Appendix:Hawaiian given names

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List of common Hawaiian names of persons born in 1900-2008

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This list of Hawaiian given names is based on a survey of persons born in 1900-1989 and 2000-2005, from obituaries in The Honolulu Advertiser and Honolulu Star Bulletin 1994-2004, and samples of births and marriages on O'ahu in Honolulu Star Bulletin 2000-2005. It's a small sample with an uneven age distribution, and centered on O'ahu. But no one else seems to have researched the subject at all. The numbers in parentheses after each entry below tell how many times the name appeared in the survey ( f = female, per 2039; m = male, per 1711). All names with at least 3 bearers are included. The source does not use macrons so names like Kalā and Kala must be grouped together.

The Social Security Administration gives out annual lists of the top hundred names for boys and girls in the State of Hawaii, starting from the year 1960. They are based on first names while a Hawaiian name usually comes second. A few Hawaiian names make it into these lists every year and they are all noted in the entries below.

A

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  • ʻAilana - "Loving". (2f)
  • Akana - Common Hawaiian surname derived from Cantonese informal prefix "Ah" plus some personal name. Used as a given name possibly for family reasons. (2f,2m)
  • Akeakamai - "Yearning for wisdom" (1f)
  • ʻAkela - Hawaiian for Adele and Asher. (2f )
  • Akoni - "Priceless one"
  • Alakaʻi - "Leader" (3m) Variant: Kealakaʻi (1m)
  • Alana - "Awakening".Also Hawaiian for Alan and its feminine form Alana. Included in the top hundred names for girls 1985-2008. (11f,1m)
  • ʻAlani - "Orange tree or fruit" / Alani - a type of brown seaweed (Dictyota), an upland tree (Pelea), or a type of moss. ( 2f)
  • Alapaʻi - Listed as the Hawaiian form of Alfred, but this is a pre-contact, unisex name, used by Big Island royalty. (2f,1m)
  • Aliʻi - "Chief".New usage, Keliʻi and Kealiʻi having been the normal forms earlier. (5m)
  • Aliʻiloa - "Distant or high chief".(2m)
  • ʻAlika - Hawaiian form of Alex and Alexander. Included in the top hundred names 1998. (9m)
  • Aloha - "Love" (4f, 2m)
  • ʻAlohi - "Shining". (2m) Variant: Keʻalohi (1f)
  • ʻAlohilani - "Heavenly brightness". Name of a mythical land. (6f,1m)
  • Amoe - Hawaiian form of Cantonese Amoy (Ah Mooi) "younger sister". (2f)
  • ʻĀnela - "Angel" or Hawaiian for Angela. Included in the top hundred names 1998-2007. (8f)
  • Ānuenue - "Rainbow". (2f,1m)
  • Anuhea - "Cool fragrance". Included in the top hundred names for girls in 2006. (3f)
  • ʻAukai - "Seafarer" (3m) Variant: Kaʻaukai (1m)
  • ʻAulani - "Royal messenger, heavenly traveller" (6f,1m)
  • ʻAuliʻi - "Dainty, neat" (1f)

E

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H

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  • Haʻaheo - "Cherished with pride" (4m)
  • Haleakalā - "House of the sun". For the crater of Maui. (1f)
  • Haliʻa - "Fond remembrance" Misspelled, Halia could mean "slow" (1f)
  • Hanalei - "Lei bay". Place name from Kauai also used as a Hawaiian form of Henry.(1m)
  • Hanohano - "Glorious". (2m)
  • Haunani - "Beautiful snow" (10f)
  • Hauʻoli - "Happiness" (3f,6m)
  • Hāwea - Name of a mythical drum brought from Tahiti. Place name and a personal name in legends. (1f,1m)
  • Healani - "Heavenly mist". Name of Kalākaua's boathouse and musical group. A church of North Kona. (3f,1m)
  • Hekili - "Thunder" (2m). Variant: Kahekili,name of a Maui chief (2m)
  • Hiapo - "First born" (2m)
  • Hiʻiaka - Name of a goddess, the favorite sister of Pele.(3f)
  • Hiʻilani - "Held in the arms of heaven" (5f,1m)
  • Hiʻilei - "Cherished child, carried in the arms" (3f)
  • Hilinaʻi - "Trust". (1f,1m)
  • Hina - "Gray; prostrate". Name of a moon goddess, patron of Molokai.(2f,1m)
  • Hīnano - "Pandanus flower" (2m). Variant: Kahīnano (2f)
  • Hiwahiwa - "Precious" (2f). Variant: Kahiwahiwa (1f,1m)
  • Hōkū - "Star".E.g.singer Hōkū Ho.(1f)
  • Hōkūlani - "Heavenly star" (10f,1m).Variants: Hōkūokalani (1f), Kahōkūokalani (3m).
  • Hoʻokano - "Proud". (3m)
  • Hoʻonani - "Adornment" (1f,1m)
  • Hoʻopiʻi - "Ascent" (2m)
  • Hualani - "Heavenly fruit" (3f,1m)
  • Hūʻeu - "Mischievous".E.g. Big Island chiefs. (2m)

