Kapiʻolani

Hawaiian

Etymology

ka (“the”) + piʻo (“arch”) + lani (“sky”) = "the heavenly arch, rainbow".

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kaˌpi.ʔoˈla.ni/, [kəˌpi.ʔoˈlɐ.ni]

Proper noun

Kapiʻolani

1. a female given name from Hawaiian

Usage notes

This name of 19th-century royalty (a high chiefess and a queen) was taken up by commoners in the 20th century.

References

• Mary Kawena Pukui - Samuel Elbert, Hawaiian Dictionary, University of Hawaii Press 1986, page 331
• Hawaii State Archives: Marriage records Kapiolani occurs in 19th century marriage records as the only name (mononym) of 1 woman, that is, the later Queen Kapiʻolani.