Hawaiian Names
Hawaiian names come from ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i, the Hawaiian language, and they’re as beautiful as the islands themselves. Most names are real words with rich, layered meanings, so a single name can refer to the sky, a chief and a beloved child all at once. Here are 90+ Hawaiian names, words and surnames to explore, from unisex first names to nights of the Hawaiian moon.
If you’re naming a baby, start with our dedicated lists of Hawaiian girl names and Hawaiian boy names. For place names like Kona and Lanikai, see Hawaii island names.
Unisex Hawaiian names
Hawaiian grammar has no gendered names, so most Hawaiian names can be used for anyone. These are the ones that feel most balanced today. More ideas in unisex names.
| Name | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Kai | Sea | KYE |
| Kalani | The heavens, royal | kah-LAH-nee |
| Keola | Life, health | keh-OH-lah |
| Kalei | The lei; beloved one | kah-LAY |
| Nalu | Wave, surf | NAH-loo |
| Makani | Wind | mah-KAH-nee |
| Kealoha | The loved one | keh-ah-LOH-hah |
| Hoku | Star | HOH-koo |
| Keahi | The fire | keh-AH-hee |
| Kaimana | Diamond; power of the sea | kye-MAH-nah |
| Noa | Free, released from taboo | NOH-ah |
| Lani | Sky, heaven | LAH-nee |
| Nohea | Handsome, lovely | noh-HEH-ah |
| Kawena | The glow | kah-VEH-nah |
| Kainoa | The name | kye-NOH-ah |
| Mana | Spiritual power | MAH-nah |
| Iolana | To soar like a hawk | ee-oh-LAH-nah |
| Kanoa | The free one | kah-NOH-ah |
| Kahiau | To give generously | kah-hee-OW |
Hawaiian names by meaning
Looking for a specific meaning? These names express the values and images most loved in Hawaiian culture. Compare with names that mean peace and names that mean love.
| Name | Meaning | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Aloha | Love, compassion, greeting | Love |
| Maluhia | Peace, serenity | Peace |
| Lokomaikai | Generosity, good heart | Kindness |
| Olakino | Health, vitality | Health |
| Malama | To care for, protect; also light, month | Care |
| Lanakila | Victory | Triumph |
| Hauoli | Happiness | Joy |
| Laulima | Many hands working together | Cooperation |
| Kuleana | Responsibility, privilege | Duty |
| Malu | Shade, protection, peace | Calm |
| Ikaika | Strength | Strength |
| Pomaikai | Blessed, fortunate | Luck |
| Lokelani | Heavenly rose | Beauty |
| Nani | Beautiful | Beauty |
| Naauao | Wisdom, learning | Wisdom |
| Oiaio | Truth, sincerity | Honesty |
| Manaolana | Hope | Hope |
| Kaona | Hidden meaning | Mystery |
Hawaiian moon phase names
The traditional Hawaiian lunar calendar gives a name to every night of the month, and fishermen and farmers still use it. These make unusual, poetic names. See also names that mean moon.
| Name | Night of the moon | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Hilo | 1st night, first sliver | Twisted, faint thread |
| Hoaka | 2nd night, crescent | Crescent, brightness |
| Huna | 10th night | Hidden (the horns are hidden) |
| Mohalu | 11th night | Unfolding, opening like a flower |
| Hua | 12th night | Fruit, egg; a fertile night |
| Akua | 13th night | God, divine |
| Mahealani | 16th night, full moon | Full moon, the hazy heaven |
| Kulu | 17th night | Dripping, falling |
| Kane | 27th night | Named for the god Kāne |
| Lono | 28th night | Named for the god Lono |
| Mauli | 29th night | Overcast; life essence |
| Muku | 30th night, no moon | Cut off, ended |
Hawaiian last names and famous namesakes
Hawaiian surnames often began as a father’s given name in the 1800s, when Western-style family names became law. These belong to some of Hawai‘i’s best-loved figures.