I

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  • ʻIhilani - "Sacred one from Heaven" (1m,1f)
  • Ikaika - "Strong". Included in the top hundred names 1980-1995, 2006.(1f,21m)
  • Imaikalani - Name of a blind but victorious legendary chief. (2m)
  • ʻImiʻike - "Seeker of knowledge" (1f,1m)
  • Ioane - Hawaiian biblical form of John, often found in nineteenth-century documents. (2m)
  • Iokepa - Hawaiian form of Joseph.(4m)
  • ʻIolana - "To soar like a hawk", "soaring hawk".Also Hawaiian form of Yolanda. (2f)
  • ʻIolani - "Royal hawk" .Name of Kamehameha II and Kamehameha IV,and of a palace and a school in Honolulu.(1f,1m)
  • Ipo - "Sweetheart" (2m)
  • Ipolani - "Heavenly sweetheart" (2f). Variants: Kaipōkalani (1m), Kuʻuipolani (1f).
  • ʻIwalani - "Heavenly frigatebird (Fregata minor palmerstoni)",symbolic for "majestic beauty". An inter-island steamer was so called.(13f)

Ka

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  • Kaʻahumanu- "The bird (feather) cloak", a symbol of royalty. Kaʻahumanu was the favorite wife of King Kamehameha and his de facto successor.(1f)
  • Kaʻaumoana - "The seafarer" (1f,3m)
  • Kaʻena - "The red-hot glow".The O'ahu place is said to be named for a brother of Pele. /Kaena - "Praised", or an English name from a fantasy movie. ( 2f,3m)
  • Kāʻeo - "Full of knowledge" (4m)
  • Kahaʻi - Name of a legendary Polynesian navigator.(1m)
  • Kahalewai - "The prison; the treasury; the water house".A common surname, might have been chosen as a given name for family reasons.(2f,3m)
  • Kahanuola - "The breath of life". (1f)
  • Kahealani - "The heavenly mist" Included in the top hundred names 2005.(11f)
  • Kahiau - "Generous". (1f,1m)
  • Kahikilani - "Heavenly Tahiti", name given to mythical lands after the old Hawaiians forgot how to sail to real Tahiti.(1f,1m)
  • Kahula - "The hula dancer" (3f)
  • Kai - "Sea". An identical boys' name of Danish origin is currently fashionable in the UK and U.S.A. Included in the top hundred names for boys in Hawaiʻi 1995-2008. (4f,26m)
  • Kaiʻa - "The fish", spelled Kaia in old documents. (2f)
  • Kaihe - "The spear". (1f,1m)
  • Kaila - "Style", "fashion", "stylish". Kaila is also an American spelling variant of Kayla. Included in the top hundred names for girls 1999-2008. (4f)
  • Kailani - "Heavenly seas" (2f)
  • Kaʻili - "The skin;the pebble"/ Kāʻili "snatcher", a war god/ Kaili "wrecked" or "inheritance", but spelled that way it is more probably an English variant of Kaylee or Kylie. ( 2f,1m)
  • Kaʻilihiwa - "The black skin" (2f,1m)
  • Kaʻilikea - "The fair skin", as of light-skinned Hawaiians. (1f,1m)
  • Kaimana- "Diamond" or "sea filled with mana ". Included in the top hundred names for boys 1993-94, 1999-2005, 2007-2008. (2f,12m)
  • Kaʻimi - "The seeker". Also the Spanish clover (Desmodium canum). (1f,3m)
  • Kaʻiminaʻauao - "The seeker of knowledge".E.g.a sister of King Kalākaua who died in childhood.(2m).
