First Names Phonetically Translated Into Hawaiian

This resource of first names translated into Hawaiian phonetically features over 7,500 phonetic Hawaiian name translations which we have curated since 1999 through the translation of the most common first names, name translation requests by website users, and names of people we meet. Phonetic translations are based on sounds and have
NO INTENTIONAL LITERAL MEANING OR TRANSLATION.

Since this resource features over 7,500 Hawaiian name translations it is a useful resource for people looking for a name for a baby or unique name for a pet as well as to translate the names of Hawaii theme party guests if you host a Luau or Hawaii theme wedding.

What are phonetic translations?

When outsiders began visiting Hawaii, locals “translated” non-Hawaiian names to “Hawaiian names” phonetically based on the Hawaiian alphabet and word structure. The 5 vowels a,e,i,o and u as well as the 8 consonants h,k,l,m,n,p, w and ‘ (which is called a glottal stop) make up the entire Hawaiian alphabet. In the Hawaiian language a consonant is always followed by a vowel which also means all Hawaiian words end in a vowel. Please note that the glottal stop is not used in phonetic name translations, just literal Hawaiian words.

How to pronounce Hawaiian words

Names and words are more easily pronounced when they are broken down into single syllable chunks.

Take the name of Hawaii ’s state fish, humuhumunukunukuapua’a, and pronounce it:
hu-mu-hu-mu-nu-ku-nu-ku-a-pu-a-a

Phonetically pronounced:
who-moo-who-moo-new-coo-new-coo-ah-poo-ah-ah.

How to pronounce the letter W in Hawaiian

Sometimes the letter W is pronounced the same as V as in the traditional pronunciation of Hawai’i which is phonetically pronounced huh-vi-ee rather than huh-why-ee.

How to pronounce vowels in Hawaiian

There are two types of vowels, stressed vowels and unstressed vowels:

Stressed vowels

a – ah, as in car: aloha

e – a, as in may: nene

i – ee, as in bee: honi

o – oh, as in so: mahalo

u – oo, as in spoon: kapu

Unstressed vowels

a – a, as in about: ali`i

e – eh, as in met: kane

What are traditional Hawaiian names with literal translations

A traditional Hawaiian name has a specific meaning behind it and is given to a child when they are born by the parents or kapuna (family elder). The child is typically named after something that came to the family member in a dream, by distinguishing characteristics the child displays when born, or characteristics the family would like the child to display. For example the woman’s name Lani means Heavenly.

The Hawaiian translations I provide are phonetic and have no intentional literal meanings. The phonetic translations are done based on the sounds the name makes when said and the Hawaiian alphabet and word structure. Because there are only 13 letters in the Hawaiian language there are many names which sound similar and have the same phonetic translation. Resource of Traditional Hawaiian Names with their literal meanings.