| Surname | Meaning | Famous namesake |
|---|---|---|
| Kahanamoku | Commonly “the struck island” (disputed) | Duke Kahanamoku, Olympic swimmer and father of modern surfing |
| Kamakawiwoole | The fearless eye, the bold face | Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo‘ole, singer |
| Akaka | Clear, luminous | Daniel Akaka, first Native Hawaiian U.S. senator |
| Kanakaole | The flawless person | Edith Kanaka‘ole, chanter and kumu hula |
| Kanahele | The strong one (commonly given) | George Kanahele, historian |
| Kamakau | Traditional chiefly name | Samuel Kamakau, 19th-century Hawaiian historian |
| Kahale | The house | Common surname |
| Kalama | The torch | Common surname |
| Kamaka | The eye, beloved one | Common surname |
| Keawe | Name of a high chief | Common surname |
| Makua | Parent, elder | Common surname |
| Naone | The sandy one | Common surname |
| Kanoho | The seat | Common surname |
| Kaleikini | The many beloved ones | Common surname |
Hawaiian words of endearment
These words are what families actually call their loved ones, and several have become first names or nicknames. See more sweet ideas in cute nicknames.
| Word | Meaning | How it’s used |
|---|---|---|
| Keiki | Child | Any child, as in “keiki menu” |
| Ipo | Sweetheart | For a partner |
| Kuuipo | My sweetheart | Romantic; famous from Elvis’s song |
| Makamae | Precious, treasured | For a cherished child |
| Kuulei | My child, my beloved | Tender nickname |
| Pumehana | Warm, affectionate | Also a first name |
| Hoaloha | Friend | For a close friend |
| Tutu | Grandparent | Grandma or grandpa |
| Kupuna | Elder, ancestor | Respectful term |
| Mama | Mother | Same as English, but vowels stretched |
| Ohana | Family, extended family | Made famous by “Lilo & Stitch” |
| Aikane | Close friend | Also a companion |
Island-life words that make fun pet names
Hawaiian food and wildlife words are perfect for dogs, cats and other pets. Pair them with our boat names if you’re naming something that floats.
| Name | Meaning | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Poi | Pounded taro paste | A small, round pup |
| Kalo | Taro plant | Earthy, calm pets |
| Ulu | Breadfruit | A chunky cat |
| Haupia | Coconut pudding | White pets |
| Lilikoi | Passion fruit | Lively, yellow-eyed cats |
| Malasada | Portuguese doughnut beloved in Hawai‘i | Fluffy golden dogs |
| Nene | Hawaiian goose, state bird | Birds, chatty pets |
| Moku | Island | Independent cats |
| Pueo | Owl | Night-owl cats |
| Mauna | Mountain | Big dogs |
| Opihi | Limpet | Pets that cling to you |
| Pupu | Appetizer; also shell | Tiny pets |
| Manini | Convict tang fish; also “small, stingy” | Fish, small pets |
| Hapa | Half, part | Mixed breeds |
| Honu | Green sea turtle | Slow, steady pets |
| Ahi | Yellowfin tuna | Fish-loving cats |
| Kamaaina | Local resident, “child of the land” | Rescue pets born nearby |
How to use Hawaiian names with care
- Treat the language with respect. Hawaiian was nearly lost after it was banned in schools in 1896; its revival makes each name a small act of cultural continuity.
- Use a trusted source such as the Pukui-Elbert Hawaiian Dictionary to confirm meanings, since many websites repeat invented translations.
- Mind the ‘okina (‘) and kahakō (ā): they change meaning. Pau means finished, but pa‘u is a skirt.
- Avoid names of sacred figures or deities for pets, and be thoughtful with chiefly names for babies if you have no connection to the family.
- When in doubt, pick an everyday word with a lovely meaning, such as Nalu, Keola or Maluhia, rather than inventing a compound.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common Hawaiian names?
Kai, Kalani, Leilani, Kailani, Keanu and Koa are among the most widely used Hawaiian names, both in Hawai‘i and on the mainland.
Are Hawaiian names gender-neutral?
Traditionally, yes. Hawaiian does not mark names as male or female, so names like Kalani, Keola and Kealoha are given to boys and girls alike.
How many letters are in the Hawaiian alphabet?
The Hawaiian alphabet has 13 letters: the vowels a, e, i, o, u, the consonants h, k, l, m, n, p, w, and the ‘okina, a glottal stop.
What does Mahealani mean?
Māhealani is the name of the full-moon night in the Hawaiian lunar calendar, often translated as “hazy heaven” or simply “full moon.”
What is a Hawaiian name that means family?
‘Ohana means family, including extended family and close friends. It is used more as a word than a given name.