  • Kaʻimipono - "The seeker of righteousness" (4m)
  • Kaina - "Younger sister of a girl; younger brother of a boy" (2f,2m) Variant with same meaning: Kaikaina (1m)
  • Kainalu - "Billowy sea". Included in the top hundred names for boys 1996-2008. (7m)
  • Kainoa - "The namesake" from ka + inoa. For example, the grandson of John could be named John Kainoa or Kainoa John. Included in the top hundred names for boys 1991-2008. (14m)
  • Kainoakupuna - "The namesake of one's ancestor" (2m)
  • Kaiolohia - "Calm sea", figuratively " peace of mind" (1m)
  • Kaipo - "The sweetheart" (2f,10m)
  • Kaʻiu - "The lofty one" (1m)
  • Kaʻiulani - "The royal sacred one". Name of the last Crown Princess (8f)
  • Kalā - "The sun"/ Kala - "Free of sorcery", also Hawaiian form of Sarah.( 3f,3m)
  • Kalaʻe - "The clearness". (2f)
  • Kalāhikiola - "The life-bringing sun".A Big Island hill and church.(1f,1m)
  • Kalaʻi - "The peace" (2f,3m)
  • Kalama - "The lama tree",endemic ebony (Diospyros), from which torches were made, hence figuratively "the torch, lamp, enlightenment". Kalama was the Queen of Kamehameha III. Common surname.(1f,3m)
  • Kalani - "The sky or heavens; the royal chieftain". Included in the top hundred names for boys 1975-77 and occasionally in 1989-2005. (4f,48m)
  • Kalanikiʻekiʻe - "The royal highness".(1f,1m)
  • Kale - Hawaiian form of Charles.(4m)
  • Kaleʻa - "Joy, happiness," but also "orgasm". (5f)
  • Kalehuawehe - "The opening lehua". Name of a surf at Waikīkī.(1f,1m)
  • Kalei - "The flower wreath" or "The child". A common first part of compound names. (4f,13m)
  • Kaleialoha - "The beloved child" (4f,3m)
  • Kaleikaumaka - "The child looked upon with love and pride"(1f,6m)
  • Kaleinani - "The beautiful child" (4f,2m)
  • Kaleiokalani - "The child of heaven" (2f,2m). Variant: Kaleilani (2f).
  • Kaleiwohi - "The high born child".(2f)
  • Kalena - "The yellow(a royal color);the lazy one". Also Hawaiian for Karen. Included in the top hundred names 1999, 2003-2004, 2008.(3f)
  • Kaleo - "The voice" (1f,9m)
  • Kaleolani - "The heavenly voice" (4f,5m). Variants: Kaleōkalani (4m), Kaleookalani (1m).
  • Kaleponi - "California", presumably for birth there.(2f)
  • Kali - "Hesitation" or "Wait" (usually part of a compound name). Hawaiian for Carrie and Gary. (2f)
  • Kalia - "Waited for"; also a native tree (Elaeocarpus bifidus) / Kaliʻa "the desire". Included in the top hundred names for girls in 2007.(4f)
  • Kaliko - "The bud" (2f,2m)
  • Kalikolehua - "The lehua bud" (1m)
  • Kalili - Name of a native violet, also known as nani-Waiʻaleʻale (Viola kauaensis). (2f,1m)
  • Kalua - "The second one", but also "the pit, outhouse, toilet".Common surname.(2f,3m)
  • Kaluhi - "The carefully tended one."(2m)
  • Kamaile - "The maile vine" (3f,2m)
  • Kamaka - "The eyes; the beloved one; the bud or descendant". Common surname.(3f,5m)
