Hawaiian Girl Names
Hawaiian girl names are full of flowers, ocean light and aloha. A name like Leilani (“heavenly flower”) or Kailani (“sea and sky”) sounds soft and melodic because Hawaiian words always end in a vowel and use just 13 letters. Below are 90+ Hawaiian names for girls, each with its meaning and a pronunciation guide, grouped by theme.
Hawaiian names are traditionally given with great care, often after a dream, an ancestor or a meaningful event, so it’s worth learning the story behind the name you choose. For the boys’ list, see Hawaiian boy names; for unisex and nature picks, browse all Hawaiian names, or discover names from the islands themselves in Hawaii island names.
Popular Hawaiian girl names
These are the Hawaiian names you’re most likely to hear on the mainland as well as in the islands. Many are built on lani, meaning “heaven” or “sky,” which also signals royalty.
| Name | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Leilani | Heavenly flower or lei; royal child | lay-LAH-nee |
| Kailani | Sea and sky | kye-LAH-nee |
| Kalani | The heavens, royal | kah-LAH-nee |
| Malia | Mary | mah-LEE-ah |
| Moana | Ocean, open sea | moh-AH-nah |
| Nalani | The heavens, calm skies | nah-LAH-nee |
| Noelani | Mist of heaven | noh-eh-LAH-nee |
| Mahina | Moon, moonlight | mah-HEE-nah |
| Alana | Awakening, arising | ah-LAH-nah |
| Lani | Sky, heaven | LAH-nee |
| Keala | The path; the fragrance | keh-AH-lah |
| Luana | Contentment, enjoyment | loo-AH-nah |
| Iolana | To soar like a hawk | ee-oh-LAH-nah |
| Kiele | Gardenia; fragrant blossom | kee-EH-leh |
| Nani | Beautiful, glory | NAH-nee |
| Mele | Song, chant; also Mary | MEH-leh |
| Makana | Gift, present | mah-KAH-nah |
| Kaimana | Diamond; power of the sea | kye-MAH-nah |
| Anela | Angel | ah-NEH-lah |
| Hoku | Star | HOH-koo |
Hawaiian flower and plant names for girls
Leis, gardens and native forests inspire some of the prettiest Hawaiian names. Several are official island flowers. Find more blooms in our flower names for girls.
| Name | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Pua | Flower, blossom; also offspring | Short and sweet |
| Pualani | Heavenly flower | Classic |
| Lokelani | Heavenly rose | Official flower of Maui |
| Lehua | Blossom of the ‘ōhi‘a tree | Official flower of Hawai‘i Island |
| Ilima | Golden ‘ilima flower | Official flower of O‘ahu |
| Maile | Fragrant vine used in leis | Symbol of honor and romance |
| Melia | Plumeria | Soft, modern |
| Pikake | Jasmine | Named for Princess Ka‘iulani’s peacocks (pīkake) |
| Awapuhi | Wild ginger | Unusual and lyrical |
| Hinahina | Silvery beach heliotrope | Official flower of Kaho‘olawe |
| Napua | The flowers | Poetic |
| Kapua | The blossom | Easy to say |
| Liko | Leaf bud | Tiny and sweet |
| Leimomi | Lei of pearls | Elegant |
| Uluwehi | Lush, verdant beauty | Nature lover’s pick |
| Ohelo | Red berry sacred to Pele | Rare |
Ocean, sky and moon names
The Hawaiian language has dozens of words for rain, mist and the ocean. These girl names capture that island light. For more, browse names that mean ocean.
| Name | Meaning | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Kai | Sea, ocean | Unisex, sporty |
| Nalu | Wave, surf | Beachy |
| Kehaulani | Dew of heaven | Dreamy |
| Hokulani | Heavenly star | Sparkling |
| Iwalani | Heavenly frigatebird | Free-spirited |
| Healani | Heavenly mist | Soft |
| Kanoe | The mist | Short, gentle |
| Anuenue | Rainbow | Joyful |
| Wailani | Heavenly water | Calm |
| Haunani | Beautiful dew or snow | Classic |
| Mahealani | Night of the full moon | Romantic |
| Hina | Moon goddess | Mythic |
| Aolani | Heavenly cloud | Airy |
| Makanoe | Gift of mist (poetic compound) | Unique |
| Anuhea | Cool, fragrant mountain breeze | Fresh |
Hawaiian names meaning love, joy and beauty
In Hawaiian culture, words like aloha carry deep meaning: love, compassion and the breath of life shared between people.
