani Prince, Hawaiian YouTuberPeak Popularity: Kalani is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.
Kapono
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: Proper or righteous one, virtuousAlternative Spellings & Variations: Kapon, KoponePeak 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: HawaiianMeaning: God is graciousAlternative Spellings & Variations: KeoPeak Popularity: Keoni is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.
Kimo
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: SupplanterFamous Namesakes: Kimo Armitage, American poet; Kimo Williams, American musicianPeak Popularity: Kimo is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.
Maleko
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: Of Mars, warriorAlternative Spellings & Variations: MalekPeak Popularity: Maleko is a unique name that hasn’t made its way into the top 1000 list for boys in the United States.
Mano
Origin: HawaiianMeaning: SharkAlternative Spellings & Variations: Iman, MannyFamous Namesakes: Mano Brown, singerPeak 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: HawaiianMeaning: Gift Of GodAlternative 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.