  • Kamakanamaikalani - "The gift from heaven". New type of name that can be used to translate Matthew, Jonathan, Nathaniel, Theodore or Dorothy. (2f,1m). Variants: Kamakanamaikeakua (1m), Kamakanaokalani (1m).
  • Kamakanamakamaemaikalani - "The precious gift from heaven". New name. (2f,1m)
  • Kamāla - "The garden" / Kamala - Hawaiian for Tamara.(4f)
  • Kamalani - "Royal child" Included in the top hundred names for girls many times during 1996-2005. (4f)
  • Kamalei - "Beloved child". Included in the top hundred names for girls in 2008. (6f,3m)
  • Kamāliʻi - "Prince, princess". (1m)
  • Kamalu - "The shade; the protected one" (2f,1m)
  • Kameaʻiʻomakamae - "The truly precious thing" (1f,1m)
  • Kameāloha - "The beloved one".E.g.singer John Kameaaloha Almeida. (2f,4m)
  • Kamila - "Camellia" (3f)
  • Kamuela - Hawaiian for Samuel (10m)
  • Kanaʻi - "The conqueror" (3m)
  • Kanaʻiaupuni - "The conqueror of the nation".A title of Kamehameha, and the name of an old newspaper. (1m)
  • Kanakanui - "Big man" (2m)
  • Kanamu - E.g.a surname. Exact spelling not known.(3m)
  • Kanani - "The beauty, glory". Common first part of compound names. Included in the top hundred names for girls 1982,2002. (14f,6m)
  • Kananiokuʻuhome - "The adornment of my home". (1f)
  • Kāne - "Male". One of the four leading gods, a benevolent god of creation. ( 4m).
  • Kaniela - Hawaiian form of Daniel (5m)
  • Kanoa - "The commoner; freed from kapu". Included in the top hundred names for boys in 2007-2008. (1f,4m)
  • Kanoelani - "The heavenly mist" (5f,1m)
  • Kanoelehua - "The lehua flower mist" (3f)
  • Kaʻohu - "The mist; adorned with leis". (1f)
  • Kaʻohulani - "The heavenly mist" (1f)Variant: Kaʻohuokalani (1f)
  • Kaʻōpua - "The puffy clouds".(1f,1m)
  • Kāpena - "Captain". Included in the top hundred names for boys 1988.(-)
  • Kāpiʻioho - "Curly hair".An Oahu chief. (1f,2m)
  • Kapiʻolani - "The heavenly arch",i.e. the rainbow. Name of the Queen of King Kalākaua. (4f)
  • Kapono - "The righteousness" or "the goodness" (1f,4m)
  • Kapua - "The flower" A common first part of compound names.(1f,2m)
  • Kapulani - "Chiefly taboo" (1f,2m)
  • Kapuni - "The favorite". Name borne by legendary kahunas.(1f,2m)
  • Kaʻuhane - "The soul" (5m)
  • Kauʻi - "The youth, the beauty" (4f,1m)
  • Kauʻionālani - "The beautiful youth of heaven".(4f).Variants: Kauʻiokalani (1f), Kauʻilani (2f,1m)
  • Kaulana - "Famous" (1f,4m)
  • Kaumana - Exact spelling unknown. Kaʻūmana is a place name. (3m)
  • Kawai - "The water",symbol of life and wealth. (2f,4m)
  • Kawailani - "The heavenly water" (5f,1m)
  • Kawailehua -"The lehua honey". (2f)
  • Kawehionāpua - "The adornment of flowers".(2f)
  • Kawehiwehi - "The decoration" (2f).
  • Kawelo - "The family trait". A legendary chief of Kaua'i. (2m)
  • Kawena - "The glow" .E.g. the scholar Mary Kawena Puku'i. Included in the top hundred names 2005. (4f)
  • Kāwika - Hawaiian for David. King David Kalākaua is called Kāwika in chants. Included in the top hundred names 1976-99,2003. (22m)

Ke

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  • Kea - "White, clear".(1f)
  • Keahi - "The fire" .Common surname.(2f,4m)
  • Keaka - "The shadow, reflection". Also Hawaiian for Jack.(2f,1m).
  • Keakaokalani - "The heavenly shadow". (2m)
  • Keala - "The pathway" /Keʻala - "The fragrant", symbolic for "esteemed, chiefly".E.g. musician Franklin Leonard Keʻala Kwan. ( 7f,10m)
  • Kealani - "Heavenly whiteness" (4f)
  • Kealiʻi - "The chief, nobleman". A common first part of compound names. (10m)
  • Kealiʻiʻaukai - "The sea-faring chief". (1f,1m). Names with similar meaning: Keliʻiʻaukai (1m), Keliʻiholokai (1m), Kealiʻiokekai (1m).
  • Kealoha - "Love; the loved one". Also a common surname, indicating that it was popular in the nineteenth century. (9f,20m)
  • Kealohalani - "Heavenly love, mercy" (3f,3m) Variants: Alohalani (3f), Kealohaokalani (1f), Kealohaonālani (1f).
  • Kealohapauʻole - "Love never ending" (4f)
  • Keʻalohilani - "The heavenly brightness". Name of a mythical land, and of a star. (9f,1m)
  • Keani - "The soft breeze".(1f)
  • Keanu - "The coolness". E.g. actor Keanu Reeves. Included in the top hundred names 1993-2008. (7m)
  • Keānuenueokalani - "The rainbow of the sky" (2f)
  • Keao - "The daylight; the cloud" (2f,2m)
  • Keaolani- "the heavenly cloud/light/realm" (1f,1m). Variants: Keōlani (2f), Keaookalani (1m), Keaōkalani (1f).
  • Keawe - "The thread". Name of ancient Big Island chiefs. (6m)
  • Kēhau - "Dew". Name of a gentle land breeze. (2f,1m)
  • Kēhaulani - "Heavenly dew". Included in the top hundred names 1997. (19f,2m)
  • Kēhaunani - "Beautiful dew" (2f,1m)
  • Keikilani - "Heavenly child" (9f) Variants: Keikiokalani (1f,1m), Keikionālani (1f).
  • Keikiokaʻāina - "Child of the land" (1m)
  • Keilani - "Heavenly glory" (2f)
  • Kekaimālie - "The calm seas". (1f,1m)
  • Kekaulike - "The equality". Name of a princess, sister to Queen Kapi'olani. (2m)
  • Kekoa - "Brave; the soldier; the koa tree". Included in the top hundred names 1979 and almost every year during 1986-2007. (1f,22m)
  • Kekona - "The leeward wind" (1f,2m)
  • Keliʻi - "The chief", contraction of Keali'i. A common first part of compound names and surnames. (13m)
  • Keoki - Hawaiian for George (3m)
  • Keola - "The Life" Included in the top hundred names for boys 1974,1978-79,1981. (2f,17m)
  • Keona - "The attractive one",but also "the mite, louse".(4f,4m)
  • Keonaona - "The soft fragrance" (5f,4m)
  • Keone - "The sand", poetically "homeland". (3m)
  • Keoni - Hawaiian form of English John. Included in the top hundred names almost every year in 1977-2006. (19m)
  • Kepano - Hawaiian for Stephen.(1f,2m)

Ki, Ko, Ku

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  • Kiana - Hawaiian for Diana. E.g.author Kiana Davenport. Included in the top hundred names 1983,1989-2008. (8f)
  • Kiani - "Gently waving". Name of a Bratz doll since 2006, after "Kiana" was withdrawn for copyright reasons. Included in the top hundred names for girls 2002. (3f)
  • Kiele - "Gardenia; fragrance.".The Tahitian cognate, Tiare, is a common girls' name in Hawaii.(1f)
  • Kilohana - "Superior"(2m)
  • Kimo - Hawaiian form of James (6m)
  • Kina - "China (the country)." Hawaiian form of Dinah,Tina and Gina. (1f)
  • Kini - "Multitude". "King",as a loan word and a surname. Also Hawaiian form of Jane,Jean,Jennie,Gene and Dean. (2m)
  • Koa - "Warrior; the koa tree" (6m)
  • Kona - "Leeward",name of a famous wind. Also Hawaiian form of Don and Donna. (1f,1m)
  • Kōnane - "Bright moonlight" (2f)
  • Konapiliahi - "Strong" (3m)
  • - "Upright". One of the four great gods, best known as the god of war. (2m)
  • Kūaliʻi - "Chief-like, kind". Name of an ancient chief. (2f,1m)
  • Kukunaokalā - "Ray of the sun; the mangrove" (1f,1m)
  • Kulamanu - "Plain with birds" (2f)
  • Kūlani - "Of heavenly nature" .A Big Island cone,and site of a prison camp.(2m).
  • Kūlia - "Striving, fortunate"/ Kulia, Hawaiian for Julia. ( 2f)
  • Kunāne - "Brother of a girl",an affectionate term. (1m)
  • Kuʻualoha - "My love" (3f,4m)
  • Kuʻuʻānelalani - "My heavenly angel" (1f). Variants: Kuʻuʻānelaokalani (1f), ʻĀnelalani (1f).
  • Kuʻuipo - "My Sweetheart" (21f,2m)
  • Kuʻulani -"My king or queen".(1f)
  • Kuʻulei - "My lei, beloved child carried on my shoulders". (28f,1m)
  • Kuʻuleialoha - "My beloved child" (6f)
  • Kuʻuleilani - "My heavenly lei or child" (5f,1m)
  • Kuʻuleinani - "My beautiful child" (5f)
  • Kuʻumomimakamae - "My precious pearl" (2f)

L

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  • Laʻakea - "Sacred light" (4m)
  • Lahapa - Hawaiian form of Rahab.Possibly also of Hawaiian origin, since it occurs in compound names. (3f).
  • Lāhela - Hawaiian for Rachel.(6f)
  • Lana - "Afloat" or "Calm as still waters" (1f)
  • Lanakila - "Victory" (1f,2m)
  • Lani - "Sky, heavenly",figuratively "chiefly, royal". Also a common nickname for the numerous names ending in -lani. Such names were not used by commoners in the Kingdom of Hawaii. Included in the top hundred names for girls 1961,1975. (15f,4m)
  • Lea - A mythological goddess of canoe builders. (1f)
  • Lehua - The lehua flower (Metrosideros polymorpha ), figuratively "warrior, friend, expert".(10f,2m) Variant: Kalehua (3f,1m)
  • Lehuanani - "Beautiful lehua" (2f)
  • Lei - "Wreath of flowers",figuratively "a child" (14f,1m)
  • Leialoha - "Beloved child" (25f,4m)
  • Leihua - "Globe amaranth" (Gomphrena globosa), literally "fruit lei". (2f)
  • Leiko -Hawaiian-Japanese hybrid name "lei child", given to women of Japanese ancestry in Hawaii.(6f)
  • Leilani - "Heavenly lei",figuratively "royal child" Included in the top hundred names 1961-63 and 1967-2007.(111f,3m)
  • Leilehua - "Lei of lehua flowers; talented child". (1f,2m) Variant: Kaleilehua (1m), Nāleilehua (1f).
  • Leimamo - "Lei of mamo feathers", figuratively "rare and precious child".(2f,1m) Variant: Kaleimamo (1m)
  • Leimomi - "Pearl necklace" (19f) Variants: Kaleimomi (2f), Kuʻuleimomi (3f)
  • Leināʻala - "Gust of fragrance" (29f)
  • Leinani - "Beautiful child" (11f,1m)
  • Leolani - "Heavenly voice". Leʻolani would mean "chiefly height". (3f,2m)
  • - "Chill". Fairly recent use as a middle name suggests that it could also be a form of Lee .(3f,1m)
  • Līhau - "Cool and fresh" Name of a Maui mountain, and a gentle rain. (3f)
  • Liʻiliʻi - "Small". After a given name of either sex, similar to "Junior".(1f,1m)
  • Likeke - Hawaiian form of Richard (4m)
  • Līlia - "Lily", a loan word. (3f)
  • Lilinoe - "Fine mist".A goddess of mists. (4f)
  • Līloa - Name of an ancient chief. (2m)
  • Loke - "Rose",as a name and a loan word. (3f)
  • Lokelani - "Heavenly rose" (11f.) An early twentieth century spelling was Roselani (4f)
  • Lono - "News, remembrance". God of agriculture and fertility.(1f,1m)
  • Lopaka - Hawaiian form of Robert. (6m)
  • Luana - "Content, at ease". Name of a fictitious princess in the play/film "Bird of Paradise" 1912/1932. (7f)
  • Luka - Hawaiian form of Ruth and Luke. (1f,2m)
  • Luʻukia - "Coconut fiber lashing". A legendary woman.(1f)

M

[edit]
  • Māhealani - "Heavenly haze; full moon night".E.g. Brook Māhealani Lee, Miss Universe 1997. Included in the top hundred names for girls 1998-99, 2002. (17f,2m)
  • Mahiʻai - "Farmer".(1f,1m)
  • Mahina - "Moon" or "Moonlight". Included in the top hundred names 2003. (3f)
  • Maikaʻi - "Good".(1m)
  • Maile - "The maile vine",appearing as four sweet-scented sisters in legend. Included in the top hundred names 1967-2008. (20f)
  • Mailelauliʻi - "Small leaf maile", one of the plant forms and a demigoddess. (1f)
  • Maka - "Eyes",figuratively "beloved"; "bud",figuratively "child".(2f,1m)
  • Makai - "Seaward". Recent usage.(1f,2m)
  • Makamae - "Precious" (4f,1m)
  • Makana - "Gift" Included in the top hundred names for boys in 2000,2002,2004,2007. (5f,7m) Variant: Kamakana (3m)
  • Makani - "Wind", sometimes symbolic for "anger". (2f,1m) Variant: Kamakani (2m)
  • Makanui - "Big eyes",figuratively "important, greatly loved".(1f,2m)
  • Makaokalani - "Heavenly eyes; royal bud or child". (1m) Variants: Nāmakaokalani (2m), Makalani (1m).
  • Makoa - "Fearless" Included in the top hundred names for boys 2002. (5m)
  • Malama - "Month,moon,light"; place name /Mālama - "To take care of; fidelity". ( 1f)
  • Maleka - Hawaiian for Martha,also an old word for America.(4f)
  • Malia - Hawaiian biblical form of Mary. Included in the top hundred names 1965-2008. (42f)
  • Mālie - "Calm". (1f)
  • Malina - "Calming" or "soothing" (2f)
  • Maluhia - "Peace"(2f). Variant: Kamaluhia (1m).
  • Malulani - "Heavenly shade or protection". Star name and ship name.(3f,1m) Variants: Kamaluokalani (1f), Kamaluonālani (1f).
  • Mamo - The black-and-yellow Hawaiian honeycreeper (Drepanis pacifica), highly prized for its feathers and now extinct; also "safflower" and "descendant".(1f)
  • Mana - "Supernatural power, mana."(2f,2m) Variant: Kamana (1m)
  • Manu - "Bird" (1f,2m)
  • Manuia - E.g. an ancient chief. (3m)
  • Māpuana - "Fragrance" (8f,1m)
  • Māui - Name of a demigod (2m)
  • Maunakea - "White mountain",the snow-topped Mauna Kea, the highest mountain of Hawaii. (1m)
  • Mealiʻi - "Little one" (1f)
  • Mele - Hawaiian form of English Mary. Also a Hawaiian word "song, chant" (3f)
  • Melia - "Plumeria" Included in the top hundred names 2000-2001. (2f)
  • Mikaʻele - Hawaiian for Michael,Michaela and related names. (1f,1m). Variant, also unisex: Mikala (1m).
  • Mikahala - Ship name turned into a given name in the 19th century. Originally a corruption of "Mr. Hall" (1f)
  • Mikiʻala - "Alert" (2f)
  • Mililani - "Caressed of heaven, favorite" (5f)
  • Moana - "Ocean" (8f,4m)
  • Moani - "Fragrant breeze" (3f)
  • Moanikeʻala - "The fragrance is wind-blown" (1f)
  • Mokihana - Name of the flower of Kauai (Pelea anisata), with berries strung into leis.(5f)
  • Momi - "Pearl" (6f,1m)
  • Momilani - "Heavenly pearl" (6f)

N

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  • Naʻauao - "Daylight mind, knowledge". (1f,1m)
  • Nahenahe - "Soft, gentle" (1f)
  • Naiʻa - "Porpoise". Included in the top hundred names for girls 2002. (1f,1m)
  • Nāinoa - "The namesakes". Similar to Kainoa. E.g.navigator Nāinoa Thompson. Included in the top hundred names 1994, 1998-2002,2005,2008. (12m)
  • Nālani - "The Heavens" Included in the top hundred names 2001.(10f,3m).
  • Nanea - "Fascinating" Included in the top hundred names 2005. (3f)
  • Nani - "Beauty" or "Splendor".Common ending of given names.(9f,1m).
  • Nāpua - "The flowers" (3f,1m)
  • Nāpualani - "The heavenly flowers" (5f)
  • Noa - "Freed of taboo; a commoner". Also Hawaiian form of Noah. Included in the top hundred names 2001. (2m)
  • Noe - "Mist" (2f) Variant: Kanoe (1f).
  • Noʻeau - "Clever, artistic". (1m) Variant: Kanoʻeau (1m)
  • Noelani - "Mist of heaven" Included in the top hundred names 1980. (23f,1m)
  • Nohea - "Handsome", "lovely" (4f,5m)
  • Nohealani - "Beauty from Heaven" (3f)
  • Nohelani - E.g. singer Nohelani Cypriano. (4f)

O

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  • Onaona - "Soft fragrance; gentle and attractive" (2f)

P

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  • Pahukula - "Golden casket". A baby girl was named Ka-pahu-kula-o-Ka-māmalu in 1824 when Queen Kamāmalu's golden coffin was brought to Hawaii from London. (1m)
  • Pali - "Cliff", symbolic for handsome.(2m)
  • Palikapu - "Sacred cliff" (2m)
  • Pauahi - "Consumed by fire; putting out a fire". Name of a star. Bernice Pauahi Bishop was the last heir to King Kamehameha. She was named for an aunt who had been saved from a fire as a child.(4f,2m)
  • Paulo - Hawaiian form of Paul. (3m)
  • Piʻikea - "The life ascends". A chiefess of Maui.(3f,1m)
  • Piʻilani - "Heavenly ascent". A chief of Maui. (7f)
  • Pilialoha - "Beloved companion" (1f,1m)
  • Pōhaikealoha - "Love encircles" (1f,1m)
  • Pōhaku - "Stone". Sometimes used as a translation of Peter. (2m)
  • Pōmaikaʻi - "Good fortune" (2f,3m)
  • Poʻokela - "Outstanding". Name of a Maui church. (4m)
  • Pua - "Flower",figuratively "child". (4f,2m)
  • Pualani - "Heavenly flower" (13f,1m).Variant with similar meaning: Kapuaokalani (2f,1m).
  • Puamana - "Flower with branches, the horseweed; child with mana".(3f)
  • Puanani - "Beautiful flower" (23f)
  • Pumehana - "Warm-hearted". (2f)
  • Puna - "Spring of water" (1f,1m)
  • Punahele - "Favorite",literally "spring that goes on". (1f,2m)
  • Pūnohu - "Rising mist". (1m)

U

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  • Uʻilani - "Heavenly young beauty" (11f)
  • Ululani - "Heavenly inspiration".An ancient chiefess. (15f)
  • Uluwehi - "Lush and beautiful verdure" (4f). Variant: Kauluwehi (1f).

W

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  • Wailani - "Heavenly water" (1f).Variant: Waiolani (1f)
  • Waiola - "Water of life",with religious associations both in ancient Hawaii and in Christianity. Also Hawaiian form of Viola.(3f) Variant: Kawaiola (1f,1m)
  • Waipuna - "Spring water",symbolic for sweetheart.(1m)

List of common names of Hawaiians born ca. 1800-1880

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These were the most common mononyms ( only names ) of Hawaiians in 19th century marriage records: Hawaii State Archives: Marriage records of Oahu and Hawaii 1832-1910, Maui 1842-1910, Kauai 1826-1910, Molokai 1850-1910, Niihau 1849-1856. In theory all Hawaiians born after 1860 should have had a surname, but the law was not strictly followed for years. All names with at least 37 bearers are included ( f=female, m=male) out of an estimate of nearly 50,000 name bearers.