| Name | Meaning | Why we love it |
|---|---|---|
| Aloha | Love, affection, compassion | The spirit of the islands |
| Kealoha | The loved one | Warm and familiar |
| Leialoha | Beloved child or lei | Tender |
| Kalea | Joy, happiness | Bright and simple |
| Hauoli | Happy, joyful | Cheerful |
| Maluhia | Peace, serenity | Calm strength |
| Olina | Joyous | Light and pretty |
| Nohea | Lovely, handsome | Unisex |
| Pilialoha | Beloved companion | Friendship name |
| Kanani | The beauty | Classic |
| Ululani | Heavenly inspiration | Artistic |
| Mililani | Heavenly caress; to exalt | Also a town on O‘ahu |
| Kaila | Style, stylish | Chic |
| Makanani | Beautiful eyes | Rare |
| Keola | Life, health | Unisex |
| Kalei | The lei; beloved one | Sweet, popular |
Names of Hawaiian queens, princesses and goddesses
The Hawaiian Kingdom (1810–1893) had remarkable women rulers, and Hawaiian tradition honors powerful goddesses. See also our goddess names.
| Name | Meaning | Who she was |
|---|---|---|
| Kaiulani | The royal sacred one | Princess Ka‘iulani, heir to the throne |
| Liliuokalani | The smarting of the royal ones | Queen Lili‘uokalani, last monarch |
| Kapiolani | Arch of heaven | Queen Kapi‘olani, founded a maternity home |
| Emalani | Royal Emma | Queen Emma, co-founded The Queen’s Hospital |
| Keopuolani | Gathering of the clouds of heaven | Sacred wife of Kamehameha I |
| Kaahumanu | The feather cloak | Powerful queen regent |
| Kalama | The torch | Queen Kalama, wife of Kamehameha III |
| Pele | Lava; volcano goddess | Goddess of fire and volcanoes |
| Hiiaka | Held in the arms of the cloud | Pele’s sister, patron of hula |
| Laka | Gentle, tame | Goddess of hula |
| Poliahu | Garment of snow | Snow goddess of Mauna Kea |
| Namaka | The eyes | Sea goddess, Pele’s sister |
| Haumea | Earth mother | Goddess of fertility and childbirth |
| Lilinoe | Fine mist | Mist goddess of Haleakalā |
| Pauahi | The fire is out (commonly given) | Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, founder of Kamehameha Schools |
Hawaiian forms of English girl names
Hawaiian has only 13 letters, so English names were adapted when missionaries arrived. These versions are a fun way to honor a grandmother’s name with island flair.
| Hawaiian name | English equivalent | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Lahela | Rachel | lah-HEH-lah |
| Elikapeka | Elizabeth | eh-lee-kah-PEH-kah |
| Kakalina | Katherine | kah-kah-LEE-nah |
| Wikolia | Victoria | vee-KOH-lee-ah |
| Makaleka | Margaret | mah-kah-LEH-kah |
| Iulia | Julia | ee-OO-lee-ah |
| Keleka | Teresa | keh-LEH-kah |
| Lepeka | Rebecca | leh-PEH-kah |
| Emalia | Emilia, Emily | eh-MAH-lee-ah |
| Kalolaina | Caroline | kah-loh-LYE-nah |
How to choose a Hawaiian girl name respectfully
- Learn the pronunciation: every vowel is sounded, and the ‘okina (‘) is a glottal stop like the break in “uh-oh.” Ka‘iulani is ka-EE-oo-LAH-nee.
- Decide whether to keep the ‘okina and kahakō (macron) in the legal spelling. Hawai‘i allows them on birth certificates, but some other states’ systems do not.
- Be careful with invented compounds. Hawaiian words have layered meanings (kaona), so check a new combination with a fluent speaker or a Hawaiian dictionary.
- Names with lani (heaven, royalty) were once reserved for ali‘i, the chiefly class. Today they’re widely used, but it’s nice to know the history.
- For names with a similar meaning in other languages, try names that mean flower or names that mean sky.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular Hawaiian girl name?
Leilani and Kailani are the most widely used Hawaiian girl names in the U.S., with Kalani, Moana and Malia also popular.
What does Leilani mean?
Leilani combines lei (flower garland, also a beloved child) and lani (heaven, sky), so it means “heavenly flower” or “heavenly child.”
What is a Hawaiian name that means moon?
Mahina means moon, Hina is the Hawaiian moon goddess, and Mahealani is the night of the full moon.
Why do so many Hawaiian names end in -lani?
Lani means sky, heaven or royal. It was a mark of high rank in chiefly names and remains a favorite ending for girls.
How do you say Moana?
Moana is pronounced moh-AH-nah, with every vowel sounded. It means ocean or open